Complete Guide to Lighting a Decking Area

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Decking lights are a stunning and easy way to enhance your outdoor living space. With so many modern deck lighting designs to get inspired by, there are endless possibilities for this beautiful, functional light.

In this article, we’ll explore some tips on using outdoor decking lights, as well as some design ideas to incorporate these outdoor deck lights into your outdoor living space.

Benefits of Illuminating Garden Decking

Deck lighting can do wonders for your outdoor living space. Some of the top benefits of lighting this space include:

SAFETY AND SECURITY. Having deck lighting can improve your ability to navigate the outdoor area. Adding in some deck stair lighting options can help toward this effect. Installing lights leading up to the deck makes using stairs at night a safer activity. There is also the benefit of the added security; a well-lit outdoor living area is less likely to be invaded by intruders or burglars.

ENHANCED AESTHETICS. LED decking lights can improve the overall look of your deck as well. Quality lighting can enhance the atmosphere and ambiance, giving it a romantic quality, or even a more festive appearance for hosting parties. Beyond that, it can improve upon its appearance from the street, making it a great choice if you intend to sell your home.

EXTENDED ENJOYMENT. By including decking lighting outdoors, you can enjoy your outdoor living space long after the sun goes down. You’ll no longer have to head indoors as soon as it gets dark, allowing you to enjoy the space for longer.

Advice on How to Design Your Decking Lighting

When it comes to lights for decking, you’ll need to plan out the installation and use the same way you would any other area indoors or outdoors. Below, we’ll offer some tips and advice on designing your lighting.

Plan the Layout

The first step is to assess the deck area. Take measurements so you have a good idea of the dimensions of the space. Consider the purpose of your deck, and what you want to make it into before you start.

Do you want to prioritise entertainment, or do you simply want a quiet, well-lit place to relax at night? Where do you want to place your safety lights? What activities do you hope to enjoy out there?

With these ideas in mind, sketch out where exactly you want the lights to go, so you have a visual representation to work with. Include notes on the purpose of the space to make it even clearer.

Then, you can work on where you will position the fixtures. When it comes to the the placement of the lights, ensure you plan for a few things:

balanced distribution of light to ensure illumination is even across the deck
layered lighting to create depth and dimension
pathway lighting to make the deck safer to navigate
accent lighting to bring attention to unique architectural elements, plants and other areas you want to draw attention to

Then, you can choose the lights you want to use. There is a wide variety of fixture types to choose from, including:

RECESSED DECKING LIGHTS. Deck lights are installed flush with the surface of the deck, which gives it a sleek, modern look. Small decking lights look best here, especially if you’re going for a minimalist look.

STRING OR ROPE LIGHTS. These styles of LED deck lights add a touch of whimsy to the deck. They are also good for zoning the space, separating various sections and diving the deck up into specific purpose areas.

SCONCES AND LANTERNS. Adding in wall lights can move the light all around the deck, supplementing other light sources to ensure balanced illumination.

Whatever lights you choose, make sure that they are waterproof outdoor lights. Check the IP rating to learn whether or not they are safe for exposure to the weather. This will protect it from the elements, including wind, rain and other inclement weather.

Then, you will want to consider the power source you want to use. Low voltage sources, such as the ones used with LED lighting for decking, are a common choice. Hardwired lights that attach directly to the power mains are equally as popular, as well as being the most reliable. Finally, you could opt for solar powered lights. These lights charge up during the day so they can shine at night without the need for batteries or wires.

Decking Lighting Ideas to Enhance Your Space

With so many types of lighting styles available to you, you can customise your deck lights to your exact liking with ease. Take a closer look into some of the fixtures you can use to dress up your deck.

STEP LIGHTS. Step lights can be placed either in the stairs themselves, off to the side, or on the stair risers. These will make the path up to the deck easier to see at night, while also generally enhancing the appearance of the deck.

RECESSED DECK LIGHTS. Installing lights into the deck floor itself can provide a contemporary, stylish source of light. They shine from the ground up, providing an even layer of low level lighting and enhancing the aesthetics as well.

DECK POST LIGHTS. Installing lights on the post caps of the deck will bring light around the entirety of the thing. These will help fill in any gaps in illumination that the other lights leave behind.

