We’re now at the point in the year where you can spend a relaxing summer evening on your porch looking up at the stars and in that case, you need to consider upgrades in outdoor and security lighting in Fairfax, VA in order to keep your family safe. Though there will be plenty of opportunities for relaxation this summer, it may be difficult to stay comfortable knowing you don’t have security lighting that will keep any intruders away. In addition, the property value of your home may suffer due to a lack of quality safety features.

If you want outdoor & security lighting and not sure exactly what you need, we can certainly recommend you consider:

We’re thrilled to offer new LED Skylights! Designed for dental office lighting, hospital lighting, classroom lighting, waiting rooms, basements, or other applications with suspended grid ceilings, the decorative LED light panels are an innovative alternative to window skylights. They feature vivid sky designs that are printed directly on panel lenses. Using Even-Glow® technology and diffused optical lenses, these panel lights deliver smooth, flawless illumination without visible bulbs or hot spots. The 2-by-2-foot and 2-by-4-foot panels are available in dimmable and non-dimmable versions. Dimmable panels offer an alternative ceiling and wall surface-mount option in addition to suspended grid ceiling mounting.

LEDs in the panel lights are designed to last three times longer than fluorescent tube light bulbs without the notorious hum or flicker they produce. Each LED panel light has a slim aluminum alloy frame. Non-dimmable panels are equipped with a UL-Recognized constant-current driver. Dimmable panels have an internal 0-10-volt dimmable constant-current driver. Dimming can be achieved with a 0-10-volt switch or by using the light’s power-cycle feature to activate set brightness levels. The energy-efficient panel lights operate within a wide 100-277V AC range.

Sun Beams

Jet Set

Summer Sky

Balloon 1

Balloon 2

Every home has a fire detection system. This vital safety feature should be well understood. Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and security systems give homeowners peace-of-mind. Furthermore, when combined with a security system, these devices work together to form a complete home protection plan.

The second type of detector is an ionization detector. It uses a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the air in an internal chamber. This in turn, generates a voltage that can be measured. By-products of combustion will change the voltage that is generated and trigger the alarm. This type of detector is better at identifying active combustion with little to no smoke.

While both types of smoke detectors will safely alert a homeowner to a fire, combination alarms exist that employ both methods. Consequently, the responsiveness of the whole system increases. Hard-wired detectors are also available which can be wired to trigger all the alarms in a home if anyone detects a problem.

In any appliance that uses combustion, such as a furnace or stove top, a potential exists for hazardous carbon monoxide buildup. This by-product is tasteless, odorless, colorless, and highly toxic in large concentrations. Therefore, a carbon monoxide detector is highly recommended. It will monitor the levels of CO in the air and alert inhabitants before they become dangerous. They are available as stand-alone units that can be plugged in to standard wall outlets or as combination roof-mounted CO and smoke detectors.

Home security systems have been around for decades and make use of a combination of sensors including door, window, glass-break, and motion sensors. Historically, these devices were hard-wired and fed back to a central control panel. Many modern systems make use of wireless sensors that allow for easy retrofitting of existing homes. Door and window sensors utilize a small magnet and magnetic strip held open when the door or window closes. If the magnet is moved away, the magnetic strip springs closed and triggers the alarm.

Glass-break sensors are placed near windows and use a microphone to listen for the distinctive frequencies associated with glass breaking. Motion detectors take advantage of a variety of technologies, such as passive infrared, microwave, or ultrasonic. This technology detects something moving within its range. These can be part of exterior security lights or interior motion sensors. Security cameras can also play a role in home security. Install them indoors or outdoors.

When installed and used properly, a home security system can easily increase home safety while reducing the chances of burglary or fire. Most insurance companies offer discounts for home security systems. Because of this, the entire cost of the system may be offset or eliminated altogether. Be sure to ask your insurance company about discounts to homeowner’s insurance for improving or installing a new security system.

From island lighting to crystal chandeliers, 2015 marks the International Year of Light.  Make your home a haven for relaxation and a haunt for partying it up with your best friends–the right lighting design dictates the mood, so spend a little extra time mapping out your lighting plan and selecting the right light fixtures and light sources.

Ceiling fixtures from Quoizel Lighting add a festive finishing touch to this handsomely tailored den.

Never underestimate the power of a great lighting design.  For personal assistance in customizing your lighting plan, visit with a professional lighting consultant at a Capitol Lighting showroom or 1800lighting.com.