Winterizing your property should include a comprehensive consideration of your home and grounds, anticipating the needs related to the turn of temperature, snow on the ground, and shorter days which accompany winter. By turning to a landscape professional, all aspects of the process can be covered without overlooking any element of the outdoor design as it relates to the effects of winter. In Oyster Bay, NY, landscape professionals offer the guidance, expertise, and foresight to fully address all relevant landscape lighting adjustments as winter approaches.
Changing the Bulbs
If your current landscape lighting setup doesn’t use LED bulbs, now is the time to make a change. As leaves fall and become brittle and dry, they also present a fire hazard when set against bulbs that produce heat. Choose to incorporate bulbs that remain cool to the touch, and mitigate the risk of fire. In addition, the changing landscape as a result of the change of season requires different levels, intensities, and focuses of lighting, so lowering the wattage, changing the color, or adjusting the focus can be optimal. The reflectiveness of snow is also so incredible that a less intense light may be needed during winter.
Adjusting the Focus
Fall and winter outdoor activities will have different focuses than those of summertime outdoor fun. Instead of highlighting the pool area and flower beds, lighting should emphasize the fire pit, walkways, and other features that are most frequently used during the colder months. Outdoor fun and entertainment can still be possible during colder months; however, the functional use of your spaces will be different.
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Consider Timers
Landscape Lighting Oyster Bay NY - Adjustments Before Winter
As the seasons change, the length of the day and earlier sunsets will influence the amount of time spent outdoors. With adequate lighting, you can still enjoy your patio space, and setting up timers for your landscape lighting will make your home more approachable, safer, and more functional. Winter can be a time when the world seems dark and gloomy; adding light in a layered and thoughtful fashion can transform your property into a welcoming, happy environment throughout the colder months.
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Pre-Winter Inspection
Lighting generally includes a system of different fixtures and will involve electrical wiring. Before winter, these elements should undergo a thorough inspection for frayed wires, short circuits within the system, or blown out bulbs, and a qualified professional should be the one in charge of this process. To secure the safety of your property as well as lessen maintenance during the colder months, allow a specialist in the field to check over your property. Winterization should also include preparations for moisture from melting snow as it interacts with your lighting setup.
Incorporate Holiday Accent Lighting
As winter approaches, preparing for the holiday season can also play a role in your landscape maintenance. For lighting, this preparation might mean considering where decorative pieces will lie within the grounds and adjusting the light to highlight holiday pieces. Especially during the Christmas season, lighting will become a substantial portion of your landscape aesthetic, and the assistance of a professional landscape designer will allow you to maximize the effect of lighting with minimal effort and hazard.