STATEMENT LIGHT. If you want to make your deck memorable, add in a statement fixture. Usually, this comes in the form of a floor lamp. If you have a covered deck, you can install a statement pendant light instead.

STRING LIGHTS. If you want to add an air of whimsy and mystique, string lights are a great choice. Add fairy lights for a delicate, fairytale-like appearance, or edison bulbs for a more industrial-modern approach.

Benefits of Using LED Lights for Decking Lighting

LED lights are becoming increasingly popular as time goes on, with decking LED lights being trendier than ever. Experts consider them the best choice to take when installing lights in decking, and for a variety of reasons.

ENERGY EFFICIENT. LED lights are far more energy efficient than other types of bulbs. They use 80 percent less energy, due to the fact that they do not need to first produce heat to generate electricity.

LONG LIFE. LED bulbs are known to last for tens of thousands of hours. Compare that to halogen and incandescent bulbs, which only last for around 1,000 hours.

ECO-FRIENDLY. Since LEDs use less energy, they are gentler on the environment. Beyond that, many LED lights are recyclable, so you won’t be contributing to trash in landfills when you are done with them.

COST-EFFECTIVE. Due to their long lifespan and their energy efficient nature, LED bulbs save you money both in the short and long term. Besides lowering your energy bills, you will also save money by not having to buy replacements nearly as often.

LED bulbs come in a number of lumen counts and colour temperatures. Because of this, you can maintain total control over the way your deck looks when illuminated.

Are Solar Decking Lights Worth It?

One of the different types of power sources for outdoor lights is solar power. As you likely know, this style of light draws power from the sun. Solar lighting requires the sun to charge it up during the day, so that it can be used at night.

This is incredibly convenient, as you won’t have to worry about replacing batteries, or hard-wiring the garden decking lights during installation. Instead, you just put them in place and you’re done.

That said, for every convenience they afford, they have some pitfalls as well. Perhaps the biggest drawback is the inconsistency of illumination. Since solar lights require clear access to sunlight, wet or even cloudy weather can impair their brightness. They might not get the level of light they need to charge well, resulting in lower levels of illumination.

Even if they do get adequate light, solar lights also tend to be dimmer in general than hardwired lights. This could leave your deck area looking rather underwhelming and not as well-lit as you were hoping for.

Are Dimmable Decking Light Fittings a Good Idea?

Accent lighting for decks is an easy way to give your outdoor living spacea certain mood and atmosphere. You can take your accent and mood lighting one step further by installing dimmable bulbs.

Dimmable surface mounted deck lights give you control over the brightness of your lights at every hour. As the sun goes down, you can gradually turn the brightness up. Conversely, you can keep them low and dim to create a romantic environment for at-home dates.

They also extend the life of the LED bulb simply by using less energy. A reduction in energy usage benefits the environment, doubling down on all of those cost and environmental benefits that LEDs inherently have.

Dimmed lights can add depth and dimension to your outdoor space as well. Using dimmable lights to highlight focal points or as a layer of your lighting will enhance the overall aesthetics and balance of illumination and provide visual intrigue.

Overall, yes, dimmable decking spotlights or other styles of lights are certainly worth it.

Decking Lighting Maintenance Tips

Since your lights will be exposed to the weather, you will need to perform maintenance and quick checks on them fairly regularly. Fortunately, it isn’t hard to do.

On occasion, simply walk around the deck and look for any debris on light lenses or fixtures. Use a damp, warm cloth and wipe it away to prevent it from dimming the light. Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals to prevent damages to the bulbs.

You will also want to check for faulty wiring or flickering bulbs. If you notice a loose connection, you should hire a qualified electrician to come and fix it for you. If the issue is only a bulb that needs replacing, you can do so yourself in minutes.

What Is IP Rating and What Should You Use for Decking Lighting?

IP rating, or Ingress Protection ratings, are a way to understand how resilient a light is against damage. It consists of two digits. The first indicates its debris entry resistance, while the latter indicates its resistance to moisture.

First Digit – Solids

0 – Offers no protection.

1 – Offers protection from entry by debris that is larger than 50 millimeters.

2 – Offers protection from entry by debris that is larger than 12.5 millimeters.

3 – Offers protection from entry by debris that is larger than 2.5 millimeters.

