Powder Coat Warranty

While the powder coating process may be described similarly from manufacturer to manufacturer, the durability of each powder coat can be significantly different. Warranties on conversion-coated powder coat outdoor luminaires are 5 years and more often than not these fixtures will retain their original finish. By contract other inferior powder coating processes will need to be replaced up to eight times to match the lifetime of a more durable product.

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) is the group within the aluminum products industry responsible for certifying that a powder coat warranty is accurate. The warranty guarantees that the finish on the exterior aluminum fixture will withstand the elements for that specified period of time. In order to verify these claims, the certification process places materials under a variety of stresses designed to simulate an extreme outdoor experience including intense heat, salt spray, boiling water and abrasion tests.

Efficient Design

While energy-efficiency and material-efficiency are important elements of sustainable design, they do not, by themselves, qualify a project as sustainable. The landscape lighting system should be designed to have low maintenance requirements and perform reliably every day, every year.

Efficient design begins by selecting quality fixtures that are both energy efficient and material efficient. Then incorporate those fixtures into the landscape in a way that minimizes the impact to the natural environment, is easily maintained, and works reliably.

Start with a Quality Fixture

Begin with a quality fixture. When a poor quality fixture is used it can break down often, outside-in or inside-out. The sockets can short out. The paint can flake or crack. The fixture may break, because it is not durable enough to withstand the wear and tear that an outdoor fixture receives. Poor quality fixtures do not support sustainable design. They can become an outdoor hazard and the constant attention required to fix or maintain the system can cause homeowner headaches and high replacement expense in both time and money.

"The key to creating a sustainable project is selecting durable fixtures that are going to last," said Gabe Kauffman. "Look for metal fixtures designed to withstand the elements and painted with a high-performance powder coat that will protect the fixtures."

Select a professional-quality outdoor lighting fixture from a major manufacturer. These fixtures are rated to withstand heat, moisture, salt, hail and more.

Good Wiring Design

Even though a licensed electrical contractor is not required to install low voltage systems, there are technical constraints in the design and installation of low voltage systems that can present problems to the inexperienced. If these technical considerations are not properly addressed, the system will not perform to an acceptable standard.

One of the major problems with larger low-voltage lighting projects is the voltage drop that occurs in proportion to the wire length and load. Good wiring design outlined by a professional is the best way to ensure that the landscape lighting system will work correctly. 

Landscape lighting systems invite people to enjoy the outdoors after dark. By selecting an efficient lamp type that best matches the needs of the project and specifying a high-quality metal fixture that has been treated with a non-chromate conversion process, design teams ensure that this extra time outdoors is not bought at the expense of the environment. Using energy-, material-, and design-efficient systems, people can enjoy nature, after sunset, sustainably.

 

B-K Lighting is dedicated to providing the lighting industry with the highest quality, most innovative, and fairly priced outdoor lighting fixtures available. We use the latest in computer-controlled equipment to produce our products, which are machined from copper-free aluminum, brass and stainless steel components, to exacting standards. This type of precision manufacturing ensures a level of quality and craftsmanship unequaled in the lighting industry. Quality, Service, Innovation, and Value all add up to make B-K Lighting and Teka Illumination the number one choice in outdoors architectural and landscape lighting.  www.bklighting.com