If you are interested in changing up the look of your home, a new garage door is a great way to do so! However, you can go above and beyond by improving or changing the lighting near your home. Spruce up the lights by your garage door to make it offer an even better impression on all your guests.
Choosing the perfect outdoor lights will make your exterior look fantastic during the day and at night. You want enough light to be present that the air is safe after dark, of course. However, lights that show off the style and design of your home and garage door can also be a great choice. The good news is you can get both at once. Make sure not to go too crazy with it though, the neighbors don’t want to be kept awake all night from spotlights. Below we’ll offer a few tips to handle this situation the right way.
The lights around your garage door
The first tip we can offer when choosing the right outdoor lighting is to make a sketch showing the size of your garage. What you want to do with two single 8-foot doors is going to be quite different from what you might choose for a single 16-foot door. Some people have both a single and double door and use one of the spaces for storage. A small home might just have a single door and a large home might have two or three single doors. The point is that everyone is working with something different and you need to know how much space is there. Take down how much space is on the sides of the door, as well as above it. If you have more than a single door, look at the space between each of them. Those who have eaves located over the door might want to add down lighting. Depending on the roofline, you might want to install lights on the wall above your doors. You should also consider whether to get lights for your driveway at the same time.
Having this information will tell you how much space is available and whether there is enough room for the lighting you want. If you speak to a designer, they will often recommend that you leave some white space around your lights to add a bit of balance. You’ll also learn that lights shouldn’t take up more than half of the wall space available. Have little room near the door? You can install lights on the side to offer a highlight of the door while making your home look like a million bucks.
Deciding on the right type of light fixture
The first thing to consider is what architectural style your home is. Maybe you have a modern and contemporary home, or you might have a home that is more classic and colonial. Some people have a country or carriage house style. The idea is that you want to help coordinate the appearance of the garage door along with your home. The lights should look good when turned off during the day but also keep you safe and secure when its night. Another thing to think about is whether you have nearby city streetlights or driveway lights. You don’t need to double up on things.
You can choose from many different outdoor lights that will connect your garage and home while showing the garage door during the day and after the sun goes down. If you aren’t sure what will look best for your garage door, try visiting an inspirational website such as Pinterest.
Take a look at some choices for a modern style home:
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For a rustic style home:
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Considering the lightbulbs for your fixtures
You might think that choosing lightbulb is simple, but it can be more complicated than you think at first glance. LED lightbulbs are a great option if your main priority is saving energy. You should, however, check on the manufacturer’s recommendations to be sure what will work best.
Before you pick up any lightbulbs, check and be sure they are made for outdoor use, are durable, and aren’t over the maximum fixture wattage, so it does not overheat. The majority of these fixtures are rated for 100 watts at a maximum, but others might have a lower rating and you want to be sure that you stand by that information.
While LED bulbs are the most option for most, always be sure there is no special recommendation for a bulb type. LED bulbs are energy-efficient, weather-resistant, and will last for many years. Some can handle 100,000 hours of use, which means you don’t have to worry about changing them out very often.
Another thing to know is that spiral compact fluorescent bulbs should not be used in the outdoors. These bulbs contain mercury and should only be used indoors. Even if protected from the element, do not use them outdoors. This bulb isn’t designed for that sort of use and cold weather than cause it to break down and stop offering the intense light you want.
Now that you know what light fixtures and bulbs you can choose from; all you have to do is install them and put in the lightbulbs. You’ll soon have an inviting and warm space near your garage that will be seen at your home, as well.
What to do next if you need a new garage door?
All you need to do is contact us by calling 518-562-8310. We’d be happy to show you our image gallery showcasing other projects we’ve done in your area. If you prefer, we can also provide you with a quotation by email.
You can also come out and visit our showroom. We’ll show you all the different models we have available. Those who prefer to look from home can view their style options at our Design Centre.
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