Permanent LED Lighting for Depot Town and Historic Ypsilanti Homes

What makes Depot Town's buildings unique

Depot Town has a concentration of late 1800s and early 1900s brick commercial buildings, some converted to residential or mixed use, alongside wood-trimmed historic homes nearby. Both building types require different consideration than a standard vinyl-sided home built in the last few decades.

Brick construction generally does not accept standard fascia-mounting clips the same way wood trim does, so we look at each building's specific roof edge and mounting surface during the site visit.

Older wood-trimmed homes nearby have their own considerations around trim condition, similar to what we look for in other historic neighborhoods.

Mounting permanent track on brick versus wood

For buildings with brick parapets or masonry rooflines, mounting hardware for permanent Jellyfish lighting sometimes needs different anchors than the standard fascia clips used on wood trim. We identify this during the walkthrough rather than assuming a uniform approach across every building type.

Wood-trimmed homes near Depot Town generally follow the same process we use on other historic properties: checking trim condition, then mounting track designed to sit low-profile and largely unnoticeable during the day.

Either way, the goal is a secure mount that doesn't damage the original material, brick or wood.

Why warm white suits this area's architecture

Brick facades and older wood trim generally look best under warm white light, which brings out the tone of the material rather than washing it out under a cooler color temperature. Most Depot Town area installs default to warm white for everyday use.

That doesn't rule out color lighting for events. The same system switches through the app when you want it for a holiday or a local event, without needing separate hardware.

Handling wire runs on commercial-style buildings

Some Depot Town buildings have flat or low-slope roofs typical of older commercial construction, which changes how wire is routed compared to a peaked residential roof. We plan these runs to stay discreet and protected from weather exposure on flat sections.

For residential properties nearby with more standard pitched roofs, wire routing follows the same approach we'd use on any historic home, tucked along the fascia line.

This is one more reason the site visit matters more for these mixed-use, older buildings than it would for a newer subdivision home.

• Assess brick versus wood mounting surface before planning
• Use appropriate anchors for masonry parapets or rooflines
• Plan wire routing for flat commercial-style roofs differently than pitched residential roofs
• Default to warm white to complement brick and wood tones
• Keep track low-profile and unnoticeable during the day

Extending lighting into the yard or streetscape

For residential properties near Depot Town with yards, landscape lighting at grade level can complement roofline lighting, especially where mature trees or garden beds add to the property's character.

For commercial or mixed-use buildings without much yard space, roofline lighting alone is often the full scope of the project.

Starting a project in Depot Town or historic Ypsilanti

Because these buildings vary so much in construction, a walkthrough is the most useful first step. We'll look at your specific roofline, mounting surface, and any architectural features worth highlighting, then put together a plan.

You can request a visit through contact or check our Ypsilanti area coverage for more on the neighborhoods we serve nearby.

Frequently asked questions