Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508300041
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOE HUNNINGS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Recent technology makes lighting more worry-free. Infrared motion detectors (IMDs) can be installed to turn on lights when any motion is detected in the monitoring area. They are set to respond to humans, so animals passing in the night won't turn on the lights.
IMDs sense motion up to 70 feet away. They should be installed above the ground in a tree or near the roof to cover a broader area.
Automatic timers and remote controls also can make outdoor lighting very convenient for the homeowner. Timers automatically turn on outdoor lighting at a given time, and remote controls allow the homeowner to turn lights on from inside or outside the home. The remote control units are similar to those for a television or VCR and run on batteries.
Floodlights provide the greatest amount of light and are most effective in large areas like exterior walls or to light up a lawn. Mini-spotlights may be used in doorways or entry ways to light up keyholes, house numbers, or dark spots. They're also good for corners of the house and back-door entrances.
Stair and railing lights can be placed under stair steps or on deck railings to help prevent falls. Path lights placed along sidewalks and driveways create a bright path that will be uninviting to intruders and will accent adjacent plants.
Homeowners can use several lighting techniques to achieve special effects in the landscape at night:
Downlighting is oriented from above to imitate the natural light created by the sun or moon. It may be used as safety lighting for pathways, driveways, and stairs. Downlighting also is effective to light decks and to accent plant material.
Uplighting adds depth to trees, landscapes, and home features by lighting from below, creating a rather dramatic effect. By placing lights at an angle, the textures of fences or walls can be accented. Avoid placing lights where they would glare in someone's face.
Backlighting silhouettes an object of interest, such as a tree or shrub, against a lit surface. This indirect lighting effect is achieved by angling the light against a wall or fence behind the object.
Be aware that interruption of the dark period during the night may delay dormancy in some plant species, causing possible damage to the plant during the winter.
Free brochures on lighting techniques are available. Send a self-addressed envelope to: Lighting Brochures, The Toro News Center, 8500 Normandale Lake Blvd., Suite 1200, Minneapolis, Minn. 55437.
Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture in the Montgomery County Extension Office in Christiansburg. If you have questions, call him at 382-5790.
by CNB