Modifying Outdoor Concrete Patio Lighting

By Author: Concrete Coating Specialists
Total Articles: 3
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It is very important for all homeowners to ensure that they are modifying their outdoor concrete patio lighting so that all fixtures and lights are in compliance with the measures in Lighting Dark Sky movements. This movement focuses on altering our outdoor concrete pool deck lighting so that we limit the amount of glare and reflection from our high level lights off of the ground and up into the sky. There was a lot of initial debate about whether the orange overture in the sky was simply an annoyance to purists or whether it caused negative effects to the earth. Now we have learned that the light pollution which is at fault for the orange haze is actually destroying wildlife while also damaging our health and incurring large fees.

There are new city ordinances that are attempting to thwart these negative effects but lessening the outdoor concrete pool deck lighting we use. Commercial and residential outdoor concrete pool deck lighting should seek now to only shine light upon the areas seeking to be lit, not upward into the ...
... atmosphere. The Dark Sky Movement seeks only to face outdoor concrete driveway lighting downward, instead of above a horizontal line. This does not mean that homeowners are forced to devalue the exterior of their homes or cannot enjoy aesthetically pleasing outdoor concrete driveway lighting. What it does mean is that homeowners are enjoying the additional bonus of reducing energy use by using lower wattage bulbs to achieve the same outdoor lighting they had enjoyed before. Before this movement, homeowners would be forced to implement outdoor lighting which opened at the top and bottom, requiring a higher wattage bulb. Now, with no light meant to shine from the bottom of the fixture, the wattage can be reduced.

By modifying outdoor concrete driveway lighting to work with the Dark Sky Movement, homeowners are enjoying a more efficient use of their lights. They can receive the same amount of lumens with half or one third of the wattage. New outdoor lighting fixtures are being produced by manufacturers which work in compliance with the Dark Sky Movement. Homeowners can even change current light fixtures into a Dark Sky fixture for a nominal fee. While not an official government standard, outdoor concrete driveway lighting fixtures are being evaluated in terms of their compliance and those which fall within the category of compliance are offered a seal of approval that states that the fixture meets all requirements. Over seventy five outdoor lighting manufacturers enjoy the seal of approval.

Aesthetics do not have to be sacrificed in order to meet with the approval requirements. There are outdoor concrete driveway lighting sconces which feature slate-colored ceramic shields encompassing the light bulb, which forces the light down. Other designs feature metal crowns which block any upward light, also forcing it down.

Less outdoor concrete patio lighting around your home does not lessen your safety. Using lights which do not shine upward, but rather, shine downward are not sacrificing your security. Many homeowners are hesitant to make the necessary modifications but in reality, the modification from normal outdoor concrete patio lighting to Dark Sky compliant outdoor concrete patio lighting is better for everyone.