In-Ground Well Lights: Enhancing Your Outdoor Space
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Time to read 7 min
In search of a unique, eye-catching accent for your landscape? Look no further than well lights. These outdoor fixtures are capable of delivering all of the stunning visual effects of traditional lighting without creating overwhelm. They also have tons of great use cases and are super easy to install. Read this article to learn more.
What are In-Ground Well Lights?
In-ground Well Lights
are a type of recessed lighting designed for use in outdoor areas like backyards and gardens. They are installed directly into the ground pointing upwards to emanate beams that act as landscape features in and of themselves. Because they're below soil level, well light lamps are hard to see and serve a solely functional purpose. This is different from pathway and wall fixtures, which intentionally come in multiple styles to compliment various exterior design schemes.
On an anatomical level, Well Lights
consist of a few main parts: a casing, which houses the bulb; a power source that connects to an outdoor electrical outlet or junction box; and optional lenses for directional light control. The casings are generally made of metal and designed to be waterproof so they can withstand any moisture in the ground. They range in size from 2-6 inches, making them ideal for tight spaces and pathways. The bulbs themselves can come in multiple varieties including halogen, LED, or low voltage options depending on your preference. While most people opt for white, it's possible to find colored bulbs and filters to create effects like mottling and color washing.A Look at the Many Potential Applications and Uses of Well Light
Although you'll likely only ever put them in one place - the ground - well lights can have plenty of different uses and applications. The most popular is up lighting. Up lighting refers to any light source that directs illumination upwards towards the sky. It is commonly used to highlight plants, trees, and other features of the landscape such as water fixtures or sculptures. You can also use them to showcase architecture both externally and internally for a dramatic effect.
Other possible applications for Well Lights
include:Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is great for highlighting certain features such as statues and monuments, or architectural elements of a building. With well lights, you can direct the light into specific areas to create interesting shadows and patterns.
Path Lighting
For those that don't want the above-ground visibility of traditional path lights, well lights act as a great substitute. They essentially perform the same function, only below ground where they're harder to see during the day.
Mood Lighting
Well Lights
can also be used in conjunction with other fixtures and fittings to create interesting visual effects, such as mood lighting around hot tubs or pools.
Safety Lighting
Well lights are also great for providing safety lighting in areas where there may not be much natural light. This can help to make paths and walkways more visible at night, helping to prevent accidents.
Landscaping
Well lights are perfect for adding subtle lighting to landscape features, such as garden beds and trees. They can be used to draw attention to certain areas in the yard and create interesting focal points.
Step Lights
This use case definitely involves a bit more work than the others listed - specifically drilling permanent holes into a deck or staircase. But once completed, it can create a truly stunning effect. Well lights are typically used to light up individual steps and add an extra bit of safety for those that use the stairs during the night.
What's So Special About Well Lights?
Well lights aren't your average landscape light - they have a set of unique features and benefits that stand out from other available options.
Durability
One of the main advantages of well lights is their durability. These lights are fully encased by a shell, ensuring they're fully protected when stepped on or dropped. Good ones also have a watertight seal to stand up against rain and other types of messy weather. This level of all-around integrity is super valuable when it comes to investing in an exterior lighting system.
Unobtrusive
Traditional path lights and floodlights are great, but don't all come one and the same. On top of providing light, they're also decorative items that people see both day and night. This is a good thing for homeowners who want to add additional fixtures to their outdoor scenery. It's not so great for those who feel that they have enough lights or prefer something more subtle. Well lights are the perfect substitute. Designed to be almost completely invisible, they blend into the ground to provide light without any of the extra fanfare. In fact, the only visual change they make to a landscape is illumination from light beams themselves - and that's all you need to create a magical atmosphere.
Cost-effective
In addition to their aesthetic and durability, well lights are also surprisingly cost effective. Most come with a low voltage power supply, which means that they use minimal electricity while providing maximum brightness. This helps keep monthly utility bills low while still keeping landscapes well-lit. Even better, since they don’t require a lot of maintenance and can last for many years, you won’t have to shell out a lot of money for repair or replacement in the long run.
