The proper path lighting should not be so bright or placed so close together that the path resembles an airport runway. Instead, the lighting should illuminate the path enough to highlight potential hazards ?EUR??,,????'??+ such as intersections of the path or steps in the path ?EUR??,,????'??+ without overwhelming the overall site.

?EUR??,,????'??When installing path lighting, you should allow the landscape to help define the placement of fixtures and where they are needed,?EUR??,,????'?? said Jeff Dross, Kichler Lighting senior product manager.

Dross said in many cases, moonlight should be enough to illuminate a landscape. Features such as path lighting should be used in conjunction with the natural light rather than overpowering or replacing natural light.

?EUR??,,????'??Path lights that help the person determine where the porch ends are good,?EUR??,,????'?? Dross said. ?EUR??,,????'??Not so much for going up the steps, but they are good for when walking down steps. The light should shine on the bottom step, alerting the person that they have reached the last step.?EUR??,,????'??

The easiest way to nullify the effectiveness of path lights is to install lamps that are too bright, or by placing fixtures that shine the light into the pedestrian?EUR??,,????'???s eyes.

?EUR??,,????'??Plant size is a determining factor,?EUR??,,????'?? he said. ?EUR??,,????'??In the Southwest and West, plants are typically shorter than in the Midwest, which allows for a shorter path light fixture in those areas.?EUR??,,????'??

Dross noted that the height of the fixture impacts the throw of light from the fixture. A shorter fixture can use a larger diameter head, while a taller fixture should use a smaller diameter head.

?EUR??,,????'??When installing the fixture, you should take a cue from the landscape,?EUR??,,????'?? he said. ?EUR??,,????'??The fixture needs to blend well with the aesthetics of the landscape.?EUR??,,????'??

Dross added, ?EUR??,,????'??fixtures should blend with the landscape because you will see them during the day as well as at night.

The style of fixture can be left up to the customer and is dependent on the landscape and surrounding structures, but Dross said attention should be paid to the materials used on the fixtures.

?EUR??,,????'??In coastal areas, solid brass is the only thing that works really well,?EUR??,,????'?? he said. ?EUR??,,????'??The salt in the air can be decimating to aluminum.?EUR??,,????'??