Hanging outdoor string lights is a great way to illuminate and decorate your deck or patio. With the right supplies and a bit of handiwork, you can create a gorgeous ambiance perfect for entertaining or just enjoying time outdoors after the sun goes down. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the steps needed to safely and properly hang string lights outside on your deck.
Choose the Right Type of Outdoor String Lights
The first step is selecting the perfect string lights for your deck. Here are some top options to consider:
Incandescent Bulb String Lights
Incandescent bulb string lights give off a warm, inviting glow that sets the mood for evenings outdoors. Opt for lights with bulbs spaced close together to get more sparkle. These affordable lights are easy to string up. Just keep in mind that the bulbs have a shorter lifespan and consume more electricity than LED options.
LED String Lights
For long-lasting illumination, LED string lights are the way to go. The bulbs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent and use much less energy. LEDs also come in a variety of colors, so you can get creative with your deck lighting design. Cool white lights look clean and modern, while options in warm white, amber, or selectable colors create a cozy atmosphere.
Solar Powered Options
For decks without ready access to electrical outlets, solar powered string lights are convenient. They charge up in the sun during the day and then turn on automatically at night. Just be sure your deck gets several hours of direct sunlight daily for the solar lights to sufficiently charge.
Waterproof and Weatherproof Choices
Since the lights will be exposed to the elements outdoors, it’s critical to choose string lights made to withstand wet weather. Look for light strands marketed as waterproof, weatherproof, or outdoor-safe. Resistant sealants and durable, protective casings prevent moisture damage.
Gather the Right Supplies
In addition to the string lights themselves, you’ll need a few other supplies to hang them properly:
- Screw hooks or cup hooks – Hooks screwed into the deck will hold up the string light strands. Opt for galvanized steel hooks to prevent rusting.
- Outdoor-rated extension cords – Unless you have an outlet located very close by or are using solar lights, you’ll need an outdoor extension cord to reach the nearest outlet. Make sure it’s rated for outdoor use.
- Staple gun & staples – This handy electric staple gun allows you to securely staple the light strands and extension cords to your deck as needed.
- Cable clips – Clips that attach cables to surfaces offer another option for securing the lights. They stick to wood, brick, stucco, vinyl, and metal.
- Wood screws or decking screws – If installing screw hooks, have proper wood screws or deck screws on hand.
- Work gloves – Wear thick gloves when handling the lights and tools to prevent cuts and splinters.
- Ladder – Use a sturdy ladder to reach high areas while hanging the string lights.
Plan the Layout
Take measurements of your deck and sketch out a lighting plan before you begin. This will allow you to purchase the right amount of lighting and space out the strands effectively. Consider these factors:
- The overall shape, footprint, and features of your deck like stairs or railings
- Doors, entryways, and seating areas you want to highlight
- Location of outlets or solar lighting spots with ample sunshine
- Flow of the space and where you want to create focal points
- Traffic areas to avoid
- Height of overhangs and railings for hanging capability
- Length of light strands and extension cords needed to reach all areas
Prep the Deck Surface
Before screwing in hooks or stapling anything down, do a quick deck inspection and completion of these prep steps:
- Clear the deck of any furniture or items that will be in the way.
- Remove any residue, dirt, or debris where you’ll be working.
- Ensure the wood or decking boards are in good condition with no rot or splintering where hooks will be installed.
- Check the stability of railings or overhangs and make any needed repairs first.
- Determine placement of screw hooks, screws, cable clips, and consider drilling small pilot holes if going into hardwood.
- Have a vacuum ready to contain any wood shavings or dust.
Prepping the surface well will allow the hooks, staples, clips, and lights to adhere and stay put.
Add the Screw Hooks
Space out screw hooks evenly across your deck in the desired display area based on your lighting plan. Follow these best practices when installing the hooks:
- Use galvanized steel hooks rated for outdoor use to prevent rusting and corrosion over time. Stainless steel is another excellent option.
