There are several issues when considering outdoor security lighting. There are the practical aspects such as:
- Which lighting arrangement provides the best security?
- What is the most cost effective system, taking into account both installation and running costs?
- Which is the most visually appealing design that will enhance the appeal of your property?
One of the most common errors with outdoor security lighting is the overuse of floodlights. The assumption with floodlights is that because they are bright they are the safest. However they can actually create safety and security problems and are centainly not energy efficient (i.e. they are not cost effective to run).
The problem when you have a floodlight shining toward your house and you look outside is that all you can see is the glare from the floodlight. This can actually protect intruders from detection.
In addition, floodlights generally illuminate both the area where they are directed and adjacent areas, which can result in annoyed neighbors who have to endure the unwanted glare of a neighbor’s lights.
In terms of visual appeal, floodlighting does nothing for the aesthetics of a home (unless you are seeking the “prison camp” look!), because their intense light means the detail, color and texture of the home and yard is lost.
We recommend selecting outdoor lighting systems with:
- A series of energy-efficient, low-wattage lights strategically placed around the property, preferably with lights positioned on the ground, provinf background lighting and illuminating distinctive features, which creates an aesthetically pleasing effect, and
- For security, strategically placed floodlights combined with motion detectors. These floodlights are normally switched off, but are triggered by movement.
With this approach, the energy-efficient lighting provides visual appeal and contributes to safety, by providing sufficient light for navigating sidewalks and steps and enable you to walk safely without light spilling over into your neighbor’s yard.
The background lighting is supplemented by the motion detector switched floodlights that are normally off except when turned on by movement.
Fiber Optic Landscape Lighting
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The focus here is on using fiber optic landscape lighting for domestic applications. For commercial applications, fiber optic lighting is an increasingly popular alternative to neon lighting.
Fiber optic landscape lights provide a very different approach to landscape lighting compared with traditional outdoor lights, such as low voltage lights or solar landscape lights.
As the “fiber optic” name suggests, light itself travels down the cables rather than electricity. The benefits include:
- Electrical safety - these lights are ideal for pools, spas and water features because there is no electricity reaching the light fixtures and so no danger of shock.
- The light source can be installed in an indoor environment protected from the weather.
Fiber optic lights are also excellent for changing and colored light effects, because there is only one light source to control. The light from this source is then routed to a number of lights (and potentially this can be a large number of lights).
For really spectactular effects, you can use multiple light sources supplying a range of lights with shifting colors and effects.
Fiber Optic Landscape Light Fixtures
The light fixtures themselves can be very simple - in some cases they are just a simple acrylic stick as shown.
They can also be at the opposit eend of the spectrum and complex or intricate.
Some creative fixtures include paver lights, which can add an elegant touch to any landscape lighting plan. Paver lights can be used in path design, walkways, decks and to illuminate walls. Most paver lights accept 25 strand fiber optic cable and are constructed of a poly carbonate top with an ABS base.
Design and Installation Considerations
Fiber optic landscape lighting offers unique flexibility compared to conventional lighting, but it also has limitations. In particular, fiber optic lights are in general not as bright as conventional electric outdoor lights.
For this reason, areas with a high ambient light level (from other light sources) should be avoided as they tend to “wash out” the color.
On the other hand, a major benefit is that fiber optic lighting can be installed in areas not accessible to conventional lighting.
Fiber Optic Light Cables
As well as fiber optic light fixtures, you can also get fiber optic cables that emit light themselves. These cables ar eoften encased in a water clear PVC jacket for use in water features, underwater lighting for swimming pools, patios, facades, landscaping decks etc (see photo above).
Light is displayed in a so-called lineal fashion. This produces a brilliant light simulating a neon effect. The light emitting cable is flexible, easily installed, UV resistant and can provide vibrant color changes.