You’ve worked hard to create an attractive an inviting oasis in your yard and with a little lighting you can show it off and enjoy it even after the sun goes down. If you want lighting but are concerned about the costs and energy consumption, why not try LED outdoor lighting? Versatile LED lighting can accentuate the beauty of your yard and create an inviting yet secure atmosphere after dark in an energy efficient way.
Outdoor lighting done right creates the right atmosphere to enjoy summer evenings outdoors, improves the aesthetics and curb appeal of your home and enhances the security of your home.
According to recent research and developments in the field of landscape lighting, LED technology is by far the most efficient, economical, and affordable option for your next outdoor lighting upgrade. The equivalent of digital light, LED technology certainly has its advantages – both for users and the planet as a whole.
What is LED Lighting?
Light-emitting diode technology, or LED, has been available for quite some time. In fact, most people are now familiar with its use in computer monitors and flat-screen televisions. Today, LED bulbs are the most popular energy efficient lighting available on the market for both indoor and outdoor uses for many reasons.
Top 13 Benefits of LED Outdoor Lighting
Light up your life with LED technology. The following are just 13 of the top reasons why LED technology is changing the outdoor landscape lighting for the better.
Save Money
Light-emitting diode lights use less energy, involve less waste, and therefore save you more money in the long run.
You may be thinking, “But LED outdoor lighting is so expensive!” And it’s true – the initial cost of installing LED landscape lighting can cost more. But look at the long-term savings. When you crunch the numbers (and, trust us, we have!), over time you save more money with an LED system than a traditional setup – a lot more. Our calculations have told us that for one year of LED outdoor lighting you will save almost $70 compared to conventional lighting, and almost $40 compared to halogen lamps.
LED lights also last longer, meaning that the purchasing costs occur less frequently than with conventional lighting. Throw Nite Time Décor’s lifetime maintenance into the mix, and you’ll enjoy a worry- and hassle-free LED outdoor lighting system for many years to come.
LED Lights have a Long Life
LED Lights offer an incredibly long lifespan. This is by far the biggest advantage to LED lighting technology. If you live on a large property that requires a significant landscape lighting, LED lights will save you money. LED lights and diodes have an operational life of roughly 100,000 hours. That’s roughly 11 years of continuous use, and 22 years at 50% operation! This results in fewer maintenance and repair calls for burnt out bulbs. Imagine only having to change your bulbs once every decade!
LED Lighting are Energy Efficient
LEDs are easily the most efficient way to illuminate the night, thanks to an estimated energy efficiency rating of 80%-90%. This means that less than 20% of the energy is lost; compare this to traditional incandescent lightbulbs, which operate at the opposite efficiency (20% with an 80% rate of energy loss), and it’s easy to see why our Burlington landscape lighting experts recommend this durable lighting option.
LED Lights are 100% Recyclable
There’s a reason that LED lights are considered to be the most environmental choice. Not only do they allow you to expend less energy, but they are also made without the use of toxic chemicals. Fluorescent light bulbs contain materials like mercury, which is well known for its dangerous side effects. LED lights are free of toxic chemicals and are thus better for the environment. They are also 100% recyclable and will help you to reduce your carbon footprint.
Outfitting your home with LED landscape lighting allows you to decrease your carbon footprint, eliminate costly bulb purchases and changes, and reduce your lighting bill.
LED Lights have Less Waste
And don’t forget about that extended lifespan. Just one LED bulb in your landscape lighting system can save the material and production of 25 incandescent bulbs. And this will create less waste over the lifetime of your outdoor lighting system.
LEDs are Strong and Sturdy
LED lightbulbs are manufactured to withstand some of the roughest and toughest conditions imaginable. The fact that they do not contain filaments, are resistant to shock, vibrations and external impacts makes them a great choice for landscape lighting installations.
LED Lights Insect Control
LED amber lights don’t attract insects like regular incandescent lights do. With LEDs you can enjoy your outdoor space without being eaten by bugs.
Zero Emissions
LED lights give off very little heat. In fact, they produce zero UV emissions. This enables them to stay cool and efficient, unlike those old conventional lights. This reduces the amount of wear on your landscape lighting fixtures over time.
