Tag: best outdoor lighting Raleigh

good lighting designs

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting

Good lighting design and educating my clients in the differences. These are a few examples of Good vs Bad outdoor landscape lighting.  My job as a lighting designer is to help educate my clients all about proper lighting design techniques. It seems I see so many BAD landscape lighting jobs when I ride out of these subdivisions in the evening that I have to call attention to them to help my clients SEE and hopefully understand the difference.

With properly designed and installed outdoor landscape lighting,there are a few things to consider as a lighting designer.

Lumens: lumens is lighting output of a lamp or LED chip

I see many many jobs where the light level is way too much on a homes architecture or on trees or plant material,causing a really bright hot spot on the bottom middle of the object itself.

 

Another thing viewed at night are the wrong color temperature lighting or the wrong width lamp which can create a V pattern going up the walls and architecture of the home.

As a lighting designer I want to create soft illumination on what I light and use a proper spread of illumination to light trees from at least two or more sides to create a portrait with illumination for the client to view thru their windows or doors. Not just a one sided vision that the neighbors can view passing by. The world we live in is not just one dimensional.

I have been blessed with the ability to envision things that are not yet there to create a private backyard sanctuary for my clients to enjoy in the evening hours,to highlight all their favorite things about their residence.

 

Here are a few examples of BAD lighting,Hot spots and not enough lighting to properly illuminate the homes architecture.

Please remember: before you hire that other contractor to install your lighting because of some advertised special or as one of their many other services.

 

Researching and choosing the right landscape lighting designer who has a vision is much like commissioning a piece of art for your residence.

At Lite Visions Landscape Lighting:

We are not light fixture sales people.

We are true lighting designers whose pallet is illumination of your beautiful homes architecture and landscape and as such we possess the ability to create your private sanctuary to enjoy in the evening hours.

 

Imagine driving home to your own private backyard oasis after that stressful work day  and coming home to sit under the stars with the beautiful illuminated backdrop behind you listening to soft music and letting your cares leave your mind.

Compare these examples of GOOD lighting design to the photos of BAD lighting.

Alt"backyard private sanctuary with landscape lighting in Raleigh NC"

Discover the brilliance of Lite Visions Landscape Lighting Today

www.litevisions.com

 

Good Vs Bad Outdoor Lighting Design

https://outdoorlightingexpressions.wordpress.com/2014/09/02/a-few-examples-of-good-vs-bad-outdoor-lighting/

 

 

What makes us Unique

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting

What makes us Unique at Lite Visions Landscape Lighting is several things :

Being an actual accredited lighting technician and designer coming from over 35 years in the concert and stage lighting industry working with acts from starting with local bands to theatre and arena tours.

Being a lighting technician as well , when I got into Landscape Lighting I searched out only the best products available to the professional from fixtures to transformers and cables and connection methods.

I get many calls from people who have problems with their outdoor landscape lighting not or partially not working and have seen many reasons why.

Most reasons are poor wiring connections and cheap wire choices as well as cheap fixtures and lamp sockets that don’t make a solid connection. Wire nuts that come FREE from some lighting companies make a terrible connection and some people don’t tighten them down properly.

A few photos of bad lighting jobs I have fixed that others have installed below. Most require a complete system rebuild.

We use top quality solid brass connections with allen screws to tighten into the wiring,these are covered by a silicone filled heat shrink connector that goes past each end of the connection and guarantees no moisture will get into the wiring.

There is a lighting franchise that has been sold several times in the area as well as contractors who do other work and include lighting after they took a 2 hour class by a lighting manufacture.

Also irrigation companies and landscape companies who get paid and are gone and some can’t even troubleshoot their own work if anything happens down the road.

Lite Visions cares about clients becoming members of our family as we depend on word of mouth referrals from our satisfied clients to tell others about our trouble free landscape lighting installations.

Our background in lighting has allowed us to select the finest fixtures that will last a long time,along with being able to change lumens on plants as the plantings grow if needed,we usually prefer a lower lumen lever to create a unique work of art as we paint your landscape with illumination.

We might use more fixtures than another company due to our artistic vision as using one light per tree sometimes does not properly illuminate that object.