- Choose hooks at least 1⁄2 inch to 3⁄4 inch long to provide ample support for the string lights.
- Position hooks pointing upward to cradle the cord.
- Allow for 3 to 6 inches between each hook depending on the length of lights needed in each area. Closer together creates a fuller display.
- On wood and composite decks, pre-drill pilot holes with a drill bit slightly smaller than the hooks to avoid splitting deck boards.
- Drive hooks into the wood using a drill on a low torque setting or a screwdriver to prevent stripping them.
- For concrete, brick, stucco, or metal surfaces, use appropriate anchors designed for your material along with the hooks.
Proper hook spacing and installation provides the base to hang and support the string lights sturdily on your deck.
Hang the String Lights
With your hooks installed, it’s time to gently drape and hang the outdoor light strands:
- Unroll the lights and ensure all the bulbs are working before hanging. Replace any burned out bulbs.
- Starting at one end of the display area, lift the cord up and carefully place it into the first hook, letting it drape gracefully.
- Continue placing the strand into each consecutive hook down the line, easing any slack and adjusting the drape as needed.
- Avoid hanging lights over or close to seating areas where people could potentially get burned by hot bulbs.
- Check that the drape and height looks evenly distributed and makes sense based on your lighting plan. Adjust as needed.
- For railings and edges, wrap the strand around the top posts and hooks horizontally along the railing height.
- On stairs, weave strands back and forth through installed hooks and handrails to outline each step.
- When you reach the end, secure any excess lighting cord with clips or ties so it doesn’t hang loose.
Use the hang straightening and adjusting the lights until they are positioned attractively on your hooks and railing posts. Stepping back periodically to check your work helps get the look just right.
Connect Power Source
There are a few options for connecting your string lights to a power source:
- Nearby outlet: For lights on an outlet-accessible deck, simply plug the end of the strand directly into the outdoor-rated outlet. Use caution to avoid tripping hazards.
- Extension cord: Run a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord from the nearest outlet to the area where lights begin. Conceal the cord as much as possible by running it along edges. Staple it down securely every foot or so leading up to the first hook.
- Jumper cord: If lights need to jump from one outlet to another distant outlet, use a jumper cord connected between the two to bridge the gap. Make sure the combined wattage isn’t overloaded.
- Solar lights: For solar-powered options, ensure each lighting strand is staked down in an area receiving at least 6 hours of sunlight so it can sufficiently charge.
Use Clips and Staples for Securing
Though the hooks hold up the lights, you’ll need to secure the cords to prevent sagging, tripping hazards, and wind damage:
- Use adhesive-backed clips to affix each light strand to deck railings as you wrap them horizontally. Position clips every 8 to 12 inches.
- After dangling lights from hooks, staple the cords to the wood surface every 4 to 6 inches between each hook using an outdoor staple gun.
- Staple down any extension cord, jumper cable, or excess lighting cord tight along the deck boards every 10 inches or so.
- Check periodically that clips and staples remain snugly fastened to protect the lighting. Replace as needed.
Safety Tips
When installing outdoor string lights on your deck, keep these key safety tips in mind:
- Never overload an outlet or extension cord with more combined wattage than is rated.
- Ensure all electrical components used outdoors are rated for outdoor/wet locations.
- Always shut off power via the circuit breaker before installing lights or doing any electrical work.
- Use a GFCI protected outlet or extension cord for lighting circuits.
- Don’t use staples on cords weighted down by lights as this can damage wiring over time.
- Position strands out of high traffic zones and seating areas to prevent tripping hazards or bulbs burning skin.
- Check that all lighting is fastened securely and not sagging, dangling loosely, or touching the ground where it could get damaged.
- Turn off all deck lighting before leaving the house or going to bed to conserve energy and prevent hazards.
- Consider lighting timers to automatically turn lights on and off on a set schedule.
