Friday, October 05, 2007

Well Lights Accent Any Outdoor Feature with an Element of Mystery

What are well lights?
Well lights lie concealed within the ground and up light surrounding terrain, architecture, and vegetation. Grade level well lights create the optical effect of light coming from the earth itself. Well lights accent both landscape and architectural features, and they provide ambient and accent lighting for trees, monumentation, gardens, atriums, and foliage.

Should I choose high voltage or low voltage?
That depends on whether you intend them for commercial or home landscape lighting. Business owners almost unanimously choose high voltage lighting due to the exceptionally bright levels of light produced by HID floodlights, and the high level of durability that high voltage lighting is generally known for.

Residential clients tend to gravitate more toward low voltage well lights or a hybridization of low voltage and high voltage well light fixtures. If a yard is big enough that it requires flood lighting, one can configure the system with floodlights in either corner of the yard to keep the property safe, then install low voltage lights throughout the interior landscape to showcase trees, ornamentation, foliage, gardens, and flower beds.

How do I know which fixture build to choose?

Moisture content and saline content of the atmosphere is the primary determining factor in making this choice. Some metals will not last long in coastal areas where there are high levels of salt in the air. Residential Landscape Lighting and Design organizes the major lamping options for grade level well lights under fixture category build so clients and design firms can quickly find the light source they require by simply going to the fixture material category and browsing through the options contained therein. The following is a general breakdown of what we offer:

Aluminum well lights offer the benefit of a very durable and cost effective fixture material source.
Both large and small companies can take advantage of the savings offered by aluminum well lights. Smaller single site companies can invest more in a designer’s creative services and less in the equipment itself---provided they are in a geography with low levels of salt content in the atmosphere.

Because RLLD has so many clients in coastal areas with high saline content in the atmosphere, we also provide identical lamping options in brass and copper well light fixtures.
Brass and copper offer an exceptional resiliency to both humidity and salt air, and clients living near beaches can light their weekend properties with the same lighting design techniques as inland companies and homeowners. We also recommend considering investing in LED lighting for additional cost savings in this area. Beach homes are by no means inexpensive, and the power saving benefits of LED well lights offer a substantial reduction in operating costs in popular coastal resort areas.

There are many different lamping options available in each of our fixture categories. It is wise to read through our entire selection, as well as consulting with a specialist to ensure you have selected the most appropriate components for your needs.

Click here to read more about well lights, and click here to Ask and Expert any question that comes to mind.

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Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Home theater lighting requires a blend of task lighting via indirect means and accent lighting techniques.

What is the most important factor in home theater lighting?
As this is a complex science, it is hard to isolate a “most important factor.” One critical factor is vertical positioning of fixtures along walls, and the horizontal distance between each fixture. Proper elevation and spacing of the right fixtures wired to dimmers and automated controls then allow the host to discreetly control illumination and synchronize it with the action and sensibility of the movie. Think of the first step in the process as not so much a matter of lighting itself, but from the standpoint interior decorating that unites design with a bit of science.

The next step is then to determine fixture style, which adds a physical dimension to light’s ethereal value and serves to differentiate the home theater as a separate element of the home whose design actually reflects the genres most preferred by the viewing audience. RLLD provide a wide range of decorative choices to both meet the unique aesthetic demands of home theater lighting and to compliment the broad spectrum of interior decorating styles that characterize the most unique room into today’s modern home.

What section provides the best ceiling lights to center illumination above the room?
Our contemporary home theater lighting section has a great number of dome lights you might want to take a careful look at. A dome light above a home theater will greet arriving guests, then dim as sconces along walls light up just enough to shift mood and provide adequate light for visibility.

What is the most popular style of home theater lights currently being sold on your site?
This is hard to quantify, but industry trends show that the Craftsman & Mission style home theater lighting continues to maintain its momentum as a popular decorative trend among young professionals and families alike. We have an entire section dedicated to this motif in which you can find a number of innovative fixtures styles for subtle indirect lighting methods that our free consultants can teach you how to create if you want to add an extra touch of the avant-garde to the mix.

