Different Types of Landscape Lighting Fixtures
Most people know that it's essential for safety, but there are other reasons why you might want to invest in landscape lighting. For example, outdoor lumens lighting can make your home more inviting and attractive during the evening hours, which could lead to a boost in curb appeal and an increase in resale value.
Outdoor lights also provide a sense of security by making it easier for passersby or potential intruders to see what's happening inside the house. And if you live in an area with wildlife like deer or coyotes, then exterior lighting is necessary for keeping animals at bay. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, this guide will help you find the perfect fixture for your outdoor lighting needs.
Types of Lighting Fixtures
The first thing you should consider is whether or not you want to install a hardwired or plug-in fixture. Hardwired fixtures are connected directly to an electrical source and don't require any power outlet, while we can plug fixtures into a standard wall socket. When it comes to which one is better, it's a matter of convenience versus safety.
Spotlights
If you're looking for brightness over coverage, search no further than the spotlight. This fixture is designed to provide ample illumination where needed without wasting unnecessary energy. Spotlights have a wide angle of light output that will illuminate objects with minimal spread of light.
Spotlights can be installed on the ground or mounted in trees - you need to make sure that you point the spotlights at what you want to be lit up and high enough not to provide a tripping hazard.
Spotlight fixtures come in many different wattage classifications, so it's generally best to choose one that matches your needs while still being within the regulatory requirements of your local jurisdiction.
Floodlights
If you want maximum area coverage with your light fixture, then a floodlight is what you're looking for. This fixture is similar to the spotlight in that it will provide focused light over a particular portion of the landscape.
Spotlights generally have an equal or broader spread than their floodlight counterparts, but this all depends on how much output they each produce (in wattage). Floodlights are used more often than spotlights because you can install them onto poles and trees. The only downside to these fixtures is that people might trip over while walking through your yard at night if you install them too high off the ground.
Hardscape Lights
These fixtures are designed to light up the contrast between surrounding natural elements and artificial objects. For this reason, they are usually installed around trees and landscape boulders, but not so much on patios or walkways. Hardscape lights can offer a beautiful look to walkways by creating contrast against nature's colors. These types of lights are common in Japanese gardens due to their effectiveness in illuminating opposite surfaces.
Deck Lights
The most common use for deck lights is to provide illumination on your walkway. However, if you have a lovely patio or even just a small backyard area, you may not feel safe walking through it after dark. Deck lights will make this problem disappear by creating an inviting space that you can enjoy without fear of tripping over uneven terrain. For this reason, they are also commonly used in parking lots and stairwells.
Step Lights
Step lights provide a more subtle form of illumination than deck lights, but their purpose is the same - to light up your walkway. These fixtures are designed to be installed alongside the step they illuminate, making them both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Unlike other lights that come with a cord or switch box on the back, these fixtures include an integral switch that allows you to control power flow from the institution's base. This makes installation much more accessible!
Well Lights
If you are looking for a truly unique landscape lighting fixture, look no further than the well light. This fixture is designed to provide illumination beneath plants and trees, making it perfect for use in patios and courtyards with trees or shrubs. Well, lights come in various shapes and sizes, but they are all used for the same purpose - to bring plants above ground level into the spotlight.
Inground Lights
Inground lights are made to be buried into the ground. They work in conjunction with surrounding landscape features, illuminating from below objects such as trees and landscape boulders. These fixtures are generally used in Japanese-style gardens and patios due to their resemblance to lanterns.
Inground lights can be as small as a walkway light or measure several feet in diameter! If you have the money for such an expensive fixture, then go ahead and give it a try - you really won't be disappointed.
Path Lights
Path lights are unique in that they come with lead wire, so you can install them wherever your heart desires. They also feature integral on-off switches, and some models even have a dimmer to control power output. As a result, path lights can give off as much light as other fixtures but use less energy because of their longer bulb life (an average of 10,000 hours). The bulb used in these fixtures is also more attractive than other types of bulbs.
Path lights can be installed around trees and boulders or alongside your walkway to create an inviting space that will make you want to enter the yard. These lights are among the most popular because they are so versatile!