Author Archives: Majestic Outdoor Lighting

What Should You Look for When Buying Outdoor Security Lighting?

Outdoor lighting depicted with spheres and cast iron holdings.

Do You Need Outdoor Security Lighting?

As a business owner or homeowner, making sure your business, home, or property is safe and secure is a concern. This includes installing an alarm system and outdoor security lighting, and with the lighting, there come many concerns and questions, such as what is the most durable outdoor security lighting?

What is the History of Outdoor Lighting Options?

In the past, incandescent bulbs were the only option in lightbulbs, but today, we have improved with LED lights. Many benefits are going with LED outdoor security lighting that makes LED lighting so different than incandescent bulbs.  LED is the abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode. The work with electrical currents passing through microchips and illuminates the tiny light sources, the LEDs. The benefits of LED light bulbs include:  

  • LESS ENERGY: An outdoor security lighting system with LED bulbs will help lower energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and minimize landfill waste with the burnt bulbs. 
  • COLOR CHOICES: Using an outdoor security lighting system with LED bulbs you have a wide choice in color tints thanks to the light-emitting diodes of each bulb. White light is created by using several hues mixed, or colors can be mixed to achieve a different color of ting. 
  • EASY TO POSITION: An outdoor security system with LED bulbs makes it easy to control the positioning. This can reduce the chance of fire hazards. 
  • TURN ON IMMEDIATELY: Most CFL bulbs used in an outdoor security lighting system have to warm up before they are fully light. LED bulbs light up immediately at the flip of a switch. 
  • COOLER: Using LED bulbs in an outdoor security lighting system burns cooler than traditional incandescent bulbs, making them safer. Ninety percent of an incandescent bulb is wasted to heat not lighting.
  • EASY DISPOSAL:  Today, with environmental concerns, many cities are making it difficult to throw out incandescent bulbs because many of them contain mercury. An outdoor security system with LED bulbs will last longer and when they are burned out, they are easily disposed of. 

What is the best security light for outside a business or home?

Darkness attracts burglars and the intended goal of outdoor security lighting is to make the outdoor spaces secure from those burglars and other unwanted visitors. Properly placed outdoor security lighting makes a business or home a less attractive target, and an important aspect of LED lighting is the amount of lumens! 

What are lumens? 

Lumens are how the brightness of LED lights is measured. The more lumens, the brighter the light. For an outdoor security lighting system, experts recommend starting with 700 lumens, depending on several factors such as: 

  • Location
  • Area
  • Purpose

What is the best exterior sensor light?

Lighting experts recommend using flood lighting with a motion sensor. They are directionally adjustable and when the sun goes down, they come on automatically with any motion, and off during daylight hours. With motion sensor lights as part of your outdoor security lighting system strategically placed, any unwanted visitor is startled and runs off. 

What are the most familiar types of outdoor security lighting?

There are four types of outdoor security lighting for any business owner or homeowner: 

  • Continuous lighting: This is the most common type of outdoor security lighting. This design of lighting provides controlled lighting and greater projection.
  • Moveable lighting: This type of outdoor security lighting is operated manually and contains either flood lights or moveable searchlights that are positioned in selected places as temporary lighting. This is a common security lighting around construction sites.
  • Standby lighting: This type of outdoor security lighting consists of continuous systems and is designed to be used either reserve or stand-by man and can supplement continuous systems.  In the continuous mode, they can be set to engage automatically or manually. 
  • Emergency lighting: This type of outdoor security lighting may duplicate any or all of the other lighting listed here and is used during a power failure or any type of emergency if there are issues with inoperative lighting. This type of lighting can be used on batteries or a generator if needed. 

How long will an outdoor security lighting system with LED bulbs last? 

When properly installed and maintained, an outdoor security lighting system with LED light bulbs can last 10 and 15 years. A professional lighting service can add a driver change to extend that lifespan. 

Light Up Your World! 

When you’re concerned about the safety of your business or home, installing an outdoor security lighting system can give you comfort and peace of mind, and with LED bulbs, you won’t see a major increase in your energy bill. When combined with your alarm system, burglars and other unwanted visitors are frightened before any damage or theft can occur. Many business property and homeowner insurance policies may offer a discount on the policy with both an outdoor security lighting system along with an alarm system. Call us now at (817) 345-3696 if you need outdoor security lighting in Fort Worth and Dallas, TX!

What’s Better for Landscape Lighting, Halogen or LED?

LED Landscape Lighting Lights a Garden Path

LED is Good for Outdoor Lighting

LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is a light source that discharges light when activated. Most of us believe that LED  is a ‘new’ invention from the 21st century, but it was actually developed in the 1920s and has been expanded and improved upon ever since. Today, we typically find this invention outdoors in LED Landscape Lighting.

How much energy do LED lights save?

In a residential setting with ENERGY STAR-rated products, LED landscape lighting uses 75% to 90% less energy than standard incandescent lighting.  How long do LED landscape lights last? Studies have found that LED landscape lighting last mover than 20 times longer!  

Is LED landscape lighting less expensive? 

The initial cost to install the LED landscape lighting fixtures typically costs more upfront. However, the ROI comes from the long lifespan of the bulbs and energy savings. 

What type of LED lights are best for outdoor use? 

If you’re a DIY homeowner, you may wonder if any LED lighting be used outdoors. The answer is yes if the LED landscape lighting you choose to install is properly housed and sealed. An important fact about LED lighting you need to know is the IP rating or the Ingress Protection.

Ingress Protection is the degree of protection for outdoor lighting against liquids and solids infiltrating. The higher the IP rating, the better protected the LED outdoor lighting fixture. 

What types of LED landscape lighting are available for the outdoors?

The right LED landscape lighting can transform your basic boring backyard into a luxurious, wonderful area of entertainment and relaxation. Like a lot of things in life, less is more with LED landscape lighting. It can be easy to get carried away, lighting up every aspect, corner, and detail of your yard, but it isn’t necessary and tends to create a washout look. 

