Your home should have outdoor lighting, both for physical safety and for security. However, outdoor lighting is one of those features people often overlook until it’s time for an upgrade.
Many people don’t understand what goes into light placement, either. That means plenty of homes may have lighting that’s inadequate for good security. Good outdoor lighting depends not only on the amount of light, but also on placement and the type of light.
Incorrect Placement Can Be Almost as Undesirable as No Lighting
Having some outdoor lighting is better than having none. However, if you’re not careful about how you angle the lights, you could create more security problems.
Outdoor lighting should expose the walkways and doorways around your home. In other words, when that light turns on, you should be able to see whatever the light is shining on. However, if the light is angled improperly, it could create an extra shadow instead. If the shadow is big enough, it could allow someone to hide there. Meanwhile, you might gain a false sense of security, thinking the light will deter potential intruders.
When you replace your outdoor lighting, take advantage of the opportunity to reposition and move the lights. It’s much better if you can have a lighting or landscaping company create a custom lighting layout for your property.
Motion-Sensing Lights Can Act Like Visual Alarms
A motion-sensing light is a great tool for enhancing home security. It immediately illuminates the area around it, and it can startle anyone trying to sneak around the property. It can also make your neighbors pay attention if they happen to have a view of your house.
If you’ve got a relatively close community on your block, those neighbors may realize that the light went on at a time when it normally doesn’t. Those neighbors may notice unusual activity and take appropriate action.
Lumens Depend on the Purpose of the Lighting
You may think that outdoor security lighting all has to be very bright. It’s true that much of the lighting should be able to illuminate your property well. But the actual brightness level, or lumens, for each bulb varies depending on the purpose of the light.
Those motion-sensing floodlights along the path to each door, for example, should provide more illumination. If your neighbors are looking outside, they should be able to see the lights from where they’re standing. But ground-level pathway lights don’t have to be that intense.
This variety makes outdoor lighting sound more complicated than it is. Rather than puzzling over what type of lights to put where, speak with professionals who know what works.
Outdoor lighting plays several roles in keeping your property a safe, comfortable place to be. Take the time to find the right types of lights and to position them correctly. The results are well worth your efforts. If you live in Palm Beach, FL or a surrounding area and need outdoor lighting services, make your first call to Tropical Irrigation.