Although underestimated at the office or any other type of building where there is vehicle traffic at any given time, driveway lighting is quite possibly one of the important, if not the most important form of lighting that should be installed and maintained.
Driveway lighting is basically what you use to illuminate your way as you back out or into your garage or parking space. Even though its primary use is meant for night time when vision is impaired by the dark, it can also be used during such times as when you have a heavy rainstorm, snowstorm or foggy weather which also impair vision.
Other than serving a functional purpose as both a lighting and security device, driveway lighting can also be used as part of exterior deco which adds to the beauty of the exterior appearance of the building. This is especially so since modern fashion and style extends to the physical designs of the bulbs, their frames, shade and various ways in which they can be installed. For example, we have driveway lighting that can be installed on high poles, on walls and even some that goes right into the ground or pavement and sticks out a little bit the same way a reflective “cat’s eye” would stick out on the highway.
When looking for driveway lighting, you must evaluate a few very important factors so you can ensure you get the right type of lighting and also ensure you have it installed the proper way. A couple of the main points to consider are:
• What size is your driveway? – You must look at the size of the intended driveway to be able to pick the right size and quantity of lights. This way, you will avoid a scenario where you buy small lights for a very large/long driveway which means you have to buy a larger number of them to cover the entire area than would have originally be necessary.
• To save on electricity bills, pick low voltage lighting – This means investing on power saving bulbs or even looking into solar powered lighting. Driveway lighting which is also used as part of security lighting needs to be on for long hours on end. Possible throughout the night and sometimes longer if the need arises due to fog or heavy snow/rainstorms which impede visibility. Remember that efficiency doesn’t necessarily need to cost more.
• Pick driveway lighting that is low maintenance and durable – Since you won’t be changing and altering your driveway lighting every day, you need to pick something which can run for long periods without you having to tinkle with it on the regular. This saves on time and also ensures that even when you do have to work on your driveway lighting, it isn’t something too complicated that needs a professional to even do small tasks such as changing a bulb or something of the sort.
• Consider what purpose you want your driveway lighting to serve – If you want it to be both functional and stylish, you should go for something fancy from the get go. No one needs to install something now then change it later. Proper preparation means you save on time and money by purchasing and installing exactly what you want, where you want it.
After you have gone through the proper steps and purchased exactly what you need, the installation depends largely on whether you prefer to do it yourself or call in a professional. The installation is a crucial stage that should be treated with utmost care to ensure everything is set properly and the final setup is both pleasing to the eye and serves its intended purpose which is to illuminate your driveway.
As with most things, driveway lighting comes in a great variety which works for all tastes, preferences and budgets out there. Here are a few examples of driveway lighting which would work for you:
1. Vonsolar Plastic Double-Head Solar Lights
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This is one package that can boast of holding both cost effectiveness and functionality as two of its most appealing qualities.
These are four bulbs which come packaged in twos as shown in the picture above. They are installed on a frame which has a solar panel on its top side and a protruding short pole which is used to mount them on a wall.
The bulbs themselves offer more than adequate lighting as they each contain two LEDS for added brightness and can last up to 8 hours if you do charge them fully. What this means is that you need to ensure the solar panels are properly exposed to sunlight so they can soak up all the solar energy they need to charge the single battery needed to run each pair of lights.
When you purchase these economically sound and very functional driveway lights, you receive:
- Four 140mA solar panels
- One rechargeable 800mA battery
- Four super bright bulbs each carrying its own two LEDs
- The two frames/poles which hold the entire setup together
Not only do you get to illuminate you driveway in a beautiful and elegant way from Vonsolar, you also save on cost of purchase which is only $13.99 for each pair and to top it all off, you never have to worry about power bills!
http://www.amazon.com/Vonsolar-VSE02126-C1-Plastic-Double-Head-Wall-Mounted/dp/B0040Q6X4M/ref=sr_1_133?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1303299675&sr=1-133
2. Kerr Paver Light
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This is yet another form of sturdy and trendy driveway lighting. If you want to have an installation that doesn’t take up much space or remains exposed in the form of pole or wall mountings, then you need to take paver lights as your main option.
Any brick pavement or wall has a standard measurement of 4 x 8 inch spaces to hold its bricks and this paver light from Kerr Lighting is made to fit snugly into that exact space. In other words, it measures exactly 4 x 8 inches and once you dig out a brick from your pavement or wall, you can just slip it in the vacant spot left and fill the edges with something like concrete so it can set in properly and be stable.
What advantages are you looking at with these paver lights? Well, for one, damages arising from being hit by passers-by, children playing or such are very minimal. The fact that this light is buried into either the pavement or wall, as per your preference, means that it has some form of protection against all these. That translates into another advantage which is the fact that it is easily accessible for you during maintenance and cleaning but remains inaccessible for your children who may tamper with it during play.
