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How To Install Solar Powered Garden Lights

The key to success with most projects is to clearly identify from the start what it is you aim to achieve – and installing solar garden lighting is no different. Do you want to increase security around your property, provide courtesy lighting for visitors, entertain family and friends, or quite simply make your garden more appealing at night?

You might of course choose any or all of the above plus a few other ideas of your own, which means you will also have to figure out how to balance various competing demands on your solar lighting layout. So you can see then that specifying your various objectives upfront makes it a whole lot easier to divide your outdoor spaces into discrete zones and identify suitable light fittings.

If for example one of your requirements is to deter intruders approaching your property then solar deck lights, while highly versatile, simply won’t cut it. But by the same token you wouldn’t want to entertain folk under the glare of a solar floodlight. Something softer is required, but not so subdued your guests can’t actually see what they drinking or who they’re talking to.

Outdoor solar lights that are intended to be primarily functional in nature (rather than simply appearing attractive) are easiest to install since the criteria they have to meet are typically well defined. When illuminating a pathway, for example, the simple test is whether the lighting does indeed enable you to safely navigate the path at night. Likewise, solar security lights should fully flood those areas you wish to secure against possible intruders.

Of course quite a lot of solar garden lighting serves no better purpose than looking pretty at night, which is a highly subjective and less than rigorous requirement. However, even this aspect is not without some basic ground rules worth observing. First is the obvious fact that solar lights need daily exposure to the sun in order to recharge their batteries, so you have to consider daytime as well as night time location.

Second, because solar powered lights have to last many hour on a single charge from a battery they cannot afford to burn as brightly as mains powered lights. Modern high efficiency LED bulbs that use vastly less power greatly help, but even these are still usually less bright. But this characteristic is not necessarily a weakness and it is possible to obtain effects with solar garden lights that mains powered versions cannot manage.

Thirdly, one of the main attractions of outdoor solar lighting is that it is both extremely easy to install and equally easy to rearrange subsequently. You aren’t stuck with your initial decisions regarding placement and can endlessly try out various arrangements until you settle on one that looks most pleasing to you.

Finally, never forget that it is your garden and therefore you can do as you please. If you want to string solar fairy lights along a dull fence or scatter sun jars at random then go right ahead. The fact is that pretty much any outside garden lighting looks a whole lot better than none at all, and it is near impossible to make a garden actually look worse by installing solar lighting.

If you found this interesting then be sure to check out this additional article that looks at solar powered garden lights in more detail.

November 18 2009 | Gardening | No Comments »

How Outdoor Lighting Can Keep You Safe

Outdoor lights are not only attractive, they are also a good safety measure for your home. Motion detection lights alert you to the presence of guests and strangers on your property, outdoor lights offer many safety benefits. Some of the benefits of outdoor lighting is the ability to ward-off intruders, and to prevent falls and people from being hurt.

Automated outdoor lights can also be called dusk-to-dawn lights. Homeowners make it appear as if someone is home, even if they are not. This will make robbers think again about picking off your home and stealing your things. Automated lights can also enhance an existing security system.

Landscape lights not only look good, but are a great way to prevent falls and injuries. Paths and driveways lined with outdoor lights can possibly save someone from tripping over things in the dark. When bad weather occurs, the chances of slipping and falling increase, so having good outdoor lighting is a another benefit.

If you have a large outdoor area that is dark, then you need area outdoor lighting installed. Can you imagine being able to walk your pet out of doors in the dark and still being able to see every step you make? You run the risk of spraining your ankle or falling, but having area lighting will reduce the risks. So think of effective lighting ideas as early as possible.

Outdoor lights are a good way to make you feel safe as you get home at night. You will find yourself worrying less about being hijacked by a stranger if you surround your home in light so you can see your yard and house.

January 11 2009 | Landscaping | No Comments »