Using the following types of LED landscape lighting sparingly and positioned in the ‘right’ place can provide the same results of a well-lit yard that can accent your home:  

  • Floodlights / Spotlights.
  • Inground Lighting.
  • Outdoor Post Lighting.
  • Path / Walkway Lighting.
  • Deck and Steps Lighting.
  • Underwater Lighting.
  • Hardscape Lighting.

What color temperature is best for LED landscape lighting? 

A few facts about LED lighting that you should understand when choosing your LED landscape lighting bulbs and fixtures. Starting with the amount of light that comes from LED lighting is measured in lumen. The higher the lumen number, the brighter the lighting. And vice versa, the lower the number, the dimmer the lighting. 

Next is the color of the LED lighting. Color temperature is how the lighting is measured in a blueish or yellowish tint. High-temperature lighting is bluish and low-temperature lighting is yellowish. The differences in color temperature have an effect on how the color is rendered and the mood, setting the emotional impact of the environment.

The various colors of LED lighting include: 

  • Very Warm White 2200K: The lowest color temperature for white lighting. Often installed outdoors around fireplaces and hot tubs.
  • Warm White 2700K:  the most commonly installed for LED landscaping lighting. It provides a soothing and welcoming environment. 
  • Natural White 3000K: This provides cooler lighting that accentuates the blues and greens in the landscaping vegetation.
  • Cool White 4000K:  This bluish LED lighting is used when blue-tone landscaping is the focus, like blue spruce, and where a simulated moonlight appearance is desired.

If you’re going to be installing LED landscape lighting for outdoor living and entertainment areas, professional lighting services recommend 2000K to 3000K for a warm lighting effect. This rate of lighting is easy on the eyes and still puts out enough lighting for safety and seeing what’s around you. 

Is LED landscape lighting waterproof?

LED landscape lighting that is rated at IP65 is sufficiently protected from liquid, solid, or other foreign objects infiltrating the lighting fixtures. If the outdoor lighting you have installed is to be left illuminated semi-permanently, it should be rated at IP65 or higher. 

LED Landscape Lighting Illuminating Garden

At The End Of The Day

Every homeowner is concerned with the cost of anything they do in and around their home. So, what do LED landscape lights cost? Well, the more elaborate LED landscape lighting you desire, the more expensive. Keep in mind that you’re not only upgrading the curb appeal of your home (yes, the backyard can be considered curb appeal), you’re also upgrading the safety factor too. If your budget is tight, choose your key factors and start small, working up to the more elaborate results you desire. 

Three areas you want to consider when thinking about LED landscape lighting:  

  • Identify features of the landscaping you want to have highlighted. A beautiful tree or a water feature. 
  • Add drama to the areas that don’t stand out in daylight, like a simple stone wall. The personality of that stone wall can take on a new personality after dark with the right LED outdoor lighting. 
  • Last but not least, is the function where you want LED outdoor lighting installed. Lighting up the deck for entertainment purposes or lighting up a pathway or steps for safety. 

If you’re interested in installing LED landscape lighting in Fort Worth and Dallas, TX, give Majestic Outdoor Lighting a call at (817) 345-3696.

What Is the Best Lighting for a Garden?

Garden Lighting

Accent Home’s Exterior

From the time the sun sets until it rises again, outdoor garden lighting can accent your home’s exterior beauty. It can draw attention to that beautiful tree in the center of your yard and pull it away from where you park the recycling and trash cans.

What is the main purpose of outdoor garden lighting?

The definition of outdoor garden lighting is fixed artificial lighting that illuminates areas around the home. They provide a lit visual for outdoor activities and a safety feature with a strategic pathway while giving your lawn a golden glow. There are three main purposes for having professionally installed outdoor gardening lighting:

  • Security: 

Today, we may be more aware of making our homes secure. Outdoor garden lighting around your home can provide a layer of security, a decrease of over 30% fewer crimes according to studies by law enforcement. 

  • Safety:

Choosing outdoor garden lighting not only provides a layer of security, it also provides safety around the exterior of your home. Placed in the right areas, it can light up pathways and walkways, entrances, gates, and more.

  • Ambiance: 

Good outdoor garden lighting gives your home an inviting feeling for visitors. With low-voltage string lights across the patio or in the trees, your home can quickly become a  place to be a cookout, party, and visit.

What are the key areas for placing outdoor garden lighting? 

Placing outdoor garden lighting enhances your home’s exterior once the sun goes down. They can also keep bugs at bay with the right lightbulb. The best places for garden lighting include:

  • Deck
  • Patio
  • Hot Tub Area
  • Swimming Pool 
  • Pathways, Steps, Walkways
  • Inside Tree Branches
  • Floodlight Upward In The Trees
  • In Flower Beds and shrubs
  • Along Retaining Walls
  • Around the Home Exterior 

What voltage is the best for garden lighting?

Outdoor garden lighting comes in line voltage, like when you plug a toaster or hairdryer into a wall socket. Here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, this is 120 volts. And it comes in low-voltage, 12 volts like your smoke detectors. It is the low-voltage garden lighting that is commonly used for two key reasons: 

  • Easy to work with
  • Easy to install

What is the best type of outdoor garden lighting? 

In simple terms, you want outdoor garden lighting that does what you need and want. This may be with solar lights, but keep in mind they aren’t bright and won’t last as long as hardwired lighting. For brighter lighting where you can have control over the timing, hardwired, low voltage is the better choice and is available in a variety of styles.

What styles does outdoor garden lighting come in?

When lighting up your garden, using pathway and walkway lights is a popular choice. The small post fits into the ground and the built-in light is capped with a diffuser. With perfect spacing, you can frame a certain area or feature in your garden, or light up around a garden pond or the driveway.

