Choose your fixtures based on what you want to illuminate and based on how they look. If you want to cast light toward the ground without illuminating the surrounding area, you can use post lights with opaque hoods that block light everywhere except below. If you prefer to cast light on nearby plants and garden decor, you may prefer textured glass or patterned diffusers.
Post-style path light serve as the backbone of your landscape lighting circuit. These fixtures can line the edges of your walkways, driveways and gardens. Some path lights have simple, modern styles with LED bulbs and others have complex designs that include hanging lamps. Accent Lights — Of course, outdoor lighting includes more than just path lights. Accent lights, like all landscape lighting, need to be rated for wet environments if you want to use them outdoors.
These are usually located in close proximity to the ground and lack protection from rain and snow, so damp-rated fixtures are often not sufficient. Use wet-rated accent lights to compliment the light provided by your path lights. Some of these lights hide in your garden, disguised as small statues that hide their purpose during daylight hours.
Flying critters usually gravitate toward ultraviolet lights, and the best LED path lights tend to produce lower levels of UV light than traditional bulbs. Consider these bulbs in areas in and around your living space, especially if you want to reduce the chances of attracting airborne pests. Wall Lights — Unlike many traditional landscape lighting fixtures , wall lights cover wide spaces with general illumination.
Some wall lights have vintage and retro styles, which add character to the entryway of your home. Security Lights — Security lights shine on areas when they sense movement. If you want to turn on the lights when you step onto your path, you can use security lights with motion sensors to automate the process.
This can also help with energy conservation, as the lights turn off shortly after the motion ceases. Once you know which lights you want to use, develop a plan on where you want to install them. This process requires a few simple steps. Before you start, consider the placement of underground utilities. Decide where you will place the lights and also decide which lights are from the same circuit. It is possible that several transformers are necessary so that different parts of your garden can be covered.
You can plan and have these details written down so you know how much cable and lights you may need in advance. Now, with the cables extended, and with the help of a garden shovel or trowel, it is time to make a ditch. If you have grass, try to preserve it while mowing in a straight line. The trench does not need to be very deep, for example, it can be maybe inches deep.
Here we will hide the cables so that it is more organized and aesthetic and they are not visible. Also, keep in mind where you want to include the post lights considering that between each accessory there must be 10 feet of space for it to work properly.
The next step would be to place the accent lights and in-ground well lights which can use the same cable that we will use in the path lights so that in this way, all the lights together can be turned on or off using the same switch.
To find out the allowed depth of the posts, check your user manual and once they are configured, plug them in and if they turn on, it is time to bury the cables using the cuts previously made. You will find different types of path lights such as those that are placed to illuminate your path and sidewalks.
Next, we will name the most common. The path lights have been designed for outdoor use, i. That is why in order for them to withstand different climates and provide security, these types of lights need wet ratings. For this, you can choose post lights with hoods, which only light your way. They look great on the edges of hallways, entrances, and gardens, and you can choose them in different styles. You can find them with LED technology and also other more complex ones.
On the other hand, in case you want to light up your plants, you can choose textured glass or patterned diffusers to add a touch of decoration. You can go further than just using path lights outside.
That is, in case you are looking to highlight a particular part of your garden, accent lights are what you need. However, these types of lights do not usually have protection against rain and snow, that is why you must choose one that is rated for the wet environment since they are usually located close to the ground.
A gauge cable supports up to watts; a gauge cord will carry watts; a gauge one can handle watts. In general, avoid high-wattage lights, which cast a bright, unflattering glare. Instead, opt for fixtures that use 4- to watt bulbs. Dig a shallow no deeper than three inches trench approximately 12 inches from the walkway with a flat-blade shovel. Run the cable through the ditch and up to the outdoor electrical outlet.
Separate the wires, place them under the designated terminals on the transformer, and secure them by tightening the screws. Mount the transformer near the electrical outlet and at least 12 inches off the ground secure it to a wooden stake if there's no available exterior wall space.
Then plug in the transformer. Assemble the fixtures. Connect them to the cable by pressing the clamps which are included with the fixtures through the cable until they click. If the lamp doesn't light up, make sure that the bulb is screwed in tightly before unsnapping the clamps to try again.
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