Thursday, April 16, 2015

Outdoor Security Lighting Options

Outdoor security lighting is a fairly easy and low-cost technique to curb burglars, trespassers, and vandals. Finding the best outdoor security lighting will definitely take a little patience and researching skills on your part. Although there are plenty of outdoor lighting products out there, not all of them are able to provide the appropriate illumination necessary to ward off criminal activities.

A lot of the best outdoor security lighting work in combination with motion sensors, like infrared. So, when motion is detected, it automatically activates the security lighting. Not only is this cost-effective, but it also helps to surprise a criminal who, when creeping into your driveway, will unexpectedly find himself covered with light.

If you are feeling precautious, outdoor security lighting are also available with remote controls. Remote controls make it possible to manipulate your lighting system on and off anywhere from your house, whether you're on the inside or the outside. In that way, you don't have to experience a first hand encounter with a would-be criminal, which is potentially dangerous.

Security lighting fixtures are often regarded as the first line of defense that most homeowners and business owners use to deter criminal activities, like burglary or violent attacks. You really don't have to spend big bucks on these fixtures. And considering the big role these play in the safety of your property and family, it is but very reasonable that you really take your time on reviewing your options for the best outdoor security lighting products today.

Bright lights are highly discouraged by many experts out there. The problem with these types of fixtures is that they defeat their purpose of aiding your eyes to spot potential intruders or criminals. Instead, these prevent you from seeing clearly because of the glaring effect. Plus, security lighting with too much light intensity tend to create dark spaces at the sides, which could be safe places for criminals to hide. Landscaping lighting fixtures are mostly preferred because they have softer light quality that's not blinding.

It wouldn't also hurt if you choose products with energy saving features, such as an Energy Star qualified outdoor lighting fixture. These types of lighting offer exceptional performances while consuming less energy and producing less heat during the process. This means that you don't have to needlessly increase your current average electrical bill just because you've added these outdoor lights. Solar-powered outdoor lights (e.g. solar yard light spikes and solar flood light fixtures) are also popular choices that harness the energy coming from the sun, which is completely eco-friendly and free. Solar security lighting doesn't deal with messy electrical works, too.

Before buying these, make sure to do some researching about your state or local area's laws and regulation about outdoor lighting. Lighting fixtures should be shielded and movable, so you can adjust their positions downwards and prevent light from spilling to your neighbor's windows.

The best don't have to be essentially expensive. The effectiveness of a security lighting system is also dependent on how you strategically place them around your home or office. And the best outdoor security lighting products should produce the right amount of illumination while enabling you to see clearly, and could help you save on your energy costs throughout their usable working years.

These are just a few of the options available for the best outdoor security lighting.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting Systems

Low voltage outdoor lighting is a safer and more energy-friendly solution. It also looks better as overly bright lights don't always look that good. This lighting becoming solutions for many homeowners who are fed up with ever-increasing electricity bills. Low voltage lights, utilize only 12 volts of electricity. It does not mean, however, that a bulb that uses lower voltage will give off dimmer light. On the contrary, this type of light would emit the same amount of illumination as its regular voltage counterpart would. Because of its tremendous energy-efficiency feature, these lights can really help you bring down that costly power bill of yours.

Outdoor lights are exposed to rain and snow which always presents a risk of electrocution no matter how careful you are. The higher the voltage the more harmful the injury, with the most severe result being death. Low voltage outdoor lighting virtually eliminates this risk. At this low level you may feel a little tingle but nothing that could bring harm or death.

Low voltage outdoor lighting is also more eco-friendly because it uses less electricity. For much of the time outdoor lighting is not meant to help us see more clearly in the dark, rather it is an aesthetic element design to make your house and yard look more elegant in the evening hours. Houses do look more beautiful when they are lit up at night, but if it is not providing lighting to see better, then it really is a waste of electricity, especially in these days of global warming. Low voltage outdoor lighting is a wonderful solution.

In addition, most low voltage outdoor lighting is solar powered so it is completely run on renewable energy. You can have beautiful lighting and not increase your eco footprint. Low voltage outdoor lighting is also a safe and low-cost way to increase the security of your home. It is quite certain that criminals are much less likely to enter a well-lighted area. Lights that automatically come on at dusk are a great way to protect your home.

Low voltage outdoor lighting is a low-cost, eco-friendly and physically safe option for bringing nighttime beauty to your home.

Kichler Outdoor Lighting Reviews

Just as the title above, I would like to share your experiences about kichler outdoor lighting. We know, Kichler Lighting is one of those lighting companies that know the importance of innovation. Since 1938, Kichler has been producing lighting products for America. One of the main reasons why Kichler still exists today is their dedication to providing innovative products that provide solutions to customers' lighting needs.

In the field of outdoor lighting, perhaps one of Kichlers most important innovation is its contribution into applying professional interior design philosophy to the exterior of the residence. Well know, if the outdoor lighting equipment should be more durable than the interior lighting. Outdoor equipment more often exposed to the Sun and rain, so they should be stronger. kichler outdoor lighting give this solution for you at a price that struck me in accordance with the given quality.