Transform the exterior of your home with these outdoor garden lighting properly spaced to brighten the garden, path, and yard. Some outdoor garden lighting can give the space a beautiful, warm setting with these seven types of fixtures:

  1. Bollard Lights: This type of garden lighting will shine light in all directions. 
  2. Flood Lights: These are the most useful garden lighting to brighten a large area with high brightness, great for illuminating above the driveway. 
  3. Garden Lights: Installing these in natural areas where you can showcase your favorite flowers and plants with a mushroom-type of light shining downward. 
  4. Spotlights: Available in different brightness to illuminate the patio, plants, statues, or walls. 
  5. Step Lights: Installed on walls and beside the stairs and makes for a safe path. 
  6. String Lights: When strung through trees and over hardscapes, these provide a subtle light that creates a picturesque scene.
  7. Up/Downlights: These spotlights provide a wide range of use, like creating a pattern on a wall or bringing a statue to life.
Garden Lights

Light Up Your World

With the right outdoor garden lighting, you can light up your world, making it enjoyable for you and your guest, as well as safe. By consulting with a professional lighting contractor, they can make suggestions using their experience.  They will advise you of the proper voltage and if you should have bright lighting or subtle lighting in certain areas. 

Have your garden lighting installed by the contractors, you’ll have a guarantee and warranty. And most will offer a maintenance program. This will have your bulbs changed as needed and if you have any problems with your garden lighting, they’re a phone call away. Many of these contractors offer holiday light installation too, using their inventory or your own holiday light supplies, and again, with a guarantee. Want to find out what kind of garden lighting in Fort Worth and Dallas, TX is best for your garden? Give us a call at (817) 345-3696 to learn more.

Is Water Feature Lighting Important?

lights in pool

Enhance Visual Appeal

At first, you may think having Water Feature Lighting around your home or business isn’t necessary, only adds to the electric bill. But there are benefits to this addition to your landscaping that you aren’t considering. What is water feature lighting exactly, what are the benefits, and the purpose of water feature lighting

Water feature lighting enhances the visual appeal of the landscaping and outdoor living area around your home or business. Water feature lighting sets a feeling of tranquility with soft flowing water around or into the gardens. It brings a certain aspect to entertaining spaces that give guests a relaxing atmosphere.

Benefits to Water Feature Lighting

There are many benefits of water feature lighting that many people do not realize, some of which are: 

  • Promotes a Healthier Environment: Water feature lighting provides soothing sights and sounds that can help de-stress the day. This de-stressing lowers blood pressure and helps improve your mental and physical health as you enjoy the therapeutic effects that Mother Nature has to offer.
  • Provides Relaxation: The sound of the water running in a water feature lighting setting encourages and promotes relaxation. To sit by a water feature and listen to the water running or see nature swimming around in a pond can ease the mind into a relaxing mode, you can feel the stress leave the body. 
  • First Impression: Water feature lighting creates a tranquil environment that is soothing for you and your guests. They may not realize they are stressed until they sit by your water feature lighting and feel the ease taking over their body and mind. 
  • Define Your Garden: Water feature lighting in and around your garden and landscaping will provide a unique definition to your home. It creates a new focal point and interest. 
  • A Stylish Effect: A water feature lighting in your garden will give it a designer touch to your property with movement, sight, and sound. 
  • Wildlife Attraction: With running water accompanying your water feature lighting, your garden will become a sanctuary that attracts native wildlife. With songbirds adding to the beauty, it becomes even more relaxing and enjoyable. 
  • Increased Value: Real estate experts have found that a home or business with well-maintained landscaping has increased value and when water feature lighting is added, it increases it even more.  A water garden with lighting adds curb appeal and increases your property value. 

Where should lights be placed in a waterfall?

To add enjoyment to your water feature and waterfall, water feature lighting is just what you need after the sun sets. Landscape lighting isn’t just for the deck, patio, or swimming pool. Position path lighting at the top of the waterfall, and water feature lighting behind the waterfall drop to give this beautiful addition to your home a focal point. What is a waterfall if you can’t enjoy the beauty after dark? 

What lights to use on a water feature?

It is a personal taste, but most water feature lighting systems are set up to highlight a pond and waterfalls. If your pond has a fountain or statue in the center where the water comes from, lighting that from the bottom will give the water flow a beautiful glow in the evening hours.

lights emphasizing waterfall features

Should every water feature have lighting?

Only if you want the water feature to have visibility after dark. Underwater feature lighting in a pond gives a magical appearance and feel as you watch the fish swimming at night. Accenting around the pond and through the garden pathways with path lighting will accentuate the architectural elements of your garden and the terrestrial plants you’ve carefully placed and nurtured.

Water feature lighting gives a garden an ethereal glow, giving your guests a memorable moment as they walk around your garden, admiring your landscaping. Your specially designed water feature lighting will give your entire home a whole new appearance in the evening hours.

How do you light water features?

There are two key reasons for adding water feature lighting to your gardens and landscape. The first is a perfect solution for deafening noise pollution from the neighbors and street traffic. The other reason is to give your landscape an added element of tranquility. 

 Water feature lighting should feature the things of beauty and inspiration in your garden and landscaping. This includes your aquatic plants and life, the unique statuary, and the hardscaping you’ve installed. And there are two types of water feature lighting that should be used for the perfect ambiance: 

  • Downlights:  This creates moonlight when installed above the water feature and is installed in the surrounding trees. It creates a diffused, natural look that mimics the moonlight.
  • Underwater: With this submersible water feature lighting facing upward is ideal for your aquatic areas. The waterproof light fixtures should be positioned under the surface, directed upward to create an effect with up lighting that is beautifully backlighting the aquatic life. 

Do you leave water features on all the time?

When you have a water fountain that operates on gravity, simply keeping it clean of any debris is your only concern. Water features today are installed to recycle the water, so it isn’t wasting a natural resource. You can turn it off if you’re going to be away for an extended time. 

Lights, Camera, Action!  When should water feature lights be turned off, or should they? Water feature lighting will be installed with a timer. That time can be set for the lighting to be on from dusk to dawn because there is no reason to have the lights on during the day.

Enhance outdoor appeal with water feature lighting in Fort Worth and Dallas, TX! Majestic Outdoor Lighting is who to call at (817) 345-3696.

