House Uplighting 101: Beautify Your Home with Lights!
House uplighting is more than just a way to illuminate the outside of your home. It’s a popular choice with homeowners because it significantly enhances aesthetic appeal, safety, and value. In this article, you’ll learn all about house uplighting and its many benefits.
Table of Contents
- What is House Uplighting?
- What are the Benefits of Uplighting My House?
- What Types of Lights are Used for Uplighting?
- Where to Place Uplighting on a House?
- How Many Lumens to Uplight a House?
- Is it Better to Have Uplighting or Downlighting?
- Why You Should Hire a Professional for House Uplighting
- Final Thoughts
- Related Resources
- Need More Help?
What is House Uplighting?
House uplighting is a lighting technique where light fixtures are placed low to the ground, directing their light upwards to cast a warm, inviting glow onto your home’s exterior. This method is adept at highlighting architectural features of your house that might otherwise blend into the night, enhancing the beauty of your property significantly.
What are the Benefits of Uplighting My House?
Uplighting your house can significantly enhance your property’s aesthetic appeal and function. Let’s delve into the top three benefits of adopting this sophisticated lighting technique.
1. Architectural Enhancement
One of the key benefits of uplighting is the way it accentuates your home’s architectural features. Whether it’s an intricate brick pattern, unique window trims, or a bold eave design, uplighting can highlight these elements and make them stand out. The play of light and shadow gives depth and dimension to your house, showcasing its architectural charm that could otherwise go unnoticed.
Imagine a beautiful column of light tracing up the height of a towering column or softly illuminating a textured stone wall – that’s the visual magic uplighting can create.
2. Increased Safety and Security
Besides its aesthetic appeal, uplighting contributes to enhancing the safety and security of your property. Well-lit exteriors deter potential intruders by eliminating dark corners where someone could hide. Similarly, by illuminating paths, entrances, and uneven areas, uplighting helps reduce the risk of accidents, making it safer for you and your guests to navigate around the property after dark.
3. Improved Curb Appeal Increases Property Value
A well-lit home looks inviting and well-maintained. Uplighting can create a dramatic or subtle ambiance, depending on how it’s used, making your property stand out in your neighborhood. If you’re considering selling your house, this could potentially increase its market value as first impressions count, and a well-lit exterior certainly makes a positive one.
What Types of Lights are Used for Uplighting?
Uplighting can be achieved with various types of lights.
- LED lights are often the go-to choice because of their energy efficiency and long lifespan.
- Halogen lights, though less energy-efficient, can produce a warm and welcoming light.
- For the eco-conscious homeowners, solar uplighting presents an environmentally friendly option that utilizes solar energy, thus reducing your electricity costs.
Where to Place Uplighting on a House?
Generally, uplighting fixtures are installed a few feet away from the wall and angled upward at about 30 degrees. This placement ensures an even spread of light, providing a balanced and harmonious look. Of course, this angle should be adjusted based on the specific feature being highlighted.
The specific placement of uplighting fixtures largely depends on the architectural elements you wish to highlight. For example:
If you have a beautiful brick or stone facade, uplighting can emphasize the intricate masonry, showcasing its unique texture. Similarly, any distinct architectural features, such as columns, arches, or eaves, can be accentuated by placing uplighting fixtures beneath them.
For houses with a multilevel design or a steep roof, uplighting can highlight these aspects and emphasize the height or the design complexity.
How Many Lumens to Uplight a House?
Lumens measure the amount of light emitted by a source. While the number of lumens required for uplighting can vary based on individual needs, a general rule of thumb is to aim for 400-600 lumens per fixture.
Larger properties or houses with pronounced features may need higher lumen fixtures. The goal is to achieve a subtle, appealing illumination, not a harsh, overwhelming brightness.
Is it Better to Have Uplighting or Downlighting?
Uplighting and downlighting both serve unique purposes, and the choice often depends on your specific requirements.
Downlighting mimics moonlight, providing a more natural feel and enhancing visibility along pathways and entranceways. Uplighting, on the other hand, is more dramatic, emphasizing the architectural beauty or landscaping features of your home.
Bottom Row: examples of downlighting.
In a nutshell, house uplighting is a versatile way to accentuate your property’s unique elements while enhancing safety and value. It’s all about choosing the right type of light, planning the placement carefully, and balancing the lumens for the perfect glow. A professional can help you decide whether one or the other technique is best for what you’re trying to accomplish.
Why You Should Hire a Professional for House Uplighting
There are some compelling reasons to consider hiring a professional to implement house uplighting. Lighting design is an art that combines technical know-how with aesthetic sense, and landscape lighting professionals in this field have the experience and training to strike the perfect balance.
1. Outdoor Lighting Knowledge
First, the pros have an extensive knowledge of different types of lighting fixtures and their best uses, including the most energy-efficient options and how to install them safely. They can advise on the best type of lighting for your specific property and the environmental conditions it faces.
Their technical expertise ensures your lighting fixtures are installed correctly, minimizing potential risks of malfunction or damage.
2. An Eye for Design
They understand how light impacts a space and can use their skills to enhance the architectural features of your home effectively. They know where to place lights for the most dramatic and appealing effect, and they can suggest ideas that you might not have considered.
Hiring a professional means you’re not just getting lights installed, you’re acquiring a comprehensive lighting plan that can transform your home’s exterior.
3. Professional Results
A professional installation ensures a high level of quality and durability. Professionals are paid to execute properly from start to finish, significantly reducing the chances of future issues.
That means they tend to use higher quality materials while also knowing where it’s best to save money. The peace-of-mind knowing that your lighting project is in capable hands can be worth the investment.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to uplighting your house, the expertise, creativity, and technical skills that a professional offers will make a significant difference. Consider hiring a professional outdoor lighting company as the the best way to ensure a well-lit home.
Related Resources
- Outdoor Lighting page
- Everything you need to know about landscape lighting
- When to install landscape lighting
- Exterior lighting ideas
- How outdoor lighting protects your home
- Can you bury landscape lighting?
- Driveway landscaping ideas
- Get a free estimate form
Need More Help?
Need a landscape lighting expert to uplight or downlight your home? Just contact American Landscapes here for a free, no-obligation estimate. Or call us at (513) 947-8727.
You can also learn more about our lawn care applications and treatments, landscaping, and outdoor lighting services by reading our blog. In addition to fertilizer and weed control, we provide mosquito control, lawn aeration, lawn seeding, and much more.
