Category: outdoor lighting professionals raleigh

Soft accent and security lighting for an outdoor patio in Raleigh NC

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Outdoor Patio Lighting Raleigh NC

Photos of the lower patio area with brick columns before outdoor lighting.

outdoor patio lighting outdoor patio lighting

Night time demo with only 2 different lighting fixtures to demonstrate how the lighting would work and create 3 distinct lighting effects.

outdoor patio lighting

Yes that’s right

3 separate lighting effects, by mounting the lights as high as possible on the columns results in an accent effect on the architecture of the brick column.

You also get a nice soft pool of light on the concrete patio area below the column.

The soft pool of light on the concrete reflects itself back up onto the soffits and ceiling panels above to give you a beautiful soft light effect all over the patio area.

This also created some much need security lighting around the back patio area under the homes lower level.

Now isn’t this a much nicer effect than a security flood light or spotlight blinding you out on the patio?

outdoor patio lighting

Call us Today 919-518-9950 Lite Visions Outdoor Lighting and Landscape Lighting Professionals Raleigh NC

Ambiance with soft outdoor lighting in Raleigh

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh

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 I come from working in a creative field around lighting design and lighting effects my whole life, I sometimes visualize things other people simply can’t. I feel I have been blessed with this gift.
Years ago when I talked to my mom about a privacy fence in the backyard she just said no way. After it was installed, the first thing her and my sister said was WOW, we never really noticed the plant material in the yard.
Yes, I said, do you know why?
We simply took some material and created a backdrop for the plants that were already in place to make them really POP .
We  do the very same thing with outdoor landscape lighting. Why would you have beautiful landscaping or hardscaping that you paid good money for only to have it all disappear in the evening hours? By using several different lighting techniques we create depth and dimension and pull your eye away from looking into your neighbor’s yard.
Have you ever noticed a home with all the lights on inside? If your home has outdoor lighting, peoples eyes are pulled away from the inside lights when they see your home with outdoor lighting.
Let us create some outdoor evening ambiance for you to enjoy tonight in the Raleigh area.
Lite Visions outdoor lighting and landscape light can make your home and yard safe secure and beautiful into the evening hours.
Call us today 919-518-9950

What is Outdoor Security Lighting & Why is it Important in Raleigh NC?

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh

Outdoor Security Lighting Raleigh

Security lighting should provide security by discouraging trespassers. A well-lit home is less likely to be broken into.

Outdoor landscape lighting adds beauty and dimension to a home. Lighting is also an integral part of an effective home security system. Outdoor security lighting discourages would-be intruders from targeting your home by increasing the risk of being caught. The best lighting design allows physical detection and facial recognition minimizes hiding spots and increases your sense of safety.

You don’t have to light your home like a football field to feel safe. Over-illumination with floodlights pointed all over can draw unwanted attention to valuable items in your home or business and can cause light pollution. In this guide, we offer an overview of security lighting and simple tips to help you identify potential safety and security risks, select the best security lights, and determine their placement to ensure your safety and security.

 

A 2007 Washington Post article found burglars search for homes that appear to be unoccupied. Lighting adds an element of surprise and establishes an occupancy pattern that deters intruders from targeting a home in the first place. Residents that use outdoor lighting as part of their security plan significantly decrease their chances of being burglarized.

Outdoor Security Lighting Raleigh

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) further explains that good security lighting anticipates potential threats and predators, and increases the means necessary to commit a crime, discouraging would-be criminals from breaking into a home. This security approach is known as target hardening. In other words, the longer it takes to plan and execute a break in, the less likely criminals are to target that home. According to the IES, home security lighting must have the following aims:

  • Provide a clear view of the area; including people and objects such as fences, walls and barriers
  • Allow facial recognition at a minimum distance of 30 feet
  • Make tasks such as finding your keys, retrieving the mail, or walking the dog easier and safer
  • Help people avoid criminal threats and/or defend themselves when a threat is perceived
  • Enhance your sense of safety when spending time outdoors

Call us Today 919-518-9950 Lite Visions Outdoor Lighting and Landscape Lighting Professionals Raleigh NC

 

Designing a landscape lighting system in Raleigh NC

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh
There are many different factors that come into play when designing a professional outdoor lighting system in the Raleigh NC area.
Are we retrofitting an older system?
Are we working on new construction of a project?
Fixture materials, aluminum, brass or copper, any custom finish on path lights.
Are we installing fixtures with a drop in LED bulb or integrated LED fixtures with a longer warranty.
Access to power for transformers and cable runs to fixtures.
Standard control vs smartphone control.
How many feet of low voltage cable have to be run .
Ease of running cable to fixtures
Ease of access behind plant materials walkways etc.
Location of fixtures,ground mount,gutter mount ,tree mount , mounted to brick or stone.
Are we using custom light diffusing filters, louvers or color filters to replicate a moonlight effect?
Are we installing fixtures with color changing lamps?
No two professional outdoor lighting systems are designed alike.
While your neighbor’s home might have only required 14 lighting fixtures to do the front of their home, your home might require 21 lighting fixtures to do the front of the home and the two trees in the front that you love.
If you are budget conscious, we can always try to work with you and install your outdoor lighting project in different phases.
Call us today for your  design consultation
                          919-581-9950

Replacing LED Landscape Light bulbs

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh
While there are many LED landscape light bulbs available out there
Do you have any idea what you are buying in the home improvement store or other stores?
Is the bulb manufactured for use in a fully enclosed fixture in a wet location?
Do you know what the bulb color temperature is?
Is it the equivalent of the other bulbs wattage and color temperature wise?
2700k is the nice warm white bulb we use in alot of installations.
3000k is a warmer white bulb that looks great in some locations.

