Illuminate Outdoor Spaces with Landscape Zone Lighting
Creating rooms within landscape lighting designs allows you greater control when you want to highlight a certain area of the landscape. Whether your homeowner is entertaining in an outdoor kitchen or looking for ambient lighting around a fire pit; zoned landscape lighting allows precise control. Done right, strategically created landscape lighting zones are an investment in the beauty, usability, and security of a client’s property.
Benefits of Setting Up Outdoor Zones
Today’s homeowners are looking for landscape lighting options that offer more choices than traditional landscape lighting that illuminates walkways and the perimeter of the home during the evening hours. With zoned landscape systems, homeowners can control different sections of the exterior of the home with independent schedules. Some areas that the homeowner can illuminate include:
- Decks and Patios
- Pergolas
- Fire pit areas
- Flower beds, trees, and shrubs
- Water accents
Setting Up Zones
Careful consideration of a property’s personality and homeowner’s lifestyle is key to getting the best result from a landscape lighting project. Taking time to get to know the homeowner and establishing zones at the beginning of a project will help you simplify the planning process.
Start with a homeowner consultation. Key questions for you to ask a client at the start of a project include: What are the favorite architectural features of the property to highlight in the design? How does the family use the property? Do they work late into the evening on weekdays, or go out on weekends and come home later? If so, an app-based control that can accommodate multiple schedules can be the right choice.
Is there an outdoor entertaining space? Are friends and family gathering for dinners outside and sitting around a fire pit? Are there perimeter areas that could benefit from additional security at night? The right landscape lighting can illuminate a home’s dimly lit spots and help create a safer space.
These are all good questions to consider as you determine the different landscape zones, their focal points and transformer options at the start of the design and planning process.
Wiring Strategy
Traditionally, the daisy chain method is used, where fixtures are wired in sequence. This method has the advantage of using a minimum amount of wiring and overall being easier to install. The disadvantage to this method is it does not offer any customization - all fixtures are either on or off.
Wiring For Zones
Wire each zone as one, for example, each entertainment space is wired as one zone. There may be the need for a safety zone and a combined architectural and landscape zone. This allows each zone to be controlled independently and can be set up with a varying amount of voltage allocated to each zone.
Transformer Options
Smart Control Transformer
With Kichler Connects homeowners can design and schedule up to three independently controlled lighting zones, all from one transformer. This enables customization and control of specific areas and design elements. You can also connect multiple Smart Control Transformers for even more zoning options.
Multiple Basic Transformers
Use multiple basic transformers with controls like the smart control timer.
Transformers convert power to the reliable, 12V low voltage power that drives landscape lighting systems from a simple lighting application to a sophisticated design.
Consider installing a transformer that has voltage capability greater than your initial needs to ensure that any additional landscape lights can be added easily at a later date. This consideration can avoid voltage drops that cause unevenly lit fixtures and premature bulb burnout.
Multiple transformers can be used to create zones and be controlled with a digital timer or with the Kichler Smart Control Timer. Compact and easy to install, the Smart Control Timer works with the Kichler Connects™ App. Together, they allow users to control preset lighting schedules or create custom schedules. The Smart Control Timer also has a unique external antenna to extend the signal range from the transformer enclosure to support more applications.
Whether you are designing a new zone landscape lighting project or retrofitting an existing set-up, you have options. You can install a Smart Control Transformer or plug the Smart Control Timer into a compatible transformer. When you design your lighting layouts with zones in mind, it sets your design apart and creates a space your homeowners will enjoy for years to come.
