| Of late, we have been enjoying an Indian summer | | | | It is the installation of this structural wiring that |
| drifting slowly into early autumn; sunny days, | | | | would make up a significant portion of your |
| pleasant evenings and the first few leaves | | | | investment. I realise it is a bit boring to invest in |
| starting to show some autumn color. It is | | | | the structural wiring but it cannot be |
| therefore, important that we make the most of | | | | over-emphasized how important it is. You really |
| these precious moments and enjoy them before | | | | need to invest in good quality cabling, breakers |
| the winter inevitably comes along. So, invite | | | | and junction boxes, because without a good |
| friends and family around, chill some drinks, light | | | | structure the light fittings (no matter how |
| the barbecue and sit back and relax. | | | | beautiful/expensive they are) will fail. |
| Autumn is also the traditional time for installing | | | | A good structure is the backbone of a good |
| lighting in the garden. Garden lighting can be used | | | | lighting system; it will keep you safe, it will be |
| in many ways: to extend the evening into the | | | | reliable and it will really last. With a good quality, |
| night, to lengthen and enjoy the seasons, to | | | | well thought through structure, you can run not |
| maximize the use of your garden from day into | | | | just your garden lights but your fountain, your |
| night, to provide soft, ambient light around your | | | | pond pumps and filters, your Christmas lighting, |
| outdoor dining table or to create an all-year-round | | | | the electric gates, power to your shed, recharge |
| view from the house. | | | | your electric car and run your security lighting. |
| So if you have made the decision to have garden | | | | You can also add to your lighting year after year |
| lighting, what's next? | | | | and allow it to develop alongside your growing |
| Well firstly, the technology of garden lighting has | | | | garden. Consider the installation of the structural |
| moved forward a long way over the last decade | | | | wiring as an investment in your property, like new |
| with the introduction of LED lighting, color change | | | | windows, a new roof or automatic gates; it will |
| and remote control. There is low voltage lighting, | | | | add value to your property. |
| mains voltage and even solar power. There is a | | | | Don't forget, that part of the structural wiring |
| bewildering array of light fittings costing from a | | | | planning is the choice of switching. No longer do |
| few pounds each to a few hundred pounds. So | | | | you need to "chase" switch wires back into |
| where do you start? | | | | houses; you can install inexpensive remote control |
| The first decision is to consider what you are | | | | switches, remote control handsets, picture panel |
| trying to achieve. If you simply wish to identify a | | | | switching or wire it into a house control system |
| pathway down to your shed or around the edge | | | | such as Lutron. |
| of your parking area then solar lighting may meet | | | | Once the structural wiring has been planned, you |
| your needs. Inexpensive, plentiful and requiring no | | | | can let your imagination run wild; what about using |
| skill to install, solar lighting is an easy entry to the | | | | moonlighting from a tall building or tree, create |
| market. Be under no illusion though, solar cannot | | | | reflections in still water, silhouette statues and |
| provide enough light output to illuminate a garden | | | | architectural plants or create gentle pools of light |
| feature, tree or pond and probably doesn't really | | | | around an outdoor dining area - the options and |
| come into the bracket of garden lighting. | | | | opportunities are limitless. Alternatively, employ |
| If however, you wish to create a view from your | | | | someone to design the lighting in your garden for |
| house by illuminating a feature of your garden, if | | | | you. They will come and listen to your needs and |
| you wish to create ambient light by which to | | | | requirements and make suggestions to bring the |
| entertain or eat alfresco, if you wish to create | | | | ideas to life, a simple process that takes you |
| different light levels around the garden to link the | | | | from where you are to where you want to be. |
| elements of the garden together or if you would | | | | At the end of the process, a completed lighting |
| like to illuminate either the front of your house or | | | | system will provide you with a completely new |
| your driveway then you will require electrical | | | | dimension for your property, will add value. |
| power to be run from your house or garage. | | | | |