Outdoor light fixtures can add so much to a home, from the practical benefits of light to see by to the ambiance it can create. Choosing outdoor pathway lighting for your home is an important decision. You want to make sure you select lighting that not only gives you plenty of light to see by at night but also looks attractive and adds beauty to your home. There are a few things that may make it easier to make your decision.
Outdoor pathway lighting is available in a variety of options. Traditionally pole lights have been used to provide light for a walkway. This still may be an option that will work well for some homes. But the trend has changed as pathway lighting has branched out and now includes a wide selection of low to the ground or walkway lights. These include solar powered, low voltage and traditional voltage lights.
When choosing pathway lights for your home the type may depend on whether or not you have a power source available. If you do not, solar powered path lights will be your only option unless you hire an electrician to add a power source for you. Solar lights have improved but still require a certain number of hours of sun to provide light after dark. Solar lights usually provide a softer light that may not be sufficient for your needs. They are, however, very easy to install.
Low voltage outdoor pathway lighting is a great option particularly if you want to keep your power bill as low as possible each month. Low voltage lights come equipped with a transformer that minimizes the amount of current coming from the house into the fixture to decrease the amount of electricity used. In addition, most low voltage lights have timers to turn the lights off on a fixed schedule. Most low voltage pathway lights are easy to install and do not require the help of a professional.
There are so many outdoor pathway lighting fixtures to choose from as they come in all size, shapes and styles. When choosing fixtures for your home you will want to find a balance between price and quality. Determine how many pathway lights you need to adequately light the walkway to your home and approximately how much you can afford to spend. Pathway lights range in price from $30 and up. You can buy them individually or in packs six or twelve.
The designs include the traditional driveway light made of cast aluminum that is approximately 9 inches high and 10 inches wide and uses 100 W incandescent bulb or a polypropylene pagoda light that is 8.75 inches high and 6.25 inches wide and uses a 7W bulb for a more modern look. Another option would be a garden lantern that looks like a traditional pole lantern only it is only 9 inches tall. It uses a 100 W bulb as well.
You may want to consider outdoor pathway lighting that is more decorative and higher priced. Arcadian lighting sells a Tiffany lamp styled pathway light with an antique bronze base. It stands 23 inches high and 7 inches wide and provides an interesting artistic element to your landscape during the day as well. Cathedral arches sell for $360 through Arcadian and are beautiful interwoven bands created from a transitional stanchion that emits a soft light while providing exceptional beauty to your garden and pathway. They stand 27 inches tall and are made of aluminum with dark citrine glass and use a 16.25 W bulb.
When choosing outdoor pathway lighting for your home take your time to do some window shopping. Consider the style of your home when choosing the style of your pathway lighting and choose a style that blends well.
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