LED Retaining Wall Lights
This type of fixture can be used to highlight any area in your outdoor space, as it can be mounted in a variety of ways and can be either connected to an existing Low voltage wire run or have a dedicated run with several Retaining Wall Lights. Highlighting a walkway or just a wall that defines a space, These Lights can be installed for this purpose. We will look at the features of this light and different ways to install.
Why do you need this kind of light for your outdoor space
If you have a space that needs to have a low light for highlighting, just to lights some steps or walkway, these lights will be very helpful. The mounting holes of these lights can make it be able to mounted in any area that you can get power from your low voltage line run. The screw holes on each end of the fixture will allow a bracket to be mounted or you can just screw into wood or composite decking to highlight a step or deck area.
You will have many options to choose from with this style of lighting fixture, color will coordinate with your existing block, decking, steps or wall. Most of these fixtures will be available in six major colors-Textured Architectural Bronze, Bronzed Brass, Copper, Gray, Sand and White to match your outdoor decor.
This style of fixture will come in several sizes to get the desired light and feel. The small six inch fixture has three LED bulbs, the medium thirteen inch fixture has six LED bulbs or the nineteen inch large fixture that has nine LED bulbs, will give out either 2700K, 3000K or 4200K of light. See the video below to see the difference of each brightness. These light fixtures are Dark Sky Compliant. The bulbs should last around 40,000 hours, they should last the lifetime of the fixture.
With or without bracket
Where you are going to use your fixture will determine if you need the bracket or not. The bracket is mainly used for under wall stones, it is recommended that you have at least 3/4 of an in overhang for installation. The fixture comes with a mounting hole on each end and if you are mounting to a deck or step area, just use the proper outdoor screw to secure to the material.
What do you need to install
The installation needs will be determined by where you install your fixture. The low voltage wire run that it is connected to cannot be more than six inches underground, the lead wire is not rated for under ground use farther than that. If you have to bury the wire deeper you will have to use a bigger gauge wire.
First thing to consider when thinking of installing this type of low voltage fixture is the wire run, as you will have to bury the wire and make it accessible to the lead wire of the fixture.
The next consideration will be the transformer that is powering your lighting run. See this post for some details on choosing the correct transformer. When looking at transformers do not forget the dusk to dawn or timing switch to operate your lights.
When installing on a existing retaining wall, you will have to remove some blocks to install. If your blocks are held in place with some kind of caulk or glue this could be difficult to accomplish. If you are just building the wall, you can add the fixtures as the wall is assembled.
Any installation that is on a deck or step area will have just two mounting screws to attach. Drilling a hole for the power wire to go through first will eliminate the unsightly wire showing.
Watch this video to get some ideas what you can do with your landscape lighting
Where do I get more information on these Landscape Fixtures?
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Conclusion
No matter where you need accent or path lighting, these LED Retaining Wall Lights will be a great choice. Installation will not take much more that the simple post type. You will just have to determine the best layout of your lighting for your area. If you need help with the design, send me some pictures of your area and I will make some suggestions to help you, just use the contact form below.
If you have any other questions or comments on this article, please use the contact form below.
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Thanks for reading,
John
Hi John,
Loved your video highlighting how to use the wall lights. I am not very familiar with these. I am curious about the cost of the bulbs. How long do the bulbs last? Also, do they just come on as it gets dark outside?
I think it is great how simple they are to use – installation seems very easy. There just might be a location or two around my house that they would be great for.
Thank you,
Tony
Tony,
The bulbs should last around 40,000 hours, I don’t think you will have to replace any soon. The only reason to replace is if the fixture is damaged.
With any Low Voltage Lighting system you will have several controls that you can have. I have a post on them here. The low voltage will be very similar to the line voltage.
John
Thank you John. Appreciate your time.
Tony
Hi john,
We really like those led light and have been looking for something on our deck and steps going up. Do they just plug in or have to be hard wired? Also just how effective are they for lighting, as in could they be main lighting or a back up accent kind of light! best regards robert
Robert,
These are low voltage lights. They will require a transformer and wire run to work. They have conectors to secure their lead wire to the wire run. They will light any area they are mounted in. If you need something that is easier to install, solar step lights are available. Check out my post there.
John
Could this product be powered with solar panels? How would that be set-up? I would be interested in reading a follow-up post that looks at how solar can be used for outdoor lighting applications.
I’m not too tech savvy, so step-by-step instructions or a how to video would be very helpful.
Sarah,
Remote solar panels can replace a low voltage transformer. Kits can be purchased and installed. The cost involved with adding a solar panel and rechargeable batteries makes this a very unpopular switch. Most people just get a solar system that will work on less than 12 volts and with the LED lighting, it will produce better results.
John
Amazing article John, and I like the fact that your support your content with a video. I do know a little about Low Voltage LED Retaining Wall Lights but after reading this I feel like its a really good idea to instal now. wasnt so sure before but I think I am more convince and a lot more curious about it after reading this than before
Cedric,
I like that you have found my article informative. The low voltage LED system will last a long time if installed properly.
John
These lights are really cool!
I was hoping to find something like this for the rear entrance of our house as it is very dark at night with really no hlep whatsoever from other lighting sources.
On a cloudy night it can be dangerous and an automatic light is way too bright for my liking.
Thanks for reviewing these lights!
Have you used them yourself and if so are they bright enough to just use as a guide in the dark?
Shawn>>
Shawn,
I have not used them yet, I have a wall at the front of my house that I am going to try them on. It does not have a walking path close to it, so I will not know how it will work. The light is a soft light, will not overwhelm the area with light.
John
Hi John,
This i my first time on your blog and I really liked it!
I must say I truly enjoyed reading your article and this is definitely a must-have for you patio.
I like the fact that you can use it with or without a bracket. I am really considering getting one of these!
CJ,
In the spring I am going to install some of these fixtures on the retaining wall in the front of my property. These will be for highlighting the wall, not for lighting a walkway. I will be using he brackets and an existing power supply. Having this type of fixture on your patio can give you a lot of light to relax with.
John
These look way cool John, I have been thinking about how I could light up the steps on the back patio. We spend a lot of time out there in the evenings and with it starting to get dark earlier, well it would be nice to be able to see the steps. This is a great article, I’m glad I came across it.
Kim
Kim,
Having any exterior lighting will improve your safety and security. Lighting up the steps will make the outside more inviting for your guest when they arrive at your home. Having great retaining wall lights will highlight your outdoor space.
John