One day, as you may know, light will dominate our lives, as we know it. Whether we're inside or outside depends on the time of day and weather conditions. But until then, we can make the most of the natural light that strikes our outdoor spaces through strategic use of artificial lights and garden lighting nz fixtures.
These are just a few of the things you may need to think about if you're looking to improve your home's exterior with light. In this article, we'll discuss the basics of outdoor lighting in Auckland, including the best time of day to install exterior lights, the types of light you should consider, and how much light you should aim for.
Best Time To Install Outdoor Lighting
A lot depends on what kind of lighting you have in mind for your home's exterior. If you have overhead florescent lights, you may want to look into replacing them with high-end downlights or LEDs. These types of lights provide greater light than traditional overhead lights and they last longer, too, so you won't be replacing them as often.
It's also a good idea to install exterior accent lights around the home: these can either be simple LED strips that you can run along the top of a wall or fence, or they can be smaller fixtures that you can put on the corner of a table or shelf. These little lights will add a touch of luxury to your outdoor space while also allowing you to see what's going on outside in front of your home's windows.
Types Of Outdoor Lights To Consider
There are a number of different outdoor lights to choose from, so it's important to take a few things into consideration before making a purchase. The first and most important thing to consider is the light's output. In other words, how bright will it be and for how long? The higher the output, the greater the light and the better for outdoor activities like walking, dining, and relaxing. However, the higher the output, the greater the heat produced, so you may want to consider this if you're near or adjacent to a body of water.
The next important thing to consider is the color of the light. White light, generally accepted as being okay for planting and growing areas as well as roads, parking lots, and other open outdoor spaces, is officially recommended for outdoor spaces. But it's important to choose the right color for your outdoor space. For example, red lights are popular as garden accents because they draw in wildlife and give an interesting glow effect when the sun sets, but they can be a little overpowering if used for the entire exterior. It's best to choose yellow or white lights for the majority of your outdoor space.
How Much Light Should You Aim For?
You'll also need to decide how much light you want for your outdoor space. There are generally three or four ways to go about calculating the amount of light you need for your space: simply add up the number of windows you have facing south, go with the rule of thumb of 500 lux, or use a lux meter to get an exact measurement.
Whatever method you choose, it's important to figure it out because too much light can be as dangerous as not enough light. If you're unsure of what level of light you should aim for, start small and work your way up. For example, if you have a lot of windows but they're not very bright, adding a couple of high-end downlights could make a huge difference. Or, if you're looking for a more subtle change, you could add an outdoor lighting fixture.
But, if your outdoor space is mostly shady, you might not need as much lighting as you think. Depending on the time of day and outdoor space conditions, your windows and existing outdoor lighting fixtures can provide enough light for most activities outside. Especially during the day, the sun provides enough light for users to be able to see what they're doing.
Keep in mind: too much light can be dangerous, so choose the right amount of light for your outdoor space. If it gets too dark at night, adding more lights or using solar-powered lighting can help fix the problem. But during the day, the sun provides enough light for activities outside, so there's no need to add more light sources.
Where Should You Put The Lights?
Now that you have the basics of outdoor lighting in mind, you may want to start looking into where you intend to install the lights. There are a few important things to keep in mind so that the light doesn't become obsolete as soon as you light it up. The first and most important thing to keep in mind is location. Just because you have light, it doesn't mean you have to put it everywhere. You may want to consider where you'll be using the light and whether it's close to areas where people and animals might be affected by the light's glow or shine. Also think about where the light is coming from: is it direct from the sun, is it reflected off of something, or does it fall from the sky? These are all important questions to ask yourself before making any decisions about where to put the lights so that they don't become useless once you set them up.
How Do You Connect The Lights?
Once you've decided where you'll be installing the lights and what you'll be using them for, it's time to think about how you'll be connecting them together. There are a few different ways to connect exterior lights, so it's important to think about what you've got before making any decisions. For example, you could use an outdoor power strip or ring, which connects the lights together using electricity. But if you have a lot of outdoor space and you intend to use multiple strands of lights, it may be easiest to run the wires inside the walls and alongside the floor. This way, you can easily connect the lights without having to think about where to run the wire afterwards.
What Tools Do You Need To Install The Lights?
Nowadays, it's relatively easy to get the tools you need to install exterior lights. Just make sure that you have the correct tool for the job. For example, if you're using ring lights you'll need a ring light tool. Ensure that you have the correct tool for the job before starting, and make sure that you're not using any type of tool that could end up being dangerous if used incorrectly.
What About Maintenance?
Last but not least, we have maintenance. Just like any other part of your home, regular maintenance and repair can keep your garden lights in good condition. For starters, check for any power surges or fluctuations that could possibly be disrupting the operation of the lights. You should also do some research online to see if there are any known problems with the specific type or model of light you have. This way, you'll know what type of care it needs and when it needs it (just like you would with any other part of your home). Finally, make sure that the area is clean and free of any debris that could possibly obscure the light's rays.
It's a good idea to take some time before starting any outdoor lighting project to think about what you need. Being prepared will help ensure that everything goes smoothly and that you have enough light where you need it. Remember, too much light can be as dangerous as not enough light, so choose the right amount of light for your space by considering the time of day and existing outdoor space conditions. There are a lot of variables to take into consideration, but once you know what you're doing, it's not that hard to get the results you want.