Flexible Design Options
LEDs are extremely flexible lighting tools and can be designed in a way that creates a warm and inviting ambiance.
LEDs are available in a wide array of colours and fixture styles. Your space can be customized to meet your exact needs. By varying fixtures and colours you can create a space that is functional, beautiful and energy efficient.
Since they don’t emit a lot of heat, they can easily be grouped together to create efficient illumination.
Outdoor landscaping LEDs can also be dimmed, creating a controlled lighting display such as whimsical lighting for parties, or dim mood lighting for small, cozy nights on the patio.
See the beautiful design options for yourself, check out our gallery to see some of the most stunning outdoor landscaping lighting designs we’ve created over the years.
Weather and Temperature Resistant
Since LEDs are highly durable, they’re ideal for operation under cold and low outdoor temperatures. As such, there’s no need to worry when it starts to snow here in Ontario. Your LED lighting system will continue to shine on, even when the barometer begins to plummet.
Control Over Light Distribution
LED bulbs are designed to focus their light. This means that fixtures can be directed to a specific location without the aid of external reflectors. This results in clear, direct light application.
Immediate Illumination
LED lights brighten up instantaneously. Simply flip the switch and your landscape lighting design will light up the night.
Low-Voltage Power
LED landscape lighting systems don’t require an awful lot of power to function properly and that’s another great way to save on your energy bills!
In Summary
LED lights are easily the most energy efficient and cleanest form of eco-friendly illumination.
Outfitting your home with LED landscape lighting allows you to decrease your carbon footprint, eliminate costly bulb purchases and changes, and reduce your lighting bill. Furthermore, LED lights are designed to operate at their best in both extreme heat and extreme cold, making them perfectly suited to Ontario’s extreme climate. You won’t be left in the dark regardless of the season
Put the power of LEDs to work for you. Contact one of our Burlington landscape lighting experts today to learn more about our powerful LED landscape lighting designs.
We proudly serve residential and commercial properties in Ancaster, Dundas, Burlington, Mississauga, Oakville and the Halton and Hamilton Regions.
Ah, nothing says summer like kicking back and relaxing on a waterfront deck or patio. If you’re one of the lucky folks who owns waterfront property in the Burlington, Oakville, and Hamilton area, chances are good that you’re the envy of all your friends. And for good reason. The sound of the surf, the warm, moist breeze, the sand between your toes… there’s nothing quite like sitting next to the water.
Even though they live in paradise, waterfront property owners are forced to deal with their own unique mix of landscaping upgrades and maintenance projects. This includes the installation of outdoor lighting systems. While moonlit water is often lighting enough for your waterfront home, many people opt for outdoor lighting in order to enhance the aesthetics and safety of their waterfront property. If properly done, this addition can enhance the value of your home, transforming a beautiful property into something truly breathtaking.
Consider Your Lighting Options
There are many unique challenges involved in designing a waterfront outdoor lighting system. First off, you want to make sure you select the right materials for your design. Remember, exposure to moist air can take its toll on your fixtures. When selecting the various lighting components for your system, be sure to consult with one of our lighting experts in order to ensure that the fixtures you select are durable and water resistance. Our technicians recommend avoiding brass and copper fixtures; bronze lighting fixtures are far more resistant to storm and wind damage. What’s more, they have an understated appeal that will compliment your waterfront landscape nicely.
The wiring and transformers used to connect your light fixtures will also require special consideration. Your electrical components will need to be protected from the moisture-rich air. Our lighting designers will take this into consideration when pulling the components together for your Burlington outdoor lighting design.
Setting the Mood: Design Ideas
Once you’ve tackled technical considerations, it’s time to consider the mood that you want to portray.
Professionally designed and installed outdoor lighting illuminates beauty that already exists on your waterfront property. Obviously, the most beautiful element of your property is the water itself. In most cases, this is naturally lit by the moon and stars. As such, it’s our outdoor lighting designers job to build off of this ambiance when lighting the rest of your property. In most cases, this will call for subdued lighting with a natural, moonlit feel.
The following are a few design tricks from the Nite Time Décor design book:
Direct Landscape Lighting Towards the Water
The best way to highlight your waterfront property is to let your lighting allow for a subtle view of the water. Position your outdoor lighting fixtures on landscape elements that guide your eye towards the water. If you have pathways or walkways, try lining these areas with smaller fixtures for safe evening strolls.
