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Types of LED Lighting

Jan 22,2020 Leave a comment LED lights, Types of LED Lighting

Types of LED Lighting – LED lighting is an energy-saving alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs. LED light bulbs can be used as replacement bulbs in most common light fixtures, including accent lighting, lamps, track lighting and even outdoor flood lights. Some types of LED lights are self-contained fixtures with no bulbs to replace.

Plano Texas Handyman is your local expert on LED lights and making your home more energy efficient and improve the atmosphere. Call us today at 214-507-3415 and visit our website for all our capabilities. Types of LED Lighting

This guide outlines the features and benefits of various types of LED lights. Ready to find the supplies you need in your local Home Depot store? Use The Home Depot app to locate products and check inventory. It will take you to the exact aisle and bay.

What is LED lighting

“LED” stands for light-emitting diode, the technology behind LED lighting.

Incandescent bulbs have a thin metal filament that heats up as electricity passes through it. When heated enough, the filament glows to produce light. Types of LED Lighting

An LED light works by having an electrical current pass through a semiconducting material – the diode. The tiny diodes within an LED bulb cast light when electricity is applied. This technology doesn’t rely on heat to produce light and has greater energy-efficiency than incandescent bulbs.

To light up a room, an incandescent lamp might use 60 watts of electricity while an LED bulb will produce the same amount of light using about 10 Watts.

Topping the list of LED light advantages is efficiency but low maintenance is another selling point. LEDs have an exceptionally long lifespan of more than 10 years because there is no filament to burn out. As manufacturers work to refine the production process, the upfront costs of LED lighting have come down and that contributes to long-term savings. Types of LED Lighting

Another benefit: LEDs emit almost no heat or UV rays, which can help reduce air conditioning costs and help keep fabrics and furnishings from fading.

LED lighting comes in many shapes, sizes, colors and temperatures for use throughout the home.

General Purpose Bulbs

Standard LED Light Bulbs

These bulbs disperse light at a wide angle throughout a room and are ideal for reading lamps, hallways and other common fixtures like semi-flush and flush-mount fixtures.

Can Lights

Also known as recessed lights, can light LED bulbs fit into sockets – or cans – mounted through the ceiling for downlights.

Flood Light Bulbs

Flood LED bulbs are designed to emit a strong but wide beam of light to illuminate a broad area and are mainly used in exterior applications.

Globe Light Bulbs

LED globe bulbs emit light in every direction, making globe light bulbs ideal for bathroom vanities and pendant lights.

Accent/Decorative/Specialty Bulbs

Candle Light Bulbs

Candelabra LED bulbs, also known as candle bulbs or chandelier bulbs, emulate the shape of a candle flame and work best in accent lighting, wall sconces and decorative fixtures. Types of LED Lighting

Track Light Bulbs

Track lights are often used for directional lighting, task lighting for a work area or to highlight something specific such as artwork oand other decorative features.

Edison Light Bulbs

Edison LED bulbs, or vintage bulbs, are all about aesthetics and ambience. These are best suited for decorative fixtures and should be paired with accents that match a design theme.

Tube Light Bulbs

LED tube lights, also known as linear light bulbs, have a functional style designed for more professional applications like office buildings, kitchens and work spaces.

Other Types and Features

The inside of a home with recessed lights.

LED lights are not limited to replacement bulbs. Some fixtures, including certain models of ceiling fans and recessed downlights have integrated LED lighting.

LED technology is also found in some flexible light strips or tape that can be used as under-cabinet lights for additional task lighting in the kitchen or to provide ambiance or decorative accents in other living spaces.

Holiday lighting can be replaced with LED Christmas string lights that will reduce energy consumption and also pose less of a fire hazard because LED lights emit only small amounts of heat. Types of LED Lighting

Some types of LED lighting are dimmable. Be sure to check packaging to determine if the bulb is compatible.

Look for ENERGY STAR-certified LED bulbs, which have been tested for color quality, light output and efficiency.

Smart LED bulbs connect to a Wi-Fi network to allow remote control of the lights. Features such as dimming and color-temperature tuning are available and some models don’t require a smart-home hub for operation.

A chart showing differences in color temperature.

The term “color temperature” is often used as a way to describe how warm or cool the light appears and broadly fall into three categories.

