Summarize
SummaryLighting deck and stair steps can be tricky, especially when there’s a lot of space and the terrace isn’t covered. In these cases, it’s best to use more than just wall and ceiling lights. For better safety and easier navigation, small lights are ideal. Recessed spotlights along the edges of the terrace and stair steps are a great solution. With their subtle light output, terrace spotlights create a minimalist atmosphere in just the right places. Each spotlight uses 3 watts of power and provides 280 lumens of light. You can choose to have the cover of the terrace spots open in one, two, or four directions.
Spotlights for the deck surface
Recessed spotlights for the terrace come in two options: ones that cast indirect light along the surface, and others that shine directly upward. The surface-mounted spotlights won’t cause glare and light up to about 40 cm ahead. The visibility of the light pattern depends on how dark it is outside, with lighter surfaces reflecting the light best. For darker surfaces, it’s important to carefully consider and even test beforehand how much light is needed.
Another option is the upward-facing spotlights. These tend to create a strong glare, so it’s best to place them near walls, pillars, or other reflective surfaces. This helps increase the amount of indirect light in the space. With a 3-watt power output, each spotlight can illuminate up to about 250 cm in a dimly lit area.
Tips for Using Terrace Spotlights – Paths, Staircases, and Docks
Deck spotlight sets are easy to install on both wood and composite materials, and with the included ground mounting cup, they can also be placed in the ground, like along a gravel path. Stair steps can be lit either from the surface or from the edge of the step. When installed on the edge, a spotlight that shines downward to one direction is usually used. This directs the light exactly where it’s needed, without causing glare.
Thanks to their waterproof design, the spotlights are also perfect for dock lighting. Made from stainless steel, the terrace spotlights are resistant to saltwater. Even a small amount of light is sufficient on a dock if the surrounding nature is not illuminated. Glare is kept to a minimum when choosing spotlights that cast light along the dock surface. The waterproof cable sets with quick connectors make installation easier, and the included power supply is also waterproof. Of course, the mains power connection should be properly protected during installation.
Each spotlight comes with an 85mm high ground mounting cup. The cup protects the spotlight and seals the installation, especially when the installation site is on sand, gravel, or between stones. We do not recommend installing them directly into grass, as the growing grass can easily overshadow the spotlights.
Deck and steps – lighting with LED strips
LED strips are also used for lighting terraces and staircases. These strips are dimmable and can easily be integrated with various control methods, such as remote or smart control. To ensure the LED strips last for a long time, they should be mounted in an enclosed aluminum profile and sealed properly. LED strips can be customized to create the desired length. LedStore’s LED strips can typically be cut every 5 cm, and the aluminum profile can be trimmed to the exact length you need. The longest aluminum profiles are 3 meters in length.
There are profiles available for many different needs, including waterproof options. The most popular are the low-profile surface-mounted aluminum profiles, but recessed and 45-degree angle profiles are also used. We recommend using an aluminum profile, as it helps dissipate heat from the LED strip, extending its lifespan and protecting the light source from dust and dirt.
Step lighting with LED strips
Highlighting the steps from the terrace surface with LED strips enhances safety by making the height difference more visible. Illuminating the first step marks where the steps begin. On larger terraces, this solution can also bring light to the entire surrounding area, adding to the overall ambiance. The reflected light from the steps is soft and non-glare, creating a pleasant effect.
The smallest spotlight sets are suitable for many different applications
The ‘sauna spotlight’ set is perfect for lighting areas like stair risers, where installing larger lights can be tricky. When mounted on the stair riser, the spotlight stays out of the way, making it ideal for tasks like snow removal. While this spotlight isn’t as durable as the terrace spotlights, which can handle being driven over by a small car, it’s still a great solution for tight spaces.
These spotlights are perfect for softly illuminating steps on your terrace. You can place the spotlight off to the side to create a pleasing, asymmetrical lighting effect (see image below). For wider stairs, you can use multiple spotlights. The light output is gentle, so it won’t cause glare and fits nicely with outdoor lighting. It’s best to avoid overly bright lights outside, as the brighter a spot is, the darker everything else will appear.
The outdoor diameter of the spotlight is 35 mm, and the small sauna spotlight requires a mounting depth of 51 mm. The cable exits from the bottom of the spotlight, so it’s important to leave some space for the cable during installation. The same cable sets and transformers used for the 3W terrace spotlights are also compatible with this fixture.
Explore terrace lights in the LedStore online shop under the category LED Outdoor Lights / Terrace Lighting. LedStore is also here to help with all your design questions. Learn more about our lighting design services.
