We were called in last week for an emergency deck lighting! Yes, that’s right, it had to be done right away; and, of course, our terrific team had it handled with time to spare.
It’s hard to believe, but it seems that lighting is frequently overlooked when building a deck. Here in central Texas, nighttime is probably the best time to use the deck, whether you are hosting a party, or just relaxing while taking in the view. In the summer, it’s easier to enjoy the outdoors during the cooler later hours; and on the mild winter nights it gets dark early. Lighting is especially crucial when it comes to multi-level decks, or where there are steps from the deck to the lawn areas or other walkways.
The best time to think about lighting is before the deck is built because it can be easily integrated into the structure to insure that all of the wiring can be hidden. There are ways to hide wires after the fact, of course, but that takes a lot more time, which means a higher price.
Here you see where we used small LED lights under the handrails of this suspended patio/deck area. Notice how easily you can see the walking surfaces without any light shining in your eyes.
We are very fortunate in this age of high quality LED products. Many tend to be smaller and can be tucked into places where they are not easily seen, but do a great job of lighting. We also have a large selection of fixtures that can match almost any décor style to blend in or even become a design feature themselves.
One fixture that I never like to use is the “step light” fixture that is seated in the vertical structure of the step itself. This seems to be the favorite of most deck builders because they require very little creativity to install and are generally inexpensive. However, this choice does not do a very good job of actually lighting the step, and you need a lot of them. It’s much better to shine lights down onto steps, with no glare into the eyes, using fixtures that cast a wide beam of diffused light to cover the full step or even multiple steps. This will produce a softer, more even way of lighting which helps keep your eyes focused safely on where you are stepping – not drawn to the light itself. It takes very little light when designed and installed properly to create a safe and inviting atmosphere for your deck. Too much light can cause harsh glare that can be annoying for you and a distraction from your view of the stars or immediate surroundings.
If you have tall trees around your deck, then I think down lighting from those trees is probably the best – and my favorite – way to go. With this lighting technique you can cover the whole area with just a few fixtures, while also giving the space a beautiful full moon effect. Then all you need is a glass of wine and some nice music for a great little get-away spot at your home.
Please — don’t forget to plan lighting for your new deck, or when refurbishing or updating your existing deck. We are experts at designing deck lighting for safety and beauty (and hiding wires) – so your outdoor entertainment spaces blend naturally into your environment. Contact us here if you would like us to look at your greater Austin or hill country area deck.