Soft white LED bulbs provide a warm, comfortable light that is good for cozy spaces like bedrooms and living rooms.
Bright white LED bulbs have a cool and refreshing light that is best used in kitchens, bathrooms or garages
Daylight LED bulbs emit light to mimic energizing daylight. It’s good for reading or intricate projects and can be used in bathrooms, kitchens or basements. Types of LED Lighting

LED Brightness

The brightness of all types of LED lights is measured in lumens. The more lumens, the brighter the bulb.

Traditional incandescent bulb brightness is measures in watts. Because LEDs use far less energy than incandescents, a better way to gauge the brightness of LED bulbs is to compare lumens.

For example, a traditional 60-watt light bulb will emit around 700 lumens. An LED bulb with comparable brightness level uses less than 10 Watts of electricity.

Lumens = the amount of light the bulb gives off

Wattage = the amount of energy a bulb uses

To choose the most energy-efficient light bulb and not sacrifice brightness, check the lumens per watt ratio on the bulb’s packaging. The greater the lumens-to-watts ratio a bulb has, the more energy-efficient it is. Types of LED Lighting

Need help identifying a tool or material? Find products fast with image search in The Home Depot app. Snap a picture of an item you like and we’ll show you similar products.

New Year Home Projects

Dec 16,2019 Leave a comment New Year Home Projects

New Year Home Projects – It happens every January. Motivated by the sense of a fresh start for tackling those home improvement projects that never got done the year before, many of my clients come to me with a wish list of to-dos–primarily inspired by the latest trends in design and remodeling, though some are just focused on contacting an air conditioning contractor for a high quality ac repair options instead. This year I thought I would beat them to the punch and compile my own list of what I think contractors–and DIYers–will be called upon to do the most in 2018. If you want more tips as well as this article, you can read this guide to see if it has any tips for you and your New Year Home Projects!

Call Plano Texas Handyman at 214-507-3415 to discuss you New Year home improvement projects or visit our website for information on all our capabilities. New Year Home Projects

1. Install Garage Organization Systems

Why it’s popular: Getting organized is probably the top New Year’s resolution of home improvement enthusiasts. What’s great about starting out with the garage is that the area can then serve a workshop for other projects. Plus, there are just tons of options to choose from in home improvement stores. Plus, garage organization means you can logically organize your Christmas decorations. Overhead storage, Wall systems, Attic renovations are all useful and economical renovations. Furthermore, once the organization system is in place, you’ll rarely have to make any other improvements to your garage. You might have to get a Garage Door Repair once in a blue moon or repaint the garage door to improve curb appeal, but once done, it becomes an effortless space in your home to maintain.

2. Update Lighting

Why it’s popular: Again because there are so many great options to select from. Homeowners can add recessed lights, spotlights, ceiling fans (with light fixtures), under cabinet lights… the list of interesting styles of lights available looks to continue to grow in 2019. My personal favorite for really making an impact statement adding state of the art LED lighting with adjustable color temperature and colo. They can be installed in less than a day, and they bring sunlight directly into the home, but they have the profile of a recessed light so that they won’t draw too much focus in the room. New Year Home Projects

3. Purchase Standby Home Generator

Why it’s popular: Ranging from $800 to $10,000, depending on the size, these were selling out all over the country when Superstorms hit so are still fresh on the brain for many. For ease of use, you can choose to have a manual transfer switch installed in your electric panel so the generator can run your house directly, instead of having to layout a web of extension cords. Standby generators can make your life convenient and protect you from devastating power outages. New Year Home Projects

4. Replace Doors

Why it’s popular: Fresh start. The beginning of the year always has people thinking about ways to make their home more energy efficient and increase curb appeal. Air leaks from your old doors are taxing on your HVAC and expensive on your utility bills. Speaking of HVAC, make sure you’re getting that regularly maintained too (check out https://energyprohvac.com/ to learn more about this.) If your AC isn’t working properly this can also affect your utility bills, even more so than having poor quality doors. Therefore, look into air conditioning repair immediately. Replacing the old doors with new materials and solid seals will save you money in the long run and improve the look of your home. This will take from a weekend to a week to complete, depending on the size of your home, but the benefits will last for decades. New Year Home Projects

Call Plano Texas Handyman at 214-507-3415 to discuss you New Year home improvement projects or visit our website for information on all our capabilities.