4 – Offers protection from entry by debris that is larger than one millimeter.

5 – Offers protection against most dust.

6 – Dust Tight – Offers protection against most dust.

Second Digit – Moisture

0 – Offers no protection against moisture.

1 – Offers protection against moisture in the form of dripping water.

2 – Offers protection against moisture in the form of vertically dripping water when tilted at a 15 degree angle.

3 – Offers protection against moisture in the form of vertically dripping water when tilted at a 60 degree angle.

4 – Offers protection against water splashing in any direction.

5 – Offers protection against light water jets in any direction.

6 – Offers protection against strong water jets in any direction.

7 – Offers protection against complete immersion up to one metre.

8 – Offers protection against complete immersion deeper than one metre.

Like any other outdoor light, you should have fixtures that are IP65 rated or better to ensure total protection.

What Is the CCT, and What Is the Best for Decking Light Installs?

CCT, or colour correlated temperature, refers to how cool or warm any given illumination is. The temperatures exist on a scale ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 degrees kelvin. The higher the number, the cooler the light. The lower the number, the warmer the light.

In most domestic settings, warm white light between 3000K and 3300K is recommended. This provides a cosy, gentle light that invites feelings of warmth and comfort.

That said, if you are using your lights for security purposes, cool white light between 4000K and 6000K is recommended. This will provide crisper, brighter light that makes it easy to survey your surroundings.

Tips for Lighting Decking Steps

Proper installation for decking stair lights is a must to reap the best results. Keep these tips in mind as you install your own.

Use recessed fixtures in order to eliminate obstructions. This will reduce risks of tripping over the lights and other such accidents.

Avoid placing fixtures too close to one another. Instead, space them out so there is plenty of light up and down the stairs at even intervals.

Center lights over the riser instead of on the tread. This will allow for larger washes of illumination to shine, covering more of the steps themselves.

Use lights with a wide beam angle in order to spread as much illumination as possible over the steps.

Conclusion

Decking lights can totally transform your outdoor living space. From step lighting and low level lighting to wall lights and pendants, you’ll find a variety of interesting, unique ways to incorporate deck lights into your unique space–no matter your specific needs.

Decking Light Ideas

ODL047 1 Watt Round Brass Finish LED Ground or Decking Light

Enhance your deck’s appearance with the ODL047 1 Watt Round Brass Finish LED Ground or Decking Light. This low level lighting option recesses into the decks made of any material. It generates 70 lumens of 3000K warm white light that shines up from the floor at a 30 degree beam angle. Fashioned out of durable materials and finished in sleek polished brass, it harmonizes both form and function. This IP67 rated light is wholly waterproof and measures 38 millimeters in diameter.

ODL028 6 Watt 316 Stainless Steel Recessed LED Ground Light

Cast plenty of low level illumination across your deck with the ODL028 6 Watt 316 Stainless Steel Recessed LED Ground Light. This ground light features a beautiful 316 stainless steel face plate that sits nearly flush with the decking floor it recesses into. The rest of it is housed in durable aluminium, protected by its waterproof IP67 rating. It shines 430 lumens of 3200K warm white light, making it particularly well suited for larger decks. The light measures 100 millimeters in diameter.

ODL701 3 Watt Round Black Recessed Outdoor Wall Light

Shine stunning illumination around your deck with the ODL701 3 Watt Round Black Recessed Outdoor Wall Light. This recessed light fits into the wall to provide low level illumination complete with a slimline look. Since it is unobtrusive, it can serve as step lighting without the risk of people tripping on it. It generates 300 lumens of 3000K warm white light that shines through its half-covered exterior. This light is perfect for outdoor use with its IP65 rating and its durable aluminium build. It measures 83 millimeters in diameter and comes in a sleek black finish.

LWA369 3 Watt Brass Finish Outdoor LED Wall Light

Finish off your deck lighting with the LWA369 3 Watt Brass Finish Outdoor LED Wall Light. This wall light outputs 300 lumens of 3000K warm white light that washes illumination down below it onto the wall at a 20 degree beam angle. It is fashioned out of high quality, rust resistant brass and has a protective IP65 rating. The fixture measures 90 millimeters by 44 millimeters and fits well on any wall.