Light Up Trees, Passageways, Decks and Patios
Mimic moonlight by placing fixtures in the canopy of trees; position the light to provide safe passage and usability on decks and patios.
Even out the glow by spacing your outdoor lighting fixtures evenly throughout your property. This will provide balance to your property.
Enhancing the night-time experience of a waterfront landscape can only be achieved with intelligent, low voltage lighting. A subtle glow and strategically placed fixtures will help accentuate the inherent beauty of your property in just the right way.
Contact Nite Time Decor
For more waterfront lighting tips and tricks, contact the Nite Time Decor outdoor lighting experts today. We’d be happy to send one of our talented design reps to your property for a complimentary site assessment and lighting demo. We serve homeowners and businesses throughout Hamilton, Halton, Mississauga, Burlington and Oakville.
5 Great Reason’s You’ll Love Working with Nite Time Decor
You’ve done your research and you’ve reviewed your options. After weeks of contemplation, you’ve decided that outdoor lighting is definitely something you want to add to your home or business. Now all you have to do is select an outdoor lighting company to handle the design and installation.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place!
At Nite Time Décor, we don’t just install exceptional outdoor lighting systems, we use our artistic talents to illuminate the night and enhance the appearance and value of your home. Whether you’re lighting a walkway, pool, patio, or garden, our outdoor lighting company has the skill and experience needed to execute a breathtaking and budget-savvy design.
Outdoor lighting is truly an art form, and it’s one that we’ve spent years mastering. Still need some convincing?
Here are five reasons why you’ll love working with our outdoor lighting company:
5. We’re Experienced
When it comes to designing and installing outdoor lighting systems, we know our stuff. Our team is comprised of knowledgeable, experienced landscape lighting technicians. We know all the ins and outs when it comes to wiring and electrical connections, plus we know how to position our fixtures to achieve the maximum impact. Any landscape company can put a spotlight under a tree in order to provide “lighting services”, but that’s not the business that our outdoor lighting company is in. Our landscape lighting designers are driven to illuminate your property in a way that’s both functional and fantastic.
4. We Offer Exceptional Customer Service
No job is ever complete at Nite Time Décor thanks to our outstanding customer service and maintenance department. From follow-up visits to year-round maintenance, our team of technicians are there when you need them. Not every outdoor lighting company offers ongoing maintenance; here at Nite Time Décor, we promise to not only service our own installations, but to also provide you with expert advice and assistance concerning our competitors’ systems too.
3. Professional Fixtures and Proven Warranties
Nite Time Décor’s line of outdoor lighting fixtures are top-of-the-line. Designed to complement a wide variety of styles and tastes, our durable fixtures provide a flawless finish to any lighting project. We also stand behind our products and installation, offering all of our clients warranty coverage on most of the components utilized by our Nite Time Decor outdoor lighting company.
2. We Have An Eye for Design
It might sound cheesy, but it’s true – our lighting experts are artists in disguise! Each member of our outdoor lighting team has an intuitive knack for lighting design, providing our customers with a seemingly endless array of lighting designs.
1. We Genuinely Care About What We Do
No ifs, ands, or buts about it. We want your outdoor lighting system to look fantastic. With that, we want to make sure that the lighting contributes to the safety and security of your property without polluting your neighbours yard. It’s this attention to detail that ultimately helps set our outdoor lighting company after from all the rest. Transform your home into a masterpiece of light, architecture, landscape and love. Book a complimentary consultation with Nite Time Décor today and let us show you the light!
With our long winter nights, outdoor lighting in Oakville and Burlington is as practical as it is pretty. However, some North American scientists have raised concerns that artificial night lighting can have a negative impact on trees. Here is what you should know about outdoor lighting and how you can maintain healthy trees while maximizing safety and highlighting your property’s attractive features.
Know your facts
Trees need light to survive. The type of light (the wavelength or colour), the brightness, and the duration (how many hours) of light over the course of a day all affect tree growth. Certain trees rely on the amount of light in a day to know when to grow, flower, seed, or go dormant. Fewer hours of daylight in the fall signal trees to drop their leaves and stop growing.