Kitchen Lighting Upgrades

May 12,2018 Leave a comment Kitchen Lighting Upgrades

Kitchen Lighting Upgrades

Kitchen Lighting Upgrades – If there’s one place the worlds of form and function seamlessly meet it’s in the kitchen. And upgrading the lighting is an way to add a fresh dose of style and substance to the space. Adding kitchen lighting is relatively easy in most cases and we can find creative ways to conceal all wiring and connections, for some ideas of what lighting works best in a kitchen have a look at Nordlux Lighting.

Even if you don’t have a major kitchen remodel in your future, a simple lighting swap — from adding some architectural track lighting, installing a dramatic chandelier, adding a unique ceiling fan, and placing some high quality LED lighting to dramatize your kitchen — this might be all it takes to upgrade the entire kitchen. Check out Traditions of Hilton Head / lamps for lighting options. Lighting is a lot like painting in that way: it can be an inexpensive, but impressive way to transform the room in a single afternoon. Call Ted with Plano Texas Handyman to discuss your kitchen lighting upgrades: 214-507-3415, Kitchen Lighting Upgrades. Visit our website, Plano Texas Handyman for ideas on your kitchen lighting.

If your kitchen lighting needs an upgrade, consider these 9 easy ideas:

Under-Cabinet LED Light Bars
These long, narrow lights are installed directly onto the underside of your cabinetry, making them ideal for illuminating countertops and prep areas. LED light bars come in a wide variety of lengths and they’re linkable, so even long countertops can be fully and evenly illuminated. They can be either hardwired into the wall for a seamless look, or plugged in for easy installation.

Under-Cabinet Rope Lights
Like LED light bars, rope lights are best used for countertop task lighting. Rope lights are also easy to install: they can be discreetly hung underneath a row of cabinets with a set of rope mounts that screw directly into the cabinetry.

Decorative Flush Mount
One of the fastest ways to give a spec kitchen new style is to swap out the standard ceiling fixture for something with a little more personality. A flush-mount fixture with decorative details — like this drum light with geometric cutouts — is a dramatic addition that only requires a few twists of a screwdriver.

Pendant Lights
If you kitchen has an island or breakfast bar, consider hanging pendant lights above it. Pendant lighting not only adds style to the space, it can also help anchor a kitchen island so it feels more deliberate in an open-concept home. Kitchen Lighting Upgrades

Puck Lights
Small, disc-like puck lights are easy to install almost anywhere you need added illumination, from under cabinets to inside deep drawers or in dark corners of the pantry. There are hardwired and plug in puck lights, but for the simplest installation opt for battery-operated LED pucks, which can last up to 30,000 hours and can be hung with Velcro. Kitchen Lighting Upgrades

In-cabinet lighting
Cabinet lighting can be extremely practical for deep or dark cabinets, but added to glass-front cabinetry it adds a cozy, romantic vibe and highlights your best cake stands and wine glasses. Kitchen Lighting Upgrades

Cabinet Uplighting
While installing rope or bar lights underneath your cabinetry can be a practical choice, installing them on top of your cabinets can create an ethereal, uplift effect on the ceiling that’s purely aesthetic. Kitchen Lighting Upgrades

Track Lighting
If a single ceiling light isn’t cutting it in your kitchen, track lighting is an excellent solution. With a single ceiling junction box, you can install a track light system that will allow you to direct light wherever you need it most. Kitchen Lighting Upgrades

Dramatic Chandelier
There are few lighting options that have a more dramatic, unexpected impact on your kitchen than swapping out a simple ceiling lamp for a chandelier. Don’t be afraid to go with something fancy, even in the kitchen. The simple, functional elements of your kitchen will easily balance out an elaborate chandelier. Kitchen Lighting Upgrades

Call Ted with Plano Texas Handyman to discuss your kitchen lighting upgrades: 214-507-3415, Kitchen Lighting Upgrades. Visit our website, Plano Texas Handyman for ideas on your kitchen lighting.

