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Step Lights

Outdoor step lights are a fantastic way to improve both the visibility and the aesthetics of your outdoor living space. From garden step lights that lead guests through the garden to LED deck step lights that bring them to the entertainment space, outdoor stair lighting can make quite the difference.

No matter what you hope to achieve with your exterior step lights, we’re here to help. We offer a wide variety of outdoor step lights for any stairs you want to illuminate, sure to fit in with the rest of your modern outdoor lighting.

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How To Position Exterior Step Lights

Incorporating your exterior step lights LED fixtures doesn’t have to be a hassle. Simply follow the tips below to begin incorporating your outside step lighting ideas into your space. 

Step lights are generally installed on the riser of the steps, but don’t light every single step in the flight. This could cause glare and actually decrease the safety of the outdoor area. Similarly, you don’t want the lights separated by too many stairs, because then it will be too dark. 

A general rule is to place lights on every third or fourth stair, but you can increase or decrease that number depending on your specific staircase. No matter where you place the lights, be sure you position them to shine sideways or downwards. 

Sometimes, you may want to skip out on the recessed step lights outdoor fixture altogether and install the lights above the stairs instead of on them. In this case, it is recommended that you install them around 18 to 24 inches above the step.

Benefits of Outdoor Step Lighting

Installing lights for steps outside is an easy way for you to improve upon your outdoor living space, and in a number of ways. 

Enhanced Safety 

With outdoor stair lights, you can significantly increase the safety of the staircases and pathways. Doing so may significantly reduce the risk of falls, trips, and other such accidents. With steps clearly defined and obstacles clearly illuminated, it will make it easier to navigate the area. 

Improved Security 

Having good quality lighting around your property’s perimeter may help deter criminal activity. Intruders aren’t as likely to try to breach a well-lit property, since they are more likely to be exposed and detected. Installing outdoor step lights for concrete pathways and walkways around the property, you can make it safer for you, your family and your employees. 

Longer Outdoor Living Hours

Patio step lights, deck stair lights and other such fixtures all illuminate your outdoor living spaces. With greater visibility, you can enjoy them long into the night instead of going inside once the sun goes down. This makes them ideal for those who like to host parties outdoors and want to extend their time spent outside as much as possible. 

Elevated Aesthetics 

With LED step lights, outdoor areas can get a boost in their appearance as well. Elegant deck step lights make your entertainment space feel more luxurious and relaxing. Landscape step lights show off your landscaping features and prompt a nice stroll through the garden. 

There are many outdoor step lighting ideas that you can incorporate into your exterior living space to create visual depth and a generally striking appearance. Doing so is a good idea for those who want to sell their homes, as buyers tend to be impressed and interested in stylish exterior lighting. 

 

 

Outdoor LED step lighting at night

What IP Rating Should Exterior Stair Riser Lights Be?

With LED stair lights outdoor fixtures, there is an extra consideration to keep in mind that you don’t have to worry about so much indoors: IP ratings. An IP rating, or Ingress Protection rating, is the way you can tell how resistant to solid and liquid materials a fixture will be. The first digit represents the solid matter, while the second digit represents moisture resistance. 

 

First Digit – Solids 

 

0  –  No protection from solid objects.

1  –  Protection from solid objects larger in size than 50 millimeters.

2  –  Protection from solid objects larger in size than 12.5 millimeters.

3  –  Protection from solid objects larger in size than 2.5 millimeters.

4  –  Protection from solid objects larger in size than one millimeter.

5  –  Protection against most dust.

6  –  Protection against all dust, otherwise known as dust tight. 

 

Second Digit – Moisture 

 

0  –  No protection against moisture of any kind.

1  –  Provides protection against water that is dripping vertically.

2  –  Provides protection against water that is dripping vertically at a 15 degree angle.

3  –  Provides protection against water that is dripping vertically at a 60 degree angle.

4  –  Provides protection against water being splashed from any direction. 

5  –  Provides protection against light jets of water from all directions.

6  –  Provides protection against strong jets of water from all directions.

7  –  Provides protection against total immersion up to one metre.

8  –  Provides protection against total immersion beyond one metre.

 

Outdoor lights will be exposed to a lot of moisture and debris simply because they are outside and exposed to the elements. Lights for stairs outside are even more susceptible since they sit so low to the ground. In order to ensure your riser lights for steps are well-protected, it is recommended you use IP65 rated fixtures or better.

Why Use Exterior Step Lights with LEDs

Energy efficient outdoor lighting is a priority for many homeowners. With lights being on most of the night, you want to limit how much electricity is being used, and LED lights allow just that. 

LEDs use 80 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, such as halogen, which translates over time to a lower energy bill. Their limited energy consumption also makes them better for the environment in general. 

LED lights also last much longer than standard lighting options. Low voltage outdoor lighting naturally uses less energy, helping to extend its lifespan. LED bulbs are rated to last for tens of thousands of hours without needing a replacement. Compare that to the 1,000 hours or so that a traditional light bulb provides. 

The versatility of an LED light is another big perk. They are available on a broad spectrum of colour temperatures and lumen counts. This gives you total control over the appearance of the lights to ensure you achieve the aesthetic you are after. 

