http://www.greenlivingonline.com/HomeGarden/light-up-your-patio-with-the-sun/
(Apr 24, 2008)
Light adds magic to any patio and provide a finishing touch. This gardening season enhance your patio without raising your electricity bill with a variety of hassle free choices that are also very green.
No fuss, no muss
Why not get the sun to work for you at night? Solar lights let you create ambience for your patio without connecting into the power grid. That means no wires and easy installation! These lights run on small batteries that charge up in the sun during the day to give you hours of light in the evening. The low cost solar lights are quite dependable but the higher end lights will have automatic sensors and an on/off switch.
Solar types
There are plenty of elegant options for solar lighting options and it can get confusing so the first step is to pick your style based on where you plan to place your light. Any solar light is going to need enough sunlight to keep the battery recharged.
Into the ground
Stake lights are a more permanent type of lighting and you’ll need to do a bit more planning since you won’t be moving them around all that much. Watch the way the light falls on your patio and pick the areas that get the most sunlight. These lights come in a variety of shapes and materials: highly durable plastic, metal, stainless steel finish or wood. Whether you choose the lighter plastic or the heavier steel will depend on what fits best in your soil.
Get hung up
Hanging solar lights can add romance and atmosphere to your patio. Several styles range from the classic carriage style lanterns to cylindrical Chinese lanterns. Paper lights can add a soft glow but they would be as durable as glass or plastic. More and more Chinese lanterns are being sold made out of new, light weight material in soft orange, green and ivory colours. Be sure to pick a low-traffic area where the lamps won’t be bumped or jostled. If you’ve picked a mounted solar light then be sure of your location before bolting it on. Correct placements can add that extra bit of ambience and set the right mood.
Blend in solar
If you are looking for something more discreet then consider one of the new solar lights that are disguised as a lawn ornament. A solar rock light will blend into your landscape. This spotlight is in the middle of a realistic looking rock that will keep friend and family wondering where all the light goes from. For more kitschy-fare, fairies, flowers and gnomes are now sporting solar lights.
Get strung out
Strings of solar lights are another unique way to brighten your patio. Look for those with stakes and clips with low-energy LED lights. A typical length will be a 25-meter (50-foot) long cord with an 11.5 by 11.5 cm (4.5 by 4.5 inches) solar panel at one end that charges up during the day. Coloured LED lights can add that extra sparkle.
Spot lights
Solar spot lights operate similar to a flood lights with a smaller spray of lighting. Carefully constructed with a small solar panel design, these lights can be used to shine on underneath small brushes, plants or short trees to add some accents to your patio.
Check at your favourite home and garden center for solar lights or shop online. The prefect solar patio light is waiting for you.
Shelagh McNally is the editor of Green Living Online just waiting for the right moment to have her solar lanterns.
Light up your patio with the sun
Image: istockphoto.com/Sean Locke
No fuss, no muss
Why not get the sun to work for you at night? Solar lights let you create ambience for your patio without connecting into the power grid. That means no wires and easy installation! These lights run on small batteries that charge up in the sun during the day to give you hours of light in the evening. The low cost solar lights are quite dependable but the higher end lights will have automatic sensors and an on/off switch.
Solar types
There are plenty of elegant options for solar lighting options and it can get confusing so the first step is to pick your style based on where you plan to place your light. Any solar light is going to need enough sunlight to keep the battery recharged.
Into the ground
Stake lights are a more permanent type of lighting and you’ll need to do a bit more planning since you won’t be moving them around all that much. Watch the way the light falls on your patio and pick the areas that get the most sunlight. These lights come in a variety of shapes and materials: highly durable plastic, metal, stainless steel finish or wood. Whether you choose the lighter plastic or the heavier steel will depend on what fits best in your soil.
Get hung up
Hanging solar lights can add romance and atmosphere to your patio. Several styles range from the classic carriage style lanterns to cylindrical Chinese lanterns. Paper lights can add a soft glow but they would be as durable as glass or plastic. More and more Chinese lanterns are being sold made out of new, light weight material in soft orange, green and ivory colours. Be sure to pick a low-traffic area where the lamps won’t be bumped or jostled. If you’ve picked a mounted solar light then be sure of your location before bolting it on. Correct placements can add that extra bit of ambience and set the right mood.
Blend in solar
If you are looking for something more discreet then consider one of the new solar lights that are disguised as a lawn ornament. A solar rock light will blend into your landscape. This spotlight is in the middle of a realistic looking rock that will keep friend and family wondering where all the light goes from. For more kitschy-fare, fairies, flowers and gnomes are now sporting solar lights.
Get strung out
Strings of solar lights are another unique way to brighten your patio. Look for those with stakes and clips with low-energy LED lights. A typical length will be a 25-meter (50-foot) long cord with an 11.5 by 11.5 cm (4.5 by 4.5 inches) solar panel at one end that charges up during the day. Coloured LED lights can add that extra sparkle.
Spot lights
Solar spot lights operate similar to a flood lights with a smaller spray of lighting. Carefully constructed with a small solar panel design, these lights can be used to shine on underneath small brushes, plants or short trees to add some accents to your patio.
Check at your favourite home and garden center for solar lights or shop online. The prefect solar patio light is waiting for you.
Shelagh McNally is the editor of Green Living Online just waiting for the right moment to have her solar lanterns.
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