If some trees are brightly lit at night with certain colours of light, there is a possibility that they may miss the cues that winter is approaching. They may fail to drop all their leaves in time, and risk damage from heavy snowfalls. Or they may not go fully dormant in time for winter and risk damage from cold. While the risk of tree damage is low, there are still many things you can do to optimize the health of more sensitive trees.
Know your trees
Outdoor lighting does not bother most tree varieties. Most conifers, such as spruce or pine trees, for example, are not affected by night lighting. Some deciduous trees—particularly flowering trees—may be more susceptible to certain types of night lighting. Since young trees grow faster, their growth cycle may be more affected by night lighting.
Nite Time Decor outdoor lighting experts can help you identify which trees are more sensitive to outdoor lighting and can design the appropriate lighting plans for your home.
Choose appropriate light fixtures
If you have a spectacular tree or trees that you want to have lit at night, fear not! There are many lighting options that won’t damage even the most sensitive trees. Some LED technology, for example, does not emit light in the red or infrared spectrum, which are the wavelengths of light that can impact tree dormancy and flowering.
Low, diffuse lighting can also be appropriate if you want to highlight outdoor landscape features. Down lights can be positioned to highlight plantings at the base of trees, which will avoid shining light on most of the tree leaves.
Consider timers and zones
Professional outdoor lighting takes into account both esthetics and safety. If you are lighting trees for esthetics, consider creating lighting zones and having the tree lighting shut off at a set time each day. You can keep other lighting zones—such as walkways and doorways—continuously lit for safety and security. This not only saves electricity, but also minimizes any effect outdoor lighting may have on surrounding trees.
Create a dynamic lighting design
Designing for beauty, safety, security, and tree heath is a complex business. Why not let the experts in outdoor lighting help you create or update a lighting design that meets all your needs? For more information on how a Nite Time Decor landscape lighting expert can help you create a striking display for your home, contact us today or request a complimentary quote.
While it can be tough to sell a home in today’s market, it’s not an impossible task. One of the quickest ways to increase the value of your home is by updating your landscaping and improving your curb appeal. Investing in your property may in fact be more important than investing into renovations on the inside – because the outside is what all prospective home buyers see first.
The most dramatic improvement that will definitely increase the curb appeal of your home is by installing professionally designed landscape lighting. Good landscape lighting will instantly make your home stand out from the rest of the properties in your neighbourhood and attract more potential buyers.
Consider contacting Nite Time Décor, an experienced landscape lighting company serving Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Halton and Hamilton homeowners and businesses and provides a free consultation and quote.
The benefits of landscape lighting
Improve curb appeal
The most obvious advantage to landscape lighting is the improvement to the appearance of your home, especially at night. If positioned correctly, the lights will make architectural characteristics of your house stand out more than ever, which will in turn make your whole house look like a beautiful work of art.
There are also many functional benefits to landscape lighting:
Enhance the Safety of Your backyard
If you are concerned about the safety around your backyard, outdoor lighting from Nite Time Decor can improve visibility for you and your family. For example, you could use underwater lights or In Ground Well Lights to surround the exterior of your pool. Or you could use well lights to light paths around your above ground pool – just be sure to space the lights up properly. You don’t want that runway effect, so a pleasing design is essential.
If you need some additional lights when you take out the recycling or garbage, why not install some motion sensors? Your Oakville outdoor lighting service by Nite Time Decor could also place some reflectors or LED lights in the stones or asphalt surface of your path to catch any overhead lighting.
Security
Believe it or not, landscape lighting can actually protect your home from criminal activity, including robbery and vandalism. Having multiple lights in your front and backyard, especially around doorways and windows, will prevent criminals from approaching your home unnoticed.
More living space at night
Another functional aspect of landscape lighting is that it allows you to use your front and backyard long after the sun sets. With proper landscape lighting, you would be able to see almost as clearly during night as you would during daytime, especially if you use flood lights. You can even brighten your patio table by attaching lights to the umbrella. The possibilities are limitless!
If you take all these factors into consideration, landscape lighting can drastically improve the look and functionality your home – and most buyers will notice this.
So, if you want to sell your house for a competitive price, landscape lighting is a great addition to your home. And if you want your house to be illuminated by professionals, working with a local landscape lighting company like Nite Time Décor is the way to go.
