Feb 06
0

7 Reasons to Install Driveway Lighting

By | Acworth GA, Landscape Company, Landscape Lighting, Landscape Lighting Company, Landscape Lighting Design, Outdoor LED Lighting, Outdoor Lighting | No Comments

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth shares 7 advantages of featuring the driveway lighting design.

The driveway is a significant hardscape feature of most homes and has been for over a hundred years. Historically, most houses built before 1850 were reached by way of dirt paths, which were direct and narrow rather than meandering and broad. They were for people, not carriages or motor vehicles which would only become commonplace in the early 20th century. Prior to the invention of motor vehicles, only the wealthy and landed had long, winding driveways with sophisticated entrances. The word “driveway” came into usage around 1871 and was originally a dirt path that a horse or carriages used to access the front of a home. During the second half of the 19th century, more creative driveways began to appear with nicer homes. Semi-circular drives, curving walks, and curbing also came into usage.

By design or by default, the driveway is a prominent hardscape feature for most homes, and it deserves attention because of its inescapable prominence. It is a serious error to neglect or ignore the driveway when considering a landscape lighting design. The design significance of the driveway cannot be overstated. The driveway with its attendant borders, curbing, vegetation, gates, fencing, entrance columns, decorative stones, and other features create a lasting first impression of a property.

A well-designed lighting plan for the driveway can make a powerful statement after the sun goes down. It could be argued that the lighting design for the driveway may very well be the most important aspect of lighting design. Having a professional lighting design specialist feature the driveway and entrance in a way that is complementary to the rest of the residence or estate is highly recommended.

There are many reasons to consider installing driveway lights, including aesthetics, pragmatism, beauty, and functionality. Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth has completed many lighting installations over the years and is sharing reasons why homeowners may want to invest in driveway lighting.

lighting design specialist

1. Delineates Driveway Entrance and Borders

Driveway lights are often used to illuminate and clarify the entrance and boundaries of a driveway, helping drivers find the entryway and make their way to the parking area. It also protects landscaping adjacent to the driveway and provides overall lighting for the area.

2. Strengthens Security

A well-lit driveway, yard, and home can dissuade potential intruders. If the homeowner has a security camera, the lighting will better illuminate video footage.

3. Elevates Safety

Landscape lighting provides the necessary brightness to make driving and walking at a residence safer. It reduces the likelihood of tripping in dimly lit areas and can be a critical safety component for some driveways. For example, if the driveway has a narrow entrance, bridge, large trees, or a drop off along the borders, driveway lighting can be positioned to mark boundaries and alert drivers to potential hazards.

4. Impresses Guests

For a home that sits back from the road, the driveway may be the first landscape feature guests see as they arrive. For that reason, the driveway will be a foundational part of the impression that visitors have of the home. Even for homes with short driveways, lighting can increase curb appeal and enhance a home’s appearance.

5. Illuminates Parking Areas

This reason could be included under safety. However, outdoor lighting can also be used to clearly mark parking areas so that guests are aware of exactly where it is appropriate to park.

6. Protects Structures and Landscape Features

This can include carports, posts, walls, garage doors, or landscaping features that drivers may find difficult to see.

7. Enhances the Ambiance

In cases where the driveway is particularly long, a well-designed driveway lighting system can transcend merely illuminating for the sake of safety. The road to the home can be more interesting and impactful. For example, outdoor lighting can be used to highlight interesting trees or landscaping features along the driveway. If the driveway has a unique pattern or stamping, lighting can be positioned to highlight these artistic aspects.

When considering a landscape lighting installation, the beautiful need not eschew the practical and functional. Instead, the practical and functional can embrace the upper limits of the most sublime aesthetic.

landscape lighting installation

For more information about the Acworth landscape lighting company, visit Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth on the web at https://www.southernlls.com/locations/acworth-georgia.

Feb 06
0

4 Tips for Lighting a Backyard Putting Green

By | Marietta GA, Outdoor LED Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Lighting Company, Outdoor Lighting System | No Comments

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta shares 4 strategies for lighting a backyard putting green.

What better way is there to relax than playing a few rounds of golf at the local course and enjoying a glass of iced tea, an Arnold Palmer, or other beverage of choice? After a long day of work, sinking a few balls on the putting green can really take one’s mind off of the stresses of life. It is obvious why so many golfers have begun incorporating putting greens into their outdoor living spaces.

