Nighttime activities on the deck or patio require good
outdoor
lighting to assist with tasks such as cooking and dining, to make
socializing more pleasurable, and to increase safety, especially on stairs and
at level changes. Often, exterior house lights will do the job, especially if
the deck is close to the building, but
lighting
specifically designed for the deck is a detail worth having.
On the deck,
patio or anywhere outdoors, low-voltage lighting is the recommended system. It's
safe, economical to run and relatively easy to install. There are a number of
choices among lighting fixtures that can suit any deck style.
Globe lighting
fixtures shed light in all directions, illuminated nearby areas.
Portable deck lamps take up minimal space yet offer plenty of light for safe
environment.
Surface/deck lights are low profile fixtures that can be attached to a wood
surface. Tier lights, which spread light evenly around a given area, can be
mounted on the deck floor, at the top and bottom of stairs, and near seating to
illuminate the overall space. Floodlights can be used in combination with other
outdoor lighting to highlight a feature of the deck design, such as pool or spa,
or tie the deck area to the surrounding yard. In fact, like the versatile decks
they illuminate,
outdoor lighting offers endless possibilities.
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