A colonial home at dusk with warm path lights along a brick walk and uplights on two trees and the facade under a deep blue sky

Outdoor lighting

Low-voltage lights for paths, steps, trees and the front of the house.

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What this covers

Outdoor lighting lights a yard for safe walking at night and shows off the house and trees. Most landscape systems are low voltage: a transformer plugged into an outdoor outlet feeds buried cable to path lights, step lights, uplights and downlights. The installer plans fixture placement to light walks evenly and avoid glare, sizes the transformer and cable runs, and sets a timer or light sensor. Careful work buries cable at a proper depth and keeps light aimed down and away from neighbors. A new outdoor circuit or outlet is done by a licensed electrician.

When to call

  • Dark walks, steps or a driveway that are hard to use at night.
  • Trees, beds or a facade you want to see after dark.
  • Old fixtures that have failed or a system with dim, uneven lights.

What to expect

  1. PlanFixture types and locations are chosen, often with a test at dusk.
  2. PowerThe transformer is mounted and sized for the full layout.
  3. InstallFixtures are set and cable buried along the runs.
  4. Aim and setLights are aimed after dark and the timer or sensor programmed.

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Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.

Find a certified company

Text 844-7-RESTORECall 844-7-RESTORE

Questions people ask

Why low voltage?

Low-voltage systems run cooler, are simpler to add to and adjust, and the cable can be buried at a shallow depth. A licensed electrician handles any line-voltage work.

How bright should landscape lighting be?

Softer than most people expect. Several gentle lights placed well read better than a few bright ones, and avoid glare in eyes and windows.

Can lights be added later?

Yes, if the transformer has spare capacity. The installer usually sizes it with room for a few more fixtures.

Related: Hardscaping · Landscape design · Lighting installation · All landscaping and yard

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