But the enjoyment and release do not have to end after sunset. Once the sun sets and the evening air cools off, the cares of the day and the rest of the world seem to dissolve away and leave the now relieved mind to enjoy the remainder of the evening. In fact, nighttime is probably the best time to play golf in the warmer months of the year.

Landscape Lighting

But what about a backyard golf night? Is spending the summer nights down at the local golfing venue with the crowds and noise all that appealing? If not, there is an alternative. A summer evening on the back patio, a cold drink, some light music, and a few friends in a private backyard putting green can be a reality. Consider the addition of a well-designed and professionally installed outdoor lighting system. The additional lights for the putting green can be added to an existing system. Maybe the time is right to highlight the home and outfit the landscape with a custom-designed LED architectural outdoor lighting system.

4 Tips to Light a Backyard Putting Green

Tip #1: Downlighting

Downlighting is one of the best ways to splash a cascade of light over the backyard putting green. Downlighting is when a fixture is mounted in an elevated place and targeted downward at a specific location on the ground. The branches of a large, established tree or the architecture of a home can serve as vantage points from which to mount downlighting.

Downlighting, often referred to as moonlighting, creates drama. Flooding a target area with a high-powered floodlight does not create a dramatic aesthetic. The aim is to cast a soft light that yields both beauty and functionality.

Tip #2: Directional Path Light

What if there is not an elevated location from which a downlight can be attached or suspended? The lighting solution is to strategically place path lights around the putting green. A well-placed directional path light can be used to accent a putting green.

In contrast to a downlight that bathes the entire green with a flat light from above, a directional path light illuminates the putting green from the border of the feature. The path light casts shadows caused by tiny knolls. These subtle shadows from the small hills and undulations on the surface of the green hint at the best path from the golf ball to the cup.

Tip #3: Include an On/Off Switch

It may not be appropriate for the putting green to always be at the centerpiece of the backyard landscape. Having an on/off switch to control the lights to the putting green will enable the homeowner to use the recreational space for various other needs and uses.

Tip #4: Create a Relaxing Haven for Guests and the Family

The final lighting tip for the backyard putting green does not involve the illumination of the green. It addresses the larger goal of how to light the property in order to garner the most enjoyment from it.

Keep in mind the other features that make the outdoor living space so enjoyable. A small garden, an outdoor kitchen, bar top, pool deck, or fire pit come into play when lighting the putting green.

Creating a warm, relaxing ambiance makes for an enjoyable night in the backyard. In addition to lighting the putting green, accenting key landscape features elevates the beauty of a property and provides a better sense of visual control over the backyard environment.

The team of professional outdoor lighting specialists at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems are available to consult, design, and install landscape lighting for the backyard putting enthusiast who is seriously considering a lighting project for their putting green or the rest of their outdoor living space.

landscape lighting
For more information about outdoor landscape lighting or to schedule a free consultation, contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta by phone at (678) 616-9166 or via email at lindsey@southernlls.com. Visit them on the web at https://southernlls.com/locations/marietta-georgia.
Jan 30
0

Marietta Landscape Lighting Company Provides Educational Resources for Customers

By | Landscape Lighting, Landscape Lighting Company, Landscape Lighting Design, Marietta GA, Outdoor Lighting Company | No Comments

The Southern Landscape Lighting blog covers a variety of landscape lighting design, installation, and maintenance topics.

landscape lighting marietta

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems successfully lights up both homes and lives by providing professional landscape lighting in Marietta, GA. The company is an innovator in architectural landscape lighting design and an early adopter of advanced LED technology and landscape lighting installation. Co-owner and award-winning landscape lighting designer Lindsey Rodericks and designer David Rodericks listens to their clients and seeks to understand their needs and desires before moving forward with a design. Southern Landscape Lighting Systems illuminates homes and businesses in the Metro Atlanta area. It also shines educational light through its extensive blog, which is a beacon of practical landscape lighting information.

Informed customers who come to understand the basic principles of lighting design and installation possess a greater appreciation of the aesthetic challenges that must be addressed and resolved to achieve a truly captivating design. Light and landscape must embrace in order to enchant in magnificent beauty.

