Deck Lighting On A Budget

Even though your deck lighting on a budget project will involve outdoor or landscape lighting exclusively that does not mean you do not have a wide range of choices when it comes to styles. Whether choosing an independent solar light fixture, or one that is hooked directly into the house's electrical grid, the fixtures and lights can be as unobtrusive or eye-catching as you want them to be. For example, some types of deck lighting are made to be installed flush with the deck, or are built for a recessed install, so as not to be seen by you or your guests, yet providing sufficient illumination for your deck and back yard. Others still are highly decorative in nature and intended to draw the eye and become a compliment to your deck.
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Perhaps the most important aspect of a deck lighting on a budget project is the actual choice of deck lighting types. Some use only one type, while others combine the types to get the desired style for their deck and back yard.

Post cap lighting - post cap lighting are lights that are affixed to the top of the deck posts. These will provide the optimum amount of illumination cast due to the lighting being at a higher elevation. Post cap lighting can be as simple or as ornate as you like.
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Post base lighting - post base lighting, as the name implies, is a recessed lighting system installed at the base of a deck post. These are far more unobtrusive and provide a more subtle lighting option for your deck.

Stair lighting - stair lighting, while not seen on as many decks, can be an important and often overlooked safety feature for you and your family.
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Pathway or landscape lighting - this type of lighting can truly enhance the effect of your back yard and create a wide variety of effects that will let you and your family enjoy your back yard to the fullest extent.
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Solar lighting - for those of you who want to "go green," this is the most energy efficient way to go, charging the solar cells during the day and providing light at night. Be advised that with shorter days in the winter, or on cloudy days, the solar cells may not fully charge and provide dim or unreliable lighting.
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