What is commercial lighting?

business commercial lighting for texas

Lighting up your business

With daylight savings time change, it gets darker much earlier now. Perhaps is now the time to see how well the commercial outdoor lighting appears. Are the parking lots well-lit and are the entrances well-defined by lights? Is your store’s signage lighting fully lit or are there burned out areas?

These are things that can determine the amount of business you have coming into your store after 5pm. And for a retail store, those after work shopping hours are important during the holiday season. If a consumer can’t tell that your store is open or they don’t feel safe walking through the parking lot, they will most likely go to the next store. Or worse: Shop on-line! Commercial outdoor lighting can affect your business in one of two ways. It lets everyone know you’re open and provide safe parking. Or appear closed or that you’re not concerned with your clientele’s safety. 

Outdoor lighting for commercial buildings can be a real game changer for businesses, especially these days with theft and carjacking on the rise. Perhaps you are a commercial property owner or manager, your tenants depend on the upkeep of your property to attract more business for them. If the turnover in your office complexes or retail store space is high, it may be time to take a look at the commercial outdoor lighting. A tenant that has a drop in business will relocate when their lease is up and may not tell you why. 

As a retail business or restaurant, commercial outdoor lighting for signs speak volumes for advertising your business. If your restaurant is one of several on a block and your signs are partially lit and there is no outdoor parking lighting, chances are, hungry patrons are going next door or down the block. Why? With poorly lit commercial outdoor lighting, including your logo signage, it appears you’re not open. Or worse – your service may be as poor as the lighting! 

How much does commercial lighting cost?

Well, that depends on what type of commercial lighting options you choose. Today, while businesses are wanting the commercial outdoor lighting that tells everyone “Hey! We are open! Shop here! Eat Here!”, they know they need to be environmentally conscious. To that end, we recommend going with LED lighting. 

It isn’t cheap to retrofit commercial outdoor lighting but keeping your eye on the prize of increased business, the ROI is on the horizon. An average small business can spend between $10,000 and $20,000 for a led retrofit. A mid-sized business can spend as much as $60,000 with a large business spending up to $500,000. When you consider that if you keep the standard light bulbs replaced as they burn out, you’ll spend as much as $20,000 a year. A LED retrofit for your commercial outdoor lighting will save you up to $5,000 annually just in light bulbs. And let’s not forget the manpower to change out those light bulbs! 

What other reasons are there to switch over to LED commercial outdoor lighting? Commercial LED lighting can reduce your utility costs significantly. There are many different options that will light up your parking lot, store front, and signage without pulling a lot of energy. Even better, they last longer, so you won’t have to be changing out light bulbs every 30 days or so in your commercial outdoor lighting fixtures and signage. 

LEDs are employed for indoors lighting and commercial outdoor lighting, providing safety and security in several styles and types: 

  • LED Shoebox Lighting: LED shoebox lighting is ideal and common in parking lots, typically pole mounted, but a lighting professional can talk to you about alternatives. There are sensors available today to take away the task of remembering to turn the lights off when you close. In addition to timers, there are motion sensors and photosensors for afterhours security purposes too. 
  • LED-wall Pack Lighting: Wall mounted or wall packs are the commercial outdoor lighting that is installed on the exterior sides of a building. They light the exterior of the building and the parking area.
  • LED Outdoor Flood Lighting: LED outdoor flood lighting provides a high-intensity lighting for wide areas that can attract attention to your commercial business’s landscaping and monuments. LED commercial outdoor lighting is excellent for those pathways, sidewalks, and walkways so that your customers can see where they are going. 

Any commercial or public use building that has nighttime activities, like a sports venue, LED commercial outdoor lighting is ideal! With area style or directional style, choose what suits your building and the immediate area best. 

What is the best outdoor commercial lighting to attract business? 

Today, LED light bars are a good choice., They provide accent and task lighting with built in functions that give you multiple flashing  colors and fading effects that grab attention of potential customers passing by. Some great outdoor commercial lighting ideas to consider are: 

  1. LED strip lights provide a thin profile, high output with little energy consumption. Ideal for signage and windows.
  2. LED light bars are excellent for accenting indoor displays or outdoors signage. 
  3. LED commercial outdoor lighting is perfect for outdoor displays and exhibitions at parking lot sales and trade shows.
  4. LED lights are ideal for your display cabinets, providing a natural appearance. Be creative and use multicolored LED kits with multiple colors, dimming, and flashing. 
  5. For bars and restaurants,  LED commercial outdoor lighting is ideal for outdoor dining and patios, creating an ambiance that traditional lighting can’t without increasing the power usage. 
  6. LED commercial outdoor lighting won’t infringe on nearby residents, but still provide a properly illuminated exterior for advertising and safety. 
  7. Commercial electric outdoor recessed lighting will give your business exterior a smooth appearance and keep it lit up for attention and safety. 

Don’t close the door on the holidays with professional commercial outdoor holiday lighting! While commercial outdoor lighting is important all year long, now with Thanksgiving and other holidays, up until after New Year’s Day, is crucial in drawing in more business. A professional commercial holiday lighting installation will give your business that boost you need this year! Get started on your business lighting today when you call (817) 345-3696.

How to Choose Outdoor Security Lighting

building surrounded by security lights

Why Security Lighting is Important

A home should be a place where you feel safe and secure, locked up behind doors and windows when needed, and having a camera doorbell just isn’t enough. That’s especially true if you get home late at night or leave for work in the middle of the night. These are the times where security lighting is not only nice to have but is essential for personal and property safety. 

The key purpose of security lighting is for protection from potential intruders. It is also a safety feature for entering and leaving your home or business in the dark. For dark areas, it eliminates any concern about what or who could be lurking. This makes it safer for you and your customers or visitors, minimizing the chance of falls and injuries. 

For a business, when connected to motion detectors, security lighting is great for after hours, or for your home when you’re If. This means the lighting will illuminate if there is any movement in certain areas. When the exterior of a home or business is suddenly illuminated around the exterior, a potential intruder will likely move on to the next property. 