The knowledge base on the Southern Landscape Lighting Systems website is one of the best in the industry. The articles are thoughtful and intentional in their content and broad in their scope, covering a wide range of landscape lighting design, installation, and maintenance issues. The topics and concepts are relevant, practical, and understandable for the non-technical mind.

Here is a bit of trivia that demonstrates the investment Southern Landscape Lighting Systems has in the education and enrichment of their clientele. Their blog contains over seventy articles, and the number is steadily growing. At nearly 40,000 words, it contains enough words to be a medium-sized book. It truly can be said that they have written a book on architectural outdoor landscape lighting, design, installation, and maintenance. It is content that is worth a read.

The articles are pinpoint focused on specific topics, issues, and questions that are top of mind for the property owner seeking landscape lighting consulting or architectural lighting installation. The knowledge base is extremely helpful for homeowners and commercial businesses that already have landscape lighting, whether Southern Landscape Lighting Systems did the installation or not.

The blog articles shed light on topics and categories such as:  

  • Design: Layout, product selection, placement, landscape, treescapes, decks, patios, pools, spas, walks, driveway, fountains, and other landscape and hardscape features
  • Thematic design considerations
  • Seasonal design options
  • Industry trends in new design techniques and new emerging technology
  • LED: Technology, function, hardware, capabilities, benefits, cost, energy efficiency
  • Timers and remote activation technology
  • How-to guides, tips, and helps
  • Maintenance, upkeep, and repairs
  • Security: Personal and property 
  • Safety along paths, walkways, stairs, etc. 
  • The aesthetic value of lighting a home or business
  • The importance of involving a landscape lighting professional in lighting layout and design

The following blog articles provide some of the most helpful and informative advice that will assist homeowners in choosing a landscape lighting specialist. 

Co-owner Lindsey Rodericks commented on the company’s commitment to customer focus, saying, “We know that we need to keep focusing on delivering an excellent customer experience every time. There are two main reasons that we do this. First, we really care about each of our clients, and we know how important their homes are to them, so we want to give them the best experience possible. And second, we know that people talk – word of mouth is one of the top ways that new clients hear about our services…”

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems in Marietta, GA is a landscape lighting company that specializes in outdoor led lighting installations. Each installation is carefully customized to the requirements of the customer, and excellent customer service is their top priority.

Their services include landscape lighting design, installation, and maintenance. For systems that they have installed, they provide lens cleaning, exposed wire re-burying, timer battery replacement, fixture adjustment and repositioning, halogen bulb replacement, foliage overgrowth pruning, socket growth, and free callouts for one year following service.

landscape lighting marietta
To contact the architectural outdoor landscape lighting specialists at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Marietta, call (678) 616-9166 or visit their website at https://southernlls.com/locations/marietta-georgia/.
Jan 30
0

Nine Tips for Winter Maintenance of Landscape Lighting Systems in Acworth, GA

By | Acworth GA, Landscape Company, Landscape Lighting, Landscape Lighting Company, Landscape Lighting Design | No Comments

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems helps homeowners keep their landscape lighting systems in top shape through the winter months.

Landscape lighting highlights a residence in its various parts such as a garden area, a water feature, a walkway, or a deck. A system artfully designed by a landscape lighting contractor unifies the entire property much as a painter blends thousands of strokes to create a painting. Each lighting fixture and its positioning is essential to the beauty of the whole.

landscape lighting company

Due to shorter days, the winter months are when a lighting system is used most frequently. With the vegetation absent from plants, it is much easier to spot system issues such as bulb outages, exposed wires, and misaligned fixtures. Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth, GA offers nine landscape lighting maintenance tips for this winter.

1. Be safe

Be sure to turn off the power to the lights before handling and cleaning any fixtures.

2. Stay safe and secure

When all lights are functioning and bright, walkways, stairs, paths, and outdoor living spaces are safer. A well-lit residence or business is a much less likely target for intruders. When performing winter maintenance, consider these more mundane but vital matters.  

3. Remove fallen leaves and other lawn debris

Fallen leaves and other lawn and garden debris can conceal fixtures and obstruct their light, creating safety and security hazards. Halogen bulbs can become so hot that they can scorch leaves and become a fire hazard.

