Using Solar Lights to Accent Ponds and Pools
If you have a garden pond or swimming pool on your property, then you already understand that nighttime lighting can create a magical ambiance. Flood lights and spotlights can be useful in lighting your water features, but solar powered floating lights add whimsy and charm. Solar floating lights are a simple and relatively inexpensive option for accenting your pond, pool, or fountain for events and special occasions. This is true even if the ’special’ occasion is enjoying some peace and quiet in your outdoor space.
Solar floating lights typically feature built-in photo cells and solar panels, so that they will turn on automatically at sunset. Weighing under a pound and measuring from 4 to 25 inches wide, they are small and lightweight enough that you can easily place them in direct sunlight to fully recharge them for up to 8 hours of nighttime lighting.
As an added advantage, LED lights can last for up to 20 years without replacement. They also come in a variety of colors (blue, green, amber, red, and white) that can be mixed and matched to complement the colors of your outdoor living space. They are available in flat disk shapes or globes, so that you can pick the style and size that best accents your water feature.
Many manufacturers provide stake mounts that allow you to use the lights to accent borders and pathways in addition to using them in the water. You could try bunching several smaller lights together to create a decorative grouping on your patio or deck. Or, you could use a larger stand-alone sphere near a plant or sculpture that you would like to highlight.
Solar floating lights can be used to spice up your outdoor decor in other ways too. If you’re having a party, float a colorful solar light in the ice used to chill the punch or other beverages. Once you start thinking about the possibilities, it’s easy to let your imagination run crazy with all the ways that you can use them to enhance your outdoor living space.
Happy Gardening!Andrea Kalli
Security lighting must provide stronger illumination than solar lighting that is designed primarily for outdoor decoration. Security lights must also be more powerful, durable, and reliable than simple solar accent lighting. Here are some things to think about before you buy a solar security light.
When deciding where to place solar security lights for maximum security, you may not have many options. If the area where you most need the nighttime illumination doesn’t receive much direct sunlight during the day, it may be difficult for the solar panel component to fully recharge. For example, you may need to attach a security light to a north wall with an overhanging roof where the fixture would receive no exposure to sunlight. To avoid this problem, make sure you purchase a fixture with a… Continue reading the rest of this article...
Most people think of security features like flood lights, security lamps, and motion detectors when it comes to lighting for safety. While many people know that good outdoor lighting can be an effective way to deter crime, criminal activity isn’t the only danger that exists in dark outdoor areas. Dark stairways and edges can be even more dangerous than a prowler.
Solar lighting can provide a solution to the hazards of poor outdoor lighting. It can be used to light up steps or ramp edges that can’t easily be seen in the dark, or on walkways that cover uneven ground. For some, the cost of installing electrical wiring along a winding walkway may be prohibitive. Solar path lighting is an inexpensive alternative. Other options include solar step lights or solar lighting… Continue reading the rest of this article...
Outdoor solar post lights add a bit of classical elegance to almost any landscape design. While hanging string lights and flood lights are quite common, a home with post lights illuminating the front entryway makes a statement that distinguishes itself from the crowd.
Solar post lights come in a variety of unique and elegant designs. If your home is a traditional architectural style like Victorian, Colonial, or Craftsman, there are many beautiful traditional fixtures to choose from. On the other hand, if you prefer something sleek and modern, you can also find contemporary post lights to suit your tastes.
Early on, solar lighting did not provide as much illumination as electric lighting. Since that time, solar panel and LED technology has advanced a great deal, and modern outdoor solar lighting is just… Continue reading the rest of this article...
