Tips for Successfully Adding LED Lighting into Your Deck

Adding lighting to your outdoor living space is one of the top railing trends, and it’s easy to see why. From a safety perspective. From a practical standpoint. Taking into account design and aesthetics. Lighting instantly elevates any outdoor living space in numerous ways. If this is an element you want in your custom outdoor living space, here are some key LED deck lighting tips to think through before committing to any system.

Adding LED Lighting to Your Deck? Read These 4 Tips First

Whether you want increased safety or beautiful ambiance, lighting is an essential addition to any upscale deck. But before you jump at the first lighting system you see, here are some tips to keep in mind and to talk through with your custom design and build firm.

1. Not all LED lighting is created equal.

It’s easy to think anything marked “LED light” will be the right fit for your deck or outdoor living space, but the specific brand, functionality, and kind of LED light matter.

As just one example, many exterior LED lights on the market today have the ability to display four or five different colors. At the click of a button, this allows you to cycle through different colors for different effects and moods.

The problem? Having all that color functionality built into one bulb leads to quicker burnout.

If you’re looking for diversity in your light options, the multicolor LEDs could be a great fit. If you’re looking for longevity, though, opt for an LED option where each individual bulb is specific to one color.

Regal Ideas, a company specializing in aluminum railing systems, ensures all their LED lights are the one-color option.

(Photo courtesy of Regal Ideas.)

This means:

• The homeowner doesn’t have to worry about the time or expense of frequently replacing their exterior LED lights.
• If multiple colors are desired throughout the outdoor living space, they can be added in sections or groups.
• Because LED lights are highly efficient and eco-friendly, the homeowner can expect their lighting to last as long as the deck itself.

2. Opt for deck and railing lighting systems that give you flexibility.

Historically, changing out the lighting options integrated into your outdoor living space has been a massive headache. It’s been a stress on the homeowner’s time, schedule, and wallet.

With some systems on the market today, such as the one Regal Ideas designed and others, that’s no longer the case. Some of these options use LED lighting strips that simply clip into each other, creating a seamless plug-and-play system. If you want to change out or add to your LED lighting, it’s a simple three-step process:

• Pop off the post cap.
• Slip in the transformer.
• Cut a small hole in the deck (to thread the wire and plugs through).

(Photo courtesy of Regal Ideas.)

With the flexibility of this system, it’s especially easy to retrofit LED lights into your outdoor living space after the fact. So, even if you can’t afford outdoor lighting now but eventually want it in your space, it’s easy, straightforward, and cost-effective to make those updates down the line.

With some LED lighting systems, it’s a much more difficult, time-intensive, and expensive process to go back and add them after the fact.

If you want to build in these more budget-friendly stages, make sure to talk through your options with your custom design and build firm. They’ll be ale to educate you about your options and which system lends itself most naturally to your budget and project goals.

3. Account for weather in your deck’s LED lighting system.

Any material or product used in an outdoor living space, whether that’s a screened porch or a deck, has to be able to withstand the elements. There’s nothing worse than investing in your dream outdoor space only to have the components look weathered, require repair, or outright fail after a few seasons.

When choosing materials, lighting systems included, prioritize:

• Quality
• Durability
• Longevity

This helps ensure you see a great lifetime value on those individual material choices, as well as the overall outdoor living space project.

With lights specifically, it’s critical to have an effective system for keeping all moisture out of the electrical components. This avoids premature failure related to water damage.

As one option, plastic sleeves can be placed over each connection. These are then heated (with a hairdryer, heat gun, or lighter) to melt that plastic, molding it over the connection point. Even with the expansion and contraction that can happen with extreme temperature swings, that connection won’t pull apart.

4. Account for all pricing factors.

Like many products for home improvement projects, lighting options are created for a wide range of budgets. But as you’re thinking through pricing considerations, make sure to take into account all relevant factors that affect price—initially and over time.

• Light system components: This is the cost associated with the actual lighting hardware, wiring, and other physical components.
• Installation: Some lighting systems are easier and faster to install than others. If the installation process requires fewer labor hours, that equates to a smaller bill for you. As one example, the lighting system from Regal Ideas can plug directly into standard AC power outlets. That means you’re not stuck with the installation costs associated with adding a 240-volt outlet. Think through all these logistical considerations.
• Operating costs: Every lighting system uses a certain amount of electricity. Account for this ongoing operation cost in your budgeting. Opting for highly efficient LED lights is one way to minimize this expense.
• Maintenance: Lighting systems that require frequent maintenance can eventually tax your time, mental state, and wallet. Whenever possible, choose low-maintenance systems. Throughout the years, they can pay for themselves many times over.
• Durability: Carefully consider how long the components of your lighting system are intended to last. Even if high-quality, highly durable lighting options carry a bigger upfront price tag, avoiding breakage or replacement over time can eventually end up making them the more economical choice.

(Photo courtesy of Regal Ideas.)

If you ever have any questions about which lighting set-up presents the best value over time, don’t hesitate to ask your design and build firm.

Ready to Add Lighting to Your New or Existing Northern Virginia or Maryland Deck?

Are you building a new outdoor living space from scratch? Renovating an existing space? Thinking about adding upgrades, such as a new lighting system?

Then reach out to Design Builders today. We’re a custom design and build team operating in the Northern Virginia and Maryland markets. We’ve been creating high-end outdoor living spaces for decades, and we’re always happy to answer any questions you have!