The lack of heat emission is also good for outdoor lighting. You won’t have to worry about hot bulbs getting too close to your plant life and potentially damaging them. You also eliminate the risk of accidentally walking into a hot bulb and injuring yourself. 

How To Maintain Exterior Stair Lights

Be sure that you periodically walk around the property and examine your step lights. Doing so regularly will alert you to anything that needs your attention and give you a chance to dust them off when needed. 

If you see dirt or debris accumulating on the lights, you can wipe them down with a rag. Dampen the rag in hot, soapy water and clean them off with light swipes. 

If you notice that lights are flickering or have stopped working altogether, you’ll need to inspect it for further damage. Look for signs of bad wiring or weather damage that could be causing the issue. This can occur from years of use or prolonged exposure to particularly bad weather. 

If wiring is the issue, it is recommended that you hire a qualified electrician to come and fix the wires for you.

There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding which lights to choose. 

  • COLOUR TEMPERATURE. The colour temperature of a light refers to how warm or how cool a light may be. They exist on a spectrum from 1,000 to 10,000 Kelvin. Lower rated lights are warmer, while higher rated lights are cooler.

For security lighting outdoors, it is typically recommended you choose cooler lights between 4000k and 6000k. If you just want to create an atmosphere and make the garden easier to navigate, warmer lights around the 3300k mark are ideal.

  • LUMEN COUNT. Lumens are a way to measure the brightness of an LED light, similar to the way wattages work with traditional bulbs. Before purchasing your lights, walk the property and see how much light you need and where. This will dictate how many fixtures you need and how many combined lumens you need between them to achieve the right light levels.
  • DURABILITY. Be sure you are choosing high quality light fixtures that can stand the test of time. Brass and aluminium outdoor lights are ideal for rust resistance and general weather resistance. Be sure you are also getting an appropriate IP rated light. For step lights, this tends to be IP65 or higher.
  • STYLE AND DESIGN. Choose a step light that works well with the overall aesthetic and style of your outdoor space. This will make incorporating them a seamless process.
  • BEAM ANGLE. Take note of the beam angle at which the light shines. Directional LED lighting will allow you to shine the illumination right where you want it on the steps, ensuring you receive the desired results.
  • BULB TYPE. Choosing an LED light as opposed to traditional bulbs provides many benefits that you just won’t get from halogen or incandescent bulbs. This includes energy efficiency to versatility of appearance.

Installing outdoor step lighting is similar to installing any other fixture. Of course, it is advised that you hire a qualified electrician to install the lights. This will make sure the lights are both safely and properly installed while also ensuring they are up to code. 

If you feel confident doing it yourself, the steps are as follows: 

  1. GET TOGETHER A PLAN. Survey your property and see what steps you want to illuminate. Draw out a sketch of the lighting design so you have an idea of where to start. Indicate on the sketch where the fixtures will go, as well as what kind of fixtures you want to install.
  1. CONSIDER THE WIRING. Once you know where you want the light fixtures to go, you’ll need to consider how to provide them with power. Begin with the light that is furthest from the transformer, and run the wire from light to light. Be sure to leave a loop of wire around 6 inches in size at each light.

At this point, you may need to drill holes in wooden decks or otherwise provide space for the light fixture to be mounted. Measure your lights to know exactly how large to make these holes.

  1. STRIP THE WIRE. Cut the wires at each light and then separate them into two- or three-inch strands. Take a wire stripper and remove .5 inches of sheathing from both the fixture and the wiring.
  1. MATCH POLARITY. Attach the wires by twisting waterproof wire nuts into place. Form a secure connection and then wrap it with electrical tape.
  1. INSTALL THE TRANSFORMER. Turn off the power and install the transformer in the desired spot using mounting brackets. Connect the wires to the system.
  1. TEST THE LIGHTS. Turn the power back on and make sure the lights are working as intended. 

There are several ways you can choose to control your outdoor lighting. 

Manual Switches

Manual lights are the most common way to control lighting. Switches are installed inside or outside of the home, and you simply flip them to turn them on and off. They are simple and reliable while providing direct control of the fixtures without the need for any special setup. 

Motion Detectors

Motion sensor lights detect movement and turn on accordingly. After the movement has ceased, the lights will turn back off after a set period of time. They offer hands-free control and limit the use of the light to exactly when it is needed. 

This can cut down your energy bills while further prolonging the life of the light. They can also alert you to potential intruders, since they’ll turn on whenever anyone walks past them. 

Daylight Sensors

Photocell sensors detect the natural light levels and behave accordingly. These lights will turn on automatically when it gets dark, and turn off again after sunrise. This eliminates the need for you to control or program them at all and simply relies on the schedule of the sun. Since they only run at night, this will save on energy consumption. 

Smart Lights

Smart lighting systems allow you to control the lights through your voice, an app on your phone or through a smart home system. They provide plenty of customisable options, allowing you to set routines, dim lights, turn them on manually and so much more. This is the most flexible option.

Timers

Timers let you set a schedule for the outdoor lights. With them, you can have lights turn on and off at designated times of the day or night without your interference. Timers can be either digital or mechanical and give you easy, automated control of your step lights. 

Beyond that, they are good for security lights because they can give the illusion of occupancy by turning on at a set schedule, even when you aren’t home. 

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