![]() When it comes to lighting, resist the urge to go for an eclectic look, unless it reflects the character of your home's interior and exterior. While most landscape lighting is contemporary and works with a variety of architectural styles, specialty fixtures are available for certain types, like colonial, craftsman, Mediterranean, and midcentury modern. Mounted and installed lighting are ideal options, but other light source possibilities can either bolster established light or create a more subtle approach, such as string lights, candles, lanterns, or solar powered lights. Post caps and rail lights: Decorative lighting fixtures that can be attached to posts or rails.Balusters: Illuminated balusters for railings (balustrades) designed to replace existing balusters or be installed during new deck construction.Downlights: Designed to be anchored to walls, eaves, patio roofs, or trees.Well, Spot, or Uplights: These can illuminate paths, create drama by highlighting plant forms, etc.Steps: The best fixtures include surface mounts, flush mounts, path lights, and weatherproof LED strip lights.The most popular types of deck lighting and areas to illuminate include: Solar lighting has improved but is usually not strong or reliable enough to provide adequate illumination. Many modern fixtures use LED bulbs, which are energy and cost efficient. A suitable transformer will be able to handle your current wattage needs along with an estimated 25 to 50 more so it isn't operating at full capacity and it will be able to handle more wattage if you add more landscaping lights in the future. ![]() But before buying one, you will need to figure out how many outdoor lights will be attached, plus their wattage. A transformer will be needed to power down the 120-volt current indoors to 12 volts outdoors. Most outdoor lighting is low voltage, using 12 volts of electricity. Unless you have worked with lighting before, it's best to work with an electrician. They also help to enhance the view from indoors at night. Step and deck path lights have a distinct function: to safely illuminate traffic throughout the deck and yard. It can also create a certain mood or atmosphere for special occasions. The Spruce Home Improvement Review Boardĭeck lighting can be practical and used for safety purposes, shine on an outdoor dining area, used at different levels–on steps, along railings–and to highlight landscaping, architectural features or a pool, spa or fountain.Popular deck types include wrap-around decks, multi-level decks, side yard decks, detached island decks, poolside decks, and rooftop decks. Decks can be attached to the home or separate from it. The home’s orientation offers both the shade of the oak canopy in the courtyard and the sun flowing into the great room. High-end tropical hardwoods such as ipe don’t take well to staining, but can be oiled to keep them protected.ĭecks come in a range of styles designed to suit varying types of architecture and outdoor settings, from flat suburban yards to hilly mountain landscapes or waterfront cliffs. The weekend home’s design grew around the 100-year-old Valley Oak to form a horseshoe-shaped house that gathers ridgeline views of Oak, Madrone, and Redwood groves at its exterior and nestles around the tree at its center. Cedar wood costs about twice as much as composite wood, but it can be stained and weathers well despite its tendency to split and splinter like pressure-treated wood. Composite wood decking does not need to be stained or coated, and resists splintering, warping, and rot. Pressure-treated wood costs less up front, but it splinters easily and will crack over time without proper maintenance. What is the best material to use for decks?ĭecks can be built from a range of materials that each have benefits and drawbacks depending on your budget and project. The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
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