Making Your Own String Light Poles
We already had a DIY bird feeder hanging from the deck so we had to work around that.
Once again we are using EMT, which is used to run electrical wire through. I like it because it’s cheap at around $5, and it’s very sturdy.
You can also paint it to match your space.
I painted the poles that we made last time we did this project but we did this really quickly, in about 20 minutes, so I didn’t paint it.
Besides, the bird feeder pole is still in its natural state, so I just kept the metal look for both.
The first thing we did was drill a hole for the EMT in the deck railing.
Then I added my two hose clamps to the EMT.
One went on the top to keep the wire rope in place, and one at the bottom to keep it from sliding down through the 2 hole straps that we attached to the deck pole.
Next, I slipped the tubing into the hole Roger drilled in the deck rail, and used the hole straps to secure it to the bottom of the deck.
Other Tips For Hanging String Lights
- Take the glass bulbs out BEFORE hanging. You don’t want to deal with broken bulbs!
- If hanging your string lights on stucco, you will need to use wall anchors specific to stucco.;
- Get an assistant to help. Even having one of your kiddos help out by handing you items can make this process go a lot quicker!
How To Hang String Lights On Aluminum Patio Cover
String lights can help you achieve the perfect lighting you need for enjoyable outdoor relaxing and dining. They cast a beautiful, soft glow that provides the perfect amount of light while still being subtle and gentle on the eyes.
The process for hanging string lights on an aluminum patio cover is much the same as the process for hanging them on any other kind of patio. In this article, were going to explain the process in full.
Here are the items that you will need to hang your string lights on your patio:
- String lights & bulbs
- A wood-bearing drill, one thats a little smaller than the screw eyes
- An outdoor extension cord
- An outlet timer
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How Do You Attach String Lights To An Aluminum Patio
How to Hang Things on an Aluminum Porch
Furthermore, how do you hang patio lights without nails? Method 1Hanging Lights with Hooks or Clips
Keeping this in consideration, how do you hang string lights on a patio?
Hanging Patio String Lights Basic Steps
How do you hang lights on a metal awning?
Hanging lights on metal doesn’t have to be hard.
Can You Hang Outdoor Lights On Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is a bit more resilient when it comes to adhesive, so you can use all of the options Ive presented. In fact, a fantastic no-drill vinyl siding hanger can be found here for cheap!
Vinyl siding also has the advantage of coming in pieces, which is beneficial if you do end up damaging one.
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Styles Of String Lights For Patios
When youre deciding what kind of string lights to get for your patio, there are tons of different colors, styles, and varieties available to choose from. Here are just a few of the many lighting styles youll have the option of purchasing for your string lighting installation :
- Globe lighting:Globe lighting is a great way to add a romantic air to your patio space, which is one of the reasons why this lighting style is so popular. Globe lighting is expensive as far as outdoor string lighting goes, but it carries the advantage of being able to string many lines of lighting together for a bright incandescent look.
- Colorful string lights: If you want to add a touch of whimsy to your outdoor space, colored string lights can give the space a more subdued and moody look or a festive holiday look depending on the color combinations you choose.
- Fairy lights:Fairy lights are small haphazard-looking LED lights that have commonly been used in indoor decorating applications, but these small lights have also recently gained favor in outdoor installations too. Fairy lights add a softer and more diffuse lighting style to your patio area.
- LED rope lights:Rope lights are a great way to add a modern look to your outdoor patio lighting. These lights can be used to add an orderly and contemporary look to your outdoor lighting design. Theyre also good for lining stairs and other dangerous walkways at night.
How To Hang Outdoor String Lights From Diy Posts: Secure Post With Tape
Place the planter on level ground and use a level on one side to make the post plumb. Add painter’s tape across the planter on all four sides of the post to hold it in position. Allow the concrete to harden according to the manufacturers instructions before proceeding.
Arrange the planters in a rectangle no more than 10′ apart.
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How To Hang Gorgeous Globe String Lights Under A Deck
This is one of those posts that I debated writing because I wasnt sure if it would be silly to dedicate a whole post to hanging;outdoor string lights. I decided to write it because, after researching existing tutorials, I realized that most of them were for hanging string lights on decks or patiosnot under second-story decks.