If you are searching for outdoor landscape lighting,make sure if you are getting more than one quote,they show the products,connection methods and how long they have been in business along with their google reviews.

I am a Raleigh native and a homeowner and am proud of the fact I am a local small business owner in our community with many 5 star google reviews.

 

 

 

https://night-scenes.com/2013/11/13/top-3-low-voltage-outdoor-lighting-problems-and-their-solutions/

 

Wow! Just wow!

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting

Wow! Just wow! I cannot say enough good things about Joe and Lite Visions! He installed our new front yard landscape lighting which needed replacing after the original became tired and worn. It is now fabulous! Joe’s artistic vision, service and the quality of the lights he uses are unsurpassed. His company is unique in that he offers so much more than “standard” landscape lighting. No cheap lights. No dotted “runway” looks. No hot spots. Joe knows his lighting and it shows. He took the time to show us a demo which was extremely helpful. We knew exactly what we were getting and how it would look at night! Installation was seamless and professional. We are looking forward to having him redo our back yard now too! Thanks Joe!

 

alt="beautiful outdoor landscape lighting ,by lite visions Raleigh NC"
beautiful soft illumination by Lite Visions Landscape Lighting Raleigh NC

 

 

Creating a private escape in your own backyard

A recent 5 star google review: Joe is an artist whose palette is light! He replaced our “standard” (mediocre) driveway path lights with downlight strategically located in trees resulting in a dreamy, soft-lit approach to our house. Next he is designing the lighting for Phase II of our landscaping project…lighting our front entry and parking area. The results speak to Joe’s excellence and professionalism!

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting
OUTDOOR LANDSCAPE LIGHTING RALEIGH NC
outdoor landscape lighting jobs by Lite Visions Landscape Lighting

Let there be light

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

A typical evening lighting demonstration for Lite Visions consists of myself arriving at my clients home an hour or so before dusk to set up some lighting and then waiting for dusk to call the clients to come out after touching up a few fixtures.

This isn’t a Clark Griswold moment. It is a real life moment several times a week. Walking onto their porch to gaze out at what they can now see thru their window to the back yard.

It’s a different kind of wow, with subtle lights illuminating plants’ structure, texture and color. The landscape takes on a new dimension when lighting is properly placed and expertly installed. The homes architecture seems to come to life as the sun sets.

Then after settling on the total design and setting a date the real install happens. I have had clients invite their friends and neighbors over to see not only the demo but to wait with anticipation for the first night of the outdoor lighting to be turned on. Sometimes even sitting around the fire pit with wine.

What I’ve found with my clients is, lighting is contagious with them as well as their friends and neighbors.

Once we light up the front of the house, they want to light up the back or the sides, or the entry or tree that they love. Then the neighbors want outdoor lighting as well after looking over at how great their next door neighbors backyard now looks from their deck.

Landscape lighting technology has evolved significantly in the last five to seven years. More recently the availability of cost-effective LED lighting makes operating landscape lights efficient and easy on the wallet.

LED lights, they’re not going to have to change a bulb for 30,000 to 50,000 hours, and they’re happy about that

Clients who would have possibly only wanted lighting from dusk to midnight are now able to leave their outdoor lighting on all evening with no electricity bill concerns.

Call Lite Visions Today and see why we are trusted by so many Triangle area homeowners 919-518-9900

Why retrofit your old outdoor landscape lighting system with energy saving LED lamps?

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

Green friendly:

LED lights “are on track to cut power consumption for lighting… by over 40 percent.” That would provide annual savings of more than $20 billion for consumers and businesses within a decade. And that in turn would reduce U.S. CO2 emissions by some 100 million metric tons a year.

Money Saving:

As LED Lamps are long lasting ,avg lamp life of 50,000 hours the saving alone on not having to relamp every year or so over the lifetime of outdoor lighting is a huge savings itself.

Little to no heat:

Led lamps produce little to no heat and therefore do not attract insects or pose any risk of hazards that hot halogen lamps could produce when surrounded by mulch and pine straw etc.

Less power consumption:

Led lamps will cost you way less to leave your outdoor lighting system on from dusk to dawn then if you were just using your lighting from dusk till midnight. I personally hate giving money to the power company.

