How to make lighting on the terrace or porch in the country house

Most country plots and private houses have terraces, porches or gazebos for quiet, measured leisure. In this case, terrace lighting is a must. It is not only useful in the dark time of day, but also to create an atmosphere of coziness, make an accent on certain elements of design. The article introduces the basic principles, rules and types of lighting for outdoor and indoor verandas.

Purpose of terrace lighting

Conducting lighting on the terrace of a private house, its owner gets a number of new options:

• one can spend a relaxing evening reading a book, playing board games with company, having dinner or having tea;
• additional lighting makes it easier to move around the patio in the dark;
• lighting ties into security systems home security systems by means of response sensors;
• the aesthetic appeal is enhanced.

Even a little lighting completely changes the look of the patio.

Basic rules and principles

Terrace lighting is subject to a certain set of rules of street lighting:

1. The light should not blind the eyes, interfere with the quiet rest on the terrace or veranda. It is only an auxiliary element.
2. Luminaires must have increased protection against moisture (protection class at least IP44), direct sunlight, dust, and temperature fluctuations.
3. If more than 20 lights are connected to one line, it is better to install separate circuit breakers or fuses for them.
4. The height of installation above the ground does not play a fundamental role. The main thing is that the lights in the recesses adjacent to the wall, have a normal drainage.
5. Each lamp must be securely fastened in place.
6. There must always be open access to all areas of the patio lighting.
7. For suspended lights the recommended suspension height is 1.5 m. If they cannot be installed lower, care must be taken to ensure that they do not sway and are securely fixed.

This chandelier seems to hang low, but it is difficult to hit it with your head.

What criteria to choose lamps for a terrace or porch

When selecting lighting elements, there are a number of technical and operational criteria to follow. The first and most important of these is the choice of lamp type:

• incandescent lamps;
• LED (LED);
• halogen;
• mercury or sodium;
• economical.

In addition to the type, in the selection of lamps of great importance are:

• operating life;
• temperature of heating;
• power;
• cost.

The most popular and advantageous on all counts now considered LED-lighting. LED lights combine the highest intensity of luminescence, economy, and ergonomics. Plus LEDs are easy to install and, if necessary, replace with new ones.

Interesting. A good LED bulb can last as long as 10-15 years.

When choosing the power it is worth considering the area of the terrace and the distance from the seating area to the places where the lights are installed. Compared, for example, with sodium or mercury lamps, LEDs have less power to illuminate the same area. In terms of manufacturing material, it is better to focus on lanterns with a glass, wooden or metal base. They remain highly resistant to moisture, dust, and rapid temperature changes. If we talk about design, it is worth keeping a single concept with the style of decoration of the terrace, yard and house. Do not glue to each other poorly combined: the classics - to high-tech, retro - to futurism. This is aesthetically incorrect, and can spoil the whole visual impression of the terrace.

Everything here is in the same style.

According to the method of power supply, there are two types of street lighting:

• plugged into the 220 V mains;
• powered from batteries.

The second way is more economical and safer, but the drawback is obvious: the battery needs charging. However, with it you can not depend on voltage fluctuations and switching off the light. A good and progressive idea is to install as a source of energy for the summer solar battery.

A useful bonus that a patio or porch light can have is motion sensors. This allows you to save more energy. The lights will only turn on when the sensor sensors pick up fluctuations in a given range. The sensors are manually adjusted so that with any cat running or pigeon flying nearby, the light will not come on, but will only respond to people, cars, etc.

Read also

Facade lighting device of the country house

 

Speaking of suitable types of fixtures, choose:

1. Wall sconces - Will fit well in enclosed or attached to the house terraces.
2. Chandeliers with a fabric, plastic, paper lampshade - suitable for rooms with high ceilings, so that they do not touch the head.
3. Spotlights . - Their advantage is that they are equally successful in the ceiling, walls, floor, and give directional light.
   Spotlights in the ceiling of the summer terrace.
4. LED strips - Installed in all directions and curves.
5. Floor lamps on a leg - serve as additional lighting for outdoor terraces.

Lighting options

The organization of lighting terraces, porches and pergolas in country houses depends on their area, architectural style, construction. In general, 3 methods of lighting are widely used:

1. On the perimeter of the territory of the house. LED and neon luminous filaments are used here. With their help, you can cover the entire perimeter of the site. It is best to mount RGB tapes with increased protection against moisture.
2. The perimeter of the terrace. Not ribbons, but recessed spotlights - spotlights will be used here. They are mounted inside the suspended ceiling and don't overhang below it. Spotlights give an even glow along the entire length of the veranda.
3. Side lighting. Along the walls from the threshold, wall lights are hanged, giving a directed stream of rays on certain areas. This method of lighting is well suited for small terraces with a small table.

Side lighting on a small veranda.

According to the purpose there are basic lighting, decorative lighting and backlighting.

Main lighting

The key role when conducting light on the veranda in a private house or on the cottage is the main light. It provides good visibility, as well as emphasizes all the advantages of veranda design. Requirement #1 to the main light - unobtrusive. It should emit a soft, evenly dispersed flow, and not glare or cause discomfort.

Decorative lighting

The terrace can also be fitted with mood lighting which brings certain interior touches into focus. It is also a great decoration for a seating area. Usually LED strands and/or spotlights are used for decorative lighting.

Speaking of specific places to install the decor, we can highlight the following:

• Railings - LED strips are wrapped around the railing posts or stretched along the base;
  Backlighting of the railing from below with LED tape.
• walls - with the help of threads you can achieve any desired bend and turn from one wall to another;
• steps - here the decorative lighting, in addition to its aesthetic role, helps to walk up the stairs in the dark;
• the perimeter around the terrace;
• the roof or attic under it - for this use luminous threads, garlands and lamps with original lampshades;
• Fireplace - if a fireplace is built into a pergola or terrace, it can be additionally highlighted with the same garlands and LED lights.

Lighting

The fundamental difference between backlighting and decorative lighting is that, in addition to the external effect, it provides a benefit. So, first of all you need to illuminate the stairs. After all, in the dark, going out on the terrace or coming down, you can inadvertently put your foot in the wrong place and get injured. What about children, the elderly, or the visually impaired? In addition to LED strips, lights along steps and railings, spotlights built into each step will be a reliable protection. It is important that the light is not interfere with walking and not shine directly into the eyes.

Properly illuminated stairs.

You also need a lighted porch in addition to the stairs. You can additionally decorate the entrance to the terrace, if it is poorly visible in the dark. If inside the veranda there are some original design elements - statues, fountains, pots with flowers - the lighting of spotlights, floodlights and spotlights will accentuate them even more.

How to increase safety

Conducting light on the terrace, you must take into account several mandatory safety conditions:

1. Lights must be reliably protected from moisture, sun, high and low temperatures.
2. Light sources and wiring should be arranged so that small children or pets do not have access to them, or minimize this risk. This is another argument in favor of LED lights as the safest.
3. The staircase and porch lighting is the first priority.
4. Do not place lights too close to a table, sofa, chairs, because in summer there is no escape from insects.

In the conclusion the video: Lighting the pergola in the evening with their own hands