When choosing deck lighting, it's always good to know your options. In general, you are going to choose solar lights or wired lighting. Here we will explain to you what option is best for your deck and when to use either a solar light or a wired light and why.

Solar Deck Lights

solar deck light
Example of a solar deck light

The one thing that is the most obvious reason to choose solar deck lights is the fact that they are free to power. These lights are also cheaper and much easier to install. The downside to solar lighting is the fact that they do not shine as bright or as long as wired lighting and they need to be set up in a location where they receive sunlight.

Pros

  • No added cost to your energy bill
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Easy setup and maintenance

Cons

  • Not as bright
  • Not customizable
  • Batteries need occasional replacing

Wired Deck Lights

wired deck lights
An example of wired deck lights

Wired lighting has a more intensive install and depending on your project you might want to get help from a professional. But once the installation is done, you will love the options and flexibility that come with this setup. Wired lights can be set to a timer so you can control when they turn on and off unlink the solar option. Also, depending on the lights you have, some allow you to change the brightness and color of them manually. Lastly, they typically shine brighter and longer than the solar lighting option.

Pros

  • Very customizable
  • Bright
  • Can be controlled manually

Cons

  • Hard to install
  • Adds to your electric bill

Summary

Lighting is not a necessity but upgrades the look of your deck. When choosing a lighting option consider how you want your deck to look after the installation. Do you want it to be fully customizable, or do you want to save money and use renewable energy for the lighting? Solar lights and wired lights are both great options and we recommend that you choose the one that will work best with your decking project. We have licensed electricians at The Deck Store to answer your questions!