This week we spoke with Steve Dundon of Noosing Lighting, a retail lighting business servicing the Queensland Sunshine Coast for more than 20 years.
We asked Steve to clarify some common queries about outdoor lighting.
Question: Energy Smart, Eco Efficient are terms bandied about frequently these days in terms of lighting, the two main concerns for consumers being a) is their choice of lighting going to be friendly to the environment and b) is their choice of lighting going to keep energy bills to the minimum. What would your advice on this be?
Steve: There are several ways exterior lighting can be energy efficient and therefore friendly to the environment. The first and most obvious would be by using LED external lighting, these lights only draw a very small amount of power (less than 3 watts each in most cases) and have a very long expected life (80-100,000 hours for the quality fixtures).
Another way would be by using 12 volt halogen lighting. 12 volt halogen lamps for many fixtures have recently become available in a low energy version. For example a 12v 35watt IRC halogen lamp will give you 50 watts of light and a 20 watt IRC halogen will give you 35 watts of light.
Another option would be to use more commercial type fixtures using Metal Halide lamps, however the cost of these may be prohibitive to the average home owner. They are often used for commercial fit outs where the lights are on for long periods of time 7 days a week.
Question: Is there a certain voltage best suited to outdoor?
Steve: Yes, 12 volt lighting is still the best voltage to use externally. It is not as limiting as 240 volts as there is a wider range of 12 volt lighting available than 240 volt. Because it’s low voltage it’s safer and doesn’t need to be buried. The 240 volt does.
Question: Because outdoor lighting is exposed to the elements what particular features should we be asking for when purchasing?
Steve: 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel or copper is the best to use where possible. This said however, there are also differences in the quality of the 316 Stainless available.
316 Stainless from China, although cheaper, is generally far inferior in quality in comparison to Australian or Swedish manufactured 316 Stainless.
If you live near the coast, my advice would be not to substitute quality for price. In the long run it will cost more to replace fixtures. It’s important, even with higher quality fixtures to maintain them if they are not washed regularly by rain.
Question: What is the best way to maintain them?
Steve: For all types of stainless steel fittings, use a silicon spray and wipe them over using a soft cloth from time to time. Regular rain or hosing of fully exposed fixtures is also very useful.
Copper has the advantage of requiring little maintenance, however it’s important to note the shiny copper colour of the brand new product will not last and the copper will take on a much darker colour over quite a short time.
Question: Is there a difference between the type of lighting best suited to undercover areas and lighting which is totally exposed particularly in areas where the property is close to the seaboard?
Steve: Yes, external lighting carries an IP Rating, this stands for (I)ngress (P)rotection and will be followed by 2 numbers, the first number being between 1 and 6 is a rating against dust ingress and the second being between 1 and 8 is a rating against water ingress.
Under cover lighting should carry no less than an IP44 rating and fully exposed lighting should carry a rating no less than IP64, an IP68 rating is generally considered to be fully submersible.
Question: Theft of outdoor lights seems to be a growing problem. Is there a way to reduce the likelihood of having your expensive outdoor lights stolen?
Steve: The best way to protect against theft is to concrete your lights in where possible. If your lights are on a spike pushed into the ground, you can still set the spike into a small flower pot full of concrete and bury it. This also stops them from falling over when the ground is very wet.
Question: Is there any advice you can give on how to choose the right lighting for your outdoor areas?
Steve: The best advice I could give would be not to over light your garden. Large flood lights on the side of your house shining into the garden are fine if you are waiting for an enemy to sneak up on you in the middle of the night, but in reality they just make your home look like a prison exercise ground.
Subtle feature lighting can provide both security and ambience if used correctly. Noosa Lighting provides an onsite consultation service for garden lighting. Landscape gardeners or even your local electrician can also be a good source of advice.
The above photos are by courtesy of Noosa lighting and show some of their lighting projects. For further information about Noosa Lighting’s services, click here.
Effective outdoor lighting can transform any garden into something quite spectacular.
Light on Landscape (832 High Street, Armadale, Victoria) is a specialist in its field with 30 years of experience of both residential and commercial installations. The images below are a selection of their inspired projects. Light on Landscape can be contacted on (03) 9509 8000
Below are a selection of this season’s outdoor lights from Custom Lighting.
The image above shows the WIA Cathedral Collection in situ. The gentle shapes and subtle lines create a feeling of peace and tranquillity throughout any outdoor retreat, especially casual areas or naturalized garden spaces.
Also from WIA, the McCullam Collection features fine detailing and a multi-layered Brown Stone finish.
The ornamental scrollwork and cast filigree beautifully complement the Umber-Etched Seedy glass
WIA’s Half Moon Step light is understated, modern style for deck or patio in a choice of contemporary finishes.
ISG KIOTO BIG has high tech concepts but is also extremely decorative with the bright pressed cylindrical glass that covers the energy efficient lamp.
For further information about Custom Lighting’s outdoor range, click here.
Vondom’s versatile, illuminated outdoor furniture and Moma lights are at the cutting edge of outdoor illumination techniques.
Manufactured with cutting edge rotational moulding techniques, using recyclable polyethylene, the collection is available in an array of colours, models from KE-ZU. The MOMA collection can also be illuminated with white energy saving bulbs or remote controlled, programmable colour LED lights and are of course IP65 rated for external use.
Free standing lights and lanterns create a soft ambience to any Al Fresco occasion. Below are some of our favourites for this summer.
The Mora portable lamps (above) are inspired by traditional punched metal lamps from Morocco and The Middle East yet Mariscal has refined the form to a compact, pure geometry and embossed the faces of the lamps featuring an irregular hand drawn relief (which is typical of some of Mariscal’s art and rug designs).
Mora is IP65 rated for external use. Vondom’s illuminated outdoor furniture and Moma lights and Mora portable lamps are available from KE-ZU. For further details click here.
SteadySticks has added a series of lanterns to the company’s alfresco range this year. Available in red and white with rims in contrasting colours (above left), the lanterns are made from enamelled metal and mesure 30cm high. To enquire about stockists phone (02) 9986 3382.
Design Mode International has released a range of floor torch balls (above right), ideal for decorating outdoor spaces. The balls are available in black and white. Filled with oil, they burn for eight to ten hours. For stockist details phone (02) 9998 8200.
These versatile lights from Candela are portable and cordless making them perfect for outdoor entertaining. They have Eight hours of run time when recharged on the charging platter provided. LED technology eliminates the need to change bulbs for the life of the product. Candela Lights can be purchased at Koda Lighting. For enquiries phone (02) 9699 6007.
Candle light creates and ambiance like no other. This stunning Bubble Candle Panel from InteriorsOnline.com.au is a stunning piece of wall art during the day and at night provides a soft and ambient light source, casts fascinating shadows. It’s crafted from metal in rust finish and is suitable for indoor or covered outdoor areas. For further information click here.
These Lanterns from Kasbah Imports are imported from Morocco and will ad mystery and a touch of sultry glamour to outdoor dining. The Star Lantern (left) is 80cm long and is available in brown or silver for $400. The hanging lantern (right) is 60cm long and is available in brown only for $160.
For further details, click here.
These vibrant, handmade, papier mache tealights holders ($15 each) are made by HIV-positive women in Africa. They work from home & their income enables them to take greater control of their lives and support their families. When lit the delicate patterns are illuminated creating delightful patterns.
They are available at Garden Life (357 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills, Sydney). For further information call (02) 8399 0666.