Installing Energy-Efficient Indoor Lighting Systems

Jun 20,2017 Leave a comment Energy

Installing Energy-Efficient Indoor Lighting Systems – First lets look at the benefits of installing energy efficient lighting and later we will examine the up-front cost to upgrade and then the annual energy savings. Call Ted at Plano Texas Handyman 214-507-3415 to discuss the installation of your Drip Irrigation System. Visit our website at www.planotexashandyman.com for more information. Installing Energy-Efficient Indoor Lighting Systems

It’s no secret the cost of electrical energy continues to rise and will inevitably continue to do so in the future. At the same time, the demand for electricity continues to increase, taxing our existing electrical infrastructure to the margins of their design limits. We need more power, but in order to get it, we need new transmission and distribution infrastructure – but that’s just the beginning.

Efficiencies need to improve. Smart grid and microgrid strategies need to be deployed, and energy storage needs to be maximized. The list goes on and on. The problem is all of these propositions require a large amount of capital, which seems to be in short supply these days. Therefore, the quickest and least expensive way to generate more electricity is to not consume it in the first place. One way to use less energy is to install newer and more energy-efficient lamps, luminaires, and controls. Even lighting systems that were deployed just five years ago could benefit from newer lighting technologies and/or better control strategies.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that about 461 billion kWh of electricity were used for lighting by the residential and commercial sectors in 2011. This was equal to about 17% of the total electricity consumed by both of these sectors and about 12% of total U.S. electricity consumption. Residential lighting consumption was about 186 billion kWh – or 13% of all residential electricity consumption. The commercial sector, which includes commercial and institutional buildings and public street/highway lighting, consumed about 275 billion kWh for lighting – or 21% of commercial sector electricity consumption in 2011. Installing Energy-Efficient Indoor Lighting Systems

The color temperature of various light sources [Image courtesy of the Lighting Design Basics (2nd Edition) textbook].

The good news is lighting has become more efficient over the last decade and continues to evolve. Not only have lamps and luminaires become more efficient, but so have lighting control systems. Installing new luminaires and lamps – or retrofitting existing luminaires and lamps – is standard practice for the electrical industry. However, installing lighting controls to save energy has sent many electrical contractors and technicians back into training mode.

Lamp/luminaire and lighting control strategies are driven by the need to save energy and by the adoption of energy codes like the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1, or state standards like California’s Title 24. As lamp efficacies improve, energy codes are driving down the number of watts per square foot used to light any give space within a building. Add in effective lighting controls, and you can drive down energy consumption even further. On the voluntary side, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), has had a profound impact on driving energy-efficient lighting design as well.

There are other benefits for installing a well-engineered lighting system. Although the following benefits may appear to be less quantifiable, in reality, they are no less important than saving energy. First is the effect that a lighting system has on improving the productivity, recruitment, and retention of the customer’s employees. The second is green and zero net energy branding opportunities. A 2009 research study, “Green Goes Mainstream: How to Profit from Green Market Opportunities,” authored by Jerry Yudelson, Yudelson Associates, Tucson, Ariz., found an average 3.2% increase in productivity from lighting improvements. The same study also revealed that a 1% increase in productivity equates to 100% reduction in energy costs. Installing Energy-Efficient Indoor Lighting Systems

Lamp and luminaire choice is usually driven by customer request in consultation with an architect, lighting designer, or both to meet occupancy requirements. However, in some cases, the electrical contractor may become the specifier of the lamps and luminaires to reduce costs for the customer (value-engineering). Electrical contractors involved in design/build projects have greater influence over lighting selection. Because most design/build electrical contractors are not lighting designers, learning something about basic lighting design benefits everyone involved.

Just like the lighting designer, the electrical contractor needs to understand the customer’s lighting requirements. Hence, for homeowners, it can be important to choose an electric contractor (like Dr. Watts Electric) who is skilled and possesses the required knowledge for this kind of work. Moreover, in the case of value-engineering or design/build scenarios, electrical contractors need to realize that the customer may be relying on their expertise when it comes to lamp/luminaire selection, layout, and control. Some basic questions to ask the customer include: What is the major task(s) that will be performed in the space (e.g., task lighting)? What surfaces or objects need to be lit (e.g., focal lighting)? What types of fenestrations will the space contain (e.g., daylighting)? Is any lamp/luminaire going to be used as an architectural or decorative feature (e.g., decorative lighting)? What is the mood of the space, or what are the navigation requirements within the space (e.g., ambient lighting)? In some designs, energy savings and increased productivity may be gained by separating task lighting from ambient lighting and using innovative control strategies.