4. Inspect the system for exposed cables and re-bury them

It is not uncommon for cables to work their way to the surface and become exposed, especially in high traffic areas, near lighting fixtures, or at sites where the weather has been particularly unkind. Making sure everything is back underground will reduce trip hazards around a property.

5. Replace bulb burnouts or LED lights that are burning dimly

Homeowners who have not converted to LED lights should consider making the switch this winter. When a halogen bulb burns out, more current flows to the other lights, which reduces their lifespan. LED bulbs require less maintenance and can last up to 75,000 hours.

6. Perform landscape maintenance

Cutting back foliage around fixtures will keep lights unobstructed until next spring. Homeowners can trim bushes, shrubs, and other plant foliage, and prune small, accessible low-hanging limbs. To stay safe, a property owner should not prune any foliage above their head since limbs could fall and cause injury.

7. Re-position shifted lights

Lights can shift due to high winds, heavy flooding, or impact. If vegetation conceals fixtures from view, lawn maintenance crews can unwittingly dislodge lights with a mower, weed eater, or high-velocity blower.

8. Adjust the timer

With the shortened winter days, the homeowner must ensure that the lighting system activates before dark. Working with the system timer can require a measure of the facility with technology that some homeowners may not possess. Landscape lighting experts, such as the team at Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth, can set the timer up properly.

9. Schedule an annual check-up for the system and for a review of the overall design

Winter is a good time to move things around, to address landscaping issues, to plan for future building projects, or to add hardscapes. Homeowners may want additional landscape lighting installation if their property has recently had a landscape redesign. On the other hand, a lighting system may need significant repairs that are beyond the scope of the homeowner’s abilities. Whether a property owner wants a new design, a simple landscape lighting addition, a conversion to LED from halogen lights, or a new architectural lighting installation, winter is a great time to discuss lighting system updates with one of the professionals from Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth.

 

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems of Acworth is well-known for its design and installation of quality outdoor lighting that is uniquely customized to the needs of clients. The landscape lighting company’s bespoke lighting installations are designed to accentuate the unique features of each client’s outdoor area while keeping a focus on the area’s security needs.

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems has a strong track record of offering professional design and installation solutions using only the highest quality products. The team’s commitment to customer service is exemplary, and they have distinguished themselves as a leading outdoor lighting company.

For more information, contact Southern Landscape Lighting Systems by phone at (678) 324-6842. Visit their website at https://southernlls.com/locations/acworth-georgia.

Dec 10
0

A Guide to Selecting Spotlights for Your Landscape Lighting Installation

By | Landscape Company, Landscape Lighting, Marietta GA, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Lighting Company, Outdoor Lighting System | No Comments

There are many different types of lighting – from floodlights to spotlights, path lights, and area lights. Southern Landscape Lighting Systems shares their tips on selecting spotlights for a landscape lighting installation as they play an integral role in transforming the exterior of a house and property.

Spotlights have their origins in theatre and show business and were used to light up the main actors on the stage. Today, in landscape lighting designs, they perform a similar function drawing emphasis on a landscape or architectural feature. Different from floodlights that give light to a wide area, spotlights have a much narrower focus with a beam that highlights one feature at a time.

Outdoor lighting isn’t designed to flood the exterior of your home with light. Rather, it is the interplay of light and shadow that adds depth to a garden landscape after dark. The selective application of spotlights creates visual accents on a home’s walls or sidings.

landscape lighting installation

There are different ways to add spotlights to your property, such as:

Exterior Walls

The spacing and positioning of spotlights that shine on a wall is key to creating a visually appealing exterior. Where the siding or wall is plain without windows, spotlights should be positioned so that the beams overlap about halfway up the wall. 

Columns

If your home has columns, these provide an ideal architectural feature for spotlighting. With columns there is usually a white section between the columns under the eaves; this is where the beam from each column should meet the next (halfway along). Using this design, a popular choice of spotlight is a well-type flush set fixture which presents the column in its best light with the illumination starting at the bottom of the column. 

Second Story

Outdoor architectural lighting aims to reveal the shape of the most important structures on the property so they can be seen even on a dark night. This requires that the upper story of a building is also illuminated along with the lower story. This represents a challenge for the landscape lighting company during the installation process as the spotlights will need to be mounted either under the eaves or in gutters. An alternative to this is to use narrow beam spotlights that are positioned from the ground and aimed to shine at the underside of the upper eaves while avoiding shining the lights into second-story windows.