How to improve existing lighting
Many homes already have landscape lighting, so if you would like to improve what you already have, here are some useful tips.
Keep your lights clean
One of the easiest ways to improve your existing landscape lighting is by cleaning the light fixtures and lenses. Too much dust, dirt and debris makes your lights look old and unappealing, so be sure to clean all of them. This will make the light shine brighter and improve the look of your fixtures.
Check your lights
Make sure that all your lights function properly! It may seem like an obvious detail, but it’s extremely easy to miss and can be quite unappealing – especially to those visiting your property for the first time. So, be sure to pay attention to this seemingly minor detail.
Pruning for light
Another obstacle that may get in the way of your lighting is your landscaping, especially if you have overgrown trees and plans. They tend to shade or obstruct a great deal of light, making your property darker than it should be. The best solution to this problem is to keep your shrubs and trees properly pruned.
How to add new lighting
If you’d like to add new lighting, here are some useful tips to remember.
Light up your front yard
The most important part of your home is the front yard. This is because it’s the first thing people see when they approach your house. Illuminating your home with quality landscape lighting fixtures can make all the difference. You’ll see the benefits of the upgrade right away.
Update your lights
Replace anything that is either old or looks old, especially old light bulbs and outdated lantern-style light fixtures. When it comes to light bulbs, don’t buy the discount variety, and use high quality constant-colour lamps instead. Cheap light bulbs can make your house and landscaping look worse than it is, giving potential buyers the wrong impression. The same applies to outdated fixtures. They too can be extremely off-putting to many prospective buyers, so be sure to replace them.
Light up the dark areas of your home
You should also take a careful look at your property to see if there are any areas around your home that seem too dark and are therefore in need of more lighting. Most importantly, be sure that your front door, windows, and the border around your front yard are adequately lit. The same applies to your backyard – as well as your patio table and BBQ grill. Prospective buyers tend to check out those areas to make sure they are all well-lit.
Contact Nite Time Decor Today!
If you need professional help with your landscape lighting, don’t be shy. We cover residential and commercial landscape lighting design. We do repairs, replacements, upgrades, as well as electrical and wiring troubleshooting. What’s more, we will also replace the bulbs and transformers in your installation for a worry-free experience. Get in touch with the Halton and Hamilton region landscape lighting experts at Nite Time Décor today.
Protecting your landscape lighting from the elements. Outdoor lighting in the Halton and Hamilton region are exposed to all kinds of adverse weather. Because of this, outdoor lighting takes a heavier beating than interior lighting. Luckily, there are things you can do, both while designing your landscape lighting and after your lights have been installed, to make sure you get the most out of your property illumination.
Here’s are 5 tips on how you can protect your landscape lighting from the elements:
Choose an Appropriate Location
Placing your lights out in the open is probably not the best idea when trying to protect your fixtures. When designing your system, try to place the fixtures where they can be shielded from rain, snow, and violent winds. For instance, if you have one of our wash lights illuminating a wall, place it as close to an overhang as you can.
If you have landscape lights in your yard, try to place them near shrubbery, trees, or other overhangs that will protect them from Mother Nature’s fierce mood swings.
Remember that even if it’s bright and sunny when you install your lights, it won’t be year round. Keep in mind future snow and rain conditions, particularly if your property has minimal protection from adverse weather.
Be careful of high winds and trees
If you have a lot of top-heavy trees in your yard, it may be time to thin them out. Top-heavy trees can be a danger to your house and landscape during aggressive winds.
Don’t want to get rid of your trees? You don’t have to. The best thing to do is to prune them simply by thin the branches out a bit. This will allow wind to blow through the branches, rather than push up against a thick tree. Thinning out your trees’ branches will prevent a fall that could cause major damage to your landscape lighting and yard.
Protective treatments in your landscape lighting services
Rain-X Original glass treatment and Rain-X Anti-Fog will help keep your lights clean and clear. Use these or similar products on the glass of your fixtures to protect them. Note that Rain-X Original should be used on the outside of the glass areas, and Anti-Fog should be applied to the inside of the glass.
