COMPLETE GUIDE TO PLANNING AND PLACING LANDSCAPE LIGHTING FIXTURES.
SPOT LIGHTS
Spot lights are the go-to fixture to highlight elements of your landscape that add the most visual appeal, such as foliage, trees and architectural elements. Hinkley offers a wide rangeof spotlights to fit any need, available in both 12V and 120V.
DECIDING ON THE SCOPE OF YOUR PROJECT IS A CRITICAL FIRST STEP. Lighting up a single tree or adding path lights can usually be done relatively quickly and will immediately make a dramatic difference. Smaller projects like these can often be achieved in one day on your own or with guidance from your local lighting showroom.
For larger projects or properties with multiple areas or sloped lawns, enlisting the help of a lighting professional is recommended. Their knowledge of employing the correct ratio of lumens, beam spreads, lighting controls, and proper layering techniques will result in a sophisticated design plan that is also energy efficient. Take the time to research their portfolio of work and talk candidly about your goals and expectations. Larger projects require research and expert recommendations regarding the layout and installation to ensure it’s done properly.
PIER + POST MOUNT LANTERNS
Pier mounts are incredibly versatile and designed to deliver the benefits of wall mount lanterns. When added to the entrance of driveways, decks or pathways, their presence transforms routine, high-traffic areas to a sophisticated, welcoming and well-lit environment. Many of Hinkley’s pier mounts coordinate with hanging or wall-mounted lanterns, as well as path lighting, to create a cohesive property.
LUNA STEP LIGHTS
Available in 12V and 120V and a variety of colors (both double and single gang), the Luna Step Light is a versatile way to safely illuminate areas of foot traffic both indoors and out. Also fully dimmable, these fixtures allow customization of light output with only 4W of power consumption.
OUTDOOR PENDANTS + CHANDELIERS
Exterior pendants and hanging lanterns can be used as a lighting source to illuminate and accent an outdoor dining space. A general guideline to follow is the same as interior pendants, which is for the bottom of the fixture to sit 28"-34" above the table.
OUTDOOR LANTERNS
Lanterns mounted at a point of entry to the home provide safety, security, and a welcoming decorative element.
ONE LANTERN should measure about 1/3 the height of your door.
TWO LANTERNS should measure about 1/4 the height of the door. In all cases, the center of the light source should rest about 66" above the threshold.
OUTDOOR FANS
Wet-rated fans are a must in any area exposed to the elements. Spaces like covered porches and sunrooms, where condensation or high humidity are factors, also benefit from outdoor fans. Hinkley Fans allow customization on both the aesthetic and operational elements to jazz up the look and usability for the coolest solution to outdoor living spaces.
PATH LIGHTING
Path lighting is the perfect way to add style and safety to a walkway. Lights should be placed about 6' apart from one another, and staggered on either side of the path. Consider the light output of your fixtures to determine spacing that keeps the light from overlapping. Hinkley offers a wide range of styles, available in both 12V and 120V.
TRANSFORMER
Transformers convert your 120 Volt household current to 12 Volt. Calculate the total lamp wattage, or VA for LED, that your system requires and choose a transformer powerful enough to handle the total wattage/VA with extra capacity.
EXTERIOR INSTALLATION on the side or back of the home must be mounted 12" from the ground next to an outlet.
INTERIOR INSTALLATION such as in a basement, garage or shed must
be listed for that application. UL code also requires an additional plate to guard against fire and conduit must be used when running wiring through an interior wall.
SHADOWING
Shadowing is an effect created by placing a light source, often a spot light, in front of an object and projecting a shadow onto a surface behind the object, such as the shadow of a tree onto a home's facade.
WALK RIGHT UP
The Top Advantages Of Lighting Up Your Landscape
Landscape lighting is fundamental for creating a perfectly curated property, but the benefits are multi-dimensional, providing enhancements beyond simple illumination.
FLEXIBILITY
You can start slowly and gradually add more light fixtures as your time, budget, or exterior space allow—it’s all in your hands!
INCREASED SAFETY
Improve navigation around your home and eliminate the dark areas of your home’s exterior for added safety.
ADDED SECURITY
Well-lit areas discourage potential intruders from approaching your property. Eliminate the dark areas of your home’s exterior for added security.
EXTEND YOUR LIVING SPACE
Crafting a well-lit outdoor living area creates a multi-dimensional home that can be enjoyed day and night.
ECO-EFFICIENCY
LED technology is the backbone of any lighting plan and will provide long-term cost savings with almost zero maintenance.
IMPROVED HOME VALUE
Well-designed landscape lighting reinforces aesthetic appeal and makes your home look more captivating.
Lighting The Way To Safety
In addition to providing a luminous glow to the rustic outdoors, exterior lighting is often installed to increase safety outside the home. Let’s shed some light on how to increase safety with hardscape and pathway lights!