You might think that the requirements would be the same. Alasthey are not. At least for us they werent. Thats because hanging the string lights under a deck shields them somewhat from mother nature. I felt like some of the tutorials were overkill. Rigging up guy wire? Using heavy duty carabiners? It seems like overkill to me for what we wanted to do.
So here are my tips for hanging string lights under a deck.
Ideas How To Hang Outdoor String Lights
String lights are a quick and easy way to add ambiance to your outdoor living space. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your decorating needs.
The goal of this post is not to teach you how to hang your string lights, its to give you inspiration and lots of ideas. You will know how to do it!
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How To Hang String Lights Over A Deck
If your deck has a railing, you can attach DIY posts to the existing railing to extend their height. The ideal height will probably be eight or nine feet, depending on which style of lights you choose, and how much you want to swag them.
Then use cup hooks or screw eyes to attach the light strands to the tops of each post.
How To Hang Outdoor String Lights: The Ultimate Guide
Want to hang string lights over your backyard or patio, but not sure how? Learn how with this comprehensive guide!
Who doesnt love a backyard party under glowing string lights on a warm Summers evening?
But figuring out how and where to hang the lights, which type to buy, and how many you need can get a little complicated. It will all boil down to what you have that you can attach the lights to. This guide will tell you everything you need to know and link to the best DIY tutorials for each situation.
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How Do You Hang Outdoor String Lights Without Nails
- As per above, using screw eye hooks is perfect for hanging lights to make them hold up to outdoor elements.
I hope I’ve answered your questions so you can get started with your lights!
You guys should have seen our west-facing . We went from avoiding it completely, to being outside any chance we get!
It’s the perfect time to give your home a little curb appeal! Get ideas for front yard landscaping as well as what to avoid with your landscaping project!
What projects are you working on currently? I’d love to hear about them!
Hanging Lights With Wire
Whether its an outdoor patio, pergola structure, open yard, or tree-filled glade, outdoor string lights will add magic. But in order to ensure longevity , I think the best way is to use support wire.
Using support wires isnt required. If you want to drape them through the trees, thats ok, too!. But it does relieves stress on the electrical wire and allows you to keep the lights taught above your head and all hanging the right direction.
It is especially useful if you have long stretches of lights, like all the way across the yard or a clearing. In short, using wire to hang outdoor lights gives more stability and a cleaner look.
You could purchase stainless steel wire and eye hooks from your local hardware store, but I found it simpler to purchase these string light hanging kits at the same time that we ordered our lights. We used three of them for ~320 ft of strung lights.
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Adding Patio String Lights To The Deck
- Pin
Happy Monday! ;Hope yall had a good weekend and are enjoying these last days of summer. It sure flew by this year, but I have to admit Im ready for cooler weather. ;Speaking of cooler weather, we got some really fun string lights up on the patio and deck and those are going to be so nice for the Fall season in our backyard.
I havent updated you all since I finished staining the deck and it really turned out nice, so Ill show you all of that as well as what the deck looks like now with the addition of another rug and the new string lights. ;We are loving them! ;Fair warning, I took a zillion pics from all angles, so you could see exactly what it looks like out there, as well as some close ups of how the lights are attached. ;Youll probably remember the Treehouse post I did earlier in the Spring before the deck was stained, but I showed it all furnished with rugs and new cushions.
Back story on the lights. ;I was contacted last year by a company here in Atlanta, Christmas Lights Etc. asking me if they could come and light up my backyard.
What???
Im sure youve noticed that string lights are all the rage now and so many people are adding them to their backyard and lots of companies sell them now. ;They have really grown in popularity the last 5 years or so.
Notice the posts in the corners?
The guys from Christmas Lights Etc. came out and secured the string lights and got them installed so nicely.
Sweet Holly!
These succulents are looking good out here too.
How To Hang A Privacy Screen
Next up I will share how we hung our Privacy Screens. I bought two of white privacy screens online and they are showing not available anymore. I did find another option HERE that you could spray paint if the color doesnt work for you. They are light weight and flexible. .
