Want to install some pathway lighting but not sure where to start? Whether you’re a contractor wanting to install pathway lights for a client or a homeowner wanting to do it yourself. Here are some tips and ideas that will help you light your way to your pathway-lighting journey.
Placement Consideration
First, consider where you want to place the pathway lighting, whether it be along a hardscaped wall or fence, under stairs, along the pathways in the foliage, or up high. Hardscape lights even if not traditionally used for lighting pathways can be an asset to lighting a path along with the traditional pathway light you are used to seeing.
- Stagger lights on both sides of pathways, this will create a balance of light to ensure you get adequate lighting. You don’t want to overdo it, you will want the lighting to blend in with the landscape.
- Concentrate the lighting on accident-prone areas, like uneven areas, rocky paths, and steps.
- Set the light slightly back from the pathway, to light the surrounding landscape, try to position it about six inches from the edge of the pathway
- Space your lighting properly, if you are not sure about lighting spacing check out this. Light spacing can vary depending on where your lighting is and what type of lighting is being used.
- If you don’t have room for a traditional pathway light, try installing an accent light creating a moonlighting effect by mounting the light on a high point like a tree or gable. This will create the desired descending light effect also known as moonlighting. As seen in the picture below.
Use the Correct Type of Lighting
When designing your lighting plan, consider what type of pathway lighting you want to use. Use the one that makes the most sense for your application. Traditional pathway lighting is always a good route to take but it is not always the best one for your landscape. Using low-voltage landscape lighting is a safer option, it lasts longer, and you will save on your energy bill while still getting the desired effect you are looking for.
- Traditional Pathway lighting is great for along your walkways and is easy to integrate into your landscape.
- Hardscape lighting is easy to hide and a functional type of lighting. You can integrate this lighting underneath the lip of a wall, in ground, or on your stairs.
- Accent Lights can be useful if you have little area to place your pathway lighting. You can place an accent light to shine down on your pathway creating a moonlighting effect.
Power Source
Having the right power source is crucial for a properly functioning lighting system. Here at Landlight, we recommend using a wired low-voltage lighting system as it is the superior option. Solar and battery-operated systems may seem like a good idea, but they give you less range of flexibility. Solar and battery-operated lights limit your options for placements as solar options need full light in the day to provide adequate light into the night. They do not have the brightness of a low-voltage light and are not a reliable long-lasting option. There are many available options for transformers depending on how many watts you need, or if you want smart capabilities or zoning capabilities. You will want to install your transformer in an easy-to-access location.
Wiring
The wire for your pathway lighting should run along the same route as your lights. Some fixtures like Alliance fixtures have two wire leads that come out of the fixture and others will just have one. Lighting wire comes in either 10, 12, 14, or 16 gauge, it is a two-wire copper wire covered in a coating to prevent erosion and make it safe to bury. You will need to know your longest run lengths to determine what wire size you should use and what your approximate voltage drop will be. You can run a conduit pipe to run the wire through or directly bury it. There are a couple of options on how to wire your pathway lights, you can use the daisy chain method, which connects like a string of daisies (hence the “daisy chain”) straight to the transformer and then so on and so forth they will connect as you go down the line. Then we have the T-method. This method is similar to the daisy chain except the transformer connects to a wire in the middle of the chain.
Step by step on how to wire your pathway lighting:
- Lay all your pathway lighting to where you want it.
- Make sure your power is off at your transformer.
- Separate wires a few inches both the main wire and the wire from the fixture (Your lighting wire will have 2 strands)
- Strip the wires, you will want to strip your wires and expose about a 1/2 inch of the copper wire.
- Take one wire from the fixture and twist it to one of the mainline wires from the transformer, do the same with the other wire as well. (Turn the wires clockwise)
- Insert the wires into the waterproof wire connector. You must turn the connector clockwise to not separate the wires while making the connection.
- Test the connections, before you bury the wires. You must test your connections to ensure all the fixtures are connected properly and are in working order.
- Bury the wires. Now that you have tested your connections, and everything is working, you can bury your wires, this is always the last step.
Conclusion
Properly lit pathways are essential for your property’s safety and aesthetically pleasing aspects. Here at Landlight we want to help support you on your lighting journey. If you have any questions, please fill out our Contact Us form.
If designing and installing your pathway lighting seems too overwhelming and difficult please consider hiring a lighting professional.