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A Guide to Solar Outdoor Lights

March 1, 2010 By Peter Leave a Comment

Why Solar Lighting?

There are two main reasons why people opt for solar outdoor lights over conventional lights: cheaper running costs and a lower environmental footprint.

It is a simple fact that after you have installed the lights they will not require any source of power to work other than the sun, and as such you will not have to pay a cent for their upkeep. At the same time, you can relax in the knowledge that you are doing something for the environment in that all the light that is being produced is 100 per cent clean and environmentally friendly.

However, there are a number of other reasons why people opt for solar lighting for their outdoor appliances. One of these is that they are generally considered very safe. There is no wiring involved and the bulbs and batteries are hidden away and sealed from the water, reducing the risk of any accidents.

It is also a very flexible way to install lighting into your backyard. Again, because they do not have wiring they can be placed almost anywhere without the time-consuming task of arranging all those wires and connecting them to sockets. It is so easy to install outdoor solar lighting that almost anyone can do it themselves, and of course the maintenance is only minimal so they are very easy to look after as well.

Types of Solar Outdoor Lights

Patio lights are one of the most common types of installations. Lots of people like to sit out in the evening and enjoy their patio, and having a warm, glowing light or two to illuminate the scene is a great idea. This could mean a greater possibility of having friends over to stay. However, it is also great for security. If you have a solar light that comes on as soon as the sun goes down then you can be sure your home will be more secure, making you feel more comfortable.

Post or fence lighting applications are also very popular ways to incorporate solar lighting into your backyard or on your deck. The ease of installation and the flexibility that the lights offer means that they can simply be attached to the fence or a post with the minimum of hassle, and can illuminate your outdoor space in a variety of creative ways.

Hanging lights are another great way to make use of solar lights. They are often hung from a post or a steak stuck into the ground, and create a very stylish effect when they light up. You have to be careful with these not to hang them somewhere where they are in the shade, such as under a tree, because they won’t get enough electricity to light up properly.

Path lighting is also a very simple and effective way to add some style to your backyard. These can simply be placed on the ground or secured into position, and they are likely to pick up a good deal of sunlight. They will then add an air of elegance to your path at night, as well as helping to prevent accidents when walking in the yard.

But the best thing to do is to match all of these different types of solar lights to create a whole set. Then you can have a real variety of lights in the garden, creating a stunning effect and using your creativity to see what you can come up with.

Considerations

You do not need to worry about any special installation instructions with solar lights, as they are very easy to install. Simply follow the instructions that come with them, and you will have them up and running in no time.

The one crucial factor to consider is that they need to have good access to the sun. This involves keeping them out of the shade as much as possible, so that you will get the right amount of power when they turn on. It is also a good idea to face them towards the main direction of the sun, which in the northern hemisphere will be in a southerly direction, to get as much extra exposure as possible.

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Decks, Design, Outdoor Lighting

Guide to Different Kinds of Wood for Your Woodwork Projects

January 7, 2010 By Peter Leave a Comment

Do you know what kind of wood to use in your planned woodworking project? Be careful of the wood you choose. There are numerous species and each has different characteristics, so you might never know which one will best work for you. Some woods may be too tough and some may be too malleable.

Moreover, there are particular types that are best for cabinets, machineries, moldings, boat building and more. Some also easily finish and some don’t. Here’s a good summary of the qualities of the different kinds of wood for your woodwork projects. I’ve broken the list into Hardwoods and Softwoods.

Hardwood

Mahogany:

This is used for making highly-valuable woodworking projects such as cabinets, musical instruments, veneers and wood facings, patterns, and boat building. It has a reddish brown color and fine grains. It is so durable that it resists shrinking, warping and swelling.

Walnut:

It is fine textured, easy to work with, and strong. It can end up being an excellent material for a quality woodworking project because of its velvety natural colored sheen when sanded.

Oak:

It can resist moisture absorption, is durable and finishes well. It can be a bit heavy and strong but bends easily. It is used for more complex woodworking projects like outdoor furniture, trimming, baskets, boat framing, desks, chairs and flooring.

Maple:

This type of wood can shrink moderately and has a fine texture. It usually defies denting and decay and doesn’t split easily when screwed or nailed. Because of its unvarying color, it is best used when making first-rate woodworking projects such as wooden ware and excellent furniture.

