Garden Lighting York
Garden lighting installation in York
Path lighting, uplighting, deck and patio lighting, security PIR lights. Done properly: IP65-rated fittings, armoured underground cable, 30mA RCD protection, Part P certified.
Types of garden lighting I install in York
Security lighting
PIR-activated floodlights covering driveways, rear access points, and outbuilding areas. Positioned for coverage, not just convenience. LED as standard, lower running costs and instant-on operation.
Path and step lighting
Low-level LED path lights, recessed step lights, bollard lights. Guide lighting for driveways, garden paths, and steps. Either mains circuit or low-voltage SELV transformer system.
Feature and uplighting
Ground-recessed or spike-mounted uplights for trees, architectural features, walls, and planting. IP67 spike lights for landscape use. Can be dimmable and colour-temperature selectable.
Deck and patio lighting
Recessed deck lights, post cap lights, wall-mounted lanterns for patios and entertaining areas. Warm white LED as standard for a welcoming atmosphere.
Garden office and outbuilding lighting
External lighting for garden offices, sheds, garages, and summerhouses as part of an outbuilding power supply. See the outdoor electrical installation page.
Water feature lighting
IP68-rated submersible LED lights for ponds and water features. SELV (Safety Extra-Low Voltage) supply as required by BS 7671 for underwater use.
Mains vs low-voltage garden lighting
The choice between mains-voltage and low-voltage SELV systems depends on what you want to achieve.
Higher output. Better for security lights, area lighting, and larger feature installations. Requires armoured underground cable, IP65 fittings, 30mA RCD protection, Part P certification. More permanent, cable positions are fixed once buried.
Transformer steps mains voltage down to 12V. Safe near water and for landscape use. Flexible positioning, cable doesn’t need to be buried as deep. Good for accent and feature lighting. Limited total wattage per transformer.
Many garden lighting schemes combine both: a mains circuit for security lights and a low-voltage SELV transformer for landscape accent lighting. I’ll advise the right approach for what you want to achieve.
Common questions
What type of outdoor lighting is best for a garden in York?
LED is the standard now for all garden lighting, lower running costs, longer service life, and a much wider range of colour temperatures and beam angles than older halogen fittings. For accent and landscape lighting, 12V low-voltage LED systems (SELV) are popular because they allow flexible positioning and are safe to use near water features. For security lighting and permanent architectural lighting, mains-voltage LED fittings on a dedicated circuit give more output and don't need a transformer.
How much does garden lighting installation cost in York?
A straightforward security light or two on an existing protected outdoor circuit: typically scoped on site. A garden lighting scheme with underground cable runs, multiple fitting positions, and a new dedicated circuit: scoped on site labour depending on scope and cable route length. Materials (fittings, transformer if needed, cable) are additional. A site visit confirms the exact price.
Do I need an electrician to install garden lighting?
It depends on the job. Low-voltage lighting from a plug-in transformer is not notifiable and a homeowner can fit it. Mains lighting on a new outdoor circuit is notifiable, because a new circuit is notifiable wherever it runs, and it needs an electrician registered to self-certify it or a notification to building control first. I handle that as part of the job.
Garden lighting in York
Tell me what you have in mind, I’ll advise on the right approach and give you a clear price.
Related services and guides
Lighting installation in York, indoor lighting design and install
LED lighting upgrade in York, efficient LED for the rest of the house
Outdoor electrical installation, sockets, supplies and outbuilding power