These strong paver lights allow you to drive and walk over them and provide illumination for up to 10 hours over a life span of about 4 to 6 years for the bulbs.
Light up your driveway with these incandescent lamps and create a warm inviting appearance for a price of $21.99 each which also includes free technical assistance from JB-INC and a 2 year warranty from the manufacturer. These paver lights are fit for both home and commercial use for company parking slots and the like.
http://www.amazon.com/Kerr-Lighting-Commercial-Installation-Individual/dp/B001U2YGR0/ref=sr_1_48?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1303299521&sr=1-48
3. Driveway Patrol Sensor and Receiver Kit
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This is another form of driveway lighting that works great as an energy saver because it only operates based on the presence of a person, car or any other moving object which triggers its sensors.
The package comes with a portable receiver and the accompanying lighting device which can be fixed on a post, wall or garage wall using screws. It is weather resistant and operates within a 400 foot range which is quite enough for a home.
One of the added advantages of this particular setup is that the portable receiver, which is installed inside the house/building, has a setting which allows it to emit an audible tone whenever the sensor outside detects movement and the light switched on.
Another great advantage on the power saving front is that the light can be programmed to illuminate the driveway only when the sensor detects movement. That means you only use it when you need it.
What’s more, the entire setup is very easy to install as it requires no wiring and is easy to assemble. All you need to do is just screw the two devices in their respective positions inside and outside the house (whether on a pole, mailbox, garage door etc).
TELEBrands offers this driveway lighting package which contains the portable receiver, incandescent light and screws for $17.78 Remember to buy the one 9-volt and three C-cell batteries which come separately.
http://www.amazon.com/Driveway-Patrol-Sensor-Receiver-Kit/dp/B0000645RH/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1303298913&sr=1-5
4. Solar LED Tiffany-Style “Delicate Leaf” Light
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Here is a prime example of both style and elegance working even on a functional and energy saving form of lighting.
The advantages of these post caps do not let up. For example:
- They operate on solar energy which means you can scrap high electricity bills’ resulting from lighting that stays on for up to 12 hours off your list of things to pay for.
- You create a charming exterior deco for your home with these charming and beautifully decorated lights which create lovely patterns from the different coloured glass panels and their layout.
- You are assured of adequate lighting which comes from a reflective panel that works with the LEDs to create a light that is four times brighter! That means you can just buy one for a small driveway or two to four for a very long one.
- Very easy to install as the setup doesn’t require any wiring. That means you can do it yourself and do not have to call in a professional. This also translates into easier maintenance later in case you need to clean the light, replace bulbs or batteries and such.
- There is provision for you to change up the look of the wooden base which can be painted or altered decoratively with the materials of your choice to reflect your personal taste and style.
In short, these lights cover almost every single need with a versatility that is unparalleled.
These beautiful and stylish driveway lights are manufactured by DEC and can be bought from TJB-INC for $48.59 a piece and each light comes with its own two rechargeable batteries.
http://www.amazon.com/Solar-Tiffany-Style-Delicate-Bridges-Fences/dp/B002BRKSIY/ref=sr_1_206?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1303299797&sr=1-206
5. 3-Light Outdoor Pole/Post Lantern
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If you are looking to purchase driveway lighting with an old and classic look, then this 100” high pole with a 24” diameter which holds three 100watt lights is just the thing for you. Its height ensures that just one of these lights up and covers a wider area than a light placed on a wall or short post like those which hold up a mailbox.
The pole is made of aluminium and comes in either a rustic finish or solid black which can complement the look you wish to create for your driveway. Its three bulbs have a lifespan of approximately 2,500 hours which translates into almost a year if we assume that the light will stay on for an average of 8 hours each night.
This is a great investment for those who may want to share the cost of buying a driveway light together. For example, you and your neighbour may want to use one light which will be placed in the middle of your two driveways. This beautifully designed lighting which features clear glass panels should work very well for you. For one home, just one can be used to illuminate your driveway, front porch and garden at the same time due to its wide coverage.
Maxim Lighting gives you an amazing bargain which sees you save $160.98 by offering it at $286.02 instead of the original $447.00 for one package which includes the pole and its anchor bolts for in-ground mounting, three 100watt bulbs and appropriate wires for the electrical connection.
http://www.amazon.com/Maxim-Lighting-1105BK-3-Light-Outdoor/dp/B000JU5QAA/ref=sr_1_6?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1303298913&sr=1-6
NOTE:
Make sure your driveway lighting is installed in a location which isn’t inconveniencing to passersby or even yourself. This means you should look for areas which do not obstruct traffic or pose a danger to young children from short poles or electrical connections which they can easily access.
Finding a secure and good location also means you will have an easier time accessing your driveway lighting for maintenance purposes.
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