Security lighting also makes the outdoors around your home more functional. With ambient lighting, your home offers a more welcoming environment. This adds to the aesthetics and property value of your home. Though it may appear to be primarily for security purposes, security lighting adds to the landscape of a property too. 

What are different types of security lighting?

In general, there are four types of security-lighting systems.

Continuous Lighting

This more commonly used security lighting system consists of fixed lights that are arranged to flood a specific area continuously. These systems provide overlapping cone-shaped light during darkness with up to a 50% overlap. With that overlap, when one light goes out, the lights on either side still have that area illuminated. A continuous security lighting system works via two methods:

  • The Controlled Lighting method has a limited width of the strip lit outside the perimeter, like that along a highway. The security lighting is controlling the strip and width of the light, adjusted for a particular need.
  • The Glare Projection security lighting method is used when the lighting glare is directed across a surrounding terrain without annoying neighbors or the operation or neighboring businesses. It is a strong deterrent for potential intruders because seeing inside the lit area is difficult.

Standby Lighting

This type of security lighting type is like continuous lighting in the layout but without continuous lighting. The lights illuminate automatically when movement is detected or with the engagement of an alarm system or it can be turned on manually. Often referred to as crash lighting, standby security lighting can impact an intruder with a devastating psychological effect when their “cover” is suddenly gone. 

Movable Lighting

This type of security lighting is manually operated and can be moved around when and where it is needed. Often used to supplement the continuous or standby security lighting described above, it is typically mounted on telescoping poles and mounted on trailers that are powered by generators, providing maximum flexibility.

Emergency Lighting

This system duplicates any of the first three security lighting systems described but with limitations when there is a power failure or other emergencies that leave normal security lighting systems inoperative. It uses an alternative power source from installed generators, portable generators, or those powered by batteries. 

Which is the most common type of exterior security lighting?

The previously described Continuous Security Lighting is the most common type, offering a series of fixed lights positioned to flood a certain area endlessly with each light overlapping the others in a cone shape. 

Which security lighting is best?

Today, thanks to the doorbell systems that come with a camera and audio built-in, connecting security lighting with doorbell cameras offers the best security lighting you can have for your home. You can also place motion-detecting lights all around the home along with additional cameras. These security lighting and doorbell systems are programmable with cell phone apps that can alert you when you’re not home as well as alert local law enforcement if there is an intruder.

Do motion sensor lights deter burglars?

Yes, a system that includes security lighting with motion sensors will not only startle the suspected criminal, but systems today can alert you by phone as well as alert local law enforcement. Some systems will have an alarm sound when the light is activated, further startling the would-be criminal to make them run, though only after a camera has caught them in action. 

How bright should an outdoor security light be?

While you want your home to be illuminated for safety, you don’t want to create light pollution with lighting that is misdirected or misused.  Nothing makes enemy neighbors cranky faster than floodlights shining into a bedroom window. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to set up security lighting for you that won’t anger the neighbors.

First, accent and pathway lighting shouldn’t be any brighter than 180 lumens.  Select light bulbs with warm light and aim the light fixtures away from neighboring houses. Eliminate anything that can create a glare from the lighting. Security lighting is meant to alert you to a potential intruder while starting the intruder. It isn’t meant to make enemies of your neighbors.

bright light outside a home

Lights. Camera. Safety!

When you’re ready to set up security lighting around your home or business, interview a couple of different companies that specialize in how to install security lights. They should have the experience and knowledge of what type of lighting is best for your situation and make recommendations accordingly. 

How LED Lights save Energy

led light bulbs

What LED lights are the best?

Sometimes, what a home’s exterior is missing that makes it majestic and welcoming. The architecture is perfect, the landscaping is spot on, but what is leaving this house of beauty plain and just another house on the block? Nothing that a few properly placed outdoor led lights can’t fix. 

If you’re looking at what kinds outdoor lighting to install around your home’s exterior, make sure you have an understanding about color temperature and the nature of lighting, how it effects the various types of light, and the light sources used and how they are to be powered, like LED lights with battery or hardwired into the electrical system. 

With the lighting technology available today, a  homeowner can choose the brightness and the color temperature. Color temperature of LED lights is measured in ‘K’ (Kelvin) and a warm amber light will have a lower ‘K’ (temperature) while brighter LED lights are a cooler ‘K’.For outdoor residential LED lights, a primary range of ‘K’ ranges between 2500k and 4000k. The standard range for LED lights is: 

  • For lighting up the architectural features of a home, the warmer temperature colors ranging between 2500k and 2700k.
  • For lighting up plants and trees around the home, the cooler LED lights temperature range is between 3000k and 4000k.

With LED lights, is it safe to leave them on all night, can led lights cause a fire? 

Simply put, well-manufactured LED lights have a longer lifespan, even when left on 24/7/365 than the conventional light bulbs. LED lights produce a minimal amount of heat, so the horror stories you’ve heard about house fires started by a light bulbs, it was probably a conventional, standard lightbulb. 

However, there are various circumstances, that can determine a fire starting from a light bulb, like the type and quality of the light bulb. Another important factor to be considered in a light bulb causing a fire is the ambient temperature. 

So, because LED lights burn cooler, it would only make sense the traditional type of light bulb would be the more hazardous of the two types. The conventional light bulb generates 90% heat and 10% light. Yes, it is that much hotter than LED lights. 

Another factor in the safety of LED lights or traditional lights is if they are in an enclosed fixture and have any air circulation. The traditional light bulb shouldn’t be left on indefinitely when the light fixture itself doesn’t allow air circulation. 

What is the level of LED lights energy consumption? 

LED lights have an annual energy consumption thirty times lower than an incandescent light bulb according to the DOE (U.S. Department of Energy). This accounts for a one-fifth of the American household’s energy consumption! If you’re used to comparing in wattage, LED lights use six watts of electricity and produce the same amount of lighting that a sixty watt incandescent light bulb. 

Can LED lights be replaced?

Not in the same way a traditional light bulb can be replaced. LED lights are typically and integrated lighting that is built into numerous electrical circuit boards. This makes it almost impossible for the everyday homeowner to replace the lighting, so instead, the entire integrated LED lights fixture will need to be replaced.

