Outdoor lighting adds visual interest and curb appeal to the front of the home as well and security and functionality to a garden. While the lighting choices may seem endless, here are a couple of options that I like to recommend.
Solar Light Fixtures: The most obvious benefit to solar garden lights is the energy savings you will experience. Rechargeable batteries within these fixtures charge during the day, and some can power a fixture for up to 12 hours -- long enough to last throughout the night.
Free of power cords and electrical hook-ups, solar garden lights are portable and can be used anywhere in your yard. The freedom from electrical power also makes these lights extremely user-friendly. There is no need to hire an electrician to install your outdoor light fixtures.
Solar landscape lights are becoming available in a wider variety of styles all the time. It should not be difficult to find a solar fixture that enhances your front or backyard beautifully. When choosing a solar garden light, keep in mind that the more LED cells in the solar light the more lighting power it will have.
Copper Light Fixtures: Some consider copper light fixtures to be among the most beautiful and durable for landscaping and nightscaping applications. Unlike plastics and other materials, copper is unaffected by sunlight and will not become more brittle with age, so a copper light fixture will not crack or crumble years after it has been installed. The range of copper’s natural colors can make an attractive appearance during various stages of weathering. The full extent of weathering can take between five to 14 years, depending on the climate and conditions.
Be sure to choose fixtures that blend with the natural surroundings of your home and garden because landscape lighting should complement rather than overwhelm its surroundings.
By: Andrew Lewis