Landscape lighting is a great way to improve safety and add aesthetic value to your outdoor space. However, you must be aware of the cost before you get started.
The price of landscape lighting depends on the type of lights you choose, their installation and their wattage. It also varies by the style of the fixture. Up next.
Lighting Fixtures
Outdoor lighting can be an attractive way to enhance your home’s curb appeal, improve safety and add value. However, it’s important to choose a design that works with your budget and style preferences.
The type of landscape lighting fixtures you select will affect the overall cost of your project. The most common types include low-voltage, hardwired and battery-operated.
Low-voltage systems use a transformer to convert 120-volt electricity from your home’s electrical system into 12 volts. They’re a good option for gardens or walkways, and can be installed for between $100 and $150 per light.
The most expensive type of landscape lighting is hardwired, which requires a professional electrician to install and connect the lights. It also takes longer to install, and your contractor will dig trenches through your yard for wiring.
Electrical Wiring
Landscape lighting costs vary depending on whether you are installing new or retrofitting existing landscaping. For new landscapes, wiring and lights can be installed after the plants are in place but before surface mulch is applied.
Installations in existing landscaping are usually more complicated because installers need to carefully dig narrow gaps between the plants and lay wiring for new fixtures. In addition, the installation may involve a transformer that lowers the home voltage from 120 volts to 12 volts.
Low voltage lighting systems are safer to work with, energy efficient and easier to install and move around than line-voltage landscape lights. They typically come with a transformer that plugs into a GFCI outlet outside the home.
Most low-voltage lighting wires have a 12-gauge main wire and a 10-gauge connective wire that runs between each light. When connecting the two wires, make sure to use weatherproof wire connectors and sealant. This will prevent the insulation from cracking or melting if the wires are exposed to rain or extreme temperatures.
Installation
Lighting your landscape is a great way to enhance the beauty of your home. It also helps improve safety and security.
The cost of installation will vary depending on the size and complexity of your yard. It will cost you more if you need to add outlets and run cables longer than usual.
In addition to the costs of materials and labor, you need to consider the electrical transformer that will be required to power the lights. Ideally, you should buy a transformer with a higher output than the wattage of the lights you plan to install.
You will also need to pay for labor to dig holes and bury the wires. This is a time-consuming process and can increase the landscape lighting cost.
Maintenance
Landscape lighting is a crucial part of any home exterior. It adds a sense of elegance to the space, and it helps improve security and deter crime.
However, outdoor lights can have problems from time to time that require maintenance. This is why it’s important to have a professional lighting technician check the system on a regular basis.
During maintenance, you should check for anything that has become out of alignment or moved out of place. This can happen for many reasons such as trees limbs falling or lawn care equipment accidentally bumping a fixture.
Also, make sure to clean the lenses of your fixtures regularly to keep them bright and in good condition. You can use a non-abrasive cloth and CLR type cleaner to get them clean.
You should also rebury any wires that have been exposed to the ground or may have been damaged by harsh weather. This keeps people, pets and gardeners from tripping over them and prevents electrical wires from becoming damaged. Refer to This Web Page.