STEP LIGHTING PATH LIGHTING
Hardscape lighting for deck, step and patio applications are specifically designed with safety in mind, and can be installed into masonry and wood constructions. For example, to illuminate stairs leading up to an entry way, a surface mounted hardscape light, such as Hinkley’s Nuvi, can be placed under each step.
SAFETY LIGHTING & SECURITY LIGHTING ARE NOT THE SAME, ALTHOUGH THE TWO SHOULD WORK IN UNISON TO PROVIDE ULTIMATE PROTECTION FOR THE HOME.
Path lighting is used in a variety of diverse applications, but its most beneficial effect is safety. For the best results, stagger path lights to create pools of light that illuminate walkways, such as paths leading up to the front door. Path lighting can also enhance dynamic landscaping elements such as flower beds and shrubbery.
BONUS! Here, the Hardy Island path lights and Republic lantern provide both effects – safety and charm.
8 STEPS TO GET YOUR LIGHTING RIGHT
The best outdoor lighting plans expand your living environment, heighten curb appeal, and add safety to your outdoor space. We recommend taking a smart and measured approach to ensure your lighting design is pure perfection:
Assess your home’s exterior and select the areas you want to illuminate. 1
5
Select your fixtures and accessories based on installation requirements and landscaping needs.
Choose decorative fixtures that complement your home’s architecture and landscaping elements. 2
6
Consider the appropriate lamping based on light intensity and beam spread.
HOW TO SELECT A TRANSFORMER
WHEN CALCULATING YOUR LANDSCAPE LIGHTING BUDGET, consider the full scope of the project even if you are planning to do it in phases. In most cases, it’s wise to invest in a larger transformer than you’ll initially need, so you can add more light sources as your landscape matures, water or architectural features are added in, or your outdoor living areas expand. We recommend allowing for an extra 20% capacity to accommodate these kinds of additions down the road. To the right is a quick and easy guide to calculating the size of transformer required to power your home’s landscape lighting plan.
UNDER CONTROL
WATCH YOUR STEP
REDUCE POTENTIAL DANGER AROUND ENTRYWAYS AND OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES BY ADDING LED STEP LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE MULTI-LEVEL DECKS, ENTRY STEPS, PATIOS, AND WHEELCHAIR RAMPS.
Choose from a variety of distinctive lighting techniques.
(See our guide to LANDSCAPE LIGHTING TECHNIQUES for more information) 3
Research energyefficient LED fixture options for longterm savings. 4
Choose controls to turn the lights on and off, adding an additional maintenance-free amenity 8 Select the proper transformer to provide the correct power supply 7 LEARN MORE BELOW
IDENTIFY THE WATTAGE (OR VA FOR LED) OF EACH OF THE FIXTURES IN YOUR LIGHTING PLAN
CALCULATE THE TOTAL WATTAGE/VA
CALCULATE APPROXIMATELY 20% FOR FUTURE GROWTH
SELECT THE PROPER TRANSFORMER TO MEET YOUR TOTAL POWER NEED
Consider utilizing a dimmer or a smart home control system with your landscape lighting systems. The Hinkley Smart Control + Dimmer helps to reduce power usage and allows you to create different moods throughout the day by setting timing and brightness preferences.
CREATE YOUR IDEAL OUTDOOR AMBIANCE
SMART LANDSCAPE WIRELESS CONTROL + DIMMER
The Hinkley Smart Landscape Controller paired with the Hinkley Home Automation App gives you complete control over your landscape and compatible outdoor low-voltage lighting anytime from anywhere.
EASY TO INSTALL
The wireless landscape controller plugs into any Hinkley Pro Series Transformer and includes eight 10 AWG independent taps.
• Low voltage 300W controller, powered by transformer output tap.
• Mounts to side through conduit hole in transformer.
• Connector harness adds two pairs of 10AWG independent taps.
• Two independent 75W dimmer zones for a total of 150W.
• Two independent 75W switched zones for a total of 150W.
• Flicker-free dimming including low levels.
• Bluetooth pairing to smart device, controlled by WiFi.
• App reports watts per zone.
• 600W or larger transformer can use multiple controllers.
HINKLEY HOME AUTOMATION APP
Whether you are home or away, you can control your home’s landscape lighting at the touch of a button. Increase curb appeal and the safety of your property by maintaining consistent outdoor lighting no matter where you are.
Upgrade your home automation system to control the timing and brightness of connected fixtures. Easily create customized lighting patterns, timings, and schedules that perfectly complement your property’s outdoor living spaces, gardens, and entryways. Maintain consistent outdoor lighting wherever you are to enhance your home’s curb appeal and add much-needed safety.
Within the app, you can:
Easily set lighting zones that can be controlled separately or together