Trees

Whether during the day or at night, trees are an integral part of your property’s landscape and are impressive features in their own right. When it comes to shining a spotlight on them, you will need to consider their size and shape to determine the best way to showcase them.

Tall, Expansive Trees

Large, wide trees will need more than one spotlight. An effective strategy is to use at least two 60-degree beams to illuminate the trunk and the outer edge of the canopy. The number of fixtures you use will depend on the size of the tree and the extent to which you want it to be a focal point in the design of your landscape.

Large, Narrow Trees

These trees will usually only need a single spotlight (although two will give better coverage) positioned at the base with a beam that is wide enough to light up the tree’s canopy.

Small to Medium-Sized Trees

Young or ornamental trees will need one spotlight. A 24-degree spotlight will work well for a short, narrow tree, while a short, wise tree can benefit from two 60-degree spotlights.

landscape company marietta

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems in Marietta, GA, offers engaging landscape lighting installations for their clients. With many years of experience in the industry, they consistently offer the best quality LED lighting and excellent customer service to the clients.

Dec 10
0

Five Simple Landscape Lighting Techniques for Your Home this Winter

By | Acworth GA, Landscape Lighting, Landscape Lighting Company, Landscape Lighting Design, Outdoor LED Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Lighting Company | No Comments

With winter upon us, trees have lost their leaves, and your garden might be looking a bit bare. But, after dark, this provides the perfect opportunity to transform your property into a winter wonderland. With a professional outdoor landscape lighting installation you can add a sense of drama and beauty to your home’s exterior. 

landscape lighting experts

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems shares their top five landscape lighting techniques for the winter season:

Add Contrast with Uplighting Your Garden’s Landscape Design

Uplighting, rather than using floodlights, offers great contrast where up lights are placed closer to the building resulting in a bolder, more dramatic effect. Different from the typical wall-washing light from floodlights, it’s much easier to draw attention to the focal points of a landscape. This might range from architectural features of the home itself to areas of interest in the garden such as trees, fountains, structures or statues. For uplighting, spotlights and well lights are the most popular fixtures.

Create an Illuminated Backdrop with Silhouetting Landscape Lighting Effect

Silhouetting is where a fixture is placed behind the featured design and aimed against a wall to create a backlit feature. This is an excellent option for winter when trees lose their leaves, offering the opportunity to create interesting outlines using the bare trees. This technique is known for its ability to create intrigue through the interesting outlines and profiles of features that it creates. For silhouetting, spotlights and well lights work best to create the shadowed shapes that contrast with the light behind.

Choose a Softer Juxtaposition of Light and Dark with the Shadowing Lighting Technique

This technique is similar to silhouetting, where the lighting fixture is placed at the base of the fixture and aimed at an adjacent wall. But the style of the lighting is much gentler with the goal being to create a softer shadow. The technique works well all year round and is often used to highlight a tree with delicate, open foliage. It’s effective in winter where the shadows created by trees that don’t have leaves tend to be harsh and scary-looking rather than welcoming. 

Whether in winter or summer, shadowing works to create drama and depth to a home’s facade, although the overall effect is more subtle. Shadowing can be added to your garden by a landscape lighting company using a combination of floodlights, well lights, and spotlights.

Recreate the Feeling of a Moonlit Night with Moonlighting

The moonlighting technique is created by placing a downlight fixture as high up inside a tree as possible. It should have a full glare guard and be angled down. By doing this the light mimics the look of moonlight shining down through the branches. The light causes shadow patterns to appear on the ground that looks both beautiful and very natural. It is a good option in winter as the lighting is more subtle, with less glare, which is necessary when the trees are bare, and many of the vibrant features of a garden in summer are not present. Moonlighting is done with downlights and works best with trees that have open branches.

Add Light to Your Garden with Downlighting

The downlighting technique works in a similar way to moonlighting, but the effect that it creates is far brighter. To create the downlighting effect, fixtures are placed high up in features such as trees, eaves, trellises, or walls to pointed downwards, casting a pool of light over a large area. The amount of light that you want each fixture to provide can be adjusted by placing the light higher (for more illumination) or lower (to light a path or a smaller area of the yard).

