Jun. 28, 2008 - Common Types of Landscape Lighting

Common Types of Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting is an easy way to add curb appeal and makes outdoor living space useable once the sun goes down. Most home improvement stores offer lighting kits for the do-it-yourselfer. But, before you run out and buy some lighting, take a moment to determine its purpose. Following are the most common types of lighting.

    * Bollards -- This type of lighting is generally used for lighting walkways and sidewalks.
    * Floodlights -- These are designed to throw all the light in one direction and work well for security and safety purposes; they are available with or without motion sensors. These are often used over the garage and around doorways.
    * Tier Lights -- This type of lighting makes your home more inviting and is often used for paths and stairs. Also referred to as path lights, these fixtures have tiers of rings that cast light downwards, shielding your eyes from light bulb glare.
    * Well Lights -- Also known as up-lights, this type of lighting is used to highlight design and landscape features, such as trees, waterscapes, gardens and walls.
    * Spotlights -- This fixture focuses the light tightly in one area and is used for highlighting special features.
    * Globe Lights -- These fixtures have the light bulb enclosed in a globe with no metal or plastic shade. It is designed to throw light in all directions for a diffused illumination. It is often used in swimming pools, spas, fountains and other water features.
    * Mushroom Lights -- This type of lighting has a wide shade to conceal the bulb and is ideal for lighting flower gardens and other decorative ground cover.
    * String Lights -- Strings of white or colored lights are used to create a festive atmosphere and are commonly used in trees and around the perimeter of outdoor living spaces.