As winter inevitably approaches, the daily dose of daylight is significantly decreasing.
But the dark days of the season don’t have to be loathed, thanks to advances in outdoor technology.
“This time of year, people look to extend the enjoyment of their home into the evening,” says Matt Brewer, owner of Softscape Outdoor Lighting, based in Columbus. “They look into lighting the areas around patios and decks to create a nice ambience and so people can see. During warmer weather, to make it comfortable, we add soft lighting and candles so homeowners can spend the evening out there entertaining.”
One tip to remember when highlighting key facets of the home is to not overdo it. This can make the house look less like a showcase and more like an eyesore.
“Don’t make it overly-lit – it’s not a spotlight,” Brewer says. “Highlight the architectural features and accent different aspects of the landscape in a way to showcase the home. You can get more curb appeal in a soft way. It’s better to keep the lights closer to the home and accent what it already has.”
When a homeowner is planning the layout of lighting, consistent bulb choice has to be considered, as each type of bulb
emits a different color, some of which can be distracting.
“Pay attention to the bulb and color temperature,” says Aaron Wilcox, general manager of Lighthouse Landscape Lighting in Upper Arlington. “There can be some really unpleasant, bluish and orange colors if you’re not careful. To get a warm white, you can use incandescent lights. They have a nice glow, but they use a lot of electricity. Halogens, which have been around for 50 years plus, are also great and they’re a bit more efficient.”
If you’re aiming for low electric bills, seek out LED bulbs. LED is the most efficient option, given that the lights use one-eighth the electricity their incandescent counterparts.
The only issue with LED lighting is the upfront cost. But springing for the top brands and technology will put you at a long-term advantage.
“You can get the economy stuff, but it may not last long,” Wilcox says. “There are some higher grade composite, aluminum and brass fixtures that will last for decades. With the integration of LED into the market, there’s a lot of water-proofing that’s being done. If you’re going to go LED, you have to go quality to protect against the inclement weather we have in central Oh
io. Your $40 LED bulb can be broken in a heartbeat or they can last 10-15 years if protected and cared for. Don’t cheap out.”
However, outdoor lighting isn’t just about looks. When a home is optimally lit, homeowners can keep unwanted animals out of the yard and, most importantly, discourage potential intruders from breaking in.
Garages, outdoor buildings, doorways and basement windows are key areas to keep in mind.
“We often have people calling us out in the winter months for security issues in their neighborhood,” Wilcox says. “We recommend auto-lights that turn on at dusk and off at dawn without having to manually do it every day. Pair this technique with low-voltage LED for maximum energy efficiency.”
If the darkness inhibits your outdoor mobility and makes you reluctant to venture outside, ensure that walkways and stairways are properly lit.
“I have customers who are concerned for the safety of their parents, so we work to light these dangerous walkways,” Brewer says.
And with all this illumination going on, it’s important to keep not only your indoor guests in mind, but also your neighbors. Keeping lights close together and shining up a particular surface will help combat intruding and unwanted radiance.
“Fixtures are specifically designed with adjusting shrouds and joints to aim lights properly,” Wilcox says. “Once you get up there and aim it properly, they serve their function without being obnoxious to you or anyone else in the neighborhood. Avoid high-voltage flood lights, as they use a lot of energy and are a nuisance. These bulbs burnout faster and changing them can be unsafe and costly.”
Stephan Reed is the assistant editor of Tri-Village Magazine. Feedback welcome at sreed@cityscenemediagroup.com