Landscape Lighting Company

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems provides outdoor lighting solutions to residents throughout Atlanta. Their friendly, professional services set them apart, ensuring that their clients have a seamless, excellent experience every time.

Oct 31
0

2 Reasons to Choose High-Quality Copper Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

By | Marietta GA, Outdoor LED Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Lighting Ideas, Outdoor Lighting System | No Comments

When homeowners invest in outdoor lighting installation, two of the most important factors that will influence their decision about which fixtures to choose are the durability and the sustainability of the lights. 

Copper is the premium quality choice for many homeowners when taking these two factors into consideration, and, although the initial investment for copper is greater, it is the best choice, paying for itself in terms of lifespan and performance.

outdoor lighting marietta

The two primary benefits that copper fixtures offer are:

 

1. Lifespan – copper lighting fixtures are extremely durable

Copper has been proven to stand the test of time and it’s the reason that it’s used in plumbing, roofing and even structures such as the Statue of Liberty. This is large because copper resists corrosion extremely well. 

Copper light fixtures provide resistance to:

  • Atmospheric exposure: so that storms and other extreme weather won’t damage the fixtures.
  • Freshwater: copper light fixtures offer superior resistance to corrosion by water and soil
  • Heat: the bulb won’t damage the fixture.
  • Exposure to chemicals: when gardens and using fertilizers or compost, the fixtures won’t be affected if they are accidentally exposed to different organic and inorganic chemicals.
  • Damage from electrical applications: outdoor lighting combines electrical, thermal and mechanical properties, all of which a copper fixture can handle with ease.

In comparison, another popular material for light fixtures is brass. Brass does not perform as well as copper since it is an alloy. It is made from a combination of copper and zinc, is likely to leach zinc over time which depletes the zinc from the fixture, leaving the remaining metal porous and weak. This will happen in the case of a copper-zinc alloy fixture in a garden where it is exposed to oxygen and moisture. The color of the fixture will also gradually change from yellow to a less-attractive dull red.

 

2. Sustainability of copper outdoor lighting fixture

Copper fixtures have the highest sustainability as it is an organic material lasting up to 300 years and is easily recyclable. Even if it gets thrown in the trash, the folks at the landfill will go through and pick out the copper for it to be recycled since it has the highest recycling value compared to other metals.

From an eco-friendly perspective, copper offers the best true sustainability. It stands out from other materials such as plastic and aluminum which are technically recyclable, but in most cases, it is not financially viable, so these materials are less likely to end up being recycled. To put it differently, from the beginning of the production phase to the end of the product’s lifespan, the copper will retain a high percentage of its value. This makes it desirable and financially feasible to recycle. 

outdoor lighting marietta

Copper offers the best option for high quality and value while offering an unbeatable beautiful patina finish that becomes more apparent over time. Because copper is a pure metal as well as being a sustainable, environmentally friendly choice, it’s the most coveted material for outdoor lighting fixtures on the market.

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems in Marietta, GA specializes in the installation of copper outdoor lighting fixtures as part of the landscape lighting installation services. Their copper fixtures offer excellent durability and sustainability as the metal is corrosive resistant, and long-lasting, able to respond well to extreme temperatures. 

They are the custom outdoor lighting company for thousands of satisfied clients, offering expert advice, professional installation and excellent service both pre- and post-installation.

Oct 31
0

3 Reasons to work with a landscape lighting installer when building an outdoor living area in the backyard

By | Landscape Company, Landscape Lighting, Landscape Lighting Company, Landscape Lighting Design | No Comments

Creating a beautiful outdoor space for entertaining is a fun home improvement project that enhances the value of your property as well as offering additional living space and a way to make the most of your backyard.

For homeowners in Atlanta, the prospect of an outdoor entertainment area is particularly attractive as the long, warm summer months mean that there are many opportunities to invite friends and family. 

acworth outdoor lighting company

Creating an outdoor living space is more than simply furnishing your patio by adding some seating and a barbeque with wheels. An outdoor living area provides a higher level of style, comfort, and functionality – comparable to the convenience of using your kitchen or dining room. 

These projects should take into account your preferences and the needs of your family, as well as the long-term prospect of possibly selling your home. Regardless of whether you’re planning to sell currently, it should still be approached in the same way that you would plan a remodel or home addition. 

