Exterior lighting for rural cottage
Discussion
We've just bought a 200 year old cottage in rural Scotland. It's white painted stone construction and currently has no exterior lighting at all.
There are no neighbours or other lights for quite a distance and it's surrounded by forest so it's pretty dark!
Any ideas on how to tastefully light it? We really want something subtle and in keeping. Are we better sticking to Swan necked traditional light fittings on gables and above doors or is there a way of gently washing the walls with light? Any other ideas welcome.
There are no neighbours or other lights for quite a distance and it's surrounded by forest so it's pretty dark!
Any ideas on how to tastefully light it? We really want something subtle and in keeping. Are we better sticking to Swan necked traditional light fittings on gables and above doors or is there a way of gently washing the walls with light? Any other ideas welcome.
After messing about with solar lights for 1 year I threw all these in the bin, I converted all my exterior lights to Osram Noxlite LED via exterior mains cabling.
There are two circuits, one with 7 single LED lights on the fence facing the house, on a timer that come on at dusk, and off again at dawn. The low running costs of these quality LED units means I can keep these on all night. The other circuit is 3 twin PIR Noxlites on the house itself pointing outwards, roughly 1 above each exterior door. hence if anyone approaches the house through the yard and the glow from the 7 LEDs on circuit 1, they are picked up with an auto light on the house.
I feel that anyone with unfavourable intention towards the property are put off by having to do anything in the full glow of the lights, whereas legitimate callers are welcomed by that same light.
My neighbours do ask when the planes are landing however.
So, in your case I would definitely get at least 4 lights, shining onto the house from the trees, one per aspect. As your cottage is similar to mine, i.e. 1 room deep, but many wide, you may need more on the long aspects of the property. Don't waste your time or money on solar, it's just not upto the job.
PS - lovely property by the way! ;0)
There are two circuits, one with 7 single LED lights on the fence facing the house, on a timer that come on at dusk, and off again at dawn. The low running costs of these quality LED units means I can keep these on all night. The other circuit is 3 twin PIR Noxlites on the house itself pointing outwards, roughly 1 above each exterior door. hence if anyone approaches the house through the yard and the glow from the 7 LEDs on circuit 1, they are picked up with an auto light on the house.
I feel that anyone with unfavourable intention towards the property are put off by having to do anything in the full glow of the lights, whereas legitimate callers are welcomed by that same light.
My neighbours do ask when the planes are landing however.
So, in your case I would definitely get at least 4 lights, shining onto the house from the trees, one per aspect. As your cottage is similar to mine, i.e. 1 room deep, but many wide, you may need more on the long aspects of the property. Don't waste your time or money on solar, it's just not upto the job.
PS - lovely property by the way! ;0)
That looks like a peaceful place to be. I would urge restraint, treat light as you would noise.
IMO wash lighting of buildings should be the preserve of buildings of national interest and buildings accessed by the public.
Having the option of complete darkness is a real luxury these days.
A swan necked light by the front door for when you are expecting visitors would be perfect for me.
IMO wash lighting of buildings should be the preserve of buildings of national interest and buildings accessed by the public.
Having the option of complete darkness is a real luxury these days.
A swan necked light by the front door for when you are expecting visitors would be perfect for me.
C Lee Farquar said:
That looks like a peaceful place to be. I would urge restraint, treat light as you would noise.
IMO wash lighting of buildings should be the preserve of buildings of national interest and buildings accessed by the public.
Having the option of complete darkness is a real luxury these days.
A swan necked light by the front door for when you are expecting visitors would be perfect for me.
Me too, the stars and moon must be spectacular on a clear night.IMO wash lighting of buildings should be the preserve of buildings of national interest and buildings accessed by the public.
Having the option of complete darkness is a real luxury these days.
A swan necked light by the front door for when you are expecting visitors would be perfect for me.
C Lee Farquar said:
That looks like a peaceful place to be. I would urge restraint, treat light as you would noise.
IMO wash lighting of buildings should be the preserve of buildings of national interest and buildings accessed by the public.
Having the option of complete darkness is a real luxury these days.
A swan necked light by the front door for when you are expecting visitors would be perfect for me.
Agree with this. Wash lighting of private houses is a bit council IMO. My parents live in a tiny group of 200+ year-old cottages and 1 is lit as such. Makes it. Bit of an eyesore TBH.IMO wash lighting of buildings should be the preserve of buildings of national interest and buildings accessed by the public.
Having the option of complete darkness is a real luxury these days.
A swan necked light by the front door for when you are expecting visitors would be perfect for me.
OP what do you actually want the light for?
If it's just a bit of light to see by, then a swan neck by each door. Outside lighting for sitting out in the evenings is a different matter.
The jury seems to be out on using it for safety, many saying it just makes it easier for the burglars to see what they're doing.
As has been suggested, to provide enough light to get about, you need very little indeed. Something tasteful, small, maybe even reclaimed, with a low-power warm-white led on a pir or switch by the door.