Are LED lights dimmable? 

Yes, but it isn’t a standard feature, all the different models of LED lights are available in a dimmable version. Simply read the packaging to make sure they state “dimmable” in the specifications.

lighting outside with LED bulbs

What to do when LED lights flicker

Are your new LED lights flickering or do you have led lights are not working at all?  Don’t panic yet and take it back to the store.  LED lights and bulbs are operated by an electronic driver. These are sensitive to noise, especially noise that creates voltage fluctuations. The cheaper the brand, the more sensitive. 

What causing this flickering? As the electrical loads in your home are turned on and off, the voltage level changes. This can cause LED lights to dim or flicker occasionally.  Other reasons that your LED lights may be flickering are: 

  • Appliance Create An Inrush Current

    Certain appliances need more power when turned on and that creates an inrush current that pulls voltage and can dim LED lights are on the same circuit. It is recommended to have the refrigerator, wash/dryer, stove on a different breaker than the LED lights.
  • Loose Bult or Loose Wiring

    LED lights will flicker when the circuit or connection is loose. Easy fix is to simply tighten the bulb. You should also check if there is a build-up of dust in the light socket and blow it out. If these don’t fix the flickering, you should have a certified electrician inspect the issue, it may need rewiring. 
  • Dimmer compatibility

    Not all new dimmer switches are compatible with LED lights, or your may have LED lights that aren’t dimmable in a dimmer light fixture. 

Interested in installing LED lights for your outdoor lighting needs in Fort Worth and Dallas, TX? Call Majestic Outdoor Lighting at (817) 345-3696 today!

How Does Pool Lighting Work?

purple pool lighting

Can you get electrocuted from a pool light?

Here in Texas ,there is nothing better than having a swimming pool in your backyard on a hot summer day. Except maybe having a swimming pool in your backyard on a hot Texas summer evening. With night swimming though, you need pool lighting, and fortunately, there are pool lighting contractors to help you get ample lighting that will give your pool the safety you need and the ambiance you want. 

There are pool lighting basics, which typically come with the installation of the swimming pool. While that pool lighting provides the safety features needed, with this investment, it is nice to have additional lighting near pool and in the pool too. Today, we’ll discuss pool lighting options available and how they can add to or change your basic swimming pool in a backyard to an oasis. 

Absolutely, yes! Pool lighting, anything electrical, near water is dangerous. Simply because it is in your backyard doesn’t negate the dangerousness of pool lighting.  From 2002 to 2018, there were thirty-three people injured by electrocution from swimming pool lighting, and thirty-three people died from swimming pool lighting electrocution. 

How does that happen if the pool lighting is installed by a professional lighting contractor? There are three common possibilities that could cause pool lighting electrocution:

  • Faulty electrical wiring to filters, pumps, vacuums, and underwater lights
  • No Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters (GFCI), electrical circuit and outlet protection
  • Electrical appliances and electric extension cords getting in the pool

Are pool lights dangerous?

As the homeowner, you want your family and guest to have fun in your swimming pool, but you also want to them to be safe. This can be done by making sure that you have the swimming pool lighting and all things electrical related to the pool  checked annually by a professional. This includes the pool lighting and all the equipment associated with the swimming pool. 

Interior swimming pool lighting, the filter, and the pump are an invisible danger. The electrical voltage from these invisible dangers can severely injure, paralyze, even kill a person in manner of seconds. Faulty wiring in a swimming pool is a hazard that can be avoided by having your pool maintenance contractor check and test annually. 

You should also establish rules and maintain monitoring of those rules that there is no electrical appliances near or in the swimming pool. However, just in case the one second you turn your back, and somebody brings a radio into the pool, make sure you all the electrical outlets around and hear your pool are GFCI.

These are basic common sense policies for in-ground pools or above ground pools. Electricity and water do not mix and can be deadly. There are ways to enjoy having music and pool lighting, safely. 

How to add pool lighting to an existing swimming pool?

Swimming pool lighting is attractive and beautiful, creating an appeal for a summer night of relaxation. While it is ideal to have poo lighting installed when the swimming pool is being installed, they may not be enough or what you want if you’re a successive homeowner. 

With an inground pool, lighting provides more than just aesthetics and gentle sophistication. Even if you’re not swimming, lights glistening from under the water is relaxing and soothing. It is the next best thing to being on the beach in the moonlight. 

So, if you purchase a home that has the basic pool lighting, the safety feature is there, but maybe not the ambience you want. You can have pool lighting added after the fact, but it will require a level of construction. This would be the time to evaluate your swimming pool and determine if there are changes you’d like to see overall. 

Perhaps the pool is the older style with a deep end and a shallow end. Swimming pools installed in homes today typically do not have the 20 foot deep end. They have gradual slope from the center to both ends, one a bit deeper than the other, especially if there a diving board. 

So, while you’re having swimming pool lighting added and upgraded by professionals that know how to design pool lighting in today’ style, get the deep end filled some, maybe new tile or replace missing tile. You may consider having the pool bottom changed with a design in tile embedded.  The possibilities are endless. 

White pool lighting

What is the best pool lighting system?

Swimming pool lighting today have endless ways to light up your pool. They come with convenient features, in fun colors and designs, and can make your pool lighting for parties something that nobody will forget! Even better, you can control all of it from your smart phone!  

There are three key types of pool lighting to choose. Each of the three has benefits unique to them that may be just what you need and want. 

  • LED Pool Lighting: These energy-efficiency and long lasting type of pool lighting is a combination that you won’t regret the higher upfront cost. Why? Because you won’t be replacing bulbs for years and the overall cost of operating is lower than other pool lighting options. The wide selection of colors and color-changing pool lighting will give your backyard an ambience that makes everyone envious. There is a less expensive way to go with battery-operated and floating LED lights instead of hardwired.
  • Halogen Pool Lighting: For brightest pool lighting that will give you the most bang for buck, halogen pool lighting is the better choice. Halogen swimming pool lighting is brighter than the above mentioned LED lights. They are less expensive and has been the main pool lighting option for years.
  • Fiberoptic Pool Lighting: If changing light bulbs is your biggest pet peeve, then fiberoptic pool lighting offers you a solution. The power source and light bulbs are housed in a dry power box away from the pool. The lighting travels from that box to the pool by flexible fiberoptic cable that connects to fittings in the pool wall. When a bulb needs to be changes or there is maintenance issue, just open the dry power box and handle it. 

