Outdoor lighting is not just a functional necessity; it’s a creative way to enhance the beauty, safety, and ambiance of your outdoor spaces. In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits, installation process, creative applications, and advantages of permanent outdoor lights. There are many options out there that all vary greatly in cost, but this will post will focus on ShawTech Lighting’s DIY kits as an accessible and reliable solution.
Benefits of Permanent Outdoor Lights
- Enhanced Safety and Security: Adequate outdoor lighting reduces the risk of accidents by illuminating pathways, stairs, and potential hazards. Well-lit outdoor areas also discourage trespassers and enhance the security of your property.
- Extended Usability: With permanent outdoor lights, you can make the most of your outdoor spaces, even after dark. This is perfect for hosting gatherings, enjoying a quiet evening, or simply appreciating the beauty of your surroundings.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Outdoor lights can transform the look of your space, highlighting architectural features, landscaping elements, and decorative focal points. With the right lighting, you can create a warm, inviting atmosphere that complements your personal style.
- Use for Any Occasion: Permanent outdoor lights can be used for more than just architectural or security lighting. Because they can change to just about any color pattern you want, you can use it for any occasion such as holidays or game day parties.
Installation Process of ShawTech Lighting DIY Kits
ShawTech Lighting’s DIY kits offer a convenient way to install permanent outdoor lights without the need for professional help. Follow these general steps to set up your lights, but make sure to use the actual instructions included with the kits:
- Plan Your Lighting Layout: Determine how many feet of lights you need and where you want to place them. Do you want to do just the front of your house, or do you want to go all the way around? The layout will vary a lot depending on your roof, but in general you want to run them from one side of the house to the other in a single direction with as few branches as possible.
- Gather Materials: ShawTech Lighting DIY kits come with everything you need to install permanent outdoor lights except for the trim used to mount it to your house. We recommend using vinyl j-channel because it’s inexpensive, easy to work with, and looks pretty good. You can also use any other trim or channel of your choosing as long as it has 12mm holes. You will also need some tools to cut the channel, drill 12mm holes, and stripping and splicing wires. The kits are currently available in 100FT and 150FT sizes.
- Test Everything Before Starting: The first thing you want to do after buying and receiving a DIY kit is to test the controller box and the LEDs to make sure they work properly. To do this you just need to plug in the controller box and then plug the LEDs into the box using the included cables. If the lights turn orange you’re good to go!
- Prepare the Trim or Channel: You will then need to prepare all the j-channel by cutting it to the required lengths and drilling 12mm holes every 6 inches.
- Install Lights: Following the instructions included in the kit, insert the LEDs into the channel, attach the piece of channel to your eaves, and cut and splice wires as instructed. Test the lights after every new wire splice or connection, as it will make any future troubleshooting much easier.
- Test and Adjust: Once installed, test the lights to ensure they’re working properly. Make any necessary adjustments to the positioning for optimal illumination.
Creative Applications of Permanent Outdoor Lighting
- Pathway Illumination: The downward glow of lights attached to your eaves can subtly illuminate pathways and guide guests safely.
- Accent Lighting: Use permanent outdoor lights to accentuate architectural features, such as columns, archways, and rooflines.
- Outdoor Entertaining: Install eave lights over outdoor seating areas or patios to create a cozy and inviting ambiance for gatherings.
- Holiday Lighting: Permanent outdoor lighting is very versatile and can also be used for celebrating holidays or other parties, using the thousands of color options available.
Advantages Over Temporary Alternatives
Permanent outdoor lights, such as those from ShawTech Lighting, offer several advantages over temporary solutions:
- Durability: Permanent lights are designed to withstand the elements, ensuring long-lasting performance even in harsh weather conditions with minimal maintenance.
- Ease of Use: DIY kits make installation simple and convenient, eliminating the need for frequent setup and takedown. They are controlled with an app on your mobile device, allowing you to easily control them and set light schedules.
- Consistent Lighting: Unlike temporary lights that might require frequent bulb changes, permanent lights offer consistent illumination over time. The LEDs used in the ShawTech DIY Kits are rated for 35,000 hours, so you shouldn’t need to replace lights nearly as often as with temporary alternatives.
To Wrap It Up
Permanent outdoor lights, such as ShawTech Lighting’s DIY kits, offer an accessible and reliable solution for illuminating your outdoor spaces. With their easy installation, consistent illumination, and variety of creative applications, these lights can transform your outdoor areas into captivating and inviting environments that can be enjoyed day and night. So why wait? Illuminate your outdoor spaces and experience the benefits of permanent outdoor lighting today.