As such, in addition to enlisting the help of a professional designer or landscape architect, a landscape lighting installer’s opinion will be essential for designing a fully functional, user-friendly outdoor area design.

A landscape lighting specialist will help you:

1. Envision how you want to use the space

The outdoor space needs to fit in with your lifestyle so think about how you want to use the space. This might include preparing family meals, in which case you would need well-positioned lighting to support a full outdoor kitchen. Maybe you want to use the space to host friends or watch a football game which would mean setting up the outdoor lighting so that the television can be watched after dark.  You might even have a more formal space in mind where you can host dinner parties, which would mean installing the highest quality, beautiful outdoor lighting to complement the space. 

2. Ensure that there is a provision for adequate lighting after dark

It’s much more efficient to pre-wire an outdoor area for lighting before the hardscaping is done, particularly for hard to reach areas. When the outdoor lighting contractor works on the project from the beginning with the hardscape contractor it results in a cleaner, more polished look that will save the homeowner money in the long run and make servicing down the road easier if the wiring is in conduit.

3. Make provisions for any special requirements

The structure you choose will determine the lighting that is needed, and a landscape lighting company will work with you to overcome any specific challenges such as how to light the area if:

  • Wind protection needs to be put in place for shelter
  • It’s close to neighbors and you want privacy as well as ensuring that your lighting doesn’t disturb them
  • The area is small, and you want to maximize the feeling of space without impacting on functionality
  • Any focal points such as a fireplace, views or water feature need to be highlighted with lighting
landscape lighting acworth

Designing the perfect outdoor area requires planning and may need expert assistance to ensure that you get exactly what you want. In addition to taking out the stress of making all the decisions, they’ll also make sure that you don’t miss anything important.

Southern Landscape Lighting Systems services Atlanta offers professional landscape lighting installation services, giving their clients expert lighting advice and installation assistance. It might be as simple as small accent lights that illuminate the garden pathway or creating focal points of impressive trees or water features. But this could be the difference between an average entertaining space and a space that creates the ideal environment for entertaining friends or relaxing in the garden.

 

Oct 17
0

Landscape Lighting Expert Shares Tips to Extend the Life of Landscape Lights

By | Marietta GA, Outdoor LED Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Lighting Company, Outdoor Lighting Ideas, Outdoor Lighting System | No Comments

Marietta Landscape Company Shares Tips on Extending Landscape Lights Performance

Correct cleaning and maintenance can have a direct impact on the lifespan of your landscape lights, as well as helping to keep them in tip-top working condition. Preventative maintenance, including a number of tasks that can be performed once or twice a year, will ensure that you avoid more expensive repairs at a later date. Your specific maintenance needs will vary depending on the specific landscape lighting installation and fixtures that you have. In many cases, talking to a professional landscape lighting installation company like Southern Landscape Lighting Systems, will help clarify maintenance requirements.

Marietta Landscape Company

1. Prune Branches and Plants Around Landscape Lighting Fixtures

This is the first and most important step to maintaining your outdoor lighting. Cut back trees, shrubs, and plants that are touching the fixture, are too close or are blocking the light when the fixture is on. This step will prevent any damage to fixtures, will make it easy to clean and maintain the actual feature, and will ensure that the light from the fixture is optimal as it is no longer blocked.

 

2. Check the Outdoor Lighting System Cables

It’s important that the cables are not damaged and that they remain buried. Even with professional outdoor lighting installation, it is possible for wires that were correctly buried to become exposed. And if they are exposed for an extended time, this can lead to electrical wire damage. Perform this check often if you have dogs or children who spend time out in the yard, especially if your dogs like to dig, or if you’ve recently had harsh weather such as storms and wind. 

If you do come across exposed wires check that they are not damaged before reburying them. If there is no damage, they should be buried immediately so that they do not present a tripping hazard. If you don’t have enough experience with wiring and are not sure if the lines have been damaged, ask your landscape lighting installer to check them for you.

 

3. Remove Any Debris on or Around the Landscape Lighting Fixtures

Debris that collects around your light fixtures can include mud, fallen leaves, mulch, pinestraw and insects and will have the impact of improving illumination. For visible light fixtures, clearing them of debris will contribute to a cleaner, neater outdoor area. It can also lengthen the life of your fixtures and has the additional benefit of avoiding any fire hazards.

