Luminous tile: a fashion trend in landscape design (20 photos)

Luminous tiles, paving stones and decorative stones - a new refinement, gaining popularity in modern landscape designers. Interesting materials that can glow in the dark are used both for the refinement of summer cottages, and for decoration inside the premises themselves.

Bright accents of landscape design

Garden paths are an important element in a summer cottage, performing both aesthetic functions and practical tasks. They must be durable and comfortable. In the dark, it is customary to use lamps that illuminate the area near the house, and most importantly the paths themselves.

However, lantern illumination is not always economically advantageous, and aesthetically it is not always possible to correctly combine the functional qualities and the stylistic concept of landscape design. Using light tiles will solve a lot of difficulties, simultaneously decorating the yard with an extraordinary decor.

Base Tiles

Consider, first of all, tiles for use on the street. In composition, they are of two main types:

• Homogeneous (the phosphor is mixed with translucent materials at the very first stages of creating decorative elements);
• Layered (components that can glow in the dark are applied only to the top layer of the product or even to a specific tile section).

In the afternoon, the installation looks like an ordinary paving path. The sun's rays can slightly illuminate the coating, however, this is slightly noticeable. At night, a uniform soft glow from the paths forms on the site.

If it is a question of luminescence by means of a phosphor, the radiation intensity at night will change. It all depends on how quickly the energy accumulated during the day will go. The first 3-4 hours the most intense lighting. Then the brightness will gradually decrease.

Tiles by the type of luminous components

Luminous paving slabs are sold in most construction stores. Also, such an unusual decor can be created with your own hands, armed with the necessary knowledge. By the type of luminous substance laid in the basis of products, all types of finishing materials are divided into the following categories:

• Reflectors. A paint saturated with reflective pigments is applied to the surface of the finished product. Such substances are used on the road to distinguish between traffic. In landscape design, this technique is also popular. This decor will last no more than 5 years. With heavy use, about 2. Then you will need to update the coverage;
• Sidewalk luminescent. The composition of the tile includes a phosphor. He is able to absorb light during the day, "giving" it at night;
• Transparent plastic interspersed with a phosphor pigment;
• Fluorescent tiles - products that contain ultraviolet paint.

The latter option is not common. This is due to the fact that such a tile is characterized by poor performance. In addition, in order to achieve a glow, you will have to equip the site with ultraviolet blue lamps. Only they can "turn on" the UV backlight.

Types of tiles for interior decoration

For the arrangement of any premises, the implementation of luminous elements is also often practiced. They decorate the interior, can enhance the illusion that is created by the designer. For example, to imitate the cosmic sky, the lights of the night city and other interesting installations.

For interior decoration, LED structures and light-accumulating paints are used. Let's consider the main nuances.

LED lights

The design with LEDs is more often used in the house. However, with a professional approach to the formation of landscape design, you can safely use LEDs for external design.

To mount the luminous elements, use a pulsed source, a system of switches or relays, as well as wires and a system of insulation from moisture. Such decorative delights are characterized by an extremely low level of energy consumption, a long service life and absolute safety for humans both indoors and outdoors.

Light-accumulating compounds

Luminous paving slabs on the street can be used in unlimited quantities. Inside the house, interesting installations of small size are usually created from such elements.

Stones for decor, bought at the store, as well as made by yourself, can be placed in transparent dishes of the original form and placed on the window. In the bathroom, you can paint special elements of the tiles with special paint or create an original pattern of homogeneous products. Thus, you can take a bath with the lights off, enjoying a light relaxing glow. If the country house has a swimming pool, sauna or other water locations, the use of a luminous decor is also fully justified.

In the children's room, you can decorate the doors or make an original drawing on the floor. These unusual luminous elements will fulfill the role of a lamp. It will be much easier for a child who is afraid of the dark to relax in such an environment.

Production and operation

Paving slabs glowing in the dark are technologically no different from other products of this kind except for a number of nuances. In the process of creating elements for decoration, it is necessary to form several layers:

• Basic (work with a cement-sand mixture using a vibrating press);
• Upper (translucent polymer mass with a phosphor additive).

These types of products are particularly functional. The decorative layer does not wear off too quickly, and also does not suffer from prolonged exposure to moisture.

Nuances of working with polymers

As an analogue to traditional materials, plexiglass, plexiglass, polystyrene, as well as a number of other transparent polymer compositions are used to create finishing materials. At the stage of melting, a certain dose of components is added to the mass, which will ensure the glow of the products at night.

In places where a high level of load is noted, as well as the danger of mechanical damage to the coating, this type of product is not used. Typically, the material is beneficial for the refinement of areas of elite sanatorium recreation centers, for the decor of rural cottages or private households.

Interesting feature

Exterior tiles with phosphor have one interesting quality. She amazingly interacts with the forces of nature.

When there is a thunderstorm on the street, electromagnetic discharges from frequent lightning can charge the backlight with unprecedented power. Such a glow from the sidewalk can last for over 12 hours, shining unusually brightly and intensively.

An interesting fact is that the phosphor is incredibly durable. Paint is capable of preserving its qualities over two hundred years. In fact, over time, the destruction of polymer elements will begin, sand-cement mixtures will begin to crumble and deform, but luminous fragments with a phosphor will continue to fulfill all their functions.

Dressing a personal plot with luminous stones

You can decorate a site with a luminous decor not only with the help of tiles. Decorative stones adorn the landscape in minutes. It is only important to have a good idea and inspiration to work with the decor.

The easiest, but always win-win way is to strew the path with luminous stones. To create a lunar path, you can mix gravel and luminescent decor. It is appropriate to use stones, rather than tiles, if the stylistic concept of landscape design does not allow the use of unnecessarily urban elements of decoration.

We are talking about eco-style, country, Provence, ethnic motifs. For example, trails on the site, formed from a wooden log house, as well as fences around. A scattering of stones emitting a pleasant glow at night, in this case will be appropriate. During the day, such a decor will also not bring dissonance into the landscape composition.

Glowing elements for decor allow you to realize the most bizarre ideas. This is an inexpensive, but always effective option to give your home a special extravagance and charm.