As a property manager, safety is always at the top of your mind. Although safety often brings to mind fences, gates, locks, and cameras, adequate lighting is another major component in creating a safer environment on your property.

In areas such as parking garages, parking lots, or entry gates, inadequate lighting leads to occupants and visitors feeling less secure and comfortable. Introducing proper lighting can enhance the safety of your parking garage or gate area. In this article, we’ll examine the role adequate lighting plays in creating a much safer environment in garages or around entry gates.

The Role Lighting Plays on Your Property

Lighting is an important safety feature in any property for many reasons, such as:

• Improving Visibility. Good lighting means drivers and pedestrians can navigate the area more confidently at night as they will be better able to see where they are going.
• Detering Criminals. Well-lit areas are less attractive to intruders and criminals. Most burglars are criminals of opportunity, taking the easiest option, so with proper lighting in place, criminals are more likely to move on from targeting your property.
• Improve Surveillance. Video surveillance is a key security component. Adequate lighting allows your video cameras to see better, improving your security.
• Reducing Accidents. Adequate lighting can also help minimize the risk of accidents and incidents, especially in places where gates or columns might reduce visibility.
• Complying with Regulations. Many municipalities may have regulations that require certain light levels for parking lots and garages for safety reasons. When you prioritize high-quality, well-maintained lighting, you ensure you comply with these regulations.
• Enhancing Your Aesthetic. Well-maintained lighting can also your property’s visual appeal. It creates a positive first impression for visitors or customers and can be a great way to stand out from other businesses. Use layered lighting and pay attention to colour temperature to really boost the visual appeal of your property.
• Providing Peace of Mind. All the other factors above can combine to give you peace of mind, knowing that your property is well-lit.  

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are an excellent option for installing around garage doors and gates. They’re bright, light up instantly, and use minimal energy. With LED lighting, you and your occupants can enjoy a better sense of safety and security as you enter and exit the property.
 

Available Lighting Options

Many lighting options are available to enhance both the security and functionality of your parking garage or lot, allowing you to customize your setup to fit your needs. Here are some key options to consider:

• Motion-Activated Lights. Keeping lights on constantly can be expensive. Motion-activated lights provide a cost-effective solution by turning on only when movement is detected. Motion activation helps reduce energy costs while deterring intruders and ensuring authorized personnel have the necessary visibility.
• Smart Lighting. Smart lighting offers advanced control over brightness, colour, and temperature. You can also create schedules, integrate motion sensors, or set lights to activate automatically when a gate opens, improving both efficiency and convenience.
• Post Lights. Ideal for outdoor walkways and gate areas, post lights enhance pedestrian safety while also discouraging loitering at night.
• Floodlights. Floodlights are designed to illuminate large areas with bright, wide beams and help eliminate dark spots where intruders could hide. They’re particularly effective in parking lots and other open spaces.
• Wall Sconces. A great option for the interiors of parking garages, wall sconces provide both illumination and aesthetic appeal. When combined with overhead lighting, they help minimize shadows and improve overall visibility.

By choosing the right combination of lighting solutions, you can create a safer and more efficient environment while keeping energy costs in check.

Improve Your Lighting with Accessories

There are many different accessories that you can have installed to improve your parking garage or lot lighting. These accessories give you more control over the lights, providing more efficiency and safety.

Some essential accessories may include:

Access Control Lighting

Access control is crucial for the security of any parking garage or gate. The panels should have good lighting so anyone who wants to get through can see the number pad to enter their access code or the slot where they scan their access card. It can also make them feel more comfortable, knowing that the area where they are most vulnerable is well-lit.

Warning Lights

Warning lights serve a crucial safety function by alerting people nearby to potential movement. In parking garages and gated areas, they signal when a door or gate is about to operate, helping to prevent accidents. Since moving doors and gates pose a safety risk, installing warning lights is a simple yet effective way to enhance visibility and improve overall property safety.

Remote Controls and Operators

Being able to control lighting without needing to be on-site is a great feature. Remote-controlled lighting allows you to control your garage and gate lights from anywhere. You can set schedules and patterns to suit your needs.

Upgrade Your Lighting 

Whether you own a residential property or an office building, lighting is an important part of security, especially around entrances. Upgrading to high-quality lighting can make a vast difference in how people perceive your property, increasing its curb appeal and value overall. 

Whether you need floodlights to illuminate a large front gate area, accent lighting to boost curb appeal, or lighting for access control systems, there is a wide range of options available.

Creative Door Services Has the Lighting Solutions You’re Looking For

Having adequate lighting is a big part of safety and security in parking garages and lots. Creative Door Services is proud to provide the lighting solutions you’re looking for. You can count on us for breakthrough products from reliable brands that pass our rigorous standards. 

We have over five decades of experience installing lighting for commercial garage doors and access gates, working with businesses all across Western Canada. While technology has evolved over the years, our commitment to providing reliable solutions tailored to your needs has never wavered.

For more information on garage and gate lighting, parts, and accessories, you can contact us today at one of our eight branch locations across Western Canada:  Kelowna, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Edmonton, Alberta; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Regina, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Winnipeg, Manitoba. We look forward to working with you.