- Trim Head Screws
- You will need a special drill bit for the trim head screws
- Garden Stakes
- Long Screws
Kevin didnt want me to show the below picture! ha! Because he needs to cut the screws that are sticking out in the back . But at least you can see how we attached it to the deck railing.
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Whats The Best Type Of String Lights
Bottom line, these are the best and most durable string lights around. Theyre LED, heavy-duty, and will last for many years. If you want to keep your lights up year-round, intend to use them for several years in a row, or are using them for some kind of commercial application, these are your best bet.
Ive had these high-quality lights over my patio for the past four years, and never had any problems with them. I will note that I take them down for the winter months, since we get freezing temperatures and some serious wind storms here in Seattle.
Why You Need A Guide Wire
Roger has worked with electric his whole adult life so he knows a thing or two about it. I know that a lot of people skip this step but he says it’s important to use some kind of guide wire to hang your string lights.
The reason that you shouldn’t just string the lights without wire is because the string light wire can stretch .;
So the short answer is yes, you need to use a guide wire when you are hanging string lights.
With that out of the way, we can move on to securing the wire. This is where the wire rope clamps come in to play.
They keep the wire in place and taut.
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How To Install Poles To Hang Outdoor String Lights In Your Backyard
Lighting makes outdoor spaces feel inviting. Here’s a simple, sturdy way to hang those pretty string lights you’ve been eyeing.;
Ready your outdoor space for al fresco dining and bonfire season with the warm glow of string lights. If you don’t have any deck or porch posts accessible or trees you can use to string outdoor lights, this backyard project can help you suspend lights anywhere with minimal effort. Long vertical poles secured with concrete footings are an easy way to support twinkling string lights and are sturdy enough to stay up for the entire summer season. A little carpentry work and a few basic supplies are all that’s required, and this DIY project can be done in one day. See how we did it below, and check out our expert advice to hang string lights correctly the first time.
- Working time3 hrs
- Start to finish1 day
- DifficultyKind of Easy
- InvolvesPouring Concrete, Carpentry Skills
- 1-inch diameter PVC pipeQty:1
- 3/4-inch conduitQty:1
Set Concrete
Create a sturdy base for the lighting supports using concrete and PVC pipes. Sink concrete forms at each end or corner of your patio or backyard area. Make sure the concrete forms are set deep enough to go below the frost line, which varies by region. Center a same-height piece of 1-inch-diameter PVC pipe inside and fill form around the pipe with concrete.
Cut Pipes
Drill Holes
Finish Poles
Hang String Lights
Wrap The String Lights Around Trees
You can use any trees in your yard as impromptu light stands.
While its perfectly fine to do this, youll want to make sure to shift the lights regularly. You want to avoid having the string lights grow into the tree .
You can choose to drill directly into the tree, but be careful not to permanently damage it.
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How Do You Hang String Lights Without Nails
If you want to install string lights on your patio, you might want to consider doing so without using any nails. This type of lighting installation may not be quite as sturdy as lighting that is installed on nail fixtures, but for lightweight lighting strings like fairy lights or Christmas lights you may be able to get away with not using nails or guy lines.
The advantage of not using nails to hang string lights is that if you ever get to the point where you want to take the string lighting down, you dont have to remove a few dozen nails and leave a few dozen unsightly holes in your wooden patio railing.
This is a good choice for people who want to install string lighting on a rental property. Its also a good method for patios with metal railings or other installation points where using traditional nails to hang lighting wouldnt work.
Here are a few ways that you can install string lights without nails:
No matter which method you use, there are plenty of ways to install string lights without putting a bunch of holes in your patio in the process.
Hang String Lights From A Ceiling Or Covered Patio
April from Love Our Real Life has a roof over her deck, and she has a great tutorial for hanging patio lights from the ceiling.
I hung string lights in the kids playhouse using a similar method- small cup hooks in the rafters. It takes 5 minutes to hang the lights up each Spring and take them down at the end of the Summer. You can see the whole playhouse makeover here.
Emily from Table & Hearth used a similar method to hang her string lights under her covered patio but she hung them in a criss-cross pattern.
I hope these tutorials were helpful! Now go enjoy your outdoor living space!
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