Your clients want their outdoor landscape lighting to last. As an outdoor landscape lighting contractor, you can give them a lighting design and system that takes into account the ever-changing needs of your clients and reassure them that their investment in outdoor landscape lighting will not be something they’d regret.
This week’s blog post offers nine helpful tips on how to create an outdoor landscape lighting design that will not only meet your clients’ needs today, but tomorrow’s too.
9 Tips for Creating a Future-Proof Outdoor Landscape Lighting Design
What does it mean to have a future-proof plan? A future-proof plan for an outdoor landscape lighting system is one that is efficient, effective, and also considers how adaptable it’ll be.
Create an outdoor landscape lighting design and system that will not only be functional and stylish, but stand the test of time with these nine tips:
1. Choose Brass Light Fixtures
When choosing which fixtures to install, opt for those that are high-quality and made from brass. Brass is corrosion-resistant and can withstand the challenges of being in an outdoor environment.
2. Ensure that Lighting Components are Rated for Outdoor Use
In addition to choosing a durable material, check to see that lighting fixtures, cables, and connectors are rated for outdoor use and have protection from the outdoor elements. Being outdoor rated means that they can endure being outdoors for an extended period of time, thus increasing the longevity of the outdoor landscape lighting system.
3. Go for Energy-Efficient Solutions
To help your clients save on their energy bills and for a greener environment, always choose LED bulbs. These bulbs are more energy efficient, have a longer lifespan, and produce less heat than other types of light bulbs. LED bulbs help ensure that your client’s outdoor landscape lighting systems will last longer.
4. Integrate Smart Lighting Technology
Smart lighting technology gives your clients more convenient control over their outdoor landscape lighting system. With a single push of a button on a phone or tablet, they can easily set a schedule for the lights to turn on and off. Color changing lights also make it easy to create any type of atmosphere for any outdoor occasion.
5. Future-Ready Wiring
When installing the initial outdoor landscape lighting system, be sure to leave extra wiring in case of growth or expansion of the system. That way, any future changes, adjustments, or upgrades, can be easily done.
6. Be Flexible
Pick items that will not only be able to handle the current electrical load and necessities, but the future’s as well. For example, a transformer should never be used at more than 80% of its capacity. To account for possible future changes or requirements, opt for a slightly bigger transformer to handle the additional light fixtures or other expansions to the outdoor landscape lighting system.
7. Correct Placement
When deciding on the placement of the transformers or lighting fixtures, choose sites that are free from obstacles or hindrances to their performance such as shade, high traffic areas, and growing plants.
8. Regular Maintenance and Upgrades
Inform your clients that in order to keep their outdoor landscape lighting systems maintained at an optimal level, they will also need to perform regular checks to ensure that the system doesn’t encounter any damage and that any issues are spotted before they get worse.
9. Stay Updated about the Field
As lighting contractors, the best way to stay ahead of the future is to learn more about it. Join trade organizations or read industry specific publications that will inform you on the latest technology, trends, or equipment in the field of outdoor landscape lighting that will have you ready for the future and beyond.
Find Durable Outdoor Landscape Lighting Solutions at LightCh8in
An outdoor landscape lighting system is an investment for your clients. They will want to be assured that the time, money, and effort it takes to install and maintain them will be worthwhile. By planning ahead with a lighting design that is future-proof, you can assure your clients that their investment will not be wasted as it can evolve and adapt to their future needs.
Create a free LightCh8in account or log into your account today to shop our extensive inventory for everything you need for your outdoor landscape lighting projects. From outdoor light fixtures made from brass to energy-saving LEDs to premium direct burial cable and more, you will find just what you need to give your clients a beautiful, functional, and long lasting outdoor landscape lighting system that will leave them speechless.