Invisa-Shield is another staple in protecting your landscape lighting from those nasty elements. This is a metal sealant that should be applied to the fixture around the bulb. If you want to increase the effectiveness of this treatment, wax your fixtures before applying Invisa-Shield. And for extra protection, use Armor-All on rubber gaskets and sockets.
One of the most important steps in keeping your landscape lighting safe is to maintain your fixtures. Thankfully, with our warranties and lifetime maintenance, you can be sure that your landscape lighting system won’t be neglected.
Invest in a light shield
Light shields are clear boxes that can cover the fixtures that are out in the open. Make sure upon purchasing a light shield that it is the right size. It should be sealed to prevent moisture entering the box to damage your light.
Protect from the Snow
What should you do if your landscape light fixtures are buried beneath the snow after a big winter storm?
The heat from the lights will not melt the snow because the LED bulbs that are commonly used in professional outdoor lighting does not emit enough heat. We suggest that you take a broom to sweep the snow off the lens so that the light can shine its brightest again.
Contact Nite Time Decor
Follow these 5 tips to protect your outdoor lighting from the harsh Halton and Hamilton area weather elements. Looking to upgrade to a beautifully designed and professionally installed landscape lighting system? Nite Time Decor can help, from choosing quality materials to planning out the exact placement for each light. Our team of professionals can help you make these important decisions. Contact us today for a free quote and find out how we can help you create the landscape lighting design of your dreams.
Some homeowners have a difficult time ensuring that their mulch and landscape lighting system coexist peacefully. Fortunately, there are a number of maintenance techniques available to improve this process.
From heat management to fixture placement, here’s what you need to know when it comes to handling mulching around your landscape lighting system.
Why Mulch?
Mulch is extremely beneficial for landscaping as it acts as a natural cover and insulation layer to protect the soil from the sun which allows for water retention and weed prevention.
Mulch is also a beautiful addition to the aesthetics of your home. With that being said, it’s important that you don’t over-mulch as this can encourage unwanted insect infestations and can cause the soil to absorb too much moisture.
Problems with Mulching Your Landscape Lighting
In short, mulch is wood, and lighting fixtures produce heat. This can be a tricky combination if it isn’t properly maintained. That’s not to say it’s impossible to have both mulch and landscape lighting on your property. The trick is making sure the mulch isn’t covering any fixtures.
Lights give off heat that needs a way to escape. If mulch is covering the lighting fixtures, that heat will be locked in, forcing the mulch to begin to smolder and smoke. If left for an extended period of time, the fixture could become hot enough to melt the PVC composite on your landscape lighting fixtures, and possibly burn off the insulation around the wires. Needless to say, this could cause an immense amount of damage – all of which could have been avoided with a little patience and maintenance.
Warning! If too much heat is allowed to build up under too large a pile of mulch, a fire may even start, causing far more serious damage than a few broken lights and wires.
How can this be avoided?
It pays to be cautious with your landscape lighting maintenance. If someone else is applying your mulch, make sure to tell them exactly where each fixture is. It’s also a good idea to check once the mulch is applied to ensure that no mistakes have been made or light fixtures have been accidentally buried.
If there’s been a storm recently, take the time to survey any damage to your gardens and mulch. Always make sure that mulch hasn’t blown onto your landscape lighting fixtures after a period of high winds or rain.
Clear off any mulch that is covering fixtures. This quick and easy task will save you time and money on your landscape lighting maintenance in the long run.
Fortunately, Nite Time Decors lighting products and fixtures come with a covering over any light bulbs. This will prevent mulch from directly touching the light, creating an efficient heat barrier. It’s generally a good idea to go with energy efficient LED lighting systems, as they heat up less than conventional light bulbs.
Don’t buy cheap mulch. While buying affordable mulch is always recommended, purchasing the cheapest is not. It is usually priced at a bargain basement price because of its weight. The cheaper the mulch, the lighter it is and the more likely it will be blown around in a storm.
Not only does this ruin the aesthetics of your lawn, but it also increases the odds of the mulch blowing onto your landscape lighting fixtures.
If you take these simple precautions, you shouldn’t have any problem maintaining a beautifully manicured and mulched garden, as well as a safe and efficient landscape lighting system.
