Landscape lighting not only increases the beauty, functionality, and appearance of our homes, properties, or gardens but also saves the dark areas by illuminating them. It shows the attraction of house features, pathways, trees, and the effects of dramatic scenes. Moreover, landscape lighting helps to cover the usability of outside areas during activities like socializing or dining after dark. This blog will explain why is landscape lighting expensive, its value, types, and factors contributing to the cost of landscape lighting.
What Is Landscape Lighting?
Landscape lighting enhances outdoor illumination in public or private places due to night time aesthetics, safety attractions, event applications, security, and entertainment. Conventional power is an important source of energy for landscape lighting. Landscape lighting works include LEDs, solar panels, and low-voltage fixtures.
Due to the lighting, the landscape is the center of attention at night. With the outdoor landscape, lighting homes look more attractive. The fittings of light are hidden within bushes or rock formations. Landscape lighting is fixed to show the trees and walls, giving shadows to the yards.
Landscape lighting provides illumination for aesthetics also to safety and direction.
The Value of Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting is an essential system for increasing your home’s beauty and safety. This make it more attractive for your family, friends, and guests. On the national average landscape stage, the lighting cost is $3,500, between $2,100 and $4,900. The value of material, labor, and cost of landscape lighting installation is included in this estimation.
Landscape lighting costs vary depending on fixtures and features. Quality, style, and features affect the price of lighting fixtures. Expect to pay $100 to $250 per installed light fixture. High-quality fixtures with advanced features are more expensive options.
The cost of outdoor landscape lighting for large decorative is around $7,000. However, selecting lighting types and having contractor expertise can reduce costs. Many homeowners achieve their desired look for under $500.
Customization and special features increase the landscape lighting prices. The type of light and contractor expertise also impact costs. Homeowners can choose from various lighting options to fit their budget. Landscape lighting contractors offer expertise to achieve desired lighting effects.
Types of Landscape Lights
1. Bollard Lights
The first type of landscape light for a house’s yard is a bollard light. Bollard lights accent the pathway without the brightness of floodlights. They are ideal for illuminating driveways and setting an ambient tone that can get lost in the dark.
Before installing bollard lights in your backyard, consider a crucial factor: safety. Ensure the placement of these lights doesn’t create a visual effect like an airport runway. To avoid this, consider the following:
- Proper distance between bollard lights
- Correct placement of bollard lights
- Fixture height
2. Floodlights/Spotlights
Floodlights are different from spotlights that come down to beam spread. Spotlights are around 45 degrees of a narrow light beam and concentrated project. When showcasing specific display points, spotlighting is a great option. It highlights structural details and features of your landscape. Spotlights make it easier to aim and adjust lighting requirements. Moreover, they provide focused lighting, drawing attention to specific areas.
So, floodlights usually have a wider beam spread of up to 120 degrees. When you are looking to show light in general areas like main roads, you will use floodlights. Floodlights are a better option for safety and visibility.
3. Garden Lights
In residential areas, garden lights are the best option for landscape lighting for the outside. There are many shapes and types of garden lights available on the market. Mushroom-shaped lights are one of the most essential types of garden lights. When designing outdoor lighting, the first rule is to identify the main focal point in your yard. Also, measure and determine which area deserves the most attention.
The selection of garden lights is a matter of personal preference. It’s an opportunity to reflect your style and choice. Garden lights are placed near natural features in your backyard. For example:
- Near an artificial lake or pond
- Among exotic plants or flowers
- Along winding paths or walkways
4. Path Lights
Path lights are a common type of landscape lighting system for outdoor fixtures in gardens and yards. They are like post lights, but they help create light makers that can plan a path or walkway. Path lights help increase the number of controlling applications.
Before choosing the right path lighting system, consider the height of the path lights. The exact height of the path lights should be at least 14 inches, which gives your path a nice glow.
5. Ground Lights
Ground lights are a common type of landscape lighting. They are also referred to as “well” or “accent” lighting. Ground lights are designed to highlight certain features in your garden or yard. Their purpose is to draw attention to beautiful elements such as:
- Trees and flowers
- Other plantings
- Structural features like fountains, walkways, and steps
By using ground lights into your landscape, you can improve the appearance of home, or garden. It also makes your outdoor space more inviting for family, friends, and guests.
Why Is Landscape Lighting So Expensive?
Landscape lighting is expensive as it requires weather-durable materials that can withstand outdoor conditions. These materials can also handle difficult designs and engineering. They need fixing skills. Modern features like motion sensors and programmable lighting are included.
Homeowners need to know about landscape lighting. They want beautiful illumination in their property or gardens. Features that highlight important areas are costly. These features affect landscape lighting. The result is splendid. Designers have no choice but to use these features.
Factors Contributing to the Cost of Landscape Lighting
1. Type and Quality of Lighting Fixtures
The type and quality of lighting fixtures affect the landscape lighting cost. High-quality fixtures are more expensive. They are made with durable materials and have advanced features. Energy-efficient LED lights cost more than traditional lights.
2. Number and Placement of Lighting Fixtures
The number and placement of lighting fixtures impact the cost. More fixtures need more materials and labor, but placing fixtures can reduce costs.
3. Length of Cabling and Wiring
The type and length of cabling and wiring contribute to costs. Longer cables need more materials, and high-quality cables are more expensive.
4. Transformer and Power Supply Costs
The cost of transformers and power supplies varies. High-quality transformers are more expensive. They have advanced features like timers and sensors.
5. Local Regulations and Permits
Local regulations and permits affect costs. Compliance with electrical codes and zoning laws may need extra inspections.
6. Energy Consumption and Operating Costs
Energy consumption and operating costs impact the cost. Using energy-efficient fixtures can reduce operating costs.
Comparing DIY VS Professional Landscape Lighting Installation
DIY Landscape Lighting: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- When you need to pay for professional installation, DIY projects save on labor costs.
- You can select the design and install the lighting without depending on someone else understanding.
- You can work according to your interests and time, making changes to suit your favorites.
Cons:
- Before installing landscape lighting, consult technical experts.
- It requires knowledge of lighting techniques and electrical work.
- Without experience, it’s challenging and unsafe.
- Troubleshooting, planning, and buying materials take effort and time.
- This is especially true if you have many issues.
- DIY installations lack durability and longevity.
- They can lead to maintenance problems or early replacement.
Professional Landscape Lighting: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Professional lighting systems need high-quality materials and ensure proper installation.
- It increases the performance and longevity of your lighting system.
- Many professional workers provide warranty and support on their products and work.
- It also offers amity of mind and support if one encounters issues.
Cons:
- Professional landscape lighting systems have a higher initial cost when compared to a DIY project. That is why it has higher labor and expertise.
- If you do not consult with contractors, the design and applications will not match your requirements.
- You must coordinate with the contractor’s schedule. It may not always support your timeline.
Professional LED Landscape Lighting Manufacturer- SE.Lighting
SE.Lighting is a top manufacturer of LED lights for outdoor spaces. We design bright and stylish lights that are good for the environment. Our products include LED flood, LED neon, DMX flood, DMX tube, linear, and street light spotlights. Our lights are strong and can handle all kinds of weather. Choose SE Lighting for great designs that make your outdoor areas shine.
Conclusion
This blog explain why is landscape lighting expensive, and how the investment is worth it. It adds value to the property. The expense is due to wiring and supporting equipment. Bulbs and good-quality installation systems also add to the cost. These costs depend on the property’s location and weather resistance. Many factors make landscape lighting expensive. These factors cannot be worked around. Knowing what makes it valuable helps. This blog explains the basics of landscape lighting. It covers the types and factors that make it expensive.