 

4. Check Outdoor Lighting System Fixtures and Replace Bulbs

Check each and every lighting fixture for damage. This includes broken lenses, dented metal, and corrosion. If your lighting fixtures are in hard-to-reach areas, you can call your landscape lighting installer to perform the checks for you. If there is damage you may need to order some replacement parts or replace the fixtures if the damage is extensive. 

While you’re doing this check, replace any bulbs that have burned out. If you have LED lights, this check can possibly be skipped, although if you’ve had your LED lighting installation for a long time, some of the bulbs may no longer be shining so brightly and you may opt to replace them. Here again, it may be a better option to ask your landscape lighting company to change the bulbs if needed as they can check for damage and make repairs at the same time as necessary.

Landscape Lighting Marietta
Southern Landscape Lighting Systems in Marietta offers LED lighting installations for homeowners and are the preferred company for custom outdoor lighting with a track record of thousands of satisfied customers. They offer the highest quality products, professional and innovative installation, and design and excellent after-sales support.
Oct 12
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The Benefits and Advantages of Professionally Installed Landscape Lighting For Your Home

By | Acworth GA, Landscape Company, Landscape Lighting, Landscape Lighting Company, Landscape Lighting Design | No Comments

It’s sometimes tricky deciding how to allocate your home improvement budget as it’s not always easy to know what changes or modification will have the biggest impact and offer the most benefits. One of the perennial top choices for home improvement that offers quantifiable benefits is landscape lighting.

While most will agree that proper lighting for home interiors is a non-negotiable, increasingly outdoor landscape lighting is being seen in a similar way. Especially when one considers the safety and security implications of floodlights and security lighting for homeowners with families.

With this in mind, let’s look at some of the top benefits of installing a professional landscape lighting system:

Improve Safety

Navigating outdoor areas after dark, particularly for children and the elderly, can be problematic. Well-lit outdoor spaces effectively eliminate many of the trip and fall hazards such as steps, uneven pathways, or overgrown roots. It also increases the functionality of spaces that can now be used because they are well-lit.

 

Increase Security

Many studies point to the efficacy of a professional landscape lighting installation for deterring potential criminals. Outdoor lighting increases security by illuminating entry-points and eliminating areas of shadow in the garden. It’s important to note that the lights should remain on throughout the night, rather than being activated by a motion sensor, so that burglars don’t even enter the property. 

 

Enhance Beauty

A professional landscape lighting installation will highlight the beauty of a garden after dark. Using a variety of lighting techniques (such as silhouetting, shadowing, and highlighting) an installation company can transform a yard to make the most of its natural and architectural features. And ultimately, outdoor lighting adds to the curb appeal of a home.

 

Create Ambiance

Outdoor lighting can be used to create a feeling of space and can set the mood of an area. The impact of this is that it makes your outdoor spaces more welcoming so that they become a place that you want to spend time in after dark with your friends and family. 

If you still have questions about installing landscape lighting, Southern Landscape Lighting Systems, a leading outdoor lighting company servicing the area of Atlanta, shares their insights:

 

I don’t want to do it myself, what are the options?

Working with a professional landscape lighting company offers a number of benefits. You will get access to the latest, best quality fixtures at an affordable rate as well as full peace of mind that the system has been expertly and safely installed by professionals that know exactly what they’re doing.

 

What is the impact on my energy costs?

Low-voltage systems that use energy-efficient LED lightings will have a very small impact on your monthly utility bill (and compared to traditional halogen bulbs offer a massive saving). LED lights convert as much as 90% of the energy that they receive into light, whereas incandescent bulbs are only at around 10 – 20%.

 

Should I be concerned about light pollution?

Dark sky advocation is becoming an increasingly important topic as brightening the night sky through artificial sources, including landscape lighting, has a disruptive effect on the natural cycles of wildlife. A professional landscape lighting company will ensure that lighting is properly installed and that the fixtures are directed correctly to address these concerns.

 

Local outdoor lighting company, Southern Landscape Lighting Systems, serves the residents of Atlanta, GA offering the best in high-quality LED landscape lighting. With thousands of satisfied clients, many years of experience, and the best customer service, it’s not hard to see why they are the preferred custom outdoor lighting company.