When the sun goes down, do you have to move the party inside? You’re missing out on one of the most enjoyable features of your home if your patio lighting is a lonely porch lamp or security light. After hours is a great time to enjoy the outdoors during hot summers in Arkansas. Here are some tips to make sure your patio is as safe as it is stylish.

1 Place your lights to help people navigate stairs, walking paths or paving stones, and any split levels that may pose a tripping hazard.

2 LEDs and fiber optic cables are top notch choices for installation lighting around decks and foliage because they don’t produce heat.

3 Select water resistant, weather friendly products clearly labeled UL approved for outdoor use. But remember these are not substitutes for lighting designed for pools and water features; those products will be specially marked.

After illuminating possible hazards, you need to consider what you’ll be doing in your newly improved patio space. When you decide how you’ll be spending your time, you can finalize your plan.

• Consider the appliances you may want to regularly use – blender, mini-fridge – and plan your expansion with that extra electrical load in mind.
• Shop the wide variety of options in the outdoor lighting market to get the atmosphere you want. Don’t be misled by labels – industrial lighting isn’t just for warehouses.
• Remember to keep the ambience to yourself with considerate neighbor-friendly disbursement patterns.

When you’re ready to put your plan into action, you may need the experience of an electrician who works with commercial lighting. You’ll need to calculate cable lengths and additional wattage and determine if your original circuitry can handle the current or if a new dedicated will need to be added.

The best way to ensure your patio lighting is safe for your family and friends is a consultation from Gary Houston Electric. Call us at (501) 375-8330 or contact us on our website for a free estimate.