Where should path lights be placed?
Path lights should be placed along the edges of walkways, at steps and at turns, spaced about as far apart as the light spread so the pools of light overlap slightly. Stagger them on both sides for wide paths and keep them low to avoid glare.
Start at the front door and work outward. Entry points, steps and any change in grade deserve the first fixtures, since those are the places people trip.
In desert yards with gravel and rock, lights can disappear into the ground cover. Pick fixtures tall enough to clear plants and gravel, and aim the beam so it falls on the path instead of in the eyes.
Test positions at night with a flashlight or temporary stakes before cutting any trenches or burying wire. What looks good at midday often looks very different after dark, and moving a fixture is far easier before the cable is buried.
How do I light trees and plants in a desert yard?
To light trees and plants in a desert yard, use uplights aimed from the base of the trunk or canopy, and angle them so the light grazes the shape. Palms, mesquite and cactus look best with a soft wash rather than a hard spotlight.
Place the fixture a short distance from the plant so the beam can spread, and keep it away from any spines or spiky leaves you might brush against. Move it as plants grow.
Dust and sun are rough on lenses in West Valley yards. Wiping them now and then, and choosing fixtures made of metal or UV stable material, keeps the light bright.
Use warm white bulbs for natural tones against stone, stucco and plant colors. Mixing too many colors can look busy. Choose a few focal points, such as a favorite tree or entry, and let the rest of the yard fall into soft shadow.
How should I light the front of the house and driveway?
Light the front of the house with wall wash or uplights aimed at textured surfaces, and mark the driveway edge with low fixtures or lights at the entry. Aim to highlight features and textures, and avoid floodlighting the whole wall.
Lighting at the garage and front door helps visitors and delivery drivers see the address and steps. Keep fixtures out of neighbors' windows, since spill light is annoying and wasteful.
A timer or photocell means the lights turn on at dusk and off later without you doing anything. Motion lights near side gates add security without leaving every light on all night.
Think about the view from inside the house too. A well placed light on a tree or wall outside a window can make a room feel bigger at night. Avoid bright fixtures aimed directly at windows or seating areas.
What kind of power does landscape lighting use?
Landscape lighting commonly uses a low voltage system, where a transformer plugged into a GFCI outdoor outlet steps power down for cable running to the fixtures. Some lights use line voltage or solar. Low voltage is flexible and safer to adjust.
Add up the fixture wattage and choose a transformer with some extra room. Overloading a transformer makes the farthest lights dim, and a hot transformer can shorten its life.
The transformer needs a protected outdoor outlet nearby. If you do not have one, or the one you have is old, an electrician can add it. Do not run indoor extension cords outside as a permanent fix.
Plan for expansion by choosing a transformer with room to spare and leaving a little slack in cable runs. Burying cable at the recommended depth and keeping it away from sprinkler lines protects it from shovels, roots and trimming tools.
When should I call an electrician for landscape lighting?
Call a licensed electrician for landscape lighting when you need a new outdoor outlet, a switched circuit, a timer, line voltage fixtures or repairs to damaged wiring. Hot or discolored parts, burning smells or tripping breakers mean stop and call right away.
The power side is the part that matters most. Fixtures can move around over the years, but the outlet, switch and wiring should be safe, protected and weatherproof from the start.
Vortech helps homeowners in Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise with outdoor lighting power, switches and fixture swaps. A quick visit can set up the outlet so you can add lights yourself later.
If you plan to add a switched circuit, a timer or a new outlet near the planting beds, mention it at the start. Planning the power first keeps the rest of the project simple, and the lighting can be added in stages.
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