Deck Lighting: Plug & Play Options

(Image Courtesy of Trex)

Light Up Your Deck!

Whether it’s the long lazy days sunning yourself and reading a book, or the friends and family barbeques you love to host, your deck is the outdoor living room of your home. You and your family enjoy it every chance you get, but without proper lighting, you can only enjoy it on the sun’s schedule. With new, easy to install lighting options on the market, however, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Deck lighting has come a long way over the past couple of decades. There are dozens of new technologies and products that make installing lights in and on your deck simple. Jobs that in the past required a contractor and an electrician can now be done by anyone.

If you’re nervous about installing lights on and around your deck, it’s understandable. Electricity is an incredibly powerful, and potentially dangerous force. A new line of products, however, is taking the danger out of deck lighting. Low voltage, bright LED deck lights are simple and safe to install. If you can confidently place a plug into a basic electrical outlet, you can install new deck lighting.

There are various brands that offer “plug and play” wiring for deck lighting at your local lumber stores, including a J&W Lumber favorite – Dekor Lighting. With a variety of lighting styles to fit any deck design, you’ll be able to start spending time on your deck year-round.

Plug and Play

“Plug and play” wiring is just what it sounds like – you plug it in, and turn it on. Here’s how it works: Because LED lights use far less power than traditional bulbs, they can be powered by a 12-volt direct current (DC) – as opposed to your home, which is run on an alternating current (AC). With a DC, the power only runs one way – to the bulbs. This, combined with the low voltage, make the light very safe to install. Simply unplug the lights when you need to adjust. In fact, you won’t even get a small shock if you touch an exposed wire. Lights are connected in strings, like Christmas lights. You’ll need to plan where to run the lighting, but the electrical work is as simple as plugging it in.

Design a New Atmosphere

Not only are LED deck lighting simple to install, there are a variety of styles and placements available – giving you full creative control over the atmosphere of your deck. From recessed lighting to your deck railing, you’ll be able to create gorgeous and functional lighting that will completely transform your deck.

Here are a few of the choices:

Recessed

Lighting your deck from the bottom instead of from overhead is a revelation. With recessed deck lights, the light will be spread evenly across the surface, creating a soft but bright mood for your outdoor living space. Bottom lighting also gives you a clear view of the stars, since you won’t have to worry about staring into a floodlight.

Post Caps

Think of your deck’s post caps as lighthouses. LED post cap lighting illuminates the borders of your deck, giving it a clean look, and lighting the way for guests coming in from the dark.  

Stair Lighting

LED stair lighting, like post caps, will help guide you through the dark. The real bonus though, is how it looks. Stair lighting is understated, yet alluring. Also, it adds a necessary, yet lovely, element of safety to the stairs.

Depending on how much you want to light your deck up, there are other options as well, including balusters, post lamps, and glass and LED panels. With LED lighting for your deck, you’re the architect, designer, contractor, and electrician – and it’s far easier than you think.

Have questions about deck lighting? Stop by your local J&W Lumber location, or contact us and we’ll get you up to speed!