The inviting glow of gas lights
Published 7:35 am Sunday, January 3, 2016
<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">There’s something about the inviting glow of a gas light during the long nights of winter that makes this form of illumination one of the most warm and inviting choices in exterior lighting.</span>
<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“You can’t beat the gas light for maintaining the integrity of the traditional look,” Erin Howle of Joseph’s Electrical said.</span>
<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">These lights are used for exterior lighting on some of the area’s historical and high-end traditionally styled homes. The entrance of the Todd and Christy Ammons home of Lake Charles is illuminated by one of the most iconic gas light styles available, the copper Bevolo.</span>
<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Bevolo Gas and Electic Lights began in the Quarter in 1945. Founder Andrew Bevolo, Sr. worked together with renowned architect A. Hays Town to cre</span><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">ate what would eventually be considered the original French Quarter Lamp.</span>
<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Gas lights are also available in contemporary styles, according to Howle.</span>
<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Gas lights can be more expensive to install because of the plumbing costs involved.</span>
<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Howle said traditional gas lamps have more ornate designs flourishes. A variety of finials are available. When single gas lights are used at entrances, the homeowner usually adds a mustache, which is horizontal scroll work.</span>
<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“Drive down a street where there is a mix of electric and gas exterior lighting and really, there’s no comparison,” Howle said.</span>
<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Gas lights, in addition to being beautiful and the perfect exterior lighting for historical homes, do not attract insects.</span>