LED Wall Light is Ideal for Commercial Applications

We recently completed a light commercial lighting project in the Inverness area outside of Birmingham.  The project included architectural lighting to accent the facade of the building, landscape lighting and some pathway lighting to the entrance.  One additional requirement was that the customer needed some step lighting to provide safety.  The caveat was that the fixture needed to be low profile and unobtrusive, yet capable of illuminating a 15′ span.

The solution was a fixture manufactured by DG Lights.  Their RC-200 is an LED recessed fixture that is only 1.5″ in diameter.  It comes in a wide variety of finishes, and with an optional eyebrow designed to minimize glare.  Since we were installing it on a concrete retaining wall, we chose natural brass with the eyebrow.  Warm white was the selected LED color, and a 40 degree spread was chosen to adequately illuminate the steps.

The added bonus—the fixture is LED so it is rated for 50,000 hours!

LED PAR36 bulb

We recently returned from the Outdoor Lighting Perspectives annual convention.  The biggest news on the technology front was the introduction of a new LED PAR36 bulb.  Although some of these LED bulbs have hit the Birmingham market during the past year, none of them compare to the quality and specifications of this new lamp.

Some of the features of this bulb:

• 6watt (over 80% reduction in power consumption)
• 3000 degrees Kelvin (warm white)
• 36 degree spread
• 50,000 hour rating
• IP67 rated for wet locations
• 5 year warranty
• Fits well light fixtures and other PAR36 fixtures
• Easily retrofittable since it has an input voltage range of 9-14 volts

A typical outdoor lighting retrofit from halogen bulbs to LED bulbs typically has an approximate 3-4 year payback.  This new energy efficient and robust bulb makes a lighting upgrade very attractive.

Accenting the stone columns and the pool

Used to accent the detail on the fireplace

Notice the color match to the hardscape wall

Used to mount under cap blocks

Used to illuminate “Lions Head” fountain

Used to illuminate steps

LED rope Lighting defines an outdoor fireplace

We all know that the current economic conditions have severely impacted new home constructions.  We have found that many of our existing outdoor lighting customers have decided to make improvements to their existing homes rather than looking for new homes.  Many times these improvements involve pools, patios, and outdoor kitchens. 

By being experienced in all facets of accent lighting, we have been able to share in many of these projects with our existing clients and new ones as well.  Other companies that have diversified into outdoor lighting as a complement to their core businesses, will normally shy away from tackling hardscape lighting. 

With the proper choice of fixtures, and a lot of coordination with other subcontractors, hardscape lighting can be done effectively.

The customer lives in the Eagle Point community in Shelby County outside of Birmingham.  We had previously completed uplighting at the front of his house, landscape lighting, and even some deck lighting.  When he called this time, he was excited to tell me that he had a “great challenge”  for me.  With some degree of trepidation I met him at his house.    He proudly showed me the wall ornament that he had just purchased—a large sun with a smiley face.  The challenge was to backlight the sun giving the impression of a sunrise…(and I thought architectural lighting can be challenging ?!@#).

After a few days of brainstorming, the solution became obvious.  We used some GM Lighting ribbon light.  We selected exterior warm white LED to give it a warm look.  Since the ribbon comes in 1 meter lengths, we cut a 12-1/2″ circle (yes, I do remember my geometry) and wrapped the ribbon around the entire circumference.  Since it was LED, the total wattage was less than 5 watts for the entire ribbon.  Some white paint on the face of the wood should reflect light through the mouth of the sun.

Finally we commenced with the installation.  No problems at all installing the ribbon on the wood, the wood on the wall, and the sun over the wood.  Still we kept our fingers crossed, hoping for a stunning night-time effect.

When I returned at dusk, the “WOW factor” was definitely apparent.  We had succeeded with the most creative outdoor lighting design that we have ever done.

Ribbon Lighting-Installed

Backlighting with Ribbon Lighting

Wall Art

The customer mounted a swing underneath the pergola.  Since the pergola is in the middle of their backyard, their goal was to have very soft illumination; just enough to provide for safe walking.  The fixture that we selected was a hanging gazebo light manufactured by PM Lighting.  Since the fixture is a 12 volt fixture, we incorporated it into their existing outdoor lighting system.  The fixture accommodates a maximum 20watt bi-pin bulb, however, we discovered that a 10watt bulb was ample for their application.  A frosted glass lens softens the glare from the bulb.

Pergola Light Illuminating Swing

Another advantage of this fixture is that the copper will rapidly patina.  Since the fixture is mounted on a brown wooden frame, and since the home is in a wooded area, the fixture will virtually disappear during daylight hours.

Hardscape Lighting

By definition, hardscape lighting is the illumination of inanimate objects of landscaping, primarily masonry work, stone walls, patios, decks, etc.  This project in the Highland Lakes community outside of Birmingham, stretched the limits of hardscape lighting.

The customers house was built on the side of a rocky lot.   To expand their outdoor living area, the customer decided make a functional and  useable area, by flattening the top of the lot by removing the rocks and boulders.  To minimize the burden of removing the rocks, they decided to neatly organize them into a sloped rock garden complete with kitchen, waterfall, stone steps leading to an outdoor patio, arbor, and deck.  This is when we were introduced to the project.

We selected traditional deck lights to illuminate the deck.  Likewise copper pathway lights were selected to illuminate the rear sidewalk.  All of this was easy; the challenge was about to begin.  The stone steps leading to the upper patio desperately needed illumination to provide nighttime safety.  We chose to use tall path lights at strategic intervals.  The difficulty was providing even spacing while ensuring a solid installation, and just as importantly, the ability to conceal wires around the rocks.

Since the large rocks are actually the focal point of the landscape, they needed to be illuminated with some soft accent lighting.  We chose some small copper flood lights.  Copper was the choice since the patina process will make them ”disappear” during daytime hours.   Additionally, the customer has planted some colorful flowers throughout the hardscape.  The soft illumination from the 20watt flood bulbs provided just enough night-time accent of these plants.

Most outdoor lighting companies would avoid projects like this, and stick with the simpler landscape lighting and uplighting.  However, we are a full service outdoor lighting that gladly takes on these challenges.  Hardscape lighting extraordinaire…

After some discussion, the optimum solution became apparent.  We decided to use a Hadco deck light, mounted on its side along the edge of the pier.  The design of the fixture, even when mounted on its side, will keep water out. Additionally the lens is slightly frosted which minimizes the glare from the bulb.  A standard 10 watt bi-

Is It a Deck Light or a Pier Light?

pin bulb provides a soft illumination.  Last, but certainly not least, the fixture is available in numerous colors.  We chose black since we mounted the fixtures adjacent to the black rubber bumper pad on the edge of the pier.

Lake Martin Pier Without Lighting

Water, band aids, and poison ivy medication needed during the installation               $10.00

Stunning night-time effects                                 N O N E

The only advantage of solar lights is that they are very cheap.  That is also their primary disadvantage.

On the other hand good quality low voltage path way lights have numerous features.

• They don’t rely on sunny days to work properly
• They don’t die in the middle of the night
• They do their job at night–very good illumination of sidewalks, steps, and driveways
• They are very robust and come with an attractive warranty
• They come in various shapes, sizes, heights, configurations, and materials
• Copper is the most popular.  When it patinas, it blends in with the surrounding landscape
• Path lights have a means for adjusting the amount of illumination being emitted from the fixture
• Each pathlight costs only $.30 per month to operate

This project was completed in the Preserve community in Hoover, AL.  The customer realized that inexpensive solar lights were not the solution to his outdoor lighting needs.