Decking Lights
Deck Lights
Nothing is more satisfying than designing, creating and building a decking area in your patio or garden, it creates an area that is part of your living space, and on a summer evening is romantic, comfortable and most of all enjoyable.
Decking lights should not be overlooked as they can add convenience and style to your outdoor living areas for a relatively low cost. In addition, low voltage LED lights really are a DIY proposition and are perfectly safe to use if you have young children or pets to consider. In addition, many low voltage kits are truly plug and play making them even easier to install.
Careful planning is the key to good design. You need to look at the area in detail and choose them by function. Does it have steps that need to be lit? Is it rectangular, circular or a random shape? Is there a handrail around the perimeter? What are you going to be using the outside space for? These are all important questions that need answering at the outset
The best type of advice we can give you at this stage is to stop looking at the variety available and step back, have a think what you actually want and need, then start shopping.
Make a point of lighting the decking area and not your neighbour’s garden. Avoid placing them so that they shine into an adjoining property or directly into the eyes of people using the space. This is easy to achieve if you consider these points at the planning stage.
Deck lights can be divided into distinct categories. High traffic areas such as steps or thoroughfares should be well illuminated for safety. Lights for activities like dining, barbecues or simply to see how much Gin is in the G & T. Finally there is the mood lighting, designed to create just the right ambience after dark.
Lights embedded into the deck floor will provide little illumination for the area as the light goes straight up. It is aesthetically extremely attractive and should not be overlooked, as it will provide the much needed mood lighting. Deck lights can be recessed into handrail posts and steps where they can provide a very attractive pool of light at ground level, adding safety and atmosphere to the area. Consider a separately switched higher level light over or around the cooking or barbecue area. This will make the area safer to use when cooking your sausages and burgers whilst giving you the option to switch it on and off independently.
Avoid over-lighting the area, as it can look stark and harsh. If you want to increase the levels, it is far better to use a secondary source such as hidden low-level lighting shining through shrubs, trees or other plants from beneath. This creates lovely pools of diffused light around the deck area.
If you plan carefully and get it right, the effects can be breathtaking and your deck area can truly become a jewel under the night sky.
If you require any further help or advice on planning your decking or any other aspect of home lighting, please contact us for friendly, honest and down to earth advice.
© 2011: Jan Foster. Universal Lighting Services Ltd: Tel 0151-650-2138 All rights reserved.