How To Install Patio Lights

Install Patio Umbrella Lights

Patio umbrella lights are easy to install, and make your outdoor living space more functional and enjoyable.Choose Light StylePatio umbrella lights come in two different styles. You can choose your style depending on how much light you want and how easy an installation process youre looking for.One style consists of six to eight strands of lights that extend the length of each umbrella support. The cords all plug into a multi-plug receptacle that is placed in the center of the umbrella on the pole. The cord runs down the pole or the lights use a battery. This style of umbrella lighting gives lots of illumination.

Other Odds And Ends With My Patio Lighting

Because I knew Id be incorporating oil rubbed bronze, black and a patio set with a rusticated finish, I decided to quickly spray paint my deck lights. I used Krylons Rust Protector. Not so much because I was concerned with rust, but because Krylon had given me some to try in an Anodized Bronze color.

Adding, in a lot of cases, is as simple as purchasing a new light, many are pre-fitted with a low-voltage lighting connector. Most connector designs have pins that when twisted on, or simply pressed down, bite directly into the wiring. I have a pretty good feeling that I will be adding in the near future, extending my footprint some. I made sure that wiring ran not only to the locations I wanted in the patio, but also out and underneath it as well. That is so adding lights on the yard-side of the patio would be easy in the future.

My deck lighting kit contained 6 lights and I bought two packs.

Supplies For Hanging String Lights On A Patio

The supplies youll need to hang string lights on a patio are minimal compared to the supplies and tools needed for many other home renovation projects. That makes string lights a great starter project for someone who is just getting involved in do-it-yourself projects around the house.

These are some of the things youll need to get set up with your patio string lights:

As you can see, it doesnt take much to get a string lighting kit up. This is one of many reasons why these lighting installations are so popular.

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Interesting Uses For Patio String Lights

With their flexibility and low cost, string lights offer a great chance to get creative with outdoor lighting. Here are five of our favorite uses for string lights.

1. Illuminate an existing outdoor structure, like a pergola or gazebo, with strands of string lights. Hang them along the rafters, wrap them along the handrails, or frame theperimeter.

2.Create a soft garden glow by layering string lights into your landscaping. Weave smaller bulbs think Christmas tree lights through sturdy bushes and hedges.

3.Use string lights to create a sparkling universe of light underneath a covered porch. In this case, more is more! Drape strands from every surface.

4.Trees are a great natural support for string lights. Tightly wrap the cord around mature trunks, or drape them softly from branches for a more romantic look

5.Carefully pile string lights into wire, woven, or glass vessels. Safer than candles, this glowing look creates soft ambiance without the flicker or fire hazard.

Decide How You Will Hang Your Outdoor String Lights

There are six popular ways to hang your outdoor string lights. The easiest methods are probably parallel and V-shaped, pictured below.

• 1) Parallel

• Gazebos or pergolas
• Pavilions

For softer wood like your porch, fences, or deck posts, you may want to use wall anchors to secure the hooks in place. Wall anchors are not mandatory, but if you can anchor your lights into a solid piece of wood like a stud, that will provide fantastic support for a long time.

You dont need to add additional anchors of any kind for trees.

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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.

How Do You Hang Lights On A Lanai

How To Hang String Lights In A Lanai

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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.

How To Hang Outdoor String Lights From Diy Posts: Add Lights

Arrange the planters in a rectangle no more than 10 apart. Secure one end of the string lights to one of the cup hooks with the hook attached to the light, or with cable ties or twist ties if no hook exists. Continue stringing the lights, making an outline of the planters. When you have reached the first planter and have formed a rectangular outline of lights, begin zigzagging the lights from one side of the outline to the other, spacing the passes of string far enough apart so that they will be evenly distributed to the end. Secure the end to a cup hook as you did the beginning of the string. Attach an outdoor-safe extension cord and plug into an outlet.