Will the manufacturer stand behind the warranty?

Do you know what the bulbs beam width is?
LED bulbs come in a variety of beam widths from a narrow 15 degrees to a very wide120 degrees.
We will never use or install cheap LED light bulbs to save money as many contractors do.
We use only the most high quality professionally tested LED light bulbs made for use in enclosed fixtures and in a wet location that carry the best warranty out there. These MR-16 LED lamps have been redesigned to better fit into a standard, low voltage, MR-16 fixture. These LED’s are thermally engineered to operate in enclosed fixtures and provides added security by automatically cooling down (and reducing lumens output) only when exposed to extreme heat (air temperatures above 125◦F). In addition, there is no color shift when lumens output is reduced, and the overall lamp life is improved. FEATURES: Dimmable with most magnetic transformer Enhanced ESD (Electro-Static Discharge) Protection (IEC-61000-4-2) Heat Overload Protection Technology Fully potted PC board
The LED chips are made by Cree a company right here in the Raleigh NC area.
We believe we are building customer with our professional lighting designs and installations by only using the best products available.
We do work on older lighting systems that we did not install and offer maintenance contracts to keep your old system looking great.

Outdoor Lighting ,Do one thing and do it right

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh

I have been working in the music industry since I was 18 years old, being a Roadie for bands and doing lighting. I have always worked in the lighting industry and coming into the world of architectural and outdoor lighting seemed very natural transition to me.

I, however, have NO desire to be a

landscaper, pond builder, hardscaper, irrigation company or a pool company.

I did not simply buy a lighting franchise.

On the other hand, it seems nowadays everyone thinks they can add landscape lighting as a sideline to their existing business. After attending an hour-long manufacture seminar they now a certified lighting designer. Unfortunately, many of the companies are profit driven and encourage these other industries to install lighting as a profit sideline to their existing business.

I drive thru high-end subdivisions all the time at night after leaving a job location and focusing the client’s lights after dark, I see all kinds of badly done lighting installations that someone paid a lot of money for. From just the other night seeing an entrance to a subdivision that has lights pointing in your eyes as you drive by with no lighting shields to seeing a water feature at a Japanese steakhouse I eat at on a regular basis have a pond company install a bad lighting job.

Being able to simply stick a lighting fixture in the ground by no means makes you a lighting designer

Lighting is an Art and I believe I am painting with light, by knowing the proper use of different types of bulbs, beam spreads, wattages ,color temperatures.  There are many many tips and tricks to keep lights your of your eyes.

I might use a combination of lights up in a tree pointing down with a moonlight lens filter along with a combination of path lights to create a unique vision for your walkway.

I might create a backdrop in your backyard to not only visualize your property but to keep your eye from your neighbor’s property

I might use a combination of different light fixtures along a brick or stone wall to create texture, interest, and shadows.

I might place a few lights at angles alongside a privacy fence to create beams of light dancing in between plant material.

No two projects are alike and that is what makes lighting interesting to me, anyone can stick lights in the ground and believe it or not some of those other companies never even come back at night to properly focus the lighting.

At Light Visions Landscape Lighting of Raleigh, We do one thing and do it RIGHT.

We also offer the best warranty and FREE maintenance contract in the Raleigh area

Please make sure to read thru our google reviews

 

 

Good Vs Bad Outdoor Lighting Design

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh

Today’s blog is going to talk about things we have seen driving in the evening from installing a lighting installation.

Here is the first example below of good and bad lighting placements, the fixture in the grass will be beaten up by lawn maintenance and equipment and will not last very long in that area. Path lights should be installed in a mulched bed or walkway to not only use them properly for their effect but also to protect them from landscapers and equipment. Also notice you do not see the lamp source only a soft pool of lighting with good lighting. You should never see the bulb or glare in a lighting fixture if the lighting is properly designed with the correct fixtures.

  • Bad Design Fixture In Grass
  • Good Design Fixture Protected
  • Good Design and Path Lights provide safety light

DO NOT place lights under windows ever,this not only looks bad but will also cause lighting to spill into windows and cause a glare so you can’t see out of your windows. A lighting designer would never install lights under a window. As a lighting designer we use several filters and know the difference in lamp color temperatures.

  • Waste of money lighting under windows
  • Notice architecture softly lit with no glare from windows. pathway also lit softly

Transformer placement, shiny aluminum transformers should be hidden behind plant materials or placed alongside other mechanical equipment,Transformers should never be seen in plain sight in front of a home or building.