Is it possible to use crystal fixtures for lighting a home theater?
Absolutely! Especially if you live in a custom home, or if you want to create an atmosphere devoted to the classics of cinema, we strongly recommend crystal fixtures. Crystal home theater lighting works extremely well for those who host formal parties and include home theater as part of an evening’s agenda. They also offer maximum benefit for those decorators who wish to definitively emphasize the fixture itself and who also want to add a sophisticated old world touch to an ultra-modern, technical phenomenon.

I take a Spartan approach to decorating. What home theater lights work best for this effect?
Iron and rustic fixtures theater lighting will definitely look Spartan. They will also work exceptionally well when used to light home theater rooms within homes with strong art deco leanings. A one light fixture above the doorway replaces the generic exit sign of the public theater with a touch of light and decorative functionality.

How can mini sconces add to a traditional design for home theater lighting?

Mini sconces are ideal for keeping lights dim in home theaters that are decorated with bright furnishings and art. They cast the light upward and in many ways directly reflect the lighting patterns of public theater lights.

What does Transitional Lighting mean?
Basically, it means the midpoint between the contemporary and the traditional. Flush mount home theater lights are a hot item with decorators with eclectic flair, showing no metal and making the wall itself to emanate windows of light. These fluorescents provide a soft white light that does not create reflective glare.

Home theater lighting requires a blend of task lighting via indirect means and accent lighting that offers the option of on-command special effects. If this seems overwhelming at first glance, don’t despair. Call us at 800-239-2939 for free advice on how to configure your own home theater lights, and click here now to view our entire selection in detail to start choosing your fixtures today.

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Lighting designers have more options when they choose RLLD as their vendor for outdoor lighting wall mount fixtures.

What exactly are outdoor wall mounted lighting fixtures, and how do they work?
Outdoor wall mount light fixtures are permanently attached and wired to the side of a wall. They offer both an aesthetic and functionality to a variety of residential and commercial environments. One outstanding feature highly valued among business owners and homeowners is the ability of outdoor wall mounted light fixtures to withstand the vicissitudes of weather. Many regions of the United States and Canada are particularly humid and endure heavy rainfall throughout much of the year. For companies and homes in these regions, outdoor wall mounted lights provide a highly attractive, reliable source of illumination that enhances architecture and compliments landscape and outdoor lighting systems. Our online inventory categorizes outdoor wall mount fixtures by lamp options, and we include within these categories a variety of fixture, glass and finish options to comprehensively address the full gamut of aesthetic needs our many clients bring to the table.

What is the most energy efficient outdoor wall mount light fixture?
Fluorescent lights are currently the best option for those seeking bright light and lower energy overhead. This is especially true for commercial facilities such as warehouses, which need to light the perimeter and sidewalks around the building itself. The power saving efficiency of fluorescent technology combined with recent advances in ballast technology make them an ideal choice for organizations. Many of our models as well offer the added value of photocell timers that save power even more by turning the system on at dusk and off at dawn.

What is the best application for HID wall mounts?
HID wall mounted lighting fixtures are best utilized as commercial lighting compliments. High pressure sodium fixtures make them ideal for casting a bright circle of light around the perimeter of office buildings, parking areas, loading docks, and sidewalks.

What type of fixture works good over entrances and windows?
Incandescent wall mount lighting fixtures make ideal entryway lights for people moving in and out of buildings because they emit such a high level of bright light. Not only can businesses use these fixtures to maximize building safety, but also homeowners can install them over garage and work shed entrances. They also look equally attractive along the front or back walls of a residence with a long back porch. Since some people prefer to have more of a “fixture” than glass, and others prefer to minimize the metallic in favor of either clear or translucent glass, we carry incandescent wall mounted lights in both structural types. We provide both brass and bronze finishes for those looking to match decorum to specific period styles and decorative trends as well as those looking for the very best glasswork to distribute illumination.

Outdoor Wall Mount Light Fixture Accessories
Be sure as well when purchasing any outdoor wall mounted lighting fixtures to check with either the owner or your lighting design client to clarify their expectations for physical aesthetics. Often times people select the very best fixtures and lamping options for their needs, only to realize after the fact that the mounting itself looks to stark in contrast to the adjoining wall. For situations where a seamless blend is the most desirable fit, consider using wall-mounting accessories such as solid brass cap mounting pedestals, or rectangular brass canopies that help the lighting fixture to appear as part of the wall itself.

