In many parts of the country, landscape lighting is ‘out of sight, out of mind’. This is precisely the time to think about the workmanship of these fixtures, however. As you can see from the accompanying image, landscape lights can be installed in some pretty demanding situations. Don’t expect more than a couple of seasons from the cheap-o fixtures sold at many of the big box stores. If you want your landscape lights to look like new in 5 years, you really only have a couple of choices. Brass or Copper.
Copper is a natural metal that has a time tested immunity to oxidation. It has been used for centuries in many applications where it was vital that rust and corrosion would not affect its function. It has survived unchanged since the beginning of time — with the exception of turning a natural “Patina” or “Verde” color.
Brass is an alloy derived from copper and has the same corrosion resistant properties. Copper and brass can never rust, rot or corrode, even in the harshest outdoor environments. This is why these metals are the only choice for outdoor lighting. We’ve all seen what happens to many other types of home lighting that have been subject to the elements for any length of time, they have either rotted away to dust or the painted finishes are virtually not-existent.
Copper and brass are not just for “coastal environments”. In modern landscape conditions with constant irrigation, fertilizer and soil amendments, a coastal environment is created in almost every garden. It is difficult for anything to survive in such harsh surroundings; therefore you can trust brass and copper fixtures to remain beautiful and functional until the end of time! Brass and copper perfrom equally well in the harsh snowy climates of the north or at higher elevations. The landscape light in the accompanying image, poked its head out from under the snow recently. It had been buried for some time, as it has every winter since being installed several years ago. The fixture, made by in California by SPJ Lighting, looks as good as new, as do all the others installed at this home.