Lighting up your home is a large undertaking. But with the proper landscape lighting services you don’t have to struggle to have a beautiful after-dusk landscape. The benefit of Nite Time Décor’s outdoor lighting designs is that you can accentuate the unique aspects of your home. If you have a chimney, then this is the perfect feature to highlight as they are becoming increasingly rare with the decline in natural fireplaces.
Chimney lights may seem like a strange addition to your home’s architectural lighting design. However, a lot of lighting service technicians love lighting up the exterior of a fireplace as they can be a unique aspect of a home’s visage. If you have a chimney that you wish to accent on your home, be careful. Improper lighting could create some unintended shadowing. Here are some tips to battle this creative design prospect.
Why light up a chimney?
Why you should include your chimney in your architectural lighting design?
Fireplaces create a focal point indoors and outdoors. If they are wood burning fireplaces then they are the tallest section of your house, and therefore one of the most visible aspects from the street. It also singles out your home as architecturally unique.
As more and more homeowners go for electric or gas fireplaces, fewer homes will have the tall smoke stack. Homeowners can still add decorative pieces on the brick of the gas fireplace, so adding architectural lighting would look great too.
What are some problems that could occur?
One of the most important things to remember about chimney lighting is that it’s extremely important to have an architectural lighting service expert install the fixtures. One of our experts will ensure that the job is done safely and done well.
Some chimneys are not visible until they rise to the roofline. This could cause some issues in proper placement of lighting fixtures. Our spotlight would light up your smoke stack beautifully if placed just above the eaves trough.
Architectural lighting design tips
There are a few things you’ll want to remember when lighting your chimney. Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning your design:
Accenting
If you discuss chimney illumination with a lighting service technician, one of the essential aspects that they will cover is highlighting key architectural aspects. If you have anything near your fireplace that may prove to be a focal point – such as gargoyles or other statues – that is something you’ll want to draw attention to.
Up lighting vs. Down lighting
Do you want your chimney lit from above, or below? Of course, this will also depend on whether or not your fireplace rises from the ground up or can only be seen at the roofline. Look at the placement of other lighting fixtures on your home to see if up lighting or down lighting will create a cohesive façade in your architectural lighting design.
Recessed lights
Do you want the lighting fixture to remain in sight, or invisible? This is entirely about personal taste. Remember, though, that there are fewer options for rooftop lighting than for ground lighting, where post lights are available.
Think eco-friendly
LED lights may be an option for you if you want to protect your wallet, and help save Mother Nature from unnecessary electrical usage. LED lights are becoming more and more popular.
You may be thinking that LEDs are expensive. While this is true of the initial costs, the long-term savings will exceed the original expense. You’ll also be taking a progressive stance in reducing your carbon footprint. Just by buying a different light bulb!
We are can help!
If you have any questions regarding specific chimney lighting preferences, contact one of our architectural light service specialists today.
To get started on your architectural lighting design, request your complimentary lighting demo and quote from Nite Time Décor today. Serving homeowners and businesses throughout Halton, Hamilton including Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga.
If you’re looking to capture the beauty of your golf course at night with some commercial landscape lighting, moonlighting could be the answer. This will enhance the beauty during evening events, as well as enhance the attractiveness of your club entrance. In addition, investing in landscape lighting can enhance the security of your golf course. To find out how to achieve a secure, aesthetically pleasing outdoor lighting system for your golf course, keep reading!
What is Moonlighting?
Moonlighting, as the name suggests, aims to mimic the light of the moon. This lighting technique will create a soft, glowing effect that shines down on your golf course. Another side effect of this commercial landscape lighting technique is that it creates a unique shadowing design, which completes the moonlight resemblance.
What’s more, Nite Time Décor uses only the finest materials in their lighting fixtures, such as copper, in order to enhance the look and feel of your professional landscape lighting design. This will allow the lights to blend in seamlessly with the landscape of your golf course.
Tips for Including Moonlighting Techniques in Your Landscape Lighting Design
If you’re planning on installing a commercial landscape lighting system at your golf course, it’s important to note that moonlighting fixtures are typically installed in large trees. This allows light to filter through the branches, resulting in a natural moon-like glow, regardless of the actual moon or weather.