The proper selection of the lamp and luminaire begins with understanding something about the qualities of a light source, which are determined by the method used to produce the light. Light sources range from incandescent and halogen to fluorescent and HID to light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Lamps are rated in lumen output, watts, and lumens per watt or efficacy. Lumen output is the total light output of the lamp. This does not include fixture lumens only lamp lumens. (It’s important to understand the difference when evaluating LED lamps and luminaires.) Efficacy is the measure of how efficient one light source is when compared to another. The more lumen output per watt of power consumed, the more efficacious the lamp is. When purchasing lamps, think lumens, not watts.

The quality of light is also a measure of its color accuracy and the color of the light itself. Color accuracy is a measure of how well the light source can render the colors of an object. This is known as the color rendering index (CRI), which is measured on a scale of 0 (very poor rendering) to 100 (perfect rendering). The color of the light the lamp produces (whether the light appears warm, neutral, or cool) is a function of its color temperature. The lower the color temperature, the warmer (more red) the lamp appears; the higher the color temperature, the whiter or cooler the light source appears (more blue). This is known as the correlated color temperature (CCT), as shown in the Figure.

Other areas of concern when selecting a lamp are its operating temperature range, lamp life, lumen maintenance (how much light output diminishes over the life of the lamp), directionality, dimmability, starting time, and life-cycle costs. All lamp qualities need to be understood to provide the customer with the desired end result. This implies that you, as the electrical contractor, understand how all lamps generate their light and what their operational characteristics are. Control strategies will be predicated on the operational characteristics of the lamp and occupancy requirements. Installing Energy-Efficient Indoor Lighting Systems

The goal is to have a better understanding of the nature of light – not necessarily to become a lighting designer. However, if you are providing design/build services or value-engineering a lighting system, understanding some basics of lighting design will help a great deal. Many lighting and lighting control manufacturers provide basic online training with regard to understanding the nature of light, lamp characteristics, luminaire selection, and the correct switching or dimming control devices and topologies. Many lighting manufacturers also offer webinars and training courses, some of which are free. Staying on top of the latest training resources in the lighting arena will go a long way toward maximizing your next energy-efficient installation.

The annual savings to upgrade to energy efficient lighting

Assuming you have a 2500 square foot home, with a total of 25 – 60W incandescent bulbs (lamps, fans and bath fixtures), 15 – 65W BR40 spot lights (can lights), and 4 – 4′ 40W t40 fluorescent bulbs (closets and laundry).

The total out of pocket cost to replace these bulbs with LED lighting would be approximately $485.00, including professional installation. Installing Energy-Efficient Indoor Lighting Systems

The total annual savings realized based on .11c/kwh would come to $240.00 annually in energy usage, up-front, the payback seems to be 2 years! However, you must consider the longevity and useful life of the asset, LED bulbs last on average 14.7 years compared to 2.1 years for standard incandescent. Essentially, you will have to replace incandescent bulbs 7 times. The bottom line is that over the life of the LED product (14 to 15 years), you will save over $3200.00 in energy usage and bulb replacement.

This analysis is done for a 2500 square foot home, do the math, many homes in Plano Texas are much larger. Your savings could be enormous.

