Path & Bollard Lights

{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"How to choose path and bollard lights"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Spacing decides whether a path reads as a designed route or a runway. For a continuous, unbroken wash of light along a walkway, set fixtures 6 to 8 feet apart. For a quieter, punctuated effect where each light marks a point rather than joining up, go to 10 to 15 feet. Either is correct; what looks wrong is the accidental middle distance, where the pools almost meet but do not."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Height follows the job. A garden path is well served by an 18 to 24 inch fixture, which puts light on the ground where feet go. A driveway or a wide approach wants something taller, in the region of 30 to 40 inches, so the light reaches further across the surface and the fixture stays visible to a car. Set them 12 to 18 inches back from the edge so a mower, a snow shovel or a car door never reaches them."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Look for a shielded head that throws light downward. An exposed lamp at ankle height glares straight into the eye of anyone walking toward it and lights the path less well than a hooded fixture of half the output. Specify IP65 or a wet-location listing, and stay at 2700K to 3000K so planting and paving look warm rather than clinical."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Placement"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Continuous wash: 6 to 8 feet apart. Punctuated route: 10 to 15 feet apart."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Garden path fixtures 18 to 24 inches tall; driveway and wide approach fixtures 30 to 40 inches."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Set back 12 to 18 inches from the path edge. IP65 or wet-rated, 2700K to 3000K, shielded head aimed down."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"FAQ"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"How far apart should path lights be?","bold":true}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"6 to 8 feet for continuous light, 10 to 15 feet if you want the fixtures to mark the route rather than flood it."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"What is the difference between a path light and a bollard?","bold":true}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Mostly height and form. Path lights are typically shorter with a hooded head; bollards are taller cylinders or posts, often used along driveways and in more architectural settings."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Should path lights go on both sides?","bold":true}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Rarely. Staggering them along one side, or alternating sides at wide spacing, looks more natural than a matched pair every few feet."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"How bright do path lights need to be?","bold":true}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Less than people expect. The job is to show where the edge of the path is, not to illuminate the surface, and low output aimed properly beats high output aimed anywhere."}]}]}