4 Types Of Outdoor String Lights

Nothing completes an outdoor décor quite like lighting. Birthdays, barbeques, wedding receptions, baby showers or just because it’s Tuesday, Outdoor string lights can make any time you spend out doors seem like an event. The options for string lighting are not just for Christmas anymore either. More and more people are using string lights year round. Because of the growing popularity, manufacturers of string lights are creating new options and configurations all the time. Walking into lighting section at Home Depot can become somewhat daunting unless you go armed knowing what you need. Understanding the different types of string lights and their purposes goes a long way toward making the decision that meets your needs and suits your lifestyle.

There are four main categories of outdoor string lighting: incandescent, LED, solar powered and marine lighting. The options that fall under these big 4 are too numerous to mention but hopefully by understanding the purpose of each of these, you will have starting point to help you focus on what best meets your needs.

1. Incandescent Lights – Having the distinction of being the bulb that started it all, incandescents have been lighting homes and Christmas trees for decades.  Inexpensive and versatile, incandescent lighting comes in an enormous range of colors, wattage, bulb sizes and shapes.  You would be hard-pressed to come up with an event that incandescents could not handle.  The downsides to incandescent lighting are the heat it generates, short lifespan of bulbs and the fact that they are not overly energy efficient.  They should not be left on overnight as the build up of heat could cause a fire hazard.  The good news is that replacement bulbs are easily acquired and inexpensive.  If you need lighting for just a few prime hours at night, incandescent string lighting will do you right.

• LED Lighting – For the party that goes all night long, your choice should be LED string lighting. LEDs (light emitting diodes) are bright, have almost as many color options as incandescents and are energy efficient. Because they do not generate great amounts heat, they can be left on overnight little to no fear of burning down the house. Unfortunately like most energy efficient products these days, LEDs are more expensive than their incandescent counterparts. Eventually the extra cost pays for itself since the LED string lights last much longer.

• Solar Powered Lighting – If you want a set up that is more permanent and provides light every night, solar powered lighting is what you are looking for.  Installing a solar panel is simple and LED lights can be plugged in to it to turn off and come on with the rising and setting of the sun.  Incandescent lights can be used as well, however, they will drain the solar power much faster than the LEDs and not stay on as long.  Solar power allows you to set up your lighting and let the sun and moon do the rest.

• Marine Rope Lighting – If you live in an area that has regular rainfall, like the Northwest, or is just wet in general, like the beach, marine rope lights are what the decorator ordered.  Bound and sealed in rubber tubing, marine rope lights are used frequently on boats and docks to liven up the look.  They are not as bright as incandescent lighting or LEDs but the safety and longevity tradeoff is well worth it.

Choosing the right outdoor string lighting does not have to be overwhelming.  Identifying the needs that are specific to you is the way to begin your search.  Once you know what kind of string light best fits with what you want to accomplish, you can focus your search to the options available in that particular line of products.