Low Voltage vs. Solar Landscape Lighting

If you’ve spent countless hours and dollars on creating a beautiful landscape for your Marietta, Ga home, don’t let it get lost in the dark. Adding the appropriate landscape lighting will make your home stand out on the block even after the sun goes down. It will improve safety and visibility when you are coming home after a late night, and dramatically increase the curb appeal of your home. Solar landscape lighting is gaining popularity, but the ever popular low-voltage electric lights are still an extremely common option. Before you choose which type of lighting to use in your landscape, take a few minutes to compare the options. 

Solar Landscape Lighting

If you want to design and install the lighting for your home, solar is the way to go. You can install it just about anywhere because there is no wiring to run. All you need to do is make sure the photocells are receiving the appropriate amount of sunlight each day to charge the batteries and keep the lights on after dark.

Low-Voltage Electric Landscape Lighting

This is the most common choice for professional landscapers. The lights are very bright and they come in a wide variety of styles and finishes. But, they do require wiring so not everyone can install them. Low-voltage electric lighting gives you the option of installing a timer and it is a low-cost option.

The Pros and Cons

The most differentiating factor between solar lighting and low-voltage lighting is the brightness of the lights. If you are simply lighting a walkway or installing fence post accent lights, solar is the way to go. But, if you are trying to light up the front of your home, give your entertaining space some light after dark, or otherwise need a brighter light then low-voltage lights are they way to go. Even though solar lights aren’t as bright, they do offer homeowners the confidence of knowing that they pose no environmental concerns. Low-voltage lights require some wiring, and unless you are intimately familiar with electrical, it is best to leave that to a professional.

Carefully consider the end use of your landscape lighting and that will help you make the decision between solar and low-voltage. Talk to the professionals at C&M Residential about your concerns and the ideas you have in mind for your lighting, we’ll make sure to help you make the right choice for your Marietta, Ga home.

Img via marada on Flickr.