It’s worth noting that you may need to use numerous fixtures in order to filter enough light through the trees on your golf course. As such, we encourage our clients to ask their commercial lighting rep about our LED light systems. These economical options are designed to help lower your utility bills and reduce light pollution. To save energy further, try automating your lighting system.
To give off a more shadowy effect, try placing the lights close to the trunk, but higher up in the tree. On the other hand, if you want fewer shadows, mount your commercial landscape lighting fixtures near the edge of the canopy and closer to the ground.
Highlight Architectural Features with Landscape Lighting!
You can also use lighting to enhance the unique features of your building or any statues around your property. When decorating your building, the experts at Nite Time Décor take into account what your building looks like, how useful the lighting set up is, and the energy-efficiency of the fixtures that are being used.
Our Commercial Landscape Lighting Can Enhance Security
Obviously, you will want your golf course to remain a safe place. Darkness gives thieves or unwanted intruders convenient places to hide. The proper use of landscape lighting will increase the area of visibility in your golf course at night. This can also help employees feel safer as they leave to go home for the night.
While this option won’t increase the aesthetics of your golf course, adding motion-sensing lights around the various entrances and exits of your building and property is a great way to improve safety. Motion lights will save electricity, while at the same time illuminating specific areas if the sensor is triggered by unwanted activity.
Contact The Pros
For more information about our Commercial Lighting services and how they can benefit your golf course, simply give us a call at 1-800-952-3006 or complete our online form for a free lighting demo and quote. We service businesses including golf courses throughout Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville, Halton and the Hamilton region.
How to Light Up Your Backyard Event with Landscape Lighting
There are several elements to hosting a memorable backyard event. You need the right weather, delicious food, good company and the right landscape lighting system to set the mood. But lighting does more than create ambiance; a great outdoor lighting system can also perform functional tasks such as providing cues or segues for presentations. Use landscape lighting to highlight water features or architectural pieces, or make it the décor itself.
Here’s how to light up your backyard using outdoor landscape lighting:
Give Your Landscape Lighting System a High-Tech Feel
Over the years, lighting technology has become more sophisticated, greatly improving the quality and flexibility of landscape lighting. However, high-tech doesn’t always mean high-impact. If you’re looking to create a big lighting bang for not a lot of bucks at your next outdoor event, don’t assume you need a state-of-the-art system. Simply contact Nite Time Décor and ask about our outdoor lighting system options. Our systems can be modified to feature coloured lighting or repositioned in order to create different effects and highlights on the features you want to stand out:
There are plenty of alternatives, so don’t just turn a porch light on. Instead, illuminate your life with a professionally designed and installed outdoor lighting system. We have solutions to satisfy a wide range of budgets.
Keep It Discreet
The effects of our landscape lighting are pretty, but sometimes you want the lighting effects themselves to be the only thing that’s seen. One cost-effective option is to use a high wattage, bright light on a high strand. From there you can use reflective materials, such as foil or gossamer silk. Scrim is a translucent cloth that will really bring your landscape lighting system to life. Scrim can be put on walls or ceilings and it can be used with par cans, spot lights, or other lights.
Use Your Landscape Lighting System Intelligently
The secret to event lighting involves matching the movement and colour of the light to the mood of the event décor, theme, music, and vibe. More extravagant systems require a computer to operate, but simplistic ones just have a colour filter or maybe a dimmer so you can get the effect that you want.
One way to use intelligent lighting is to push the envelope with your landscape lighting. A person’s sense of what’s visually appealing can be manipulated using design; if you’re in the process of planning an outdoor event, now is the opportune time to consult with an expert at Nite Time Décor for outdoor lighting ideas. Don’t shy away from new trends – let the light stream in!
Different Ideas for Your Outdoor Event
Try lining aisles in your backyard with lights, such as our area lights or tiki torches. This looks especially nice in a dimly lit setting.
Try hanging lights from a high point, such as in a tree, or attached to your home. A nice effect is several lights going across one another. Alternatively, one strong light can make a statement on its own.
Contact the Professionals
Don’t leave your backyard in the dark! Contact Nite Time Décor for a free lighting demo and consultation and find out how to bring out the beauty in your yard. We design and install custom landscape lighting to homes, cottages and businesses throughout Hamilton, Halton, Burlington, Oakville and Mississauga, Ontario.
