Summer evenings in Utah are the best part of the day to be outside. The heat breaks, the canyon breeze picks up, and the valley lights come on. A deck without lighting goes dark right when it gets most comfortable. Good lighting makes your deck safer, extends the hours you use it, and makes it look great from the yard and from inside the house.
Start with safety: stairs and edges
The first lights we plan are on the stairs. A step you can’t see is how people get hurt, especially on tall second-story stairs, which are common on Utah homes with walk-out basements. Small lights set into each stair riser light every tread without glare.
On the Sandy project, a switchback stair runs from a second-story TimberTech Weathered Teak deck down to the patio and fire pit. Every riser has a light, so the whole route is clear after dark and the stair looks like part of the design rather than an afterthought.
After stairs, mark changes in level, edges along open sides and the path to the door.
The main types of deck lighting
Stair riser lights. Set into the face of each riser. They’re the most useful light on most decks.
Recessed in-deck lights. Flush lights set into the deck boards. They mark edges, walkways and built-in benches. On the Highland hot tub deck we ran recessed lights along every step and the boulder edge.
Post cap lights. Built into the top of railing posts, they cast a soft glow across the deck surface.
Under-rail accent lights. Small lights tucked under the top rail wash light down onto the boards without shining in anyone’s eyes. The Lindon deck uses them along a Trex railing.
Overhead and string lights. On a pergola or covered deck, recessed ceiling lights or bistro string lights give general light for dining and gatherings.
Illuminated glass railing
One of our favorite builds is the covered deck in the Pleasant Grove foothills. It has TimberTech French White Oak decking and IG frameless glass railing. The glass keeps the view of Utah Valley wide open during the day, and at night the illuminated top edge of the railing glows along the whole perimeter. The stairs down to the patio are lit too, so the deck reads as one lit outline from the yard.
Illuminated glass railing is a good choice when the view is the point of the deck and you don’t want posts or light fixtures in the way.
Why we use low-voltage systems
We install low-voltage LED lighting, typically from in-lite. Low-voltage systems run through a transformer that plugs into an outdoor outlet, so the wiring on the deck itself carries a safe, low voltage. LEDs use little power and last a long time. A timer or photocell can turn the lights on at dusk without anyone touching a switch.
Low voltage also handles Utah weather well. The fixtures are built for outdoor use, and the wiring runs inside the framing where it’s protected from sun and snow.
Plan lighting before the boards go down
The best time to add lighting is during the build. Wires can run through the framing and fixtures can be set into risers and boards before everything is closed up. Adding lights to a finished deck is possible, but it’s harder to hide the wiring, and some fixture locations may not be practical.
When we design your deck, we’ll mark where lights go in the 3D rendering, so you can see the plan before construction starts.
Choosing the color of light
Most homeowners pick warm white, which looks natural against wood-tone decking and doesn’t attract as many bugs as cooler light. Some systems offer color-changing options for a pool or party setting, like the blue glow on the Pleasant Grove glass railing. Soft is better than bright. A deck should feel like a place to sit, not a parking lot.
A few practical tips
- Put the lights on a timer or photocell so they’re on when you need them.
- Light the stairs and edges first, then add mood lighting.
- Keep lights out of direct sight lines from seating and from the neighbors’ windows.
- Use fewer, well-placed fixtures rather than lighting every square inch.
Browse more examples in our deck lighting ideas, see how lighting fits into a custom deck design, or contact us for a free estimate over the phone.