Softwoods

Pine:

It is rather stiff, has uniform texture and is soft and light. It has low resistance to shock and easily glues and holds nails and screws as well. It is usually utilized in the construction of houses, paneling, caskets, crates, boxes, furniture and molding.

Hemlock:

“Non-resinous,” can defy low decay, light weight, uniformly textured. It can be glued without difficulty but can be a bit brittle. It is usually used for building construction, lumber, sidings, doors, paneling and sub flooring.

Fir:

It has uniform texture and is non-resinous It can also defy low decay. It is commonly used when making furniture frames, doors, windows, plywood, interior trims and veneer.

So, have you decided which one to use for your woodworking project? Take note that some types of woods may not be readily made available in your your area so it is a good idea to visit your local lumber store before you start planning your projects. Also, some wood will cost more that other varieties.

If you want a detailed summary and reviews of a lot more wood than I listed check out the Wood Bin Woodworking site – click here

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Design, How To

The Pros and Cons of Low Voltage Lighting Fixtures

October 4, 2009 By Peter Leave a Comment

Low voltage lighting fixtures are becoming increasingly popular these days, but how exactly does low voltage lighting work?

Normal lighting is powered by the standard electricity in your house, 110/120 volts. Low voltage lighting is running a lower voltage and current than your standard home outlet.

The low voltage fixture uses a step-down transformer to convert the standard outlet voltage of 110/120 volts to 12 volts. This means you will be using lower voltage and yet be getting very bright lights.

Low voltage lighting is easy to install in terms of landscaping of your garden or backyard. The wiring does not weigh much, and it is possible to bury it under the ground when being used outside. It also means that you do not need to pay someone to install it for you, saving even more money.

As well, it is a lot safer. Think about it: the only thing to be running on 120 volts is the transformer. The transformer is sealed and one end plugs into your outlet and then you run the low voltage 12 volt wires to your lights. You don’t need an electrician and you don’t need to worry about wiring up to your 110/120 volt supply.

The light will always have the same brightness. Unlike solar lighting which may not be as bright, depending on how much natural light it received during the day to charge the battery and later in the night once the battery starts to drain.

To continue reading this article please click low voltage lighting fixtures. You will also find a list of the most common fixtures and there applications.

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Decks, Design, How To, Outdoor Lighting

Tips on How to Landscape Your Backyard

October 2, 2009 By Peter Leave a Comment

Backyard landscaping is not just positioning plants in your backyard. Consider it as an art, a masterpiece that shows your creativity and personality. There are three elements in landscaping your backyard: structure, area and texture of your plants.

Structure refers to the form of the plant and the arrangement of the branches. Plants, such as trees, come in different shapes. This ranges from the hanging form of the white bark willow, to the stiff form of the Lombardy poplar trees.

The second element of backyard landscaping is the area. This refers to the visual flow and the arrangement of plants in the backyard. The movement of the eyes is affected by different grouping of the plants.

Texture is also an important component of backyard landscaping. The texture of the plant refers to appearance of the plant as it is perceived with the other plants surrounding it. A good example is the texture of marigolds can be distinguished as rough or smooth when grouped with other plants.

Knowing that we have defined the elements of backyard landscaping, you can now begin putting this knowledge to use. Below are more tips on how you can landscape your backyard.

Planning

Make a list of the needed materials and tools to redesign your backyard. Most importantly, you need to list the plants that you wish to place in the area. Do not forget to include a list plants that you can substitute in case your preferred plants are not obtainable.

Organize a schedule for the construction process and outline the process according to priority. Creating a schedule helps you estimate the time the landscaping process will consume. Most landscaping projects can be done in a week or two.

Selecting the Plants

Apply what you have learned about the elements of backyard landscaping that were mentioned earlier. There are many kinds of plants that work well in a group. The pattern of the plants should create a 3D effect and should look well from all perspectives.

Remember to be creative. You can use themes on your backyard. These may involve a country, romantic or tropical theme or others.

Make it work… the Construction Process

Prepare the soil where you will plant your selected plants. One method you can use is by creating an elevated bed. You can pile soil or use rocks to do this. Creating an elevated bed also helps you solve the problem of losing excess water when irrigating the plants.

Generally, the best period to plant foliage or trees is during the months of October and  November. Plants can develop sturdy roots during the winter season prior to development of other parts during the spring.

Filed Under: Articles, Blog, Design, Gardening, How To
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