It’s a phenomenon seen across the country twice a year with outdoor lighting. Hauling the furniture and yard decorations out of storage in the Spring and then taking it all back in the Fall. After all, you’ve invested substantial money into your home and belongings, and they last longer when properly cared for.

Your outdoor lightscaping was another investment and was money well spent. Many evenings were spent outdoors with your family and friends, sharing laughs and making memories. Now that cooler weather is setting in, you need to decide: take them down and store them or just leave them where they’re at.

Houston’s Mild Winters

Residents of Houston get a reprieve from the snow and freezing temperatures that impact other regions of the United States. There may be a rare occurrence of temps dropping into the single digits, but the average low during the winter months is typically in the mid-40s. This mild weather means you can leave your outside lights up throughout the year.

But Houston has its own set of year-round weather challenges, such as

  • A humid subtropical climate means moisture can corrode and rust the components of your outdoor lights.
  • Fronts moving through Houston sometimes bring along gusty winds. String and fairy lights can become dislodged or tangled.
  • Houston enjoys clear skies and sunny days most of the year, and winter is no exception. Long-term exposure to the sun and its UV rays can fade light fixtures and contribute to the slow breakdown of materials.

Leaving the Outdoor Lighting Up

Many Houstonians prefer to leave their outdoor lights throughout the year. Here are some reasons why homeowners may choose to skip storing their lights:

  • Visually pleasing: Landscape lighting creates a cozy ambiance during the cooler, shorter winter days. It’s perfect for wrapping a blanket around your shoulders and enjoying a cup of hot cocoa in your backyard.
  • Durability: Your outdoor lights were designed to handle all sorts of weather. Waterproof seals and UV resistance means you don’t have to worry about moisture getting inside your lights or materials breaking down.
  • Time: Taking the lights down and putting them back up in the Spring can feel like a hassle that you’d rather avoid.

updating outdoor lighting

Should You Store Any of Your Outdoor Lighting?

While you can keep the majority of your outdoor lights shining year-round, there are some that you will want to store. Colorful festive lights should come down once the holidays are over. 

Fragile fixtures with delicate designs or lights that don’t have an outdoor rating should also go into storage during the winter season.

Outdoor Lighting Maintenance

If you decide to keep your outdoor lights throughout the winter, it’s crucial to regularly check them for signs of damage. Repair frayed wires and replace missing bulbs. Keep the dirt cleaned off with mild soap and water and a soft, clean cloth.

Or let Houston Lightscapes do the maintenance for you. With a maintenance membership, we will come out once a year to provide that routine maintenance required to keep your lights looking and performing their best. Not only will we clean, repair, and replace your lights, but we also check the voltage of each light to ensure safety.

Contact us for a free consultation by calling (713) 461-3600.

 

The team at Houston Lightscapes takes pride in their many years of experience in the landscape lighting industry. They've been serving the greater Houston area for over 30 years bringing innovation and elegance to their designs. Learn more about Houston Lightscapes here.