Sam Henderson

When you have reached the first planter and have formed a rectangular outline of lights, begin zigzagging the lights from one side of the outline to the other, spacing the passes of string far enough apart so that they will be evenly distributed to the end. Secure the end to a cup hook as you did the beginning of the string. Attach an outdoor-safe extension cord and plug into an outlet.

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Cut Holes For The Electrical Boxes

• Trace and cut the hole for the outlet box in the second 1×6.
• Tack the 1×6 to the sides, then slip the box through the hole and screw it to the notch.
• Shim out the box if needed, and then remove the 1×6.

• Set the post assembly in the hole and adjust the height
• Fill and pack soil around the post bottom.
• Assemble and glue the plastic conduit parts.
• Run the cable through it and strap it to the post.

• Install the light box and run a cable from it to the outlet box.
• Insert both cables and fasten them to the outlet box with cable clamps.

• Finish the wood trim on the post.
• Hook up the light fixture following the manufacturer’s directions.

• Connect the switch/outlet with 6-inch ‘pigtails’ for the neutral and ground.

• Mount the gaskets and screw special weatherproof covers over the switch/outlet for this project.

How To Install Temporary String Lights

Permanently installing string lights means they’re ready to use whenever you want. However, you can spruce up your backyard or outdoor space without using a drill or staple gun in one of these ways:

• Drape your string lights between tree branches. Aim for a natural look instead of a uniform, architectural style.
• Hang string lights in or on shrubs. Use a ladder for hard-to-reach spots.
• Line pathways or walkways with string lights. Weatherproof outdoor tape will help hold them in place so they dont move throughout the night.
• Use painters tape to fasten string lights beneath a deck railing. Use small, lightweight string lights for this purpose.
• Drape outdoor lights on a wooden fence, arbor or trellis.

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How To Hang String Lights On Your Deck Railing

If you’re wondering how to hang string lights in a backyard without trees, put them on your deck railings instead.

• Measure your string lights to run the entire length of the deck railing. If you prefer, light only the main length of the railing and leave the sides open.
• Make sure your string lights are attached to an extension cord or they’re close to an outlet before you begin installing them.
• Starting with the string light closest to your power supply, use a staple gun to fasten the lights under your railing. This will keep staples out of sight while holding your string lights firmly in place. Be safe, and do not let the staples puncture the strings.
• Continue this process, adding staples near each light. Pull the string of lights taut as you go.
• Install the bulbs and check your lights.

Tip: Use exterior tape in place of staples if you are concerned about damaging your railing.

How To Hang Outdoor String Lights From Trees

Trees are natural supports for decorative outdoor string lights, especially if you have them on both sides of a grassy area. Learn how to string lights across the backyard correctly, and your lights will look like theyre floating in the air after dark.

• First, measure the distance from tree to tree where you want to hang the lights. Consider how tight you want the lights pulled as you measure. Taut lights give more structure, while looser ones feel more casual.
• Drill guide holes on the trees where you want to hang the lights. With a helper, string the lights from one tree to the next, holding them carefully to make sure the holes are the right distance apart. Mark the spots on the trees and drill guide holes.
• Install a hook into each tree at the marked spot. Install the bulbs in your string lights.
• Thread the string lights onto the hooks. Make sure theyre securely in place.
• Connect your string lights using an extension cord if needed. Check to be sure your string lights work properly. If necessary, use an additional hook to secure the string lights firmly against the trees.

Tip: For longer-lasting lights, choose LED string lights.

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Former Electrician Chris Hudson Now Owner Of Hudson Lighting Shares His Top Tips For Ensuring Longevity In Garden Lighting Installations

If you can, use extra low voltage over low voltage every time. Very few reading this will have worked with anything higher voltage and, for most, thats probably the first time youve realised the definition of low voltage was being used incorrectly. However, many manufacturers are still labelling their products with the wrong information, so looking at the voltage used is the best way to determine this.

ELV installations are far safer, simpler and can be less troublesome providing you use quality components. You can use flexible cables, HI-Tuffs of similar length for their installation rather than armoured, and you dont need to bury the cables approximately 600mm, as you do with LV installations. You can chop through the cable with a shovel without incident the worst thing that can happen is the lights may stop working and you may need to replace a transformer or driver. Believe me: a shovel can go through armoured too, just to be clear for anyone thinking it offers enough protection.

