Outdoor Lighting System Replacement in McMurray
Project Overview
This McMurray project came to us through a referral after we completed work for a nearby neighbor. The homeowner was dealing with a 15-year-old lighting system that had been patched together over time, with failing fixtures, spliced wiring, and heavy overgrowth blocking much of the original backyard lighting.
Instead of continuing to repair it, the goal was to start fresh with a properly designed system that would work with the current landscape and bring the property back to life at night.
We installed over 100 fixtures across the property, including uplights, wash lights, path lights, hanging lights, and tree-mounted moon lighting. The moon lighting required mounting fixtures 20–30 feet up in the trees to create a natural top-down glow throughout the yard.
Design Direction
The focus was on building a clean, balanced lighting layout that highlighted the property without over-lighting it. With the landscaping now fully matured, we designed around existing trees and features to create depth and coverage where it was previously missing.
We used a mix of lighting techniques to bring the space back to life:
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- Uplighting to highlight trees and key landscape features
- Wash lighting to softly illuminate larger areas
- Low-profile path lights for subtle guidance and safety
- Hanging lights to add dimension in open areas
- Moon lighting installed high in trees for natural top-down light
Every fixture was placed with intention to create a cohesive look that feels natural and evenly lit across the entire property.
Installation Challenges
One of the biggest challenges was the tree-mounted lighting. We installed multiple fixtures 20–30 feet high and returned over several nights to fine-tune direction and brightness to get the effect just right.
With nine separate wire runs, system design was also critical. We had to account for voltage drop and run length to ensure consistent performance across more than 100 fixtures.
The project required detailed adjustments and long evenings on-site to get everything dialed in properly.
The Result
The finished system completely transformed the property. Areas that were once dark or blocked by overgrowth are now evenly lit with a clean, natural look.
Using high-quality Sterling Lighting LLC fixtures, the system is built for long-term reliability and consistent performance, giving the homeowner a lighting setup that finally matches the property again.
