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Lighting for pergolas, arches and gazebos Pergolas can be uplit from the ground or downlit with fittings on the beams or top of the posts or columns. Uplighting creates a bigger effect where climbers creep across beams, but stick to lower power lamps such as 20w or 35w in both uplights and downlights to avoid excessive brightness near seating or walking areas. Good uplighting options include a Megabay Lutuna M6125 copper spike spot with an optional internal glare louvre, an M5520GRE universal spike spot with a glare guard or a Nautilus (M2506) recessed uplight with an internal glare louvre to shield the light source from view from a path or seat. Use uplighting where the crossbeams have ornamental value or there is particularly good coverage of the crossbeams by attractive foliage and flowers; otherwise pergolas are usually best illuminated by downlighting from the posts, columns or crossbeams. Make sure you follow the symmetry of a pergola – a long pergola must have paired lights on each side – and avoid zig-zag patterns which will look like bulbs have blown! Where there is a seating area beneath or a path through, use a low power downlight. An optional frosted lens may be used to light the area in a diffused way; the M6131 is a compact copper and chrome range with a frosted lens option. Use standard 12 volt spotlights with clear lenses where there are particular features onto which you may wish to project a circle of light - a paved circle, a table or a focal point. Adjustable units such as the Megabay copper M6121 for crossbeams or M6120 for posts and columns are best; the Elipta spotlight range is an attractive choice at reasonable prices where you want another choice of finish - 316 stainless steel (E4211), copper (E4221), black (E4231), white (E4252) and a smart new brushed brass finish (E4262). Elipta spots also give you the option of 12v and 240v models to suit your wiring configuration. For symmetric pergola walkways, the most stylish technique uses downlights in pairs on opposite posts to illuminate path, column and plants; the M6131 copper downlight is one of the most compact units for this application. Hanging downlights are another option for putting light down the centre of a pergola walkway, below an arch or down onto a table in a gazebo; the Megabay Damico M6450 copper downlight is a miniature unit which can be suspended from a brass hook; the MR11 20w lamp will give you enough light for most arch and pergola applications but you may wish to opt for the brighter 35w lamp if lighting from the apex of a tall gazebo roof. The Damico with frosted lens option is a great fitting for downlighting onto hanging baskets from the wall bracket. For a bit of fun and to add a little sparkle to the ambience, downlights with perforated barrels let pinpricks of light through the sides as well as giving a small pool of light beneath to illuminate a planted pot or climber; Megabay’s M6455 Dazell and M6460 Dazellis offer a choice of two sizes, the longer one for hanging nearer to posts and columns. Clients often ask for lighting of an ornamental seat under a pergola or tree, but this can be incompatible with visual comfort during use. The answer can be diffuse downlighting or to provide switching options, allowing appropriate lighting to be selected for different uses. The difference between mood lighting and lighting for reading can be important in these areas, so it is essential to develop a thorough client brief on such matters at the outset; downlighting in a gazebo or under a pergola beam to facilitate reading will not facilitate the ability to sit there in mellow mood and look out upon ornamentally lit features. You will need to plan alternative lighting options, the least being the ability to switch off downlighting over a seating dining area separately to enjoy the outlook from a darkened enclave. Manufacturer and Supplier links: |
Lighting for Gardens - Professional quality garden lights and outdoor lighting from the leading UK garden lighting supplier. |
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