Armoured is used in LV installs to ensure the fault current goes down the Earth to disconnect the circuit quickly although, in most armoured installs Ive seen, the armour is not connected properly so this is now pointless. ELV installations also mean reliability will be better as the lighting can tolerate water in light fittings without causing the safety device to trip.

Ducting, ducting and more ducting

Cable entry on boxes strain relief

Connection boxes and their mounting

To Install Patio Lighting In Patio Timbers

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What Is The Best Way To Hang Outdoor String Lights

The best way to hang outdoor string lights depends on where you are hanging them. If you have trees, its easy to hang lights. Just drill a hole into a tree, install a cup hook, wrap the light around it and secure it with a zip tie. Or you can thread them through the branches and not anchor them. But, make sure you are close enough to a power outlet. You can also hang string lights from porch or deck posts, your home, fences, gazebos, pergolas, or pavilions.

When hanging heavy lights or hundreds of feet of string lights, thread them through a guide wire for extra support. You can also install wall anchors before the hooks for extra support.

How To Hang String Lights Using A Drill

What you need

• A drill with masonry drill bit
• Silicone

Lay the string lights against the stucco wall and hold them up using ordinary tape.

Step 2

Measure intervals of one meter and mark using a faint pencil. A dark clear pencil will leave ugly marks on your stucco wall, this is why a faint pencil is recommended.

Step 3

Take the drill and attach the soft masonry bit. Drill pilot holes on the marked surfaces. Fill up each pilot hole with silicone. You can use a silicone gun with a sharp tip.

Step 4

Allow the silicon to be mid-way dry and attach the plastic roof clips. Screw up the roof clips with corrosion-resistant screws until it firmly holds the string lights against the wall.

Step 5

Add some silicone to the attached roof clip to reinforce it. Remove the ordinary tapes and rub off the faint pencil markings.

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How To Hang String Lights On A Patio

String lights can be one of the easiest ways to add cozy ambiance and lighting to your outdoor patio space. However, these lights must be put up a certain way to work correctly and provide the type of look youre going for.

In this guide youll find out exactly how to hang up string lights on your patio while also avoiding some of the risks that come with this kind of lighting installation. Youll also learn about some of the styles of string lights available for you to install. Read on to learn more about installing string lights and how to do it.

Hit The Hardware Store

Create a materials checklist and installation plan before heading to the home improvement store. Gather the necessary tools and outdoor-grade materials, including:

Be sure to purchase enough yardage with plenty of extra space for slack. Remember, string lights are normally draped the cables will not be pulled taut. Allow at least 12-inches of extra cable per strand.

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Foolproof Ways To Hang Outdoor Patio Lights Without Nails

Patio lights can make a world of difference to your outdoor space. They immediately signal to all of your guests that you care about the ambiance of your patio.

However, its not always obvious how to hang them up . You may be tempted to reach for a box of nails, but hold on!

Before you do something you might regret, read on. Ill tell you how to hang outdoor patio lights without nails!

Generally, the best way to hang outdoor lights without nails it to employ gutter hooks or adhesive-backed hooks. If this isnt an option, consider using fixtures like trees or fenceposts to act as hanging points and wrap the lights securely. This will work regardless of whether you have stucco, vinyl, brick, or wood siding.

Here are some more specific recommendations based on the approach you aim to take.

Water Damage: Common Mistakes

Sometimes water still reaches the inside of the floor uplighters. This could happen for various reasons.

• The swivels on the recessed box for the ground spots aren’t screwed tight enough.

• The glass on top of the ground spot isn’t screwed tight enough. With a LED ground spot, you don’t need to do this, since the light source and glass are already fixed.

• The junction box isn’t filled with resin. This way, water can enter the junction box. From here, the water can reach the spot through the cable. This happens under the influence of capillary attraction.

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