Evening Star PL250 Paver Lights in Frost were installed into the border of the walkway, staggered 6 feet apart.
Evening Star PL250 Paver Lights in Frost were installed into the border of the walkway, staggered 6 feet apart.

By Michael Schiefer

The front yard of a charming, craftsman-style home in central New Jersey, built in 1926, has a winding front walkway of interlocking pavers around a lighted koi pond with a natural stone waterfall. Connecting to a side driveway of interlocking concrete pavers the path leads to a rear deck and detached garage. Hardscape lighting was important to the long-time owners, a senior couple who sought needed demarcation for safety, in addition to desired visual aesthetics and curb appeal. The small footprint and understated, 2 1/2-inch round design of Evening Star® Paver Lights provided both of these benefits in a low-voltage, accent lighting option for all paved areas around the home.

Instead of taking the place of a paver in the field or border, Evening Star paver lighting installs directly into any standard concrete paver flush with the surface of the pavement. Lamp modules come in 10 custom-formulated colors — five designer colors and five architectural colors (see photo for color options). The Designer Color Collection is particularly ideal for delineation, color washing or accenting aspects of a landscape design, while the Architectural Colors comprise shades that are specially created to harmonize with popular shades of pavers and segmental retaining wall blocks — unique to Evening Star — as well as tones found in wood composite decking, step materials, architectural characteristics of the home and natural surroundings.

Flexible Design Options

Evening Star lamp module color selections. Top two rows left to right, Designer Colors: Frost, Firefly, Rouge, Seaglass and Pacific. Bottom two rows left to right: Brandywine, Driftwood, Blush, Ash and Sesame.
Evening Star lamp module color selections. Top two rows left to right, Designer Colors: Frost, Firefly, Rouge, Seaglass and Pacific. Bottom two rows left to right: Brandywine, Driftwood, Blush, Ash and Sesame.

Another likable aspect of the lamp modules is how easy it is for the consumer or professional to change lens colors — to create either a one-of-a-kind color palette design or a seasonal color display — using a removal tool available from the manufacturer. It was refreshing for these homeowners to know that, with the product’s adaptability, they could add relevant paver lighting colors to their outdoor holiday décor.

The pavers chosen were EP Henry Old Town Cobble, 6×6 and 6×9, in the producer’s soft and earthy Harvest Blend. The laying pattern was the “I” pattern, which is universally viewed in any direction, so the pathway looks uniform as it flows from front to rear. The soldier course is 6×9 in matching color, as the designer/contractor did not opt for a contrasting border treatment. There are 29 Evening Star PL250 fixtures with Frost lamps integrated into the walkway and adjoining driveway. The lights are installed into the border, staggered 6 feet apart, as recommended by the lighting manufacturer’s technical support team.

Two independent circuits, enabling even more versatility, can be operated from an optional 10/3-cable. No re-lamping is necessary. A unique Cam-Lock™ allows quick replacement of just the lamps. For presentation of a landscape architect or contractor’s design plan, samples of lamp module colors, as well as a Paver Light Sales Kit, can be obtained from the manufacturer or through a network of company-authorized dealers.

Economy and Durability With Little or No Maintenance

In this particular project, the closeness of the waterfall and pond, in addition to the Northeast’s changing climate conditions, could have presented problems for incorporating paver lighting into the plan. However, with Evening Star Paver Lights, the lamp modules are totally sealed, making them weed- and corrosion-proof — unaffected by water, de-icing salts or harsh coastal environments. Evening Star Paver Lights are UL listed. The durable, polycarbonate construction withstands vehicular and pedestrian traffic, which is also ideal for varied commercial, municipal and residential pavement applications.

The universal size of the adjustable Evening Star fixture, containing a wire harness, recesses securely into any standard 2 3/8-inch (60-mm) or 2 -inch (70-mm) -thick concrete paver.
The universal size of the adjustable Evening Star fixture, containing a wire harness, recesses securely into any standard 2 3/8-inch (60-mm) or 2 3/4-inch (70-mm) -thick concrete paver.

Installation Methods

The universal size of the adjustable fixture, containing a wire harness, recesses securely into any standard 2 3/8-inch (60-mm) or 2 3/4-inch (70-mm) -thick concrete paver. Using a diamond-tipped core drill, a hole is made through the paver to receive the lamp support assembly and lamp module. As an added convenience, coring is also available from many Evening Star masonry supply dealers. Some dealers also provide shipping to the project site if the dealer’s location is not easily reachable by the installer.

The completed fixture quickly connects to standard 12/2-circuit cable with an exclusive, reusable Power Tap Connector™. This system installs easily to new or pre-existing work, and the circuit cable can be routed with several options. Fixtures are connected without wire nuts or splicing with the unique, reusable Power Tap Connector. By design, the Evening Star system allows for lighting fixtures to be placed anywhere in a project and not limited by a paver’s geometric shape.

Field-proven Evening Star Paver Lights were first introduced in 2006. Complete and comprehensive product and installation information, in addition to a design gallery, dealer locations and literature downloads, can be found online at www.eveningstarlighting.com. Technical support is available by calling (732) 249-8567.

Project Details

Project:
Residential walkway and driveway, Highland Park, N.J.
Contractor:
Champion Landscaping, Highland Park and Piscataway, N.J.
Paver Lights:
Evening Star Lighting, Inc., Glen Cove, N.Y.
U.S. Patent Nos. 7,070,294 and 7,556,394
CA Patent Nos. 2,491,501 and 2,591,736
Pavers:
North Brunswick Construction Materials, North Brunswick, N.J.

Michael Schiefer is a marketing consultant, creative director and writer of material that is of interest to producers of hardscape materials, landscape designers and professional contractors. He also acts as an art director and conceptual designer of outdoor living spaces that feature hardscaping and related products and amenities. Over the past 30+ years, Schiefer has been instrumental in the launching of several brands and innovative products connected to the hardscape industry.


Fulham Unveils New Universal Voltage LED Shoebox Retrofit Kit

Fulham Unveils New Universal Voltage LED Shoebox Retrofit Kit

Earlier in 2017, Fulham Co., Inc. released its new Universal Voltage LED Shoebox Retrofit Kit. Designed to replace conventional shoebox lighting and 400W HID luminaires, the new LED Shoebox Retrofit Kit uses clever LED programmability for greater energy efficiency and performance. The kit comes in a single configuration for outdoor applications using street lamps, parking lights and area lighting luminaires.

The LED Shoebox Retrofit Kit supports 120V to 227V with low total harmonic distortion (THD) and features an integrated thermal management system for optimal performance, reliability and longevity. The kit is designed to maintain the aesthetics of the original shoebox luminaire and can be used in dry or damp locations. It also is UL classified for field installation and can be fitted in from 5 to 10 minutes. The outdoor/high-output version of the Shoebox Retrofit Kit also complies with DLC 4.0, the new DesignLight Consortium standard.

Part of Fulham’s growing line of LED lighting products, the LED Shoebox Retrofit Kit has a programmable driver that can be configured for 165W to 53W for greater versatility and low power consumption, with seven programmable wattage settings for multiple lumen outputs (preset by request). Smooth dimming can be programmed from 100 percent to 10 percent or 0 percent. The unit also is compatible with daylight harvesting controls, occupancy sensors and building automation systems.

For more information on this or Fulham’s complete line of LED lighting units, visit www.fulham.com.