Deck lighting can have a beautiful impact on your deck while increasing safety for you and your guests. The increased useability and safety on your deck will allow you to use your deck into the evening and late hours without taking way from the ambiance or beauty of your deck and yard.

Safety Will Increase

In the dark, your deck can be a little treacherous as you navigate furniture, steps and stoops. Sure, you can use bright flood lights or porch lights to overcome the darkness, but it will also take away from the beautiful deck you have built and the yard you have groomed. With deck lighting, create enough soft light to move around safely without destroying the relaxed mood or that beautiful night sky.

Highlight steps, doorways, and other areas where foot traffic is likely and obstacles might be found. The really cool thing about deck lighting is that it not only provides increased safety, but it also makes your deck look better at night. Keeping the lights on even when you are not using the deck can add ambiance to your view.

Step Lights

Deck lighting is available in several basic types, with each type having a wide variety of styles. Since steps are obviously an area of safety concern, lights are specially made for that application. You can either install lighting directly into the riser or you can install lights on posts or under rails that illuminate the steps. Either method works and looks great, so it’s really a matter of which type offers the look you want.

Post and Step Lighting on a PVC Deck, by Creative Wood Products in Fenton, MI

Railing and Post Lights

Since steps aren’t the only place you will want to illuminate, lights are available to install on the railing posts or under the railing itself. Installing the lights close to the deck surface works best. It is also important to have the light shaded/covered so it will not shine in your eyes. Also shades/covers will help cast the light to the deck. When planning the level of the post or railing lighting consider your eye level in a sitting position on the deck- you do not want the light in your eyes.

Post Cap Lights

Lighted post caps is another great option for deck lighting. There are many different styles. Stainless steel, pvc, copper…different shapes and colors – so you can find one to suit your taste and your budget. Most are quite attractive and finish off a post nicely. Just keep in mind that they are mounted on top of the posts, so they will naturally be higher than any of the other methods. Also consider lights that you can control, rather than automatic on/off lights, since these lights are higher in your line of site and may effect your vision and overall effect.

Rope Lighting

Rope lighting is another option for deck lighting. It’s easy to install and is relatively inexpensive. It will provide a nice effect when installed on the underside of the bottom rail.