Low Voltage Lighting for Your Landscaping – Part 2

As discussed in Part 1, lighting design can increase the attractiveness of your home at night. Installing exterior lighting will make it safer for both residents and visitors as they walk around your property during evenings. Security will also be improved because well-lit exteriors will deter potential intruders.

Part 2 will discuss Basics of Lighting and Light Reflection and Absorption for low voltage landscape lighting design. Work with an experienced and licensed electrician for your safety and to get the best results.  

Basics of Lighting

1) Ambient Lighting – Also known as fill lighting, ambient lighting can be created by bouncing light off surrounding features such as walls and trees for ambient or low level lighting.

2) Decrease Glare – Visible light bulbs can result in glare that is hard on the eyes. The solution is angling light toward features and away from viewing angles.

3) Fill Lighting – Frontal lighting may cause surrounding areas to appear even darker from the resulting contrast. Cohesion can be created between the focal and anchor points by using fill lighting. 

4) Focal & Anchor Points – The placement of a lighting fixture in front of a feature (frontal lighting) will create a focal or anchor point, making an area visually prominent. Varying light levels will create contrast, depth, and dimension as desired.

5) Side & Back Lighting – Placing lights behind and at the sides of features helps fill in dark areas or black holes. For example, lights directed into the branches of a tree from various angles will create fill lighting.

Light Reflection and Absorption

Each type of surface will have its own reflective qualities. Smooth surfaces tend to have a high reflective quality. Matte surfaces have a medium reflective nature.  Surfaces with texture, such as a brick wall, have a low reflective nature.

Lighter colors will typically reflect light, while darker colors tend to absorb it. A material’s color and density will have an effect on light absorption. Light surfaces will have less light absorption and more reflection, while dark surfaces will have more light absorption and less reflection.

Electrical Services You Can Trust

Founded in 1991, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured. Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.