Renovation

How To Light Up The Home At Night With LEDs

There is something special about eating outdoors. Our homes have been transformed to improve the indoor-outdoor flow, including outdoor dining.

When homeowners purchase a house, if it doesn’t have good outdoor living, they consider how to bring the outdoors in – even in the most inhospitable of locations. The installation of glass, i.e., bi-fold windows and doors, ranch sliders, or French doors, is popular for improving light and seeing nature and outdoor living.

The good news is that lighting your outdoor area can create the desired perception, even if your garden is not quite how you want it. Visually appeal to your guests’ emotions with lighting that makes the right ambiance.

A relaxing night in the garden with family can also be curated for a dance night or birthday party. So, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer looking to light up your outdoor areas, you should consider the available outdoor lighting options. A lot has changed now that we have LEDs.

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Why LEDs?

You may be familiar with alternatives to LED technology. There are CFL (compact fluorescent) and halogen bulbs, but LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are the go-to for indoor and outdoor use. They are considered superior in energy efficiency, longer-lasting, and safe for exterior illumination of homes and businesses.

LEDs come in various brightness levels and colors so that you can find the proper lighting for your project. And while LED fixtures may cost a little more, they save money over time. There are several other benefits they offer for your outdoor project.

Efficiency

The LED lighting provides more lumens at lower wattages than other traditional fixtures. This means lower energy costs. Also, you save on replacement costs and maintenance because they last much longer.

A bonus for users is that choosing LED lighting may qualify you for property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing.

Safety

Choosing UL-rated fixtures (Underwriters Laboratory) gives you the security of knowing they’ve been tested for outdoor conditions. An IP rating (Ingress Protection) of 65 offers weather resistance, while a rating of 66 provides full waterproofing.

Swimming Pools: LED lights can be used outside and safely installed in wet areas, such as in and around swimming pools.
Walkway lighting: LED lights are the perfect way to keep customers and employees safe as they walk your grounds at night. You can even add color features for extra effect.
Outdoor dining: LED lights can provide the necessary brightness and ambiance for diners in service areas, whether lighting a residential or restaurant dining area. They also don’t attract insects.
Landscape displays: Lighting can be used, particularly in smaller gardens, to showcase statues, water features, exotic planting, or a feature tree or shrub.

Furthermore, LED lights don’t emit heat and, because of their brightness, don’t need reflectors that create fire hazards. Finally, unlike some other bulbs, LEDs don’t contain mercury, so they’re safer to work with and more accessible to dispose of.

A Superior Bulb

LED lights don’t emit UV rays that attract insects, so you can light up your next evening event without worrying about bugs. It is also easier to control the direction of LED lighting, eliminating the need for reflectors or shades.

Another potential benefit of LED bulbs is that some are manufactured to change color at the push of a button, providing the potential for decorative lighting effects. The color changes and setting off on/off programming are controlled by software, so you can instantly use an App on your phone to control the hue, brightness, and times.

Home Display

Have you noticed that many homes for sale have photos of their exteriors taken at night? This is a realtor’s trick that works every time. Remember, perception is everything, and if your ordinary home looks more attractive under great lighting, why not use it to your advantage? More home buyers will turn up to open home viewings when they see a beautiful exterior, so use lighting to improve curb appeal.