Easy Home Improvements on a Budget

Mar 19,2017 Leave a comment Home improvement projects

Easy Home Improvements on a Budget – A house may be made from wood, concrete, and steel but it is not an inanimate object. When a building is lived in by a family it becomes more than a house – it becomes a home. And a home an integral part of the family to the extent that it can take on a life and feel of its own. Be honest with yourself – how often have you thought of your home’s “feelings?” There’s no need to be embarrassed – everyone does it. And just like a living being, a home too can start to look stale and boring if it is not modified and altered once in a while. You may want to invest in some home improvements such as some shutters, you can visit sites such as https://www.shutter.co.uk/, or you could choose another site. However, if you want any other home improvements you can contact Ted at Plano Texas Handyman 214-507-3415 for more information. Please Visit Plano Texas Handyman website to view and read about all of our capabilities. 1.Adding Value to Your Home Adding value to your home is always a marvelous idea, especially since it is your investment in the future and the legacy you will leave to your children – although they may not seem to appreciate it. There are two types of value you can add – the monetary kind that will bring you more money if you ever have to sell the house and the intangible value that comes from making the home a better place to live in. When thinking of home improvement always keep both values in mind. Home improvement that does not increase the selling price of your home or make it more comfortable to live in is a waste of time and money. If you have home improvement plans and are looking for suppliers of the materials you need and for sellers/renters of equipment needed for the project, details of the resources available to you in your area can be found online. If yours is a major project that that requires the services of professional interior designers and remodeling contractors – similar to roofing Chattanooga, the information you want can also be found using the power and capability of the Internet. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget 1. Every home has different improvement needs and not all projects will suit all homes. The best way to begin is to identify where improvements can be made in your home or where you want to have some change. Once you have done this, use design magazines and go online to look for the solutions you need. The web offers a vast amount of resources and being able to surf the net for a legitimate purpose makes a nice change for most people. That being said, here are some generic home improvement projects that do not cost a lot of money and which can be done in most homes. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget 2. The kitchen is the heart of the home and the one room that everyone uses. Because of the heavy use it is subjected to it can become tired looking and worn out very quickly. A rejuvenated kitchen will brighten up what whole house. You don’t need to spend vast amounts on new appliances and cabinets. Go to manufactures’ websites and you will often find that you can buy new doors for your cabinets and appliances at a fraction of the cost of replacing them. You can also receive Door Installation Denver services that make the process of purchasing new doors much easier. Alternatively, a few simple things such as changing cabinet hardware and applying a fresh coat of paint or stain to the woodwork can be very effective in giving the kitchen a new look. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget, Contact Ted at Plano Texas Handyman 214-507-3415 for more information. 3. Light fixtures can be economical and changing them is usually not difficult. New lighting can give a room a completely new look. Eco friendly lights will give you the satisfaction of reducing your carbon footprint as well as lowering your electricity bill. Use simple easy to clean designs for light that are in places where cleaning them is difficult and not easy to do often. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget 4. Floors bear the brunt of all the traffic in the house and they can become worn looking very quickly. Replacing flooring with new ecofriendly materials like bamboo is not only good for the environment but also not as expensive as you may think, especially if your DIY skills allow you to do the installation yourself. Carpets too have to put up with a lot of heavy use and can become dirty very quickly. If you rent a carpet shampooer and buy the cleaning agents required, you will be able to give new life to your carpets at a fraction of the cost of buying new ones. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget 5. Bathrooms are places where wear shows quickly. A few simple inexpensive things such as replacing chipped tiles, putting in new towel racks and changing a worn toilet seat can give the room a fresh look. If your budget extends to a new sink, that’s even better. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget 6. Your front door is the first thing a visitor sees of your home. A worn out door with chipped paint and broken or loose handles creates a negative impression. A fresh coat of paint and some new hardware can give the door a new look which is another way to brighten up your home. If your budget is large enough, a few new lights on the front porch can make an even bigger change to the look and vibrancy of your home. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget 7. An attic can be more than just a place to store things you don’t need but don’t have the heart to get rid of. Conduct an inventory of all that you have there, be ruthless in getting rid of junk and then put up shelves to hold what is left and what you think you will collect in the future. Partition off this area and you will find a large open space that you can use as you want. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget, Contact Ted at Plano Texas Handyman 214-507-3415 for more information. 8. Don’t ignore the outside of the house. Redoing your garden requires little more than a shovel, a hoe and some seeds but the effect of fresh new shrubs and flowers can be huge. Sometimes it’s the smaller things that can make the biggest difference to the overall appearance of your garden. And if you’re someone who enjoys gardening, you may decide to maintain and upkeep these flowers so they can last longer. To do that, you may need to introduce something like these sheds storage buildings to accommodate all of your gardening tools, as well as using it for some extra storage space, which could be particularly useful if you’re renovating your home and garden. You should definitely consider shrubs and flowers if you want to spruce up your garden area. Why even have grass? If you live in a desert city such as Phoenix some out of towners like to move in and plant grass. Green in a brown environment does not look right. It is foolish and does not match the scenery. This is not even counting the fact that water is expensive in Phoenix because it is a desert. It is hilarious and worrisome that people insist on growing grass when it is a pain to cut and maintain and does not look right when you are the only one on the street that is trying to grow grass in the desert. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget 9. Furthermore, and if you don’t have a big yard, why not install a few flower boxes? You can buy then at garden supply stores and they are not expensive. Most are easily fitted below windows and the scent of flowers and the bright colors can infuse warmth into a home. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget 10. We tend to not really notice changes in things we see or come into contact with every day. Look around your home carefully and you will find areas that need improvement. Most of these fixes are simple jobs that don’t need a large wallet but will change your home of the better. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget 3.Make a House a Home Your house is probably the biggest investment you will make (for almost everyone, this is the case). Turning it into home that is a happy, secure, and comfortable place for the family to live is a major project. But maintaining a home is a never ending job and small home improvement projects that are easy to do and do not require a lot of money is one way of keeping your home comfortable and fresh looking. Easy Home Improvements on a Budget, Contact Ted at Plano Texas Handyman 214-507-3415 for more information.