Lighting designers have more options when they choose RLLD as their vendor for outdoor lighting wall mount fixtures. Using us as a source of top commercial grade materials in all major lamping options gives contractors more choices to pass on to their clientele. The increase security of both office buildings and the commercial facilities operating at night is further enhanced with an outdoor lighting system that looks as good as it works. Public facilities as well can host evening events with enhanced comfort and peace of mind for members and guests, and the aesthetic of many outdoor wall mounted lighting fixtures qualifies them in some instances as high-end lighting pieces that look like they belong along the walkway of a country club, a five star resort, or large custom home.

Use our Ask an Expert e-forum to answer any questions you may have about outdoor lighting equipment and installation, or just pick up the phone now and call 1-800-239-2939 to speak with a representative in person free of charge.

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Recessed Commercial Accent Lighting Fixtures Add Mood & Ambiance To Any Space!

What benefits do commercial accent lighting fixtures offer?
Commercial accent lighting fixtures can help minimize liability by reducing safety hazards resulting from poor lighting conditions. They can also help improve security with increased illumination that down lights and area and dispels shadows from an overhead position. At the same time they maintain facility aesthetics by working to conceal their own appearance. While this is more of an intangible value than a tangible one, it no doubt stands to reason that a more attractive facility is better for morale, and more motivating to clients as a preferred vendor for business. A third benefit they offer is one of convenience. Because these recessed lighting fixtures are adjustable, commercial maintenance crews can handle any necessary fine-tuning without having to call a lighting consultant on site every time there is an issue with positioning.

What recessed accent lights offer the best financial return on investment?
Without a doubt, this would be HID recessed housing and trims. While HID admittedly costs more on the front end than other lamp types, it consumes less energy and requires the lowest frequency of replacement and maintenance. For companies looking to obtain a long-term ROI on procurement costs, HID is an excellent path to take towards better lighting and greater cost efficiency.

Our building is old and has non-insulated ceilings. What fixtures do you recommend?
Incandescent commercial accent lights in recessed housings and accompanying trims often feature thermal protection for non-insulated ceilings. We recommend these as the best course of action when there is any concern about fire hazard. We also strongly recommend you have your electrical wiring double-checked and talk to one of our specialists prior to working around any old wires or retrofitting outdated equipment.

Do you carry low voltage recessed accent lights that can be adjusted to light a large area?
Yes. Our lamping options offer 50W bulbs that deliver a clear, visible distribution of light around the area. These are considered special order items, and again, as in These are special order items, and we recommend speaking with a specialist on how best to integrate them into both security and aesthetic lighting systems.

We are a small public theater under a strict lease that prohibits cutting into ceilings. What recessed adjustable accent lighting do you have that can meet these requirements?
In your instance we recommend retrofit recessed accent lights. These are common in the arts community, being frequently seen in museums, libraries, and smaller art galleries. They mount directly to the ceiling without damaging the surface, and they and do a fantastic job of highlighting scene and action. RLLD carries both spotlights and gimbals that can easily accommodate the needs of both fine theater and musical productions on small or mid-sized stage.

We have a sloped ceiling. What do we do for that?
Sloped ceilings present a problem because they simply do not provide a convenient surface into which one can install a recessed lighting fixture. While it is true that many accent lights will physically fit a sloped ceiling, it is not true that they will functionally fit the ceiling. Furthermore, standard fixtures cannot be adequately adjusted to deliver a quality beam spread. Adjustable recessed accent housings and trims especially designed for sloped ceilings resolve this dilemma with socket aiming mechanisms that allow lamps to be aimed straight regardless of ceiling pitch and with captive bar hangers and telescoping housings that allow for precise vertical positioning and lock down.
Your friends at Residential Landscape Lighting & Design can assist you with any commercial lighting needs. Contact Us at 800-239-2939 or online at www.rlldesign.cm.

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