Monday, March 10, 2008

Home Lighting – Lighting Fixtures for Specific Areas

Lighting fixtures come in some many styles. They have a multitude of functions. Lights can be plain, ornate, functional, fancy, or works of art. They lights themselves can be made of many materials. The material must be able to tolerate the heat of the light. Safety is also a factor for choosing material and the strength of the light bulb itself.

There are actually three types of lighting – general, task, and accent. Each type has a different purpose. The types with there use are:

1. General Lighting – This is the lighting that creates the general illumination. In your home, an example would be a fixture in your ceiling fan or a table lamp. Outside, you might have solar lighting that lights up the exterior of your home or lighting for a parking lot or large area.

2. Task Lighting – Examples of task lighting would be reading lights, makeup lights, and inspection lights.

3. Accent Lighting – Decorative lighting used for accents. Lighting directed toward pictures, plants, cabinets or other specific areas inside your room.

Many homes use recessed lighting, track lighting, scone, and portable lighting. All of these are a used to illuminate your home. Recessed lighting can be incandescent, fluorescent, HID or LED. Track lighting was invented by Lightolier. Track lighting is decorative and aimed at a specific area. Scone lighting is a wall-mounted fixture that shines up and sometimes down. A torchiere is a good example of this type of lighting. A table lamp is an example of Portable lighting. Another example of portable lighting would be magnified lights.

Light fixtures should be chosen based upon the area and lighting requirements. When making your choices, take the area and quality and quantity of light required into consideration. You can make your lighting stronger later if you install the proper fixtures at the beginning.

Nan is an Accountant and Real Estate Professional with an information and research site online HomeLighting and a Business Writer with a blog BusinessTips

Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, March 3, 2008

How To Select The Ideal Lighting Fixtures For Your Home Woodworking Shop

Shop lighting is such an important aspect of the woodshop, but rarely given the amount of thought that it needs. Typically the shop owner will go out and buy a couple of strip fluorescent light fixtures and hang them up. That might be all that is needed to light up the workshop. But as you set up the tools in your woodworking shop you might find that you are casting a shadow over the tool or worse there is a dark spot where a fixed tool is sitting. Now you have to reposition the lights or purchase more light fixtures. The most common home woodworking shop light fixture is the tube fluorescent lighting. They are energy efficient, low cost and easy to install.

Before making a plan for the lighting fixtures in the workshop, plan and layout where all of the woodworking tools will be arranged in the workshop. This will make planning the lighting needs much easier and will help prevent dark zones and casting shadows over the work surface of the tool.

The type of tool and the tool's working area will help determine how much light is needed. Table saws need to have at least their table top well illuminated. The out feed table needs some light but not as much. For a table saw a four foot fluorescent tube light over the table saw table will provide plenty of light. A drill press needs much less light, but it needs to be more focused onto the drill press table.

Garage workshop

A woodworking shop in the garage has its own specific needs. The space is multiuse space that is used as a workshop and a place to park the family vehicles. The woodworker's tools must be portable so that they can be rolled out of the way to make room for the vehicles. For a typical two car garage that measures approximately twenty two feet by twenty four feet, two to four two tube fluorescent fixtures will provide ample lighting of the work space.

Celler workshop

Having a woodworking shop in the basement is nice and allows for a more permanent setup of the shop tools. A basement shop does present some interesting challenges. Most basements have a low ceiling height. The typical basement ceiling height is 7 feet. This makes lighting a challenge since suspending lights from the joists leads to potential head banging and being struck when moving material around the woodshop.

Basement ventilation is typically poor at best where heat from the lighting fixtures can make it uncomfortable to work in.

Hang fluorescent light fixtures in between the joists. Attach a light weight chain to the sides of the adjacent joists and suspend the fluorescent light from the chain. Hang the fluorescent light fixture so that it is flush with the bottom of the joists. This will help keep it out of the way and still provide ample light. It might be necessary to use an additional light or two because of the shading caused by recessing the light.

Freestanding shed

The typical barn style shed design creates a large open space. Fluorescent light fixtures are the simplest and cost efficient choice in illuminating the work space.

A typical twelve by fourteen foot workshop two four foot fluorescent light fixtures are more than enough. Additional task lighting may be needed if there is overhead storage over the work bench.

Task lighting

Task lighting gives you the light you need right where you need it. A work light with a built in ten or thirteen watt light bulb is a popular choice. These lights require a hook, nail or something else to hang on. However you are limited to the brightness of the light based on the model. Clamp on reflectors are very effective task light. Use compact fluorescent light bulb in the clamp on reflector. You can use bulbs ranging from thirteen watts to 24 watts. This yields an illumination from 60 watts to 150 watts, with very little heat from the bulb.