If you also want a floodlight for working on the car say, I can recommend the Osram LEDvance range, again they offer a nice warm white.
Daniel
If you also want a floodlight for working on the car say, I can recommend the Osram LEDvance range, again they offer a nice warm white.
Daniel
C Lee Farquar said:
That looks like a peaceful place to be. I would urge restraint, treat light as you would noise.
IMO wash lighting of buildings should be the preserve of buildings of national interest and buildings accessed by the public.
Having the option of complete darkness is a real luxury these days.
A swan necked light by the front door for when you are expecting visitors would be perfect for me.
Agreed, treasure what you have. Adding a entrance door light for use when visitors arrive is perfect.IMO wash lighting of buildings should be the preserve of buildings of national interest and buildings accessed by the public.
Having the option of complete darkness is a real luxury these days.
A swan necked light by the front door for when you are expecting visitors would be perfect for me.
I live in a rural cottage on Suffolk, not quite as remote as yours OP but still pretty isolated. No street lights, no light pollution - this is the best part.
We have gone for some subtle and small up/down lights for some of the main walls, a porch lantern to provide some entrance light and a few small led PIRs to assist with coming and going in the dark. The PIRs themselves are small bit the output is quite impressive.
The up/downs are great for providing some path light as well as casting some subtle light over the house as well, whilst avoiding a council full light wash of the place which imo should be reserved for a stately home or church etc.
We have gone for some subtle and small up/down lights for some of the main walls, a porch lantern to provide some entrance light and a few small led PIRs to assist with coming and going in the dark. The PIRs themselves are small bit the output is quite impressive.
The up/downs are great for providing some path light as well as casting some subtle light over the house as well, whilst avoiding a council full light wash of the place which imo should be reserved for a stately home or church etc.
Thanks everyone - much appreciated.
Like most of you have said, I really enjoy the lack of light pollution and being able to properly see the night sky. In saying that, needing a head torch to find the car or to nip out for firewood isn't ideal!
I basically just want enough light to get around safely outside without having blazing PIR triggered floodlights. I think a few modestly powered traditional swan necked fittings is probably the best way forward.
Like most of you have said, I really enjoy the lack of light pollution and being able to properly see the night sky. In saying that, needing a head torch to find the car or to nip out for firewood isn't ideal!
I basically just want enough light to get around safely outside without having blazing PIR triggered floodlights. I think a few modestly powered traditional swan necked fittings is probably the best way forward.
Like others have said, it's amazing how bright the moon can be when there isn't any artificial light around!
We've got Coughtrie Swan neck corner lights on each corner of the house. They very rarely get used in all fairness - mainly when we are expecting guests, so they don;t end up falling in the pond!
Lights above the door are good, but remember, they'll attract loads of insects, which normally end up in the house as soon as you open the door...
We've got Coughtrie Swan neck corner lights on each corner of the house. They very rarely get used in all fairness - mainly when we are expecting guests, so they don;t end up falling in the pond!
Lights above the door are good, but remember, they'll attract loads of insects, which normally end up in the house as soon as you open the door...
Woody3 said:
Like others have said, it's amazing how bright the moon can be when there isn't any artificial light around!
We've got Coughtrie Swan neck corner lights on each corner of the house. They very rarely get used in all fairness - mainly when we are expecting guests, so they don;t end up falling in the pond!
Yes, the ms was amazed walking at my parents 'you can see shadows, from the moon' mind blowing!We've got Coughtrie Swan neck corner lights on each corner of the house. They very rarely get used in all fairness - mainly when we are expecting guests, so they don;t end up falling in the pond!
Parents also have the Coughtrie FS10, non-swan side entry in their case. They appear to now be remaking the retro SW range.
Daniel
snowandrocks said:
Thanks everyone - much appreciated.
Like most of you have said, I really enjoy the lack of light pollution and being able to properly see the night sky. In saying that, needing a head torch to find the car or to nip out for firewood isn't ideal!
I basically just want enough light to get around safely outside without having blazing PIR triggered floodlights. I think a few modestly powered traditional swan necked fittings is probably the best way forward.
To be honest, I feel that you'd be much better off investing in a few decent head torches to be kept by the front door if that really is all you need!Like most of you have said, I really enjoy the lack of light pollution and being able to properly see the night sky. In saying that, needing a head torch to find the car or to nip out for firewood isn't ideal!
I basically just want enough light to get around safely outside without having blazing PIR triggered floodlights. I think a few modestly powered traditional swan necked fittings is probably the best way forward.
If it was for visitors and security, then having some on motion sensors somewhere appropriate might work, with an internal over-ride to you can chose to leave them on.
But really.....head-torches FTW! Alpkit do some decent ones at a fair price ;-)
mikeiow said:
....head-torches FTW! Alpkit do some decent ones at a fair price ;-)
Yeah, not had one, but I think its the Qark which is their small rechargable which looks good at £30. Takes AAA or the rechargable battery.The very similar Petzl Tekkian is half the price and very good as is, but if you add the 'core' rechargable pack its then more like £40.
Daniel
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