Modern Deck + Step Lights

What Are Step Lights?

Step lights are outdoor lighting fixtures that illuminate stairs or steps in outdoor pathways. These lights are mainly installed for safety, but also highlight the steps as an architectural feature. Step lights are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and finishes. They can be integrated within pavers or concrete steps. Lighting outdoor steps is a smart move to ensure guests and your family can navigate your property safely, and they can also improve the value of your home.

What Types of Outdoor Step Lighting Can I Buy?

Outdoor step lights come in a variety of formats. Some are round, others are square or rectangular, and there are also more linear options. These fixtures come in a variety of finishes, from painted to antique bronze to brass to aluminum. You should choose fixtures that fit within the geometry of your steps and best blend with the material the steps are made of. An alternative to step lighting is path lighting that can be installed outside of the stairs.

How Many Step Lights Do I Need?

A good general rule when lighting outdoor steps is to install one light for every three steps, but that of course depends on the size of the light and its output, as well as the width and depth of the stairs themselves. The step lights should adequately light the steps to ensure that anyone can safely climb them in the darkest of conditions. If the steps are especially wide, you may need two or three lights per row.

Things to Consider When Buying Deck Step Lights?

You must consider how you plan to mount the lights: within the steps themselves or integrated into the side of the decking. Consider the overall lighting output to be sure you are adequately lighting the deck steps. Installing landscape lighting is best left to the professionals. If your budget allows, hire a landscape lighting designer to help ensure you are adequately lighting your deck and steps, and leave installation to a professional electrician.

Step Lighting FAQs

Does deck step lighting provide enough light?

Many deck step lights on the market are LED outdoor step lights, which offer energy savings while providing adequate lighting. It’s important to light for safety without over-lighting and creating glare or light pollution.

What are common features of outdoor step lighting?

Step lights typically feature a shield that aims the light in the right direction, toward the step surface. This avoids creating glare that could temporarily blind someone and cause them to trip.

Does under step lighting work with motion sensors?

Some step lights incorporate sensors so they only come on when someone activates the sensor by using the stairs. This is a great feature to help save on energy costs and avoid unnecessary light pollution.

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