Outdoor Lighting Advice

Our gardens are becoming an extension to our houses and, with long dark nights for six months of the year, all that hard work is not visible unless we use artificial light. By lighting the garden effectively you can enjoy it all year round at the flick of a switch.

Outdoor lighting falls into two categories:
Security lighting and ambient lighting.

Security Lighting
A vast range of security lights are available usually operated by a PIR (passive infra-red sensor) which detect warmth or movement and switch on a light to either deter intruders or welcome visitors. The advantage of these is that they only use power when they are needed. Many of the new security lights are actually decorative lights with in-built sensors. Use security lights to illuminate paths, drives and to protect access to other area of the property.
Ambient Lighting
This could be the subject of a book of its own. Essentially to create interest and an atmosphere in the garden the same rules apply as for the living room i.e. create pools of light. The most useful type of garden lighting is low voltage which avoids the need to dig trenches for armoured cable and is safde with pets and children around. These will be run by a 12 volt or 24 volt transformer that is normally mounted inside or near the house and lights are fixed to a run of cable.
Use spotlights for lighting the under side of trees for a dramatic effect. Coloured spotlights can help add interest especially when focused on unusual shrubs and foliage.
Decorative lights on posts or spikes come in a wide variety of shapes and are useful for pools of downlight and give a low level general illumination.
If you have a pond then consider underwater lighting to make the water a feature at night. Strings of lights can add fun to a patio area and net lights add a little show-business to a garden.

New LED (light emitting diode) technology has enabled the use of very low powered 'in ground' lights which can also be used in decking plus new ranges for wall or posts and pillers. Other LED lights are mounted on light fittings with solar charging panels in the top which can be placed anywhere without the need for wiring.
To create depth and feeling of space use a floodlight at the end of the garden to create a backdrop from trees or shrubs. Do consider your neighbours when using higher powered lights which might create a nuisance.

Decorative Wall Lights
A wide selection of decorative wall lights are available to suit the style of your property from modern stainless steel to traditional cast designs. Use these in porches, either side of the front door or around the walls of the house to give general illumination.
Lamposts
Larger gardens can benefit from using lamp posts with decorative lanterns mounted on the top to raise the light and give a better spread of light.
Mains voltage lighting must be suitable for use outside and for mosr wall mounted lights IP44 is considered the minimum level of moisture resistance. It is recommended that mains voltage lighting fitted in the ground is fitted by a qualified electrician.