Closing out this piece on pool lighting with one more suggestion: Solar Pool Lighting. These will a colorful splash of fun to your nighttime pool parties. They aren’t a full pool lighting system but can work with the halogen or fiberoptic pool lighting. No matter which type of pool lighting you choose, have an authorized pool lighting contractor install them. This will give you a guarantee that they are installed correctly and safely. Need pool lighting installation in Fort Worth and Dallas, TX? Call (817) 345-3696 today!

Outdoor Lighting Maintenance: Keeping your outdoor lighting at its best

How to keep your outdoor lights shining

Here in Texas, we are known for doing things big and that includes outdoor lighting to light up the house in the evening, all year long. From showcasing our home’s architect with outdoor lighting fixtures in the front yard or enjoying our backyard. The outside area of our homes is an extension of the inside.  These are reasons why our outdoor lighting is important and why outdoor light maintenance is just as important. 

So, when things go dark, we start asking questions and looking for answers that get the outdoor area of our home glowing with outdoor lights again. Why do outdoor lights stop working? There could be several causes for your outdoor lighting to not be working, here we offer 6 typical reasons: 

1. Breaker Box

Check the outdoor light transformer and see if it is flipped OFF. Flip it back to ON and try the lights. If that doesn’t get them back on, check the breaker box and see if any breakers have flipped OFF. If any are off, flip them to ON and see if your outdoor lights turn back on. If not, take the next step. 

2. Electrical Short

Check the wiring to your outdoor lighting for broken, cut, frayed or unconnected wires. Check the light sockets that are bad, corroded, damaged, or wet.  This should be a routine outdoor light maintenance routine to check the bulbs, sockets, and wires and replace them as needed. If you find anything questionable or you can’t find any problem, call your professional landscape lighting specialist. 

3. Timer Not Working

If the landscape lighting timer has quit working, press the reset button on the transformer. If that doesn’t get your outdoor lights back on, you may need to replace the transformer.  This may be an area you’re not comfortable with, call your professional landscape lighting professional. 

4. Some Lights Aren’t Working

If there are just some of the outdoor landscape lights not working, try these steps: 

  • Incandescent bulbs – check the wire filament inside the bulb for breaks.
  • Proper Fit to Socket – make sure the bulb is in the socket firmly. 
  • Cable connector – check the pins went through the insulation and connected to the copper strand.

5. Lights Won’t Turn On

If the total outdoor landscape lighting system won’t turn on at all, try these step: 

  • Inspect the power outlet to make sure it has power. 
  • Check that the transformer is ON.
  • Check the circuit breakers is ON. If it flips back to OFF, call your outdoor lighting specialist.
  • Make sure the wires at the transformer are tight and secure in the terminal lugs.
  • Check the transformer amperage & voltage are getting power, if not, replace the unit.
  • If your outdoor lighting is on a photocell or timer, reset the clock. If that doesn’t get your lights back on, replace the photocell or timer.
  • Check the GFCI and press the reset button.

6. Outdoor Lights Are Dull

Check all the light bulbs are in their sockets firmly. You may need a professional landscape lighting specialist increase the voltage to your outdoor lighting system. This is a step that should be a part of your regular outdoor light maintenance routine. 

How do you maintain an outdoor light fixture?

 When it comes to your outdoor lighting, what is best way, or the right way to maintain them? For outdoor activity and safety, the recommended level of lighting is forty-five lumens per yard. For a home’s entry way, the light should show the address but not be blinding.  

Outdoor lighting is reduced by bugs, and dirt build up. Part of an outdoor light maintenance should include cleaning to maintain the brightness. Special care is needed for some lights with special lenses, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Your routine outdoor lighting maintenance should take place twice a year to maintain their appearance and prolong the lifespan of the lights. These few steps can walk you through the process.

  1. Turn off the light switch and breakers.
  2. Safely position a ladder for high placed lighting.
  3. Choose a bucket that is large enough to submerge the light globe with warm soapy water, adding a bit of white vinegar.
  4. Remove light globes, guards, or grills, and the light bulbs, working on one light fixture at a time.
  5. Set the bulbs aside bulbs.
  6. Use a clean soft rag, dip in the bucket of water, wring the water out and wipe down the parts that can’t be placed in the bucket. Keep water out of the electrical sockets, then rinse with clear water.
  7. Wipe the screws and bulbs with a clean, damp, soft rag
  8. Spray the screws with a silicone lubricant.
  9. Rinse and dry each globe as finished and re-assemble the light.

How often must the exterior light fixtures be cleaned?

Outdoor lightning specialist recommend outdoor light maintenance to be performed twice a year. Once in the spring and again in the fall. This will keep the bugs, dirt, and dust off so that your outdoor lighting is as bright as always. 

lit pergola

How do I clean oxidized outdoor lights?

After applying a heavy-duty multipurpose remover available at any home improvement store precisely to a painted exterior light fixture. Then with a nylon scrub brush, scrub the surface. Rinse and allow to dry before putting the bulb in and turning the fixture on.  

Your outdoor light maintenance routine will reward you with lights that shine as brightly, or softly, as you desire. They will make your outdoor activities safe and showcase the architectural style of your home. When your outdoor lighting bulbs are burned out, replace them so that the look you desire isn’t missed. Call (817) 345-3696 today for all your lighting needs in Fort Worth and Dallas, TX.

Why do outdoor lights stop working?

security lighting

How do you maintain an outdoor light fixture?

After you have had outdoor lighting to light up house installed around your beautiful home, you want it to keep shining brightly. These lights accent the beauty of your home while keeping lit for safety and security, which is shy outdoor light maintenance is important. One burned out light can take away from the aesthetics, safety, and security. 

