Lighting options for a summerhouse gazebo
Lighting in the gazebo is necessary to do to create a comfortable place to relax in the evening. And enclosed structures can be used all year round, but it is necessary to put the equipment, protected from adverse influences. It is especially important to provide good light if you need something to cook (for example, on the barbecue or barbecue), as your safety depends on it.
Types of gazebo lighting
Organize lighting can be different, so first of all it is worth to understand the main options. This will help to assess the pros and cons of each and choose the solution that will suit best for a particular gazebo and provide the best effect. If necessary, you can combine two or even three types, if necessary.
General
This option involves the use of a single light source placed in the middle. If the gazebo is elongated or irregularly shaped, two or more lights may be required. As for the benefits, they are as follows:
- High-quality lighting, which provides good visibility throughout the gazebo. In fact, it is an analogue of the chandelier in the room, if you choose the right power, then there will be no problems with light.
- Install the design is usually not difficult, it is necessary to bring the power cable and fasten it to the ceiling partition or beam. The main thing is to choose a suitable mount, so that the light is well held.
- It is possible to provide a comfortable rest for everyone in the gazebo. The light is distributed evenly.
Master class: How to make a great and simple light fixture for a gazebo from scraps of board.
As for the disadvantages, they also exist:
- Rather high electricity consumption. Usually the fixture for general lighting must be powerful, so the electricity costs are higher.
- High price of quality equipment. Since a gazebo installation requires models with high resistance to moisture and dust, designed for use in the open air, then they are much more expensive than standard products.
By the way! It is better to buy a lamp with several modes of operation, so that you can choose the right one depending on the situation.
Local
This option is suitable where you need to allocate a separate part of the space or provide quality light for handicrafts or other purposes. The main advantages of local lighting are as follows:
- You can install the light in any suitable location and use it only when necessary. For example, turn on the light when cooking or reading a book.
- Changing the position of the spotlight and the direction of light is very easy if you install an adjustable model. This option will suit best for such purposes.
- The power of the lamp is small and the electricity costs are much less than for a general light.
The disadvantages of this solution are as follows:
- A small area is illuminated.This can cause visual discomfort if it is dark around.
- The light is usually enough for one person.Therefore it is necessary to put lights for everyone.
Decorative
This type of lighting is needed to make the gazebo attractive and improve its appearance in the evening and at night. Different types of lighting can be used here - from fixtures to LED strips or spotlights directional light. The advantages are as follows:
- You can decorate the site in a single style and give it a special comfort and charm. It is better that all the lighting equipment is combined.
- Due to the decorative lighting improves visibility, it can be used as a subdued light for recreation.
Of the disadvantages, it is worth mentioning the difficulty of installing a large number of small lights and the need for wiring in open areas.
How the lighting depends on the design of the gazebo
Gazebos come in open and closed types, each option has its own features, which affects the choice of fixtures. In order not to make a mistake and find the best solution, it is worth remembering a few recommendations:
- In open structures, the light is scattered around the site, so to ensure good illumination, you need to use fixtures of higher power. But it is necessary to select options that will not cause discomfort and illuminate the surrounding space too much. For installation, choose only moisture-proof fixtures that are designed for outdoor use, this also applies to the cable.
- In enclosed gazebos, light does not extend beyond the walls, so the choice can be guided by the same principles as for the rooms. It is necessary to calculate in advance the preferred rate of illumination and on this basis to buy equipment of the required power. For unheated rooms is better to use equipment resistant to changes in humidity.
To light in an open gazebo is not distributed over the site, you can put the lights behind the ledge along the perimeter.
Types of lighting fixtures for a pergola
There can be many options, they primarily differ by the source of light, so it is better to deal with this issue in advance and choose the best solution:
- Incandescent bulbs - Cheap and affordable. But at the same time have the shortest service life and give a yellow light of not very high brightness. In addition, the bulbs consume the most electricity and get very hot when working, which is not safe when installed at low heights.
- Fluorescent lamps consume much less electricity, have a long life and do not get warm when working. The quality of light is good, but the equipment does not tolerate low temperatures, so it is better not to use it in winter.
- Halogen lamps Give a bright light, close to daylight. But they also heat up a lot and have a short life. You can make a system that works from low-voltage voltage.
- LED options are the most preferred today, as they have a long life and consume the least amount of electricity. Diodes give bright light of varying brightness, they do not get warm when they work and work well outdoors.
Depending on the power source, you can distinguish such options:
- Electric mains. It is necessary to bring the cable through the air or on the ground.
- Battery. Standalone power source is suitable when using the light infrequently.
- Standalone power supply. Most often these are solar panels, which accumulate energy during the day.
How to make lighting in a gazebo with your own hands
It is not difficult to make lighting of the gazebo on the dacha or plot of land with your own hands. To do this, you need to follow simple recommendations:
- Think through the idea to be implemented. Make a clear and detailed diagram with an indication of all elements of the system. Purchase the necessary equipment.
- If electricity from the network will be used, bring the cable. It is better to do it by underground method, it is more difficult, but safer.
- To install the equipment in its places. Connect wiring using sealed pads or soldering connections and closing them with heat shrink tubing.
- Check that the system is working properly and make sure there is no danger.
If you use a variant with a battery, it is necessary to find a place for its installation and think of a simple and reliable connection system. For self-contained lights it is better to have solar panels in the southern direction so that they accumulate maximum energy.
Organization of lighting in a summerhouse gazebo without electricity
If there is no possibility to lay electricity or you do not want to spend money on equipment with solar panels, you can use alternative solutions:
- Candles placed in jars or candle holders with glass that protect the flames from gusts of wind and provide more even light. This option allows for a cozy atmosphere for evening gatherings.
- A kerosene lamp Or several lamps. Not a bad solution, providing warm light and suitable for outdoor structures. The lamp can be placed on a table or suspended, which is very convenient.
- Mobile lights. Now on sale there are many travel options, they can work up to 12 hours on a single charge and take up little space.
From the video you will learn, How to make lights from a bar.
It is not difficult to make illumination of the gazebo on a country or homestead plot, if you choose the right equipment and properly install it. It is most convenient to connect to a fixed network, the main thing is to ensure safety.