Adding Deck Lighting

For path lighting to your deck, buy a low-voltage kit with lights on stakes that stab into the ground. Wires run from the lights to a transformer that plugs into an outlet. Easier yet are solar-powered path lights. A solar panel charges an internal battery, so these lights don't need wires. They don't produce a great deal of light, though.

On-deck lighting requires planning, especially if some (or all) of your fixtures are recessed. Recessed lights require some extra work, but the results can be dramatic.

Add up the wattage of the lights you are installing and purchase a transformer with a built-in timer that will deliver adequate power. For example, eight 18-watt lights and five 20-watt lights add up to 244 watts. A 250-watt transformer will handle the load, but won't allow you to add more lights in the future -- something you're almost sure to do. Buy a transformer with 20 percent more capacity than you initially need.

Prestart Checklist

Time
About eight hours to wire and install lighting on a 12x16-foot deck, depending on the lighting plan

Tools
Tape measure, hammer, cordless drill, jigsaw, screwdriver, wire stripper, diagonal cutters, crimpers

Skills
Measuring, cutting, drilling, fastening, cutting and stripping wire

Prep
Determine light locations

Materials
Low-voltage fixtures and wire, cable staples, GFCI receptacle