Today, the outdoor lighting bulbs are more durable, and weather resistant and the outdoor lighting fixtures are stronger and sturdier too. Yet, the bulbs aren’t resistant to getting dirty, becoming oxidize. The soil burying the outdoor light fixtures wiring gets washed off, exposing the wiring over time. It is those things that create the need for outdoor light maintenance.   

So, what all does outdoor light maintenance consist of, how hard can it be? We’re going to answer some questions on the subject for you: 

Outdoor light fixtures provide decorative ways to make your home safe and secure, and too often, they are forgotten, taken for granted. Like anything around and inside your outdoor lighting will need attention, care, and upkeep from time to time. This means you should establish an outdoor light maintenance routine or hire a professional lighting contractor. 

When your outdoor light fixtures are clean and in working order, they are more attractive. They are providing that safety and security lighting you desired. To get the best performance your outdoor fixtures can provide, bi-annual outdoor light maintenance that includes adjusting, bulb replacement, and cleaning is recommended. 

Fortunately, there isn’t special equipment or skills needed for outdoor light maintenance.  An extending ladder, clean rags, bucket of clear water, and replacement bulbs. Along with being alert and cautious with electrical sockets and wiring, it isn’t hard, but it can be time consuming, so plan a full day on a Saturday for your outdoor light maintenance project.

 Keep your eye on the prize that you’ll have clean, properly adjusted light fixtures when you’re done to enhance the beauty of your home with improve outdoor light quality. The following are basic steps that will guide you through your outdoor light maintenance: 

  • Make sure all of the outdoor lights are turned off.
  • Position and secure a ladder for the outdoor lighting that is out-of-reach.
  • Remove any light globes, grills, or shields, some of these may require a screwdriver. 
  • Remove the light bulbs from each fixture as you clean them and set it aside.
  • Have two buckets filled with hot water and sudsy dish soap and one bucket of clean, clear water.
  • Place the removed light globes, grills, or shields in one bucket.
  • Wet a clean rag or  sponge  in the second bucket, wring it out and wash off, wipe down the light fixture part that couldn’t be removed, keeping the water out of the open socket. 
  • Rinse the fixed lighting pieces and the removed pieces with the clean, clear water.
  • Wipe down everything with clean, clear water and sit aside to finish air drying. 
  • Apply the correct type of polish or wax to any metal parts if needed. 
  • Replace burnt out light bulbs and gently wipe off with a damp rage all working light bulbs.  
  • Reassemble the lighting fixtures, turn them on for testing,  and sit back to enjoy your outdoor light maintenance job. 

A Few Additional Tips for Outdoor Light Maintenance

  • Check the lighting fixture manufacturer’s website for advice, hints, tips, and cleaning product specifications for outdoor light maintenance. 
  • Any copper outdoor light maintenance should be one using a lemon cut in half and dipped in salt to scrub the copper lighting fixture. The acid will loosen the tarnish and the salt scrubs off the tarnish. Use a clean damp rag to remove the lemon and salt, the cover the fixture with copper polish. Let that sit for a minute or two, then wipe the polish off. 
  • Remember, detergents can discolor bronze and copper lighting fixtures. They should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions or with a clean, damp cloth. Never submerge bronze or copper lighting fixtures in water. 

How often must the exterior light fixtures be cleaned?

Review the manufacturer’s suggestions in the manual with each lighting fixture is always best. An annual outdoor light maintenance routine is sufficient, but lighting experts recommend a bi-annual outdoor light maintenance routine, following the tips we listed above. 

Depending on the number and placement of your outdoor lighting, it may be easier to have the lighting contractor that installs the lights do the bi-annual outdoor light maintenance. Most lighting contractors will have maintenance programs that include burnt bulb replacement in between the maintenance appointments. 

How do I clean oxidized outdoor lights?

Outdoor lighting oxidization can be cleaned by mixing two teaspoons of baking soda with a squeeze of lemon juice, creating a paste. With a clean, soft cloth, spread the paste over the light fixture. If tough stains are on the fixture, sprinkle backing soda over the fixture and rub with clean, damp, soft cloth. Then wipe the paste and baking soda off with a clean, dry, soft rag.

garden lights

Why do outdoor lights stop working?

When they aren’t working, the outdoor lighting, what is the problem?  The three most common problems that cause outdoor lighting not to work are: 

  • A Power Outage: As many of us have recently experienced here in Texas, power outages happen. Outdoor lighting on a timer that switches to battery backup mode will only last for a short time. If the power has been out for hours, even days, the batteries are probably drained. Check the automatic timer and reset if necessary, then replace the batteries. 
  • A GGCI Tripped: Another recent experience for us here in Texas, when we do things here, we do them big and that includes multiple types of weather within a week!  Strong storms with heavy rains can flood outdoor electrical outlets, and we know electricity and water do not go together! The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, aka GFCI, is a fail-safe electrical outlet that turns off the power to that outlet when water has reached it. You probably have this in your bathroom and kitchen too. Each GFCI outlet has a reset button, simply push that button and your outdoor lighting should be bright again. 
  • A Tripped Breaker: If the timer is still set, backup batteries are replaced, and the GFCI outlet is rest, but the outdoor lighting still isn’t working, check the breaker. After a stormy weather event, if the power went out at any time, it could trip the breaker. Simply flip that switch back and your outdoor lighting should come back on with the timer. 

If you have checked all of these and still can’t get your outdoor lighting on, time to call a professional lighting contractor.  There could be something in the wiring and that isn’t something you want to handle yourself unless you’re experienced with electricity. 

Your Outdoor Lighting Maintenance

Just like your HVAC system and the appliances in your home, you have made an investment. Keep that outdoor lighting investment in proper working order with a outdoor light maintenance agreement with the contractor that installed your lighting system. Getting the most you can from your investment for the beauty of your home and your own enjoyment. Call (817) 345-3696 today for outdoor lighting maintenance for your home.