Lighting a commercial property in Chicago comes down to a series of practical decisions. If you start your lighting project with specific fixtures in mind, the risk is that you will end up with a look no one planned. But if you start with the goals first, everything else can follow from there. Here is a practical way for a Chicago property manager or owner to think it through.
Before Setting Up Outdoor Lighting for a Commercial Property in Chicago, Start with the Goals
Before adding any fixtures, decide what you would like for your lighting to do. Do you need lighting to increase safety and reduce liability in parking areas and on walkways? Or are you thinking more along the lines of a stronger first impression? These are the sort of questions to consider.
Most commercial properties want to accomplish multiple goals at once. This is good. But it still helps to name the choices early and then prioritize them so nothing important is missed and the budget is spent well.
You can divide outdoor lighting into three distinct parts. Architectural lighting handles the building, focusing on the facade, rooflines, columns, and entrances to give the property a clear nighttime presence. Landscape lighting takes care of the surrounding grounds and pathways. The final piece is permanent lighting, which provides reliable soft white light for everyday use and programmable colors for special events.
Many properties use a smart combination of the three. This same toolset works for car dealerships and senior living facilities alike. The difference is how it’s applied in each case to suit the property.
Commercial Outdoor Lighting Zones & Fixtures
Entrances and signage create your first impression, meaning they require clean, glare-free lighting. Pathways and parking areas serve as the safety backbone of the property and need even coverage without any dark gaps. Add comfortable light to outdoor gathering areas, patios, and courtyards to keep them usable past sunset. Mapping these distinct zones launches the design process.
Light should be bright and even where safety matters. And it should be softer and layered where ambience does. Energy-efficient LED technology is the standard these days for commercial work, thanks in large part to its lower operating cost and long life. You can add controls like timers and app-based systems as well. This will let you schedule different lighting based on the zone so you can adjust the property with no manual work.
It’s also worth mentioning that any fixtures chosen need to work in the Chicago climate. Blame the cold winters and high winds if you must. They’re hard on outdoor systems. So your commercial lighting needs to use weather-rated fixtures and it needs to be properly installed and backed by a proper maintenance plan that provides ongoing service.
Why Chicago Businesses Choose Outdoor Lighting Perspectives
Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Chicago has served the greater Chicago market for over 25 years. It is family-founded, now second-generation led, and focused entirely on outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting is all we do, not landscaping, pest control, general contracting, or general electrical work.
We are an authorized dealer for permanent roofline lighting. Every installation is credentialed by the manufacturer. They trust our work enough to provide a lifetime product warranty on systems of theirs that we install. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives also holds a 5-star Google rating across nearly 200 reviews.
Looking for Commercial Outdoor Lighting in Chicago Near You?
If you’re planning lighting for your commercial property, it’s a good idea to book a consultation. That’s the fastest way to turn decisions into a design. We’re happy to walk your property with you and help you figure out what makes sense for you.
Call Outdoor Lighting Perspectives for outdoor lighting companies near me.
For experts in outdoor lighting design, installation, and maintenance, call one of the most trusted names in the business. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives is eager to speak with you. Call us today at (630) 345-4249.