High Quality LED bulbs:

Poor quality, cheap lamps don’t last long. My experience is that if you install quality lamps they do last. Some of my LED bulbs are more than 8 years old and still going strong.

Most landscape lighting customers quickly understand the benefits of converting from halogen to LED, lighting professionals say.

For example, most LEDs have a five-year manufacturer warranty.

Voltage drop:

Most old, all halogen lamped systems installed have some sort of voltage issues,when retrofitting with LED lamps most of these systems that might have a 300 to 100 watt transformer will have their total power consumption lowered to less than half.

Call Lite Visions today to speak with us about upgrading your old lighting system to energy saving all LED lamps

Why do I need landscape lighting

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

Why Do I Need Landscape Lighting?

Today’s homeowners see their landscapes as a source of pride, a refuge for relaxation, and a place to enjoy good times with family and friends. Lite Visions can bring these spaces to life after the sun goes down, providing an unmatched aesthetic effect while adding safety and usability.

Landscape lighting provides these important benefits:

BEAUTIFICATION: Focal points stand out and become more beautiful. Textures not seen in daylight become eye-catching detail. Architectural features can be accented, which brings the building and the landscape together for a resort-like feel.

USABILITY: Landscape lighting enjoyably extends the time spent outdoors. Now patios, pools, and children’s play areas become entertainment venues or just relaxing places to unwind.

SAFE PASSAGE: Hazards such as steps, low-hanging or thorny vegetation, abrupt changes in elevation, or debris in a walkway can all be avoided with properly placed landscape lighting. Guests can be safely guided away from hazards.

  • softly lighting path and homes architecture with good lighting placement

SECURITY: It’s a proven fact that a well-lit landscape will deter potential intruders by eliminating dark areas and shadows that would conceal movement around the property.

VALUE: Landscape lighting not only brings a property to life, it also provides excellent return on investment by creating a stunning first impression when viewed by visitors.

PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR LANDSCAPE LIGHTING IS NOT CHEAP!CHEAP OUTDOOR LANDSCAPE LIGHTING IS NOT GOOD

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting

Professional outdoor landscape lighting is not cheap, and Cheap outdoor landscape lighting is not good.

I work with an interior designer who says “Do it right and you only cry once”. My outdoor lighting designs include seeing the effects not the light source.I work with many different types of fixtures, lamps,color temperatures,filters and shields. Along with Professional lighting that lasts a very long time.

Examples of a few BAD lighting installations Lite Visions took out and redid for the homeowners.

Big box store lighting kits are JUNK,come with horrible non water tight connectors that pierce your wire which is the worst thing to do.They come with poor lighting fixtures that start falling apart and come with a not good transformer.

  • old transformer
  • old cheap lighting
  • 3 yr old cheap fixture
  • cheap light fixture that can’t hardly be relamped
  • what happens to your wiring if connectors are not properly connected
  • old kit lighting
  • indoor wire nuts used in outdoor lighting systems
  • the dreaded bad connection which lets moisture in
  • lighting kit junk
  • old bad kit lighting

Maintenance is a must,I can’t tell you how many old installs I get called to look at where a fixture or cable has grown into a tree.Old wires and bad connections that do no longer provide proper voltage to the lights.

Lite Visions, when you want it done right the first time Call Us.

WHAT IS OUTDOOR SECURITY LIGHTING & WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting

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

Creating a private escape in your backyard with outdoor lighting.

Posted on by admin in Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Lighting

CREATING A PRIVATE ESCAPE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Beautiful landscaping, a backyard patio area, and a water feature already highlight your backyard space. Perhaps even a walled privacy fence with some beautiful plant material in front of it. Could life be any better?The answer is yes, with outdoor landscape lighting you cannot only enjoy that area into the evening hours, but with the right lighting, you can create your own personal backyard escape.Imagine walking down your newly illuminated pathway with a glass of wine enjoying the moonlit effect heading down to the softly lit gazebo to chill out and listen to the crickets and frogs singing beside the now artfully highlighted bridge over your water feature.You sit back, enjoy your glass of wine and ask yourself why you did not do this eight years ago. Life is good in your new private backyard escape.