I'm so glad they added the new lighting forum.

I am in the landscape lighting industry and if you have questions regarding landscape lighting or low voltage outdoor lighting, I would be happy to help any of the forum members. I can help with layout, design, choosing fixtures, where to buy, troubleshooting, etc.. You can either email me or contact me through my website for free advice.

Note: on our website, we created a 'Learning Area' that shows step by step instructions on all topics and phases of outdoor lighting projects.

Good Luck!

The only exterior lights now are recessed cans under the porch.

Let me know if you would like some additional pictures or have any questions.

Do you have any ideas on what type of lights should be placed where?

Thanks!

1. I would put some spotlights aimed up at each column as you suggest. Have the wattage bulbs on the two main entrance columns slightly stronger (i.e. 50 watts for the two columns by the door, 35 watt on the others) to emphysize the entrance columns. If you feel lighting up all the colums is excessive you can either move down to 20 watt bulbs or just do the 2 by the door then the corner columns.

2. (2) Pathlights (China hats or Coneheads). One at the beginning of the pathway from the parking area, the other in the bed closer to the stairs (stagger them on opposite sides). Plant in bed --not in grass (putting fixtures in grass interfers with lawn cutting, they get hit by mowers, etc.).

3. You could put 2 flood lights with 35 watt bulbs aimed up at the large oak tree so the lighting isn't over concentrated on the house.

4. You'll need a transformer, cable (12/2 cable) and splice connectors. A 300 watt transformer would work, but a 600 w will give you room for expansion in the future. Using a multitap transformer (it has outputs from 12 volts to 22 volts depending on which terminal you attach the cable wire to) enables you to adjust the output of the lights and compensate for voltage drop. Transformers at big box retailers are only 12 volt (not multi-tap), so if you have many lights or a long run (like out to the oak tree on the side yard), the lights will be dim. With a multi tap you can attach the cable to a higher output terminal so all the lights are bright and even.

5. You could add a wall wash to the building on the left (use the flood light fixture but with a 20 watt bulb).

You can find these types of low voltage landscape light fixtures many places on the web (sorry, we're not allowed to post links in forums).

Aluminum fixtures are cheaper but brass will significantly outlast aluminum in the outdoor environment.

Hope that helps!

1) Should I light up the columns on the sides of the porch as well, or just do the 6 across the front?

2) I have included another picture showing the garage (building to the left). Would a single wall wash flood be enough or should I extend things out into the bed along the driveway?

3) There will be a crape myrtle tree in the bed in front of the two corner columns. Should the floods on the corners be in front of the column, in front of the tree, or both?

Thanks again for your insight and contribution. Your website was very informative for a landscape lighting newbie and I plan on placing an order once I get my needs nailed down.

Good luck!

Note: up lighting is considered light pollution by some. However, it adds a lot of interest to a yard because we don't typically see things lit that way. Soft low wattage fixture to keep it understated will be best.

My question is strictly regarding quality. We've had path lights for many years but have had to continuously replace a plastic lens here and there and repair the wiring to keep all of them working. Can you recommend a high quality, low-maintenance, long-lasting brand that will last for upwards of 10 years?

Thanks,

Laura

I'm impartial but I truly believe you get the best quality for the price from Volt solid brass fixtures at our site landscapelightingworld.com. See the Top Dog brass spotlight or any of the brass pathlights like the china hat or conehead path lights.

They are expensive, but you can mount them every other stair if you have a long flight of stairs.

The other option is to do as mentioned in the reply above, use the existing 120v, plug in a transformer (or mount inline), then from the transformer run 12v step lighting. Note: you need the 120 v line there any ways even if you are doing 12v in order to power the 12v transformer.

Are you still offering suggestions for landscape lighting?

Billy

I have about 20 Malibu lights from Home depot in a backyard patio. They are showing their age after 15 years and need an upgrade. My biggest complaint is they are never straight in the ground. Is there a better quality light that can be install so the frost doesnt push them up/over etc? Is there a better way to install the lights?