Since 2019, Skars Landscape Lighting has been a division of Skars Technology and Consulting, LLC. and combines 20+ years of offering technology and low-voltage solutions to clients and customers throughout the United States. With direct from the manufacturer products, we pride ourselves in providing the highest quality low-voltage landscape lighting in the Jacksonville, Duval and Saint Johns counties of Florida.
Florida Business License: L22000293929
Saint Johns County Business License: G23000083906
Who: Marc Johnston of Skars Landscape Lighting
Where: St. Johns, Florida
In his own words: “It’s so satisfying to see the end result of our designs, where a few lighting features come together to create something visually spectacular.”
It’s easy to see how outdoor lighting provides a welcoming, cozy accent on our homes. But identifying the right color temperatures, determining the precise placements and adding the exact amount of brightness is a real art — one that can noticeably raise the value of a home.
Here, Skars Landscape Lighting in St. Johns, share what it takes to create a functional outdoor lighting design that also succeeds in being visually stunning.
Creativity and know-how. Skars Technology and Consulting, LLC was established back in 1999 with the aim of providing clients peace of mind and ease of use through its technology solutions. “In 2018, we realized we had the vision and in-house know-how for outdoor lighting and audiovisual systems,” says the company. They launched Skars Landscape Lighting to take their creativity, problem-solving and stress-free approach outside.
Options and opportunities. When it comes to upping your outdoor lighting game, Skars Landscape Lighting has some advice on where to begin. “The base level of outdoor lighting is illuminating the facade of your home, followed by your driveway. Then to really light up your night, we would add lighting features to your trees and backyard space.” Each solution adds a layer of safety to your home and emphasizes its curb appeal, both of which increase its value.
Ready for luminous and lasting outdoor light? Skars Landscape Lighting share their tips below.
1. Use the Best Products on the Market
The secret to luxurious-looking lighting that adds long-term value to your home lies in the products you select. Subpar fixtures with short lifespans simply won’t do the trick. “Don’t go for the cheap stuff from big-box stores,” Skars Landscape Lighting says. “They’ll actually detract from how the house looks.”
They recommend solid cast-brass fixtures that are backed by a lifetime warranty, saving yourself or future homeowners from maintenance costs and concerns. “At Skars, we only use premium products with lifetime warranties and the latest LED control technology, Our product is simply the best on the market.”
2. Design With Curb Appeal in Mind
Aside from security and long-term value, the most important aspect of exterior lighting is how it looks and how that makes you feel. What’s better than coming home to see your familiar driveway bathed in light or walking up to your own warmly lit entryway.
When it comes to making a home’s exterior utterly appealing, Skars Landscape Lighting has a few tricks. “To make your home look bigger, illuminate each end of the house. If your home has columns out front or a second story, adding lighting fixtures along either will make your house look taller and feel more grand.” They also counsels against having a light directly over a window, which will disturb the home’s occupants.
3. Precisely Execute Each Placement
It takes an expert to know exactly where to put each type of light, but it doesn’t take an expert’s eye to see a lighting installation gone awry. “You’ll often see exposed connections or wires,” says Skars Landscape Lighting. “Meeting the National Electrical Code means that every wire that runs along the house should be in conduit, and those along the ground must be buried 6 inches.”
If it’s poorly planned lighting along a driveway, you might see the light fixtures competing with the roughly cut edges of the pavers or concrete. “Skars Landscape Lighting always use an exact core driller so that every installation is perfectly round,” says the company.