  • Ugly transformer job
    and even lit up at night

  • Transformer well hidden out of sight behind plant materials
  • Do you see the transformer ?

Call or contact us today if you want your outdoor lighting design done right the first time.

919-518-9950

Building a new home? Make sure you have the the LED lighting option

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh

I did a home and garden show recently and spoke to a lot of couples who were building homes. When we started talking about things they were doing I was surprised to find out LED lighting isn’t a standard in every home built today. I can’t imagine installing landscape lighting today with the old, not efficient halogen light bulbs that do not last. With most LED manufactures giving a warranty of 5 years or 50,000 hours I can’t imagine why LED lamps are not required and why the old very un-efficient halogen can lights used in most homes are still installed in this day. If you are building or remodeling a home, please do yourself a favor and ask the builder or electrician about the many LED options available from can lights to very nice track lighting and wall sconces. Visit a professional lighting showroom and have them go over the options with you. Most LED sources are also able to work with dimmers and if you are installing a beautiful stone fireplace, do yourself a favor and have them install some LED track lighting just above the stone with the lights focused down along the stone. There are also many nice outdoor LED fixtures for garages and floodlights. There is ever a very interesting LED candle flame effect that looks really nice in the outdoor lantern type fixtures. Do yourself a favor and use energy-saving green friendly LED lights in your home and watch the power bill go down.

 

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/led-lighting

Concert lighting to outdoor and landscape lighting Raleigh NC

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I have had several people ask me recently, what makes me and Lite Visions Landscape Lighting and outdoor lighting in Raleigh NC different from everyone else who does outdoor lighting and landscape lighting in Raleigh NC.

First and foremost I have been a lighting technician and lighting designer since 1979 in the music business when I started working with local bands.I went on to tour with bands from theatre to arena concerts and when home in Raleigh worked as a stagehand in lots of the local concert venues and still do to this day part-time. From climbing in the ceiling and focusing stage lights to operating a spotlight for a show at Memorial Auditorium. I simply love being creative and feel fortunate to have been able to travel a lot of my life and see many different cities and sights. I love the feeling I am an artist who simply paints with lighting.

My first huge TV special and first major arena tour I was a lighting tech on was this 1984 Kool and the Gang show at the New Orleans Worlds Fair for HBO’s video jukebox, the Light Designer most recently lit up the American Idol TV Series and it was a learning experience. The beautiful venue was built right on the river. We had a giant heart that came down from the ceiling during the show’s opening.I got to run lights for KC and the Sunshine band, some new band called Run DMC  and a girl singer called Shannon, her hit was called Let the music play, they were some of our opening bands on the tour. My job was to set up one of the lighting trusses as well as connect all the wiring to the lighting dimmers and babysit our dimmer area during Kool and the Gangs show beside the stage.

Here is the video from that concert.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TesMhfSMgRk

Call us today about lighting up your outdoor area or landscaping in Raleigh NC

Call us Today 919-518-9950 Lite Visions Outdoor Lighting and Landscape Lighting Professionals Raleigh NC

working with a lighting designer and planning to enjoy your home and lifestyle after the sun goes down

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, outdoor lighting professionals raleigh

As an outdoor landscape lighting designer in Raleigh NC, we work with Triangle area homeowners to determine how you enjoy your outdoor space, particular features or a structure that you would like to highlight. What you like most about your homes architecture, specific trees or plant you like. A walkway or path you would enjoy or use more if it was illuminated. A  favorite pond or water feature. Features you love most in your outdoor kitchen or along your hardscaping.

 

 

Accent outdoor lighting  gently grazing the surface of the stone, stucco, and brick will add depth and dimension your home’s architecture as well as showing the features

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Adding outdoor lighting to such things as an arbor, fence a statue or structure and trees will give you a dramatic and attention-getting visual lighting effect, creating a lighting scene with a backdrop as well as mimicking moonlights natural effects.

 

 

Water feature outdoor lighting.

Illuminating a water feature, pond or pool combines 2 effects, you might have some trees or plantings near the water that will look interesting with up lighting. You also get stunning mirrored images on the water’s surface, creating dreamlike effects rippling across the water’s surface.

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Add outdoor lighting and illuminate a bridge over a water feature to highlight it’s features and create safety

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Adding path or walkway outdoor lighting will create a sense of security along stone pathways and lawn walkways as well as adding a hint of intrigue to plant beds and boulders along the way.

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Adding down lighting with lights placed up in trees shining thru the trees creates stunning shadows on the ground below mimicking moonlighting effects.

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Patio and deck outdoor lighting will feature and accentuate all of the architecture, beauty and detail of your deck, patio, outdoor kitchen, hand railings, steps and more while creating safety.

 

Hardscape outdoor lighting brings out your stone features along with your outdoor kitchen, retaining walls, steps and more.

 

Call us Today 919-518-9950 Lite Visions Outdoor Lighting and Landscape Lighting Professionals Raleigh NC