Well lights aren't your average landscape light - they have a set of unique features and benefits that stand out from other available options.
Durability
One of the main advantages of well lights is their durability. These lights are fully encased by a shell, ensuring they're fully protected when stepped on or dropped. Good ones also have a watertight seal to stand up against rain and other types of messy weather. This level of all-around integrity is super valuable when it comes to investing in an exterior lighting system.
Unobtrusive
Traditional path lights and floodlights are great, but don't all come one and the same. On top of providing light, they're also decorative items that people see both day and night. This is a good thing for homeowners who want to add additional fixtures to their outdoor scenery. It's not so great for those who feel that they have enough lights or prefer something more subtle. Well lights are the perfect substitute. Designed to be almost completely invisible, they blend into the ground to provide light without any of the extra fanfare. In fact, the only visual change they make to a landscape is illumination from light beams themselves - and that's all you need to create a magical atmosphere.
Cost-effective
In addition to their aesthetic and durability, well lights are also surprisingly cost effective. Most come with a low voltage power supply, which means that they use minimal electricity while providing maximum brightness. This helps keep monthly utility bills low while still keeping landscapes well-lit. Even better, since they don’t require a lot of maintenance and can last for many years, you won’t have to shell out a lot of money for repair or replacement in the long run.
How Well Lights are Installed
Inevitably, Well Lights
are installed a bit differently than other types of outdoor lighting systems. They're placed into the ground itself, requiring a few extra tools and special considerations when it comes to setup. Here's a general breakdown of how the process works:
Step 1: Measuring and Planning
The process begins by measuring out where the well lights are set to go. They shouldn't be installed directly against any walls or trees, rather at least a few inches away from surfaces to have maximum effect.
Step 2: Digging the Post Hole
Now that the area is measured, a post hole needs to be dug. This should allow for enough space to fully insert the well light and fill it in with gravel once installed - usually between 10 and 12 inches deep and the diameter of the light itself plus an inch or two wide.
Step 3: Installing the Light
The light should be inserted into the post hole and secured with gravel. This helps keep it in place and also gives the light a more natural look when illuminated at night. The cables can then be connected to its power source, such as a transformer or plug.
Step 4: Testing the Light
It's very important to test the light before moving on to the finishing stage; there's nothing worse than spending hours on landscaping only to realize it needs to be torn up to fix a mistake later on. Well lights should be tested for a few minutes to make sure they are working and the light output is as expected.
Step 5: Finishing Up
Once the light is connected to its power source and in good working order, the last step is to cover up any exposed wires and replace any dirt removed during digging. This is where the real decorative touches and personalization can come in. Rocks, mulch or other materials can be used to camouflage the light and blend it into the landscape.
How Far Apart Should Well Lights Be Installed?
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the distance at which well lights should be installed from one another. Some people don't even use them in the same area, instead aiming to create a 'spotlight' effect with singular beams for different plants or features. However, if you do decide to use multiple lights in the same area, it's usually best practice to space them at least four feet apart. This helps avoid any unwanted glare or light spill that could be caused by having them too close together.
Can I Install Well Lights Myself?
Installing a well light is a fairly straightforward process, but it's always best to consult an electrician if you're unsure about wiring issues or local codes and regulations. The most important thing is to make sure the power source is connected properly and safely, and that the fixtures are buried deep enough into the ground so they're not visible. Once installed, well lighting offers a long-lasting solution that adds beauty to any landscape or outdoor area.
It's hard to beat the versatility, durability, and beauty offered by well lighting systems. These products work great for any yard and are a cost-effective way of enhancing your outdoor space's appeal. When in search of the best, Top Notch Landscape Lighting is the place to go. We're proud to offer a great selection of high-quality well lights at great prices. Start shopping today!