Hardscape lighting

[CaptainsLS]

I have zero experience with this aspect of the industry. Would someone be willing to walk me through the process? Are you subbing this out or is it done in-house. In what circumstances do you need an electrician, do some manufactures make product in which there is no need for an electrician? Does anyone use a brand that works well with natural stone construction?

[chardscapes]

Good subject. I have only used Malibu low voltage circuits. Not much to those. Any experienced lighting pros ?

[Mbella]

I have zero experience with this aspect of the industry. Would someone be willing to walk me through the process? Are you subbing this out or is it done in-house. In what circumstances do you need an electrician, do some manufactures make product in which there is no need for an electrician? Does anyone use a brand that works well with natural stone construction?


Captain, my first year I subbed it out because I was so busy focusing on learning new aspects of hardscaping. However, the last three years, we have been doing it in house.

For us, lighting is usually the last aspect of a project that is finalized. Typically, we do the hardscape design, softscape design and finally the lighting design. We finalize the hardscape and softscape first because it allows us to provide a comprehensive lighting design and choose the proper transformer/transformers.

An electrician is needed when line voltage is involved. For example: there isn't a convenient 120v source. We used to use an electrician to run line voltage when a customer wanted us to install fixtures on columns that matched line voltage fixtures on the exterrior of the house. We did that until we found 12v bulbs that we could use in line voltage fixtures. Otherwise, at least here, you don't need an electrician.

As far as one product that works better than another with natural stone, I'd have to think about that one, but nothing comes to mind. Last year, we did install 15 natural limestone boulder path lights along a driveway and walkway. We found them online from a guy in Canada and they worked out really well.

[CaptainsLS]

Thanks Mike. Are you aware of any decent tech bulletins or installation literature? I checked the integral site, but there was minimal. Are you running the wires in the block or behind the wall?

[cgland]

Capt. Look at www.cast-lighting.com (http://www.cast-lighting.com) for some cad details.

[emblock]

Nightscaping has people in the field who will teach you how to do it. They also provide free design service if you give them a scale drawing and a digital photo of the job. Very easy to follow plans and they do all the voltage drop and wattage calculations for you. Happy to put you in touch with the right people if you want.

[Evening Star Lighting]

Sign yourself up for the CAST seminar at this year's MAHTS show. There are several classes available. There is Landscape Lighting and Design for Architectural and Hardscaping Applications, Landscape Lighting Design with Planting Material Applications, A Comprehensive Introductory to Landscape Lighting and Design, and a Advanced Lighting class for Energy Conservation & Responsible Practices.

There is a big difference between retail box store lighting AKA - "the weekend warrior kit" and learning the correct trade, which will offer you a competitive edge.

[cgland]

100% agreed. CAST is a great product with great support and R&D. I would suggest everyone that goes to MAHTS to check them out.