When you think of spending time on your deck, you may picture yourself lounging in a comfortable chair, hosting summer barbecues, and entertaining guests. And undoubtedly, you envision a bright, sunlit day as the backdrop for these delightful moments. However, there's more to deck enjoyment than just sunny days.

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As daylight fades into dusk, and eventually darkness, you don't want to be forced to call it a night! Adding lighting to your deck is essential to extend the usability of your outdoor space long after the sun has set.

According to deck builders, adding lighting is the most requested change order from customers. People often forget that they spend many hours on their decks after sunset, especially if they work a 9-to-5 schedule and head out to the deck after dinner.

Lighting ensures that you can make the most of your outdoor retreat. But what if you have an existing deck and want lighting without the cost of an electrician? Or if you're building a new deck in a location where running electrical wires isn't feasible? Solar lights might be the perfect solution.

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Solar lights, such as Classy Caps, Deckorators, Aurora Deck Lighting, and Color Guard options, provide an excellent alternative for illuminating your deck. These lights come in sizes that fit popular railing and post dimensions, allowing you to choose a solar solution even if your deck manufacturer only offers low-voltage lighting.

Even if you don't spend much time on your deck during the day, solar lighting can still benefit you during the evening hours. Solar deck lights use energy from the sun, making them both eco-friendly and cost-effective. A small solar panel absorbs sunlight during the day, converting it into electrical energy that is stored in a rechargeable battery inside the light.

As the sun goes down, a sensor detects the decrease in light and turns on the LED bulbs. These lights use very little energy, providing hours of illumination using the stored energy in the battery.

TIP: Before installation, charge your solar lights by placing them in direct sunlight for 6-10 hours. This ensures that you can enjoy the full effect of your DIY light installation without any delay when the sun sets on the installation day.

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Solar lighting is not only suitable for your backyard deck but also for remote areas and locations near water, such as pools and docks.

Now, let's explore the advantages and potential limitations of solar deck lighting to help you decide the best way to illuminate your outdoor space.

Advantages of Solar Deck Lighting

Solar deck lighting offers several benefits, including:

• Ease of installation: Solar deck lighting is easy to install because it doesn't require electrical wiring. It's an excellent choice for DIYers or those who want to avoid the hassle of running wires.
• Cost savings: There are no ongoing electricity costs to operate solar deck lights.
• Energy efficiency: Solar deck lighting harnesses energy from the sun, a renewable source.
• Flexibility: Solar deck lighting can be installed in locations where wired lighting isn't practical or possible, such as areas far from electrical outlets or near water.
• Low maintenance: Solar deck lighting requires minimal maintenance as it has no moving parts and doesn't rely on electricity.

Limitations of Solar Deck Lighting

While solar lighting has numerous advantages, there are a few limitations to consider:

• Limited brightness: Solar deck lighting provides ambient lighting, making it ideal for accent or decorative purposes. If you need intense lighting for safety purposes, such as stairs or walkways, or for task lighting, solar lighting may not be sufficient.
• Location and weather dependency: Solar lighting performance relies on the availability of sunlight. Cloudy weather or obstructions like trees and eaves can reduce the charging capacity, resulting in dimmer or shorter-lived lighting at night.
• Limited run time: Solar deck lighting operates for a limited number of hours before recharging is required. It may not be sufficient for some individuals, especially compared to wired lighting, which can run continuously.
• Battery replacement: The batteries used in solar deck lighting will eventually wear out and need replacement. Fortunately, replacement batteries are readily available at local hardware stores or online marketplaces like Amazon.

If any of these limitations are deal-breakers for you, don't worry. Options like low-voltage and LED wired lighting solutions from Trex DeckLighting, TimberTech, DekPro, Deckorators, Aurora Deck Lighting, and LMT Mercer Group are also available to illuminate your deck.

Ultimately, choosing the right lighting option will enhance the beauty and functionality of your deck, creating a more comfortable and enjoyable space for relaxation and entertainment.

With solar post caps from brands like Classy Caps, Aurora Deck Lighting, Color Guard, and Deckorators, you can easily and cost-effectively illuminate your deck in minutes, all while being environmentally friendly.

Now that we've shed light on this topic, it's time for you to go and light up your deck!