Outdoor and Landscape Lighting in Spring, TX
Outdoor lighting that looks good and still works after a Houston summer.
Outdoor lighting has a harder life than anything inside the house: rain, heat, sprinklers and the occasional mower. Most of what fails early fails because it was never rated or sealed for outside.
The kinds of outdoor lighting, and what each needs
Landscape lighting along paths, beds and trees is usually low voltage. A transformer plugged into an outdoor outlet steps the power down, and low-voltage cable runs to the fixtures. It is safer to work around and easier to rearrange later. The transformer, its outlet and its timer are where the quality of the install shows.
Security and flood lighting, soffit lights and porch fixtures run at full line voltage, like the circuits inside the house. They need weather-rated fixtures, sealed boxes and a proper circuit. Recessed lights in a soffit or covered porch need fixtures rated for damp locations.
Control is the part people forget. A photocell turns lights on at dusk and off at dawn with no adjusting, a timer or smart switch gives you schedules, and motion sensors keep security lights off until they are needed. Outdoor outlets that power any of it should be GFCI-protected with weatherproof in-use covers.
- Low-voltage landscape and path lighting
- Security, flood and motion-sensor lighting
- Recessed soffit and porch lighting
- Photocells, timers and smart controls
Licensed, bonded and insured. TX Electrical Contractor License #34414.
Outdoor & Landscape Lighting: common questions
Is low-voltage landscape lighting safe around sprinklers and kids?
Low voltage is much safer to be around than line voltage, which is one reason it is the standard for landscape lighting. The outlet and transformer that feed it still need to be GFCI-protected and weatherproof.
Can you add lights under the eaves?
Yes. Recessed soffit lights are a common way to light a driveway or the front of the house without visible fixtures. They need damp-rated fixtures and a supply run through the attic.
How do I stop outdoor lights staying on all day?
A photocell or a timer. A photocell follows sunset and sunrise automatically through the year, which is usually the least fuss.
My outdoor lights stopped working after a storm. What happened?
Often water in a fixture or junction box has tripped a GFCI, or a connection has corroded. Check for a tripped GFCI first, then call if they stay dark.
Related: Ceiling fan installation · GFCI keeps tripping · Surge protection
Planning outdoor lighting?
Tell us what you want lit and send a photo of the front of the house. We will suggest what goes where and quote it properly.