Directional accent lighting

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Directional Accent Lighting

• Directional accent lighting fixtures offer
  businesses and individuals the ability to
  showcase the unique and finer points of an
  outdoor landscape, bringing special emphasis to
  unique features that otherwise would possibly go
  unnoticed if only general outdoor lighting is
  applied.  This is not as problematic as one might
  assume, when one focuses on the elements of the
  landscape he or she wishes to highlight rather
  than starting with the fixtures themselves first.

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• When it comes to directional accent lights,
  always follow the simple principle of fixture
  follows object, not the other way around. 
  Determining first what needs to be recognized as
  a keynote in the landscape and then finding the
  right light source will save not only time, but
  also money in the long run.  Once the right
  features have been selected, directional accent
  lighting offers one the ability to direct a
  controlled beam of any desired intensity at that
  feature or features and bring it to a point of
  special prominence or effect.  Important elements
  of a home, office building, and property such as
  tree lines, architecture, gardens and atriums,
  and water works can all benefit from the
  additional touch of accented and directional
  lights which themselves can assume a low profile
  and emphasize the subject, not the equipment.

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• Directional accent lighting can either be high
  voltage or low voltage in nature.  There are
  benefits to both, depending on the arena in which
  they are applied.  Commercial clients almost
  unanimously favor high voltage lighting systems
  because of their ability to support HID (High
  Intensity Discharge) fixtures.  Especially in
  corporate facilities consisting of multiple
  buildings and various landscape features, it is
  necessary to use light to unite natural features
  with architecture so as to create a unity of
  theme, and directional accent lights play a big
  role in this by showcasing fountains, atriums,
  walkways, and even lakes on larger commercial
  campuses.

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• High voltage directional accent lighting is also
  used to some degree in residential lighting,
  although more so on the level of large custom
  homes or high-end neighborhoods.  Private
  homeowners tend to prefer a low voltage system
  for two reasons.  One, low voltage directional
  lights save money simply because they require
  less power to operate.  Secondly, a residential
  lot is often considerably smaller than a
  corporate campus, and it therefore does not
  require the same level of high intensity lighting
  companies need for both illumination and
  security.  Considering as well that many
  residences decorate extensively with gardens and
  pathways, low voltage offers a greater level of
  control over color and effecttwo very key
  aspects to this science that cannot be emphasized
  enough.

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• Choosing the right fixture material should be
  based on geography and local climate conditions. 
  Aluminum is the most cost effective material for
  both homeowners and companies on a fixed budget. 
  Plastic composite, copper, and brass fixtures are
  ideal for atmospheres, which contain high levels
  of salt, such as those, found along the American
  Gulf Coast.   Selecting aluminum directional
  accent lights in this fashion makes it simple to
  develop an outdoor lighting system that keynotes
  all the important elements of a facility or
  yard.  The only remaining determination to choose
  is that of light source itself.  Each of the five
  source offer specific value to directional accent
  lighting, and can be used either by themselves or
  in combination with other sourcing.

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• Fluorescent LightsFluorescent technology creates
  a stable, bright light that in spite of its high
  voltage nature makes for an excellent floodlight
  for either emphasizing larger areas of the
  landscape or for security lighting around the
  perimeter of a property. 

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• Halogen LightsHalogen lights provide excellent
  directional accent lighting in atriums and
  gardens.  Halogens cast a slightly golden aura
  around the subject, making them ideal low voltage
  effect lights.
• Incandescent Lights Incandescent lights are
  ideal for decorative commercial and residential
  accent and directional lighting and can also
  operate on timers and dimmer switches for varied
  lighting effects.

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• Mercury Vapor Lights and Metal Halide LightsBoth
  of these lamp types fall under the category of
  HID, or High Intensity Discharge lights.  They
  are extremely efficient in the amount of light
  they output versus the actual wattage required to
  produce that light.  They are excellent for
  highlighting tree lines and keynote architectural
  characteristics of buildings.