Maintenance Tips for Longevity
To get the most life from your string lights and keep them looking their best:
- Inspect clips, staples, hooks, and fasteners regularly to ensure they aren’t loosening or corroding. Replace damaged hardware immediately.
- Periodically check cords for fraying or cracked, exposed wires and replace strands if needed.
- For incandescent lights, replace bulbs as soon as they burn out to prevent damage to the other bulb sockets.
- Keep an extra supply of replacement bulbs on hand if needed.
- Use plastic covers or bring lighting inside during extreme weather to prevent wind and storm damage.
- Take lights down carefully at the end of each season by fully unfastening – never just ripping them down hastily.
With the right materials, spacing, and setup, you can create beautiful ambiance and transforms your outdoor living area after dark. Just be sure to install and energize the string lights safely. Refer to this guide anytime you need a refresher on properly hanging string lights on your deck. Enjoy your sparkling oasis!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hanging Outdoor String Lights on Decks
Hanging string lights on your deck can sometimes bring up questions if it’s your first time installing them. Here are answers to some of the most common FAQs:
How high should I hang string lights on my deck?
Ideally, deck string lights should hang around 7 to 8 feet above the floor of the deck. This height clears most people’s head space and creates pleasant ambiance lighting from above. For single story decks, hanging lights along roof edges and railings at this approximate height works well.
How do I hang string lights on a tall two-story deck?
Use taller ladders or scaffolding to reach the extended height of a two-story deck. You can hang lights along the top railing and also make rows of lights along incrementally lower railings and ledges to create layered lighting. Just maintain at least 7 feet of clearance above any surface where people walk below.
How much space should there be between each hook for deck string lights?
As a general guideline, space hooks 3 to 6 inches apart when hanging string lights on a deck. Closer hook spacing creates a fuller, more abundant display. Just make sure to evenly space the hooks across the entire deck surface where you want lighting.
What kind of hooks should I use to hang outdoor string lights on my deck?
Opt for galvanized steel or stainless steel hooks explicitly rated for outdoor use when hanging deck string lights. Hooks should be approximately 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inches long. Pre-drill pilot holes when installing them in wood decking to prevent splitting boards.
How do I prevent outdoor string lights from sagging over time?
While hooks hold up string lights, using clips and staples between each hook secures the strands tightly in place so they don’t sag. Staple cords every 4 to 6 inches along the boards between hooks. Use adhesive clips to affix lighting to railings as you wrap them horizontally.
Can I just plug deck string lights into an outdoor outlet?
You can plug lights directly into an outdoor outlet if one is located very close by. Often, you’ll need an outdoor-rated extension cord. Ensure the lights never exceed the rated wattage of the outlet or extension cord. Use exterior jumper cords between distant outlets if needed.
Is it safe to use staples on string lights?
Use caution when stapling string lights down. Avoid attaching staples directly on top of light strands or anywhere weight from the lights causes sagging. Only staple cords snugly to surfaces between holiday lights where there is no tension or pull on the staple points.
How do I keep string lights up on my deck permanently?
For permanent or long-term deck lighting, use high-quality, weatherproof string lights and hardware designed to endure the elements. Use coated decking screws to install hooks. Check clips and staples frequently to ensure they stay tight and secure. Take down any lighting during extreme weather and store it safely during off seasons.
Conclusion
Installing string lights on your deck creates a gorgeous, welcoming environment that extends your enjoyment outdoors long after the sun sets. Now that you know how to choose the right lighting, utilize the proper supplies, hang strands at optimal heights, securely fasten cords, and electrify your display safely, you’re ready to illuminate your deckscape in style.
As you design your unique lighting layout, just be sure to always put safety first by avoiding overloading circuits, using only weatherproof components, taking weather conditions into account, securing strands properly, and positioning lights away from seating areas. With the helpful tips from this guide, you can confidently install string lighting that makes memories for years to come. Get ready to spend long summer nights basking in the dreamy glow of your deck.