Filter
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 - 2:37pm

Many designers and customers want the ability to change their light fixtures’ color output. Allowing for light filter adjustments opens a world of opportunity for changing output color to match the season, landscape growth, and scheme customization in general.

A tree may start as green during the summer, and a green filter will enrich the glow of the light against the leaves. When autumn rolls in, swap to an amber filter and brighten the reds, yellows and oranges of the changing leaves. During winter months, when leaves are gone from trees and shrubs, a blue filter can strengthen the cold temperature of the natural bark and bring a new kind of beauty to a dormant landscape. Filters can even add more glow to a green or brown plant, or cool off the colors on leafless branches and birches.

This technology offers the landscape and uses a myriad of options and adjustability. In addition, it also allows for seasonal maintenance and upgrade service. Change filters to match the season. Refocus lighting towards the plants that are more active in certain seasons. Instead of thinking of light as fixture specific, focus attention towards the capability of the light source itself.

An important feature to look at in any LED fixture is heat management. LEDs do create heat, and many designers are unaware of that. New LED designs focus heat away from the LED itself, which is essential to long life and sustained color temperature. Choosing a luminaire that directs heat away from the LEDs and light source shows good design practice.

An added benefit to LED is that most fixtures will not become hot enough to cause an unsafe fixture. Instead of hiding lights away from touch or even not using them for fear of causing burns, choosing the right LED can dodge the issue entirely. LEDs have touched a lot of industries with great success. So far we are just scratching the surface with their capabilities and the future is very promising for what is to come. Traditional lighting is still here and will be for some time. But considering the way LED has grown as a technology year over year, it will someday become the dominant light source for the world. Lucky for us in landscape lighting, we are already taking advantage of its benefits.