Some Kichler outdoor lighting are also made from water-tight or water-proof materials which can be used to light pools or artificial ponds or waterfalls that you have installed in your outdoor spaces. Since they are water tight, you can be assured that you won't experience being electrocuted while you are in the pool. You can also use Kichler outdoor lighting to light your pathways to prevent accidents from happening. This is important if you have stairways in your garden or if you have uneven surfaces in your garden pathway. On the other hand, you can also accent your plants using outdoor spotlights. By using Kichler lights for your garden or yard, you create a magical feel to your entire outdoor space.

For homeowners who feel the need to bask in the glory of the past, traditional Kichler outdoor lighting would be the perfect choice. For those who want to match the simple architecture of their country houses, Kichler's line of country lights would be the best choice. Kichler also offers exterior lighting that will satisfy the taste of the ultra modern homeowner. Spartan homeowners who do not want to have complicated lighting installed in their outdoors can opt for Kichler's casual lines of outdoor lights that have very simple designs. Kichler also manufactures transitional, utilitarian, eclectic, and mission style outdoor lights.

Kichler, however, does not stop from making sure that the aesthetic demands of their customers will be satisfied. With years of experience in the lighting industry, Kichler knows what customers want. Kichler outdoor lighting equipment I mentioned above is a proof that they are very professional and understands the needs of customers.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas

The right kitchen island lighting fixtures will ease you in doing work in the kitchen as well will make the kitchen look beautiful in its entirety. Therefore you should keep in mind the most important two principles when implementing interior design, functionality and aesthetics. Combining these two aspects will give you appropriately-lit but attractive or ambient lighting design over your kitchen island.

There are many lighting fixtures that you can find in the market and through this option you can choose the best one that will complement the aesthetics of Your entire kitchen. Keep in mind that kitchen island lighting needs to able to perform the following task:

  • Ambient lighting for overall effect and coverage.

  • Accent lighting for highlighting specific areas.

  • Task lighting for activity areas like the counter-tops, sink, and dining area.


Kitchen Island Lighting Fixtures


One of the popular options right now in kitchen island lighting is to go with lighting that is built into a pot rack. This does double duty, giving you a place to hang your pots and pans as well as lighting to be able to prepare food without worrying about cutting yourself with a chef's knife because you couldn't see what you are doing. If you don't want to get a lighted rack, you can go with ceiling mounted lighting instead. While some homeowners like recessed lighting that's flush mounted into the ceiling, others prefer to use pendant lighting since these can be aimed at various work spaces, not only adding the light you need, but adding drama as well, especially if you use dimmer switches on all the lights.

If you have a larger kitchen island, you may want to go with a chandelier style instead. This gives you a single kitchen island lighting option that allows maximum coverage with the fewest lights. This can reduce the visual clutter and give the kitchen a much cleaner look to it.

The beauty of your kitchen would not depend on the lighting that you choose for your island. However, choosing the right fixture would greatly help in improving the looks of your kitchen. Just be sure that the function that you planned to have for the island is not sacrificed with the choice of lighting. You have a wide variety of kitchen island lighting fixtures that would give you both the functionality and the aesthetics that you need from it. It is just a matter of your choice on what you think suits the design that you have in your kitchen island.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Under Cabinet Lights Ideas

Adding under cabinet lights to your kitchen is an inexpensive upgrade that makes your kitchen more inviting and more functional. Cabinets can create large shadows that make it hard to see preparation surfaces while cooking food. This can not only lead to cuts and to a more difficult cooking experience, but it can also make cleanup more difficult, leading to bacterial growth. Under cabinet lighting is certainly the ideal solution, but getting the right lights for the situation is important.

This type of kitchen task lighting is available with many types of bulbs, including incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, and xenon bulbs. Not all under cabinet lights solutions are created equal. Options such as fluorescent bar lights can generate a great deal of heat, and if you are working in a small space you run the risk of burns as well as the risk of causing any fruit in the area to brown very rapidly. Incandescent bulbs would be simply impractical for the area, however, which is why so many turn to traditional bar lighting. If you are seeking a better option, it will certainly prove worth your effort to look into LED light strips.

With LED under cabinet lighting, there are many noticeable differences. For starters, you will find that these light strips offer the most natural looking source of light possible. This means seeing more exact colors and being able to see finer details than with other sources. By choosing a natural white light, you can also avoid the yellow or bluish tint that comes with most under cabinet lights options. LED lighting also gives off far less heat than other lighting choices, which means that it can be left safely on around fruit and other sensitive foods without the need to worry.

Many people choose fluorescent lights for their under cabinet lights. They are energy efficient, and the bulbs last a long time. A lot of fluorescent lights designed for under counter use are rectangular and fairly flat, so that they are completely unobtrusive. The main drawback of fluorescent lighting is that it can distort some colors (oranges, reds, and purples).

When choosing your under cabinet lights, consider your countertop material. If you have shiny countertops, consider lights with frosted lenses so that you avoid a "spotlight" effect on the countertops. For every four feet of countertop you want to illuminate, choose one 12-inch fixture, or three puck lights. Many designers recommend installing the fixtures toward the front of the cabinets so that they illuminate more of your working surface. And if your cabinets do not have a valance that would hide the under cabinet lights, you can easily find two-inch cabinet molding to fit to the fronts of your cabinets, or you can choose low-profile light fixtures that are barely noticeable.