Home Removal Services Blog

Just a few years ago it seemed quite rare to find people lighting their garden in the evening, which may have been due to the limited lighting options available then. Now though there is a huge choice of outdoor lighting available to satisfy most projects and budgets, with outdoor LED lighting emerging as a dominant player in this field.

And it’s easy to see why, since LED garden lighting enables attractive and hitherto unachievable effects that are at the same time simple to install and inexpensive to both purchase and operate. They are also quite safe around delicate plants, animals and children thanks to their very low power consumption and corresponding absence of heat.

LED garden lighting is typically powered the same way as conventional garden lighting, with individual light fittings connected to a 12v DC low voltage power supply cable, fed by a transformer connected to the mains (located indoors). However LED garden lights use only ten percent as much electricity as traditional systems using incandescent bulbs (including halogen lamps).

Traditional incandescent light bulbs operate by burning a filament that turns electricity into mostly heat (about 90%) and some light (up to 10%) whereas LED light bulbs electronically excite electrons which as a result cause photons (visible light) to be emitted. The nice part about such Light Emitting Diodes is that the heat to light ratio is the exact reverse with 90% of the input electricity now converted to light.

What this all means is that LED lights have two important characteristics. Firstly since most of the energy is converted to light not heat they run comparatively cool (you can certainly touch them). Secondly they need ten times less electricity to create the same light levels (a 5w LED will match a 50w incandescent) and accordingly cost ten times less to run. LED lights also have life spans twenty or more times longer thus reducing maintenance overheads.

On the issue of the quality of white light produced by LED lights, the Colour Rendering Index which assesses how faithfully an object is depicted using artificial light rates them highly. The basic color choice for most LED garden lights is white but they also come in a wide selection of other stunningly rich colours too.

The light that is emitted by an LED is a pure color, meaning that it represents just one part of the spectrum rather than being a blend of colors. This tends to give them a somewhat metallic, gem like appearance – think sapphire blue, emerald green, diamond white and ruby red. LED lights are also by nature very directional which makes them ideal for spot lighting, though other effects are easy to create using diffusers and filters.

Nowadays of course you can find LED outdoor lights in all manner of different types: rock lights; floodlights; patio and deck lights; wall wash effects; lanterns; spikes; integrated in garden ornaments; submerged in ponds; pagodas, and bollards. Yet the most enduring style still seems to be the LED spot light.

Finally, a simple checklist of points to consider when buying LED garden lights.

First be aware of the low power needs – even a tiny 1w LED will seem remarkably bright in a dark garden.

Second check how widely spread out narrowly focused the beam angle is and whether that suits your intended purpose.

Third, the electronic circuitry in most LED lights is easily ruined if the outer casing is not robust enough to keep out moisture.

Finally, where LED lights are concerned cost and quality go hand in hand and you will tend to get what you pay for.

The weather is improving outside and the garden may be increasingly on your mind. If you want your garden to be the outdoor space you’ve dreamed of, now is the time to make a start!

Due to the relatively poor weather that homeowners experience in the UK, the garden as an outside living space tends to be something that is only considered as the weather warms up in spring and summer. If you have ideas for re-developing your garden then advance planning is the secret. Given the huge cost of moving house, many homeowners are now choosing to spend the money on developing their existing houses and outdoor spaces.

With finances being more of an issue in this climate, outdoor spaces that are both affordable and practical are ever the more important. There are no set rules governing the design of your garden as everyone’s idea of the perfect garden varies.

A Safe Place to Play!

Does the garden provide a stimulating and fun play environment that is safe for the kids? Child proofing the outdoor space spans a whole host of issues such as the review of existing perimeter fencing (how secure is it?); removal of dangerous plants / trees; replacement of chipped / broken pavers; installation of an approved children’s play surface to ensure added safety around fixed play equipment e.g. slides / swings; installation of a year round outdoor play area in the guise of a decked or paved patio.

Think long and hard about the safety measures and remember that toddlers and older children require different safety solutions.

A Driveway to be Proud of!

If you have ever had to drive around the roads adjacent to your house searching for a place to park, then an off street parking space might be just what the doctor ordered. A practical, clean driveway will give you stress free and immediate access to your house.

One interesting legal point is that unless you are working with a permeable driveway product planning permission may be required.

Here Comes the Good Life

Whilst making your dream garden space, be sure not to overlook the need for a “grow your own” zone. Growing your own groceries can be a great deal of fun and extremely economical. You’ll also be reducing your family’s carbon footprint.

Entertaining Outdoors

If you are like me then you’ll enjoy the more informal dinner party that is possible in a garden dinning area. Good lighting, practical access to the kitchen, a nice patio or decked surface and of course a lovely barbecue make this all possible. Consider every aspect of this when going through the planning stage, as it’s way more practical and economical to include this early on in the process than to add it as an after thought.

Once you’ve had a chance to think through the changes you want to make to your outdoor space, it pays to bring in the professionals and seek guidance on a realistic price which should detail all the installation and labour costs, along with an anticipated time frame.