Determining the right amount and type of lights the woodworking shop is a very important choice that if done incorrectly will result in frustration and possibly injury from a power tool. If done incorrectly it will require you to redo the lighting to correct any deficiencies.

The wood working hobbyist contains additional articles on the different types of http://www.wood-working-hobby.com/2006/12/08/what-type-of-shop-lighting-should-i-use/">shop lights and which is best for your woodworking shop.

Labels: , , , , ,

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Outdoor Lighting Fixtures Increase Safety and Decrease Expense

It is simply amazing to see what forms of alternative energy are changing our daily lives! Now more than ever, harnessing natural resources in the form of solar power, hydropower or wind turbines is becoming more of a priority. The cost of oil continues its upward spiral and there doesn't appear to be any end in sight. As time progresses, saving energy dollars will become more and more critical. You can do a few things right around your home to save money today. This doesn't mean that you have to go wild and purchase a complete solar energy system to realize free energy. In fact, you may want to start out with some simple solar landscape lighting. Solar outdoor lighting fixtures around your home will offer a safer environment for you and your guests.

By simply allowing the sunshine into your home on a cool day, you will get warm the room. This is considered to be a passive source of solar energy. A lot of the time we use this energy without thinking about it, but there are methods of harnessing this energy to store it, control it or move it to a more convenient location. If you are remodeling your existing home or building a new one, consider integrating plans for a passive solar power system. Even adding a few extras and add-ons to your existing home, you will find that over time your energy costs will remain the same or become less.

You are bound to save money even over a short period of time when you use solar application products such as solar outdoor lighting fixtures, fan chargers, solar ovens, radios, and battery chargers. Remember that you may have to make a considerable outlay initially, and solar energy will take time to get used to. According to experts in the field, most systems repay themselves in a matter of five to 10 years. After all, it is prudent to save where you can! You may even want to start small with a solar ceiling fan or some solar decorative landscape lighting around your home and yard.

By Terry Price - Are you tired of the same old yard, dark and uninteresting? http://www.ceiling-fans-interiors.com/landscape-lighting.html or would you like to make a huge difference in how your home looks after dusk, as well as improve your yard safety and security? http://www.ceiling-fans-interiors.com/131-landscape-pathway-lighting.html

Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, February 11, 2008

How to Choose Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures for Your Home

Whether building a new home or remodeling, you'll find there are many plumbing fixtures and accessories available. The choices can seem overwhelming, and you'll want to make sure the items you choose are both durable and decorative. Using the guide below, choose bathroom plumbing fixtures that will fit well with your decor plans while providing adequate use for the long term.

Fixtures for the bathroom should be practical and durable. They should be tough enough to withstand years of usage without wearing easily, rusting, or molding. Consider your entire décor including the colors of your floors and walls and the style used on other items in the room.

Choosing a Bathtub

When choosing a bathtub, there are four basic bathtub styles. The old-type enamel cast-iron bathtub with the China-glazing finish is popular with new constructions. It is extremely heavy and offers quietness while being filled with water. This tub usually comes as a basic five-foot tub with few styles to choose from. The average price is about $250.

Next, there's the molded plastic bathtub, which resembles the cast-iron tubs but is usually thicker. This tub is more lightweight and great for remodeling - especially when tile is already on the floor. This type of bathtub can come in several styles and colors, including a full shower/tub combination with built-in walls. It ranges in price from $250 upward.

The enameled steel tub comes in white or a variety of colors and is finished with a ceramic-glazed material. This tub is priced at around $250. Next is the fiberglass tub, which can be installed on a platform or in the floor. It comes in different shapes and sizes. Some have spa features as well. This type of tub is high-priced, some even costing in the thousands of dollars.

Shower stalls come in several styles such as a pre-built shower base, fabricated shower stall, and the fiberglass enclosed shower stall. Pricing varies according to size, style, and brand name.

Choosing a Toilet

The toilet should be comfortable and practical. It doesn't have to be fancy, but sometimes paying more means getting better quality. There are now toilets with higher gallons/flush capabilities - up to the government's standard of 1.6 gallons per flush. If you want to save on your water bill, opt for an efficiency toilet that flushes 1.3 gallons per flush. There are also dual-flush toilets that offer two flush buttons - one for liquid waste removal and one for solid waste removal. The liquid waste button, of course, uses less water per flush.

Bathroom Sink Options

The bathroom sink is important and has many uses - from brushing your teeth to shaving to facial cleansings each night! A popular bathroom sink is the V-shaped vessel sink bowl, which is made of glass, copper or stainless steel. There are also bathroom vanities with the sink already built-in for easy installation. Types of sinks include pedestal sinks, which provide no storage underneath, under-counter sinks, and above-counter sinks.

