Lighting for outdoor floors

Mistakes not to make when lighting external floors

1. Inserting elements that cast grazing light on surfaces: grazing light highlights every smallest irregularity. An almost invisible grain of inert material on an external plaster can cast such a shadow that it looks like a huge defect. Grazing light is sometimes very useful, for example to highlight a naturally uneven stone wall;
   But if a grazing light is used to illuminate, for example, a ceramic floor, the effect is terrible. Just as it should be avoided on a wall in the case of plaster or coat: the slightest, invisible depression will look like a huge defect;
2. The colour of the chosen floor covering must be taken into account: a light-coloured external floor needs much less light than a dark-coloured one. Too much incident light on a light-coloured floor makes it glare;
3. Light has the function of highlighting geometries and architectural details and today, thanks to LEDs, we can create exciting outdoor scenes. The functional aspect should not be overlooked, but neither should the emotional aspect;
4. Insert floor spotlights that shoot the light upwards: as well as being prohibited, they are annoying for people walking on them at night because they generate glare;
5. Disregard light pollution (more on this in the next section). 

Lighting of external floors: what does the law say?

When we talk about light pollution we mean the phenomenon whereby there are many forms of artificial light directed directly or indirectly into the sky. This not only wastes energy in lighting the sky, but also creates light pollution that makes it impossible to admire the sky. 

The problem is usually caused by faulty design, poor lamp arrangement or poorly constructed luminaires. It can also be due to the excessive intensity with which bright or reflective surfaces are illuminated. 

How can light pollution be reduced? By taking care with the design and choice of luminaires and ensuring that they do not disperse light upwards. Be careful because there are many municipalities with directives against light pollution! Especially in Veneto where Regional Law 17 of 2009 is in force.