Deck Lighting
It gets dark here by the middle of the afternoon for a good part of the year. Lights in the steps and railings let you keep using the deck through those months. We wire them while the deck is being built, which is the one time the framing is open and the cost is small.
- See every step clearly on the way down
- Keep using the deck through the dark months
- Wired while the framing is open, as part of your deck project
Why Add Deck Lighting?
Added while we build, it is the cheapest upgrade on the list and the one you notice every winter evening.
- Step lights help you see the tread edges when you're carrying something.
- In December, it's dark by around 4:30 in the afternoon. Lighting can make the deck easier to use after work.
- Our steps are wet most of the year, and wet steps are slick. Seeing the edge of each one matters more here than it does in a dry climate.
- A lit path from the back door to the stairs makes the deck easier to use for anyone less steady on their feet.
- You do not need much. The goal is seeing where you are walking, not lighting up the whole yard.
Where the Lights Go
Most decks use some mix of these three. We will walk the deck with you and work out what it actually needs.
Step lights
Small lights set into the face of the steps, on every step or every other one. This is the most useful place to put light on a deck, because it is where people trip.
Railing lights
Lights under the top rail shine down onto the deck. We'll discuss placement so the light is comfortable when you're sitting outside.
Post cap lights
Post cap lights mark the deck's edges with a soft glow.
Why It Goes In During the Build
The wiring wants to run through framing before the boards go down, and on a new deck or a full replacement that framing is already open. See Deck Building.
That timing is most of the reason lighting is cheap as an upgrade and expensive as an afterthought. Going back into a finished deck means working from underneath where there is room, and lifting boards where there is not.
If you are undecided, the wiring can go in during the build and the fixtures can follow later. Ask while we are out and we will price it both ways.
Most deck lighting uses a low-voltage transformer plugged into an outdoor outlet. If you choose lighting, we'll list the wiring work in your estimate.
Hardwired lights and new circuits need a licensed electrician. That may also be needed if there's no suitable outdoor outlet for a low-voltage system. When needed, we coordinate that work and list its cost separately, including any circuit or panel work we identify.
What Affects the Cost
- How many fixtures, and whether they go on every step or every other one
- Whether the wiring can follow a simple run, or has to work around the framing
- How easy it is to reach the framing underneath
- How far the wiring has to run to reach a power source
- Whether you are lighting the stairs only, or the railings and posts as well
Common Questions
When does the lighting get installed?
While your deck is being built. The wiring runs through framing that is still open, so it adds very little to the job. Going back into a finished deck to add it later means working from underneath where we can, and lifting boards where we can't — which is why we would rather you decide now than wish you had. Lighting is part of a deck project with us, not something we take on by itself.
Will the lights make the deck too bright?
Deck lighting is usually a soft light for steps and edges. Tell us how bright you'd like it and we'll discuss fixture options.
Do the lights stay on all night?
You can choose controls that suit the fixtures, such as a switch or timer. We'll walk you through the options.
How do the fixtures hold up in the rain?
We use outdoor-rated fixtures and plan placement so water can drain away. We'll discuss the fixtures and their ratings at the visit.
Spend More Time Enjoying Your Yard
Tell us about your deck. We'll look at the space and explain the work in a written estimate. The visit is free, with no obligation to book.