Patio Deck Lighting
Proper patio lighting for your deck is necessary if you frequently entertain outdoors. Parties can extend long into the night and you want to be sure you have the proper lighting to keep your guests happy long after the sun has set. The problem with choosing patio deck lighting is that there are so many different types and sizes; it can be difficult to settle on just one. This is where you need to take energy conservation and the size of your deck into consideration before making a purchase.
Types of Lighting
When looking at the many different types of patio deck lighting, you will see phrases such as fluorescent, incandescent, LED, and solar on the descriptions of the lights. What does all of this mean? How can you get the most output of light for your money? Are you looking to conserve energy? Answering all of these questions will assist you in picking out the proper style of lighting for your needs.
Impression of Deck Lighting
Led Deck Lighting
If you are the energy conservation minded type, LED patio lights might be just what you are looking for. LED lights are unique in that they do not require an electrode in order to operate properly, so they can last nearly 10 times longer than incandescent lighting. Of course, the quality of light you get from an LED light system depends on the number of LEDs in each lamp, so for quality lighting, look for lamps that have at least 10 LEDs per lamp. This will give you great lighting while minimizing the amount you have to pay on your electricity bill.
On the other hand, if you still want to save money by not using electricity for your patio party lights at all, solar lighting might be something you should consider. Solar lighting is only viable if your deck is in an area that gets plenty of sun during the day. Photo-voltaic cells within each lamp soak up the suns UV rays and a special battery converts this to energy that can be turned on when needed. One myth surrounding solar lighting is that it cannot last as long as traditional lighting, but great strides have been made in the solar technology field to improve just how long these lights can stay light. In fact, many of the solar deck patio lights available on today’s market can stay lit for three days on just one complete charge of their battery.
Solar Deck Lights
Of course, solar lighting tends to be expensive to set up and requires the right conditions, so if you are not energy conscious, you might want to consider other options entirely. Fluorescent lighting is probably the most popular option because it is not as harsh as incandescent lighting and it requires less maintenance, but it not as maintenance free as an LED set up. However, this type of lighting can be found in many different sizes and styles, which is why it is such a popular option when considering cost versus light output.
Whatever style of lighting you choose, make sure it will suit your needs. Before purchasing any lighting, you need to consider the size of your deck and how well you want it to be lit. If you are comfortable with it remaining semi-dark after the lights have gone down, choose a light set that does not have a very high wattage output. If you want the desk to remain as lit as it was during the day, you will need to find a set of lights that guarantees high wattage as well as the ability to last for several hours. Your costs will depend on the style of lighting you choose, so keep this in mind when looking as well.
