Landscape Lighting for Dallas- Fort Worth Texas
Posts tagged down lighting
Tree Lighting
0Here’s how we do tree lighting. Sometimes you’ll see lighting “professionals” run a naked wire up a tree and splice a fixture on. No way. That’s not how we do it.
We encase the wire in flexible conduit, called “Sealtite,” and bury that 6-8″ below grade. We run that up the tree to a reasonable stopping place, then extend UV resistant low voltage wire out the branch to optimum position. We attach the Sealtite with a bracket and stainless steel screws, leaving some leeway for tree growth and heat expansion.
For this CAST fixture, we are installing a “Synergie” LED lamp made by Ushio.
This fixture is aimed to down light a water feature. If the fixture were aimed through foliage to the turf or walkway areas it would create a beautiful moonlight effect.
Future Site of Tree Lighting
1We reviewed the design and plan for tree lighting in a downtown Ft Worth locale this week. There are some mature trees here that will get some nice downlighting.
Future Site of Tree Lighting
Looking for just the right fixture….
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Sometimes we come onto a job after the preliminary work has been set in stone….literally! This backbox is already in and wires are to it, but no fixture was specified. Hmmmmm. Working on this now.
Nightscaping – Rebuilding some special fixtures
0A couple in Dallas have had special lighting in their tree beside their patio for many years. The fixtures are special to them – they were bought on their anniversary and the husband installed them himself. Over the years, he’s changed light bulbs and tried to keep them going for his wife. Sadly, years have gone by without professional maintenance, and the tree has engulfed the wire, the squirrels have eaten it, and the sockets of the fixtures have cracked and broken out. I’m going to re-build them.
Trees in the fall
0In the fall I notice the trees more than other times of the year.
The leaves get blown around more now in the early autumn winds, some of them may start to change color soon.
I love to do tree downlighting – we call “moonlighting” this time of year.
The structure of the tree really comes through when you aim the light down through the branches.
When there are leaves on, the shadow of the leaves move and almost shimmer on the ground below.
After the leaves have fallen, the limb structure creates a stronger pattern on the ground, still filtering the light.
We can do this with line voltage or HID mercury vapor or ceramic metal halide or with low voltage LED
Here’s a beautiful property
0This gorgeous outdoor living area includes an outdoor kitchen and seating area with gas fire pit beyond the pool.
We’re using FX down lights in the open rafter crossbeams and aim-able down lights above the eating bar.
There are fans, switches and outlets where you need them.
We’ll be adding more to this project soon!
Outdoor Living
Landscape Lighting Styles and Applications
808 days
by Alexandra
in Helpful Articles
Lighting Styles and techniques we use to accentuate your outdoor environment
• Path lighting – Uses visible fixtures to highlight pathways, entryways, steps, deck areas, and low lying features of your landscape. Provides a safely lit area for foot traffic around your home.
It is especially important to light changes in elevation such as steps and deck edges.
• Up lighting – Highlight architectural features of your home including columns, peaks, flags, and address signage. Light up the taller focal points of your landscape including specimen trees. Particularly beautiful when lighting palm trees or your home’s facade.
• Down lighting – Hide your fixtures in trees or overhangs, and highlight areas such as patios, decks, play areas, or any other entertaining areas you may have. This creates an even and natural illumination that is very desirable.
• Moonlighting – light mounted in the tree, shining down through foliage and branches creates a beautiful moonlight effect.
• Backlighting, Wall washing – Silhouettes the focal point in your environment to draw attention to it’s shape – such as favorite tree or art object, fountain or statuary.
• Shadowing – Interesting foliage or enlarges shapes of statuary or art pieces can be projected onto another surface by passing the light through the object. Delicate leaves, grasses or shadows of small sculptures can produce a delightful effect.
• Security lighting – Light up the dark areas around your home including doorways, areas of heavy landscaping surrounding windows, or provide a visible pathway of light to your home from the street. Provide security lighting where you park your car, or add a floodlight so the family can play football in the back yard at night.