Outdoor Stair Lighting

We often find various types of staircases inside the dwellings and apartments. The outdoor staircases are really the first thing that the visitors come to know about your house, if it's a terrace house or row house. There are numerous ways to decorate the outdoor stairs, once you understand the safety factor which is involved in the exterior/outdoor stairs.

Stair railing and stair lighting are the two things that you need to consider as your priority because these two things ensure your utmost security and also of the people visiting your house. Outdoor stair lighting is an interesting topic of discussion, as it can play a huge role in exterior decoration. The outdoor stairs lighting not only help you to judge the correct height of the stairs but it also helps you to create a romantic and calm ambiance outside your house.

Requirements and Considerations

There are a few requirements that you need to fill up, if you want to have outdoor stair lighting fixtures. For instance, you need to follow the government rules and policies about outdoor lighting in this matter. Some local authorities restrict you from fixing such outdoor lights that might focus on an abutting property, while some might restrict you to fix lights that consume heavy energy. So, don't forget to get a prior permission from the local authorities.

Also, consider the weather conditions of your residential area and opt for accordant light fixtures. It is always best to select weather resistant light switches and fixtures that are easily available in the home improvement stores. You can install these light switches at the top or the bottom start of the staircase so that you won't have to struggle searching for them in the dark.

Moreover, you also need to consider the surface (plastic or vinyl) on which you are installing the light fixtures and opt for the wattage which is permitted for the material. Last and the most important factor to consider is the type of home lighting for outdoor stairs that you want. There are three main types of home lighting that include:

1. Motion Sensing Flood Lighting
2. Post Mounted Lighting
3. Recessed Outdoor Deck Stair Lighting

Recessed lighting is always low voltage lighting which is fixed on the risers of the staircase. This kind of lighting might require a knowledgeable technician, to avoid any mistakes. The motion sensing floodlights are fixed at the top of the staircase and it is the most common sort of outdoor lighting ideas. You can also install the post mounted light fixtures that look really elegant. Here are some ideas for light fixtures for you outdoor stair design for you.

You can opt for the types of light fixtures that I have explained earlier and decorate them in the most creative way. Select solar lights, or LED lighting since they look really elegant. If you are opting for post mounted lighting then you can select the solar or LED lights post caps or mini railing lights, outdoor candle lantern, top caps, round eyelid caps, recessed square shaped lamps, treated or stained glass caps, colored lights with suitable shades that match your exterior painting, etc.

You might also like the surface mount lights that come in various shapes and sizes, like triangular, square, bell, ball, shell, etc. Many people opt for outdoor LED rope lighting, which is a sort of recessed lighting and it also makes the exterior all the more inviting and prominent.

If you prefer those low voltage or LED lighting, then there various companies that offer DIY installation kits that you have to purchase and install with help of an electrician or personally. Depending on the choice of the type of light, one single light fixture costs you about USD 10 to USD 200 excluding the fitting and wiring charges!