Faucets and Other Bathroom Items

Choose durable faucets made of materials that are rust-free and provide an even flow of water. With small children, you'll want to be sure the faucets have temperature settings built in to prevent scalding. For decor purposes, choose matching faucets for the bathtub and sink. Also, be sure the faucet will last for many years without dripping. Faucets come in many shapes and styles - some are plain and some are fancy. They are priced from $40. Some popular finishes for faucets include brass, brushed nickel, oiled bronze, and the popular chrome plate.

Accessorize your bathroom with other fixtures and accessories to complete your decor. You can go online to find great products in almost any style you need. Also, you can find other home accessories online such as ironing centers, door hardware, cabinet hardware, towel warmers, and more.

Choose your bathroom plumbing fixtures wisely for a pleasant and long-lasting bathroom.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Tips to Choose Plumbing Fixtures or Majon's Home and Garden directory.

Labels: , , ,

Thursday, January 3, 2008

An Introduction to Store Fixtures

Everybody is familiar with the old retail chant, “Location, location, location!” It speaks volumes about making the right decisions from the start to make your retail establishment a success. Once you’ve decided what it is your store is offering to the general public, the next step you’ll take is finding the right location. Once you’ve found it, the next step is to decide how to dress up your establishment; you’ll need to decide what retail store fixtures will properly display your product. At this stage another invaluable cliché applies, “Presentation is everything!”

It’s true that how you present your products for sale is as important as the location, the timing of your venture and the pricing of your merchandise. On one hand, you wouldn’t display expensive wares in cheap, shoddy or dirty store display fixtures. An appearance that turns people off the minute they walk into your store isn’t going to help sales and, in fact, it will probably hurt them. On the other hand, you don’t want your display choices to completely overwhelm the merchandise. Dazzling displays that distract from the sales appeal of your merchandise won’t help business either.

In order to maximize your sales potential you need to decide what look and feel of the store will appeal to your target customer. Remember, no sale is complete until the customer leaves the store satisfied with his purchase, and a crucial part of that process is the way in which your products are displayed. There are many choices to make. It can be helpful to visit other stores selling similar merchandise even if your product is so unique that you have to travel to another city to find them. Even if you are selling an invention of your own that doesn’t exist anywhere else, it will still fall into a category of stores that you should investigate before setting up shop. Art stores have one look, plumbing supply stores another and clothing boutiques still another. Even if your investigation helps you decide which display perspectives don’t work for you, that knowledge can save you time and money in the long run.

Store Fixtures Info provides detailed information on metal, antique, wholesale, and used store fixtures and store fixture parts. Store Fixtures Info is the sister site of Mannequins Web.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Home Lighting Fixtures

Halogen lighting fixtures have improved over the past few years. They are the preferred lighting option where high light quality or precise light focusing is needed.

Halogen lighting fixtures are available in a wide range and are used for a variety of applications. These applications include cable lighting, picture lighting, display lighting, lower-level lighting, track lighting, and fixtures. Halogen bulbs are a form of radiant lamp bulbs that contain halogen gases that increase the efficacy of the bulb but they are pricier to buy when compared to regular radiant bulbs. They can be either tubular or low voltage bulbs. Low power halogen lamps are not low energy lamps. Halogen lamps are not as efficient as fluorescent lamps but are slightly more efficient than normal bulbs of the same wattage. They are most appropriate in certain situations due to their tight focusing feature like for bringing art alive or lighting over a small area. A halogen lamp is actually a specific type of incandescent lamp, often featuring a parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR), which improves light focus. Halogen lighting fixtures give off a very bright white light, and they maintain their light output over time.

Halogen lights are used for "down-lighting." Down lights provide a bright pool of light in a different way than general lighting does. They are normally used to highlight corner pieces of plants. Halogen lights should be fixed with lower wattage and more efficient bulbs. Efficient 35W halogen lamps are available that produce as much light as a standard 50W lamp.

Halogen cable light system and halogen track lights, which are easy to install and require no professionals for installation, are also available. These fixtures are easily interchangeable. Halogen lighting fixtures need to be changed less often than incandescent fixtures and can be dimmed easily. They have a superior beam control that allows light to be carefully focused. The difficulty with halogen fixtures is that the light can be too bright for living rooms and they can become very hot and should not be left unattended for long periods of time.

Lighting Fixtures provides detailed information on Lighting Fixtures, Bathroom Lighting Fixtures, Ceiling Lighting Fixtures, Outdoor Lighting Fixtures and more. Lighting Fixtures is affiliated with Outdoor Lighting.

Labels: , , , , ,