Home Lighting Tips

Dec 22,2016 Leave a comment Home Lighting Tips

Home Lighting Tips – Lighting a room seems easy enough: Plug in a lamp, flip a switch, and voilà! What was once dark is now bright. But certain missteps can cause a comfy space to feel, well, off. Here some common mistakes to avoid:

1. You don’t think in layers
It seems easy enough to install a row of recessed lights in a room and call it a day, but this strategy will ultimately disappoint. “Homeowners tend to light rooms like they’re hosting a convention – too much overhead light,” says Robert Gross, an architect at Lee H. Skolnick Architecture + Design. “This doesn’t add any warmth or character to a room.” Overhead lighting is a go-to option in many spaces, but it’s often not enough. If you omit task lighting, like floor lamps and table lamps, reading on your couch or writing at your desk could strain your eyes. And if you only install can lights in your bedroom, you won’t get the cozy quality that bedside lamps can provide. Home Lighting Tips

Plus, a variety of light sources make your common areas more flexible. Ambient (overhead) lighting will come in handy when you’re hosting large holiday parties, but you’ll crave the intimacy of a table lamp when it’s just you curled up with a magazine. Want to get super fancy? Why not try making a feature out of your lighting by choosing one of the neon lights available from sites such as www.neonfilter.com. Alternatively, accent lights that highlight art, cabinet interiors, or walls (think sconces) can also add a luxe design element to a room.

2. You dismiss dimmer switches.
Many of the designers we spoke to named this mistake as a major pet peeve. “Dimmers are the best kept secret of lighting design,” says interior designer Jeff Fiorito. “They allow you to control your lighting from day to night, for various events, and depending on your mood.” A quaint dinner party simply isn’t so quaint if your dining room is lit up like a stadium. Every livable space should have dimmer switches, they add ambience and mood and can warm or brighten any room especially if you have recessed lighting.

3. You forget about where shadows might fall.
Place a light in the wrong spot, and you could create more of a problem than a solution.

“In bathroom, try sconces on either side of the mirror, instead of a single light above.” says Erin Davis, of Mosaik Design & Remodeling. “Overhead lighting can cast shadows on your face.” If you must go with an overhead light, choose a longer, horizontal fixture (instead of one with one single bulb) to help fully illuminate your face. Home Lighting Tips

Shadows can plague your kitchen workspace, too. “If kitchen can lights are positioned above the edge of the counter, when you stand at the counter to work, you cast a shadow exactly where you need the light,” says Christine Beehler of Beehler Kitchens. Solve this problem by installing under-cabinet lighting.

Notice the same overhead shadow problem in your office? Make sure your desk has a task lamp.

4. You pick the wrong size fixture.
“This a common mistake I see homeowners make,” says Abbe Fenimore, the designer at Studio Ten 25. “A too-small chandelier over a large dining table or an oversized lamp on a table next to a sofa will make the area look disproportionate.”

Try these design tricks from Wayfair for picking the right-size chandelier: Add together the room’s height and width in feet. That number, in inches, should be the approximate diameter of your chandelier. In dining rooms, you should choose a chandelier that’s one foot smaller than the table’s narrowest width.

And don’t rely on eyeballing it when you get to the store. “Fixtures often look smaller in lighting showrooms, so bring measurements,” says Kerrie Kelly, home design expert at Zillow Digs.

5. You don’t position lamps at a helpful height.
“The bottom of a pendant light should be 30 to 36 inches above a kitchen island,” says interior designer Noelle Miceck. “The bottom of a chandelier should be 66 inches from the floor in a dining room, and when you’re sitting next to a table lamp, the bottom of the shade should be at shoulder height. If the lamp is too tall, you’ll be blinded by the bulb!”

