External Architectural Lighting

bauderline

Folks,

Has anyone any opinions on the best method of doing this ?

I see a lot of people who mount downlighters in the soffit or eaves, whilst the effect is nice I would imagine its a pain in the rear changing blown lamps and I also have concerns about making a stack of holes in the soffit.

Another option is uplighters which are recessed into the ground with reinforced covers. You don't see these too often but the effect looks very good as well I think and I would imagine much easier to maintain.

I have also seen multiple LED flood lamps for sale online, not sure if these are any good though as I have not seen one in action...

Any thoughts folks ?

Best regards, P.

sydthebeat

some councils include very specific conditions regarding external lighting, so be careful to read all conditions...

bauderline

Syd,

Thanks for that, it's Cavan CoCo and external lighting was not mentioned in the conditions.

P.

sinnerboy

Personally - gently does it in my opinion . I agree your reservations about soffit lights ( having said that i have done it with single storey structures ) . you must make sure soffit fittings are external quality . If they rust - they become a fire hazard

1. Some carefully located planter bed spikes and 2. maybe some 600mm tall led posts along the driveway . 3. High level halogens linked to movement detectors to bedazzle burglars ....

et voila

Slig

Agree with sinnerboy, Soffitt downlighters always give me the "marvel at my pebbledashed bungalow" feeling. Uplighters are expensive, difficult to adjust and if broken get watterlogged.
Maybe some external lights illuminating the house from across the drive or flowerbed, and some posts up the drive

jwt

I have major issues with up lighters, bed planters etc all causing light pollution.

same goes for halogen security lights with the cut off rising above horizontal.

If you insist on using then take some time to ensure that the cut off shadow is on the building not straight up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pollution

http://www.darksky.org/


JWT

bauderline

jwt wrote: »

I have major issues with up lighters, bed planters etc all causing light pollution.

same goes for halogen security lights with the cut off rising above horizontal.

If you insist on using then take some time to ensure that the cut off shadow is on the building not straight up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pollution

http://www.darksky.org/


JWT

........ Jesus Wept ....

topcatcbr

I have to say i dont approve of lighting up a home like it is some architectural monument. It is an unnecessary pollution which serves no purpose other than to bolster egos.

bauderline

topcatcbr wrote: »

I have to say i dont approve of lighting up a home like it is some architectural monument. It is an unnecessary pollution which serves no purpose other than to bolster egos.

I suppose it depends if the building is well designed and how good the quality of finish is. I don't really care if the finger wag brigade don't approve of it either, its for my own benifit period.

Any external lighting I do decide to use will mild and well though out as the house is beside a large lake and I don't want to attract a small army of heavily armoured insects. Ever seen a flying black golf ball ? I have !

The LED light posts put forward by sb are a good idea and are on my list. I might then use some LED flood lamps to illuminate parts of the building.... the odd time !!!

B.

I have one low energy lamp aimed at the front of the house, it is just powerfull enough to show the outline of the house against the night sky.

I only turn it on when we are expecting visitors, but is is suffucuent for them to see the house!

I am very conscious of the effects of "light pollution" so have made efforts to reduce it as much as possible, without reducing our "comfort zone"

PS : the 500w lamp comes on when anyone enters the driveway so they can see their way safely to the door!

bauderline

bauderline wrote: »

Folks,

Has anyone any opinions on the best method of doing this ?

I see a lot of people who mount downlighters in the soffit or eaves, whilst the effect is nice I would imagine its a pain in the rear changing blown lamps and I also have concerns about making a stack of holes in the soffit.

Another option is uplighters which are recessed into the ground with reinforced covers. You don't see these too often but the effect looks very good as well I think and I would imagine much easier to maintain.

I have also seen multiple LED flood lamps for sale online, not sure if these are any good though as I have not seen one in action...

Any thoughts folks ?

Best regards, P.

What are you trying to achieve!
do you want people to see the house, or do you just want safe visibility for visitors.

I have security lights that come on when anyting enters the site and some low solar LED "path finders" to lead them to the housei.

Slig

topcatcbr wrote: »

I have to say i dont approve of lighting up a home like it is some architectural monument. It is an unnecessary pollution which serves no purpose other than to bolster egos.

I was going to say something similar about highlighting one off houses and how it makes them stand out from the landscape instead of blending in, but I'm trying to tone down my oppinionated comments before I get banned:D.
Also for security purposes or just to see your way around the house at night it can be handy. Soft Leds or low voltage uplighters would be a damn sight better than 4 or 5 halogen sensor lights sticking out of the eaves and lighting in all directions.

topcatcbr

Im sorry if i offended anyone. That was not my intention.

I agree with slig that an appropriate level of lighting is that which is just enough to get around outside safely. It shouldnt attract attention to the building. it also shouldnt disturb the wildlife in the area. the aim is to blend and not dominate the local area. there are some attractive lamp stands and pillars which would provide enough low level light for footpaths and driveways.

I get that you are proud of your home and want to show it to its best. However flood lights shining in a rural or semi urban environment is like fitting a race exaust to a 1L nissan micra.

Slig

topcatcbr wrote: »

Im sorry if i offended anyone. That was not my intention.

I agree with slig that an appropriate level of lighting is that which is just enough to get around outside safely. It shouldnt attract attention to the building. it also shouldnt disturb the wildlife in the area. the aim is to blend and not dominate the local area. there are some attractive lamp stands and pillars which would provide enough low level light for footpaths and driveways.

I get that you are proud of your home and want to show it to its best. However flood lights shining in a rural or semi urban environment is like fitting a race exaust to a 1L nissan micra.

......and then painting it florescent pink.

Urban areas should be bright for obvious reasons but in a rural setting that type of lighting is just pollution. Keep the lights off the roof and as low to the ground as possible. You are lucky with planning, I've got conditions where no external lights at all were allowed to face a lake.