Low voltage lighting plugs in to your home’s electricity, while solar lighting operates on batteries that automatically recharge during the day.
Both solar and low voltage lighting can be great options to brighten up your deck and outdoor space. Thinking about your specific deck needs can help you find the right system for you.
Low voltage lighting is an extremely reliable setup that provides consistent light to your space. Wiring up low voltage lighting is easy - it’ll typically require a transformer that plugs in to any standard wall outlet and converts your home’s 110-volt electrical current down to a 12-volt level that’s ideal for outdoor lighting. Low voltage lighting will connect to your transformer. You can typically hide the wires in your deck railing. Low voltage lights can also use dimmers or timers to customize your light to your space.
Solar lighting is incredibly easy to install - you likely won’t need to do any wiring at all. Many solar lights - solar post caps, for example - include a solar collection panel built in and already connected to your lights. Solar lights usually operate on a photocell that automatically senses ambient light and turns your deck lights on at night and off again during the day. Solar light batteries charge in the sunlight during the day for steady illumination overnight. Solar lights are a very cost-effective option, they’re easy to install, and they make your deck eco-friendly and energy-efficient.