6. You don’t consider your room’s paint color.
No matter how many lights you place in a room, it just won’t have that light airy feeling if the walls are too dark. This seems obvious, but even slightly different hues in the same color family can make a difference. “I painted my kitchen a grayish tan, and it caused the room to appear very dark,” says Plano Texas Handyman, Ted Vinci. “Repainting it with a ligther tan color will brighten it up.”

7. You forget that lights consume energy.
OK, so you’re probably not totally oblivious to this fact, but taking stock of what bulbs you use is important. Longer-lasting CFL and LED bubs can cost more up front, but can save you money over time. Of course, they won’t be perfect in every space; for instance, they often don’t work with dimmers.

Lighting Trends

Sep 27,2016 Leave a comment

Lighting Trends – Lighting is a key architectural and design element in a home. And much like fashion, lighting trends change regularly. If you’re looking for a fairly simple way to give your space an update, refreshing lighting fixtures can take your space’s style to the next level. Check out these top 2016 lighting trends forecasted from the leading retailers and trendsetters.

1. Upgraded Industrial
One of the lighting trends for 2016 is Lamps Plus’ “upgraded industrial”. According to a company press release, “the warehouse-inspired-movement-cum-mainstream design staple is seeing a bit of refinement.” Look for modern industrial lighting featuring rich tones and alternative metals. Don’t be afraid to invest in the industrial trend either – the look is here to stay for the next few years. Lighting Trends

2. Malleable Metals
Modern home retailer, 2Modern’s, top lighting trend for 2016 is the malleable pendant or chandelier. Because each customer’s lighting needs are different, 2Modern has expanded its malleable lighting collection in order to provide “a lamp that can be tailored to spatial needs.” On-trend examples include Rich Brilliant Willing’s Palindrome Chandelier or Moooi’s Heracleum. Lighting Trends

3. Customizable Color
Ingo Schaer of Interior Deluxe, a high-end modern lighting retailer, forecasts that its customers will be looking more and more to customize the shape of their lighting, and more importantly, the quality of light. Lighting like the crystal table lamp by Qis Design has the ability to change the color of light – from functional white to a warmer color to set the mood. But customizable lighting color doesn’t stop at warm or cool light. A spectrum of additional colors is often part of the package. Lighting Trends

4. Geometric Lighting
Bellacor forecasts geometric lighting fixtures as one of the hottest lighting trends now. Its recommendation is to keep it simple: “Although geometric lighting fixtures invoke a minimalist aesthetic, they’re not just for modern and contemporary interiors. The key to their versatility is utter simplicity.” A geometric trend is a great option if you’re looking to give your space a modern or mid-century vibe. Often it is seen that hospitality chains opt for geometric light fixtures in order to give their space a spruce up. Contacting experts from companies such as Modern Place or similar others could prove fruitful if you are looking to upgrade your lighting fixtures at home for a more contemporary look! Lighting Trends

5. Nature Inspired
The Messe Frankfurt Light+Building show in Germany is the event where retailers, designers and architects go to view what’s next in the lighting design world. The Trend Forum at the show forecast that one of the next trends for the home will be lighting “infused with allusions of nature: in organic forms, in the spectrum of natural colors and the world of bud, leaf and plant motifs.” Lighting inspired by nature softens the feel of cold, contemporary or bare spaces by adding softer lines and an organic feel to the room. Lighting Trends

6. Neon
In recent years neon has started coming back into the public eye, especially among the younger generations. The Trend is still in its infancy, hence its lower placement on the list, however, it is rumoured that it might set off a second wave of neon lighting coming back. From varying designs and eye-catching colours, they can work in many settings from advertising outside buildings, to any relaxed room in the house like a game room or bedroom. The bright, attracting light can add either a more excited tone to the room, or sometimes a more laid back atmosphere depending on how it’s used. For those interested, neon lights can be bought from stores like Neon Mama, who specialise in them. Lighting Trends

Category Lighting Trends

What is LED lighting

General Purpose Bulbs

Accent/Decorative/Specialty Bulbs

Other Types and Features

LED Brightness

Kitchen Lighting Upgrades