Backyard
3 minutes

Ways To Bring Light To Your Deck

Outdoor living spaces are pictured as a fun way to celebrate the summer season with friends and family. Wouldn’t you love spending some time outdoors during these months with a brightly lit deck to use for your summer festivities? There are different modern outdoor lighting ideas to consider, and below are some of the most popular options:

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Voltage Matters

Low voltage lights, such as those in 12V variations, and line voltage or 120V lights are among the options you have when lighting outdoor spaces. Remember that the low voltage variations are popular since they are easier to install compared to the 120V options. They also come equipped with LED technology, making them more versatile for various fixture applications and design needs. Low voltage lighting is a great complement to modern features like composite wood siding, creating a sleek and cohesive look for outdoor spaces. When using 12V lights, you only need a single transformer to power all outdoor lighting fixtures. Adding a timer can further enhance the functionality by automatically adjusting the lighting based on the time of day you plan to use the space.

If you opt for the 120V option, an outdoor receptacle will be necessary to bring the required voltage from inside your home to the backyard. For installations further from your house, a galvanized conduit built deep below the ground will be required. This option provides higher light output and works well for larger line voltage fixtures, especially in outdoor areas planned using 3D deck design tools to visualize and maximize functionality.

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Consider Key Deck Lighting Elements

Indicator lights, such as those step lighting you install are essential for areas where heavy foot traffic and safety are primary concerns. Typically, you will need to install two lights per tread for stairs with wide steps. Make sure that lights are spaced at least three feet (six feet at the most) apart, horizontally.

You can also use LED tape lights for better lighting. There are the flexible LED tape lights that bring a polished feel to the overall deck design. You can attach them to the underside of stair rails or deck rails in order to define edges, transitions, and other architectural features on your deck. This lighting element offers up to a maximum of 10 feet in terms of length, which can be joined together to cover longer rails.

There are also wall washers to use to light your deck. These ones are wider than typical lighting elements and adds aesthetic appeal to the façade. These are typically installed at six to eight feet apart, at about one to two feet from the wall.

Ambient lights are also popular choices for a lot of homeowners. These can be mounted on deck rails, or on exterior walls, and adds a warm glow to your outdoor space. You can choose these lights depending on your outdoor decor and are available in traditional and modern designs.

Mix and Match

Knowing the different voltages, as well as the key lighting elements that you can use for your outdoor lighting, you can easily mix and match everything depending on your requirements. At LA Decks, our deck builders can help bring light to your Ipe decks. All you need to do is discuss the ideas that you have in mind with us.

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