How To Choose Right Outdoor Lights On Steps?

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Picture of By Michael Zhang ||  Updated on 13rd March 2024

By Michael Zhang || Updated on 13rd March 2024

Michael Zhang is a seasoned professional with 15 years of experience in the solar lights industry. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in product design and developing, gaining valuable expertise and insight into the industry. Known for his dedication and professionalism, Michael has contributed significantly to the growth and success of various solar lights projects. His extensive knowledge and hands-on experience make him a trusted authority in the field, and he continues to innovate and excel in his role.

Outdoor steps connect ground surfaces at different heights or in different areas, providing easy access for people. Whether it is a terrace connecting different floors, a passage connecting houses and gardens, or a walkway connecting public places and car parks, outdoor steps are an important way for people to travel.

The design and layout of outdoor steps can be coordinated with the surrounding natural environment or architectural style, and play a role in decorating and beautifying the environment. Garden seats, landscape greenery or outdoor decorations can be arranged around the outdoor steps to provide a place for people to rest, watch and socialise, and to promote a rich and colourful outdoor life and activities.

This shows how important it is to use lighting to illuminate the steps, not only to add beauty and attraction to the house, but also to increase the value of the house, which is one of the important and indispensable elements in the design of outdoor space.

Table of Contents

Importance Of Solar Step Lights

When night falls or the light is low, the visibility of areas such as staircases and corridors is usually reduced, which increases the risk of accidents when people walk in these areas. The installation of solar step lights can be an effective solution to this problem. By providing even and long-lasting illumination, solar lighting for deck steps ensure that people are able to clearly see stair steps, floor obstacles, etc., thus reducing the likelihood of trips, falls, and other accidents. This increased visibility not only makes it easier for people to cross these areas safely, but also enhances the overall feeling of safety, especially in outdoor environments such as patios and gardens.

But are all solar step lights suitable for your steps? Not really, as choosing the wrong solar step lights can make a big difference to the effectiveness of the lighting, so it’s vital to have the right knowledge about solar lights. In addition, the characteristics of the stairs, the brightness of the light, and the waterproof rating of the product are also factors to be considered here. Meanwhile, solar lights for steps outside come in different lighting styles with different looks and features, we will help you find the best one for your needs with our comprehensive analysis below.

step And Deck Lighting warm white four steps fligreen

Factors To Consider When Choosing Solar Lighting For Steps

When choosing solar lighting for steps, there are several important factors to consider to ensure you select the right option for your specific needs and preferences.

What Are The Characteristics Of Stairs

  • Height of steps: For a harmonious look, match the size of the light to the size of the staircase. Firstly you need to consider the overall height of the steps, if you have a taller staircase then you will need to follow the step lights at a slightly higher level to gain a larger area of illumination, the larger lights will effectively fill the space and create a visually striking focal point.
  • Width of Steps: Conversely, if your staircase is narrower and more compact, then smaller lights may make an attractive addition. These lights can enhance the cosy and intimate ambience of the space, providing just the right amount of illumination without overwhelming the area. By carefully choosing the size of your lights, you can create a sense of balance and proportion that complements the overall design of the staircase.
  • Materials of Stairs: Staircase materials can be categorised as concrete, stone, wood and metal, all of which require perforation. Therefore, when choosing a step light, please avoid, if possible, fixtures that can only be taped on, and choose a step light that supports a variety of mounting options, e.g. an accessory kit that should include both: 3M adhesive, a screw kit, and straps.
outdoor stairs width and height Illustration fligreen

How Bright Should Stair Lights Be

You should consider the following points to determine the brightness of your solar lights, here are some initial suggestions for your consideration.

If you already have a bright ambient light next to your step, then here you can choose a low brightness luminaire, recommended 10-20Lumen.

If it is very dark around your stairs, then a solar step light of 50Lumen or more is recommended here.

If you want to install more than one solar step lights, the brightness of each step light can be reduced appropriately.

If you have a large stairs and it is very dark around you, it is recommended that you choose a higher luminance, 100Lumen or more.

If your stair is small and the surrounding area is dark, it is recommended that you choose an intermediate brightness, recommended 50-100Lumen.

How Many Solar Step Lighting Do You Need

Typically outdoor steps are 5 ½ to 7 inches(14-18cm) in height with a tread width of 12 to 18 inches(30.5-45.7cm), based on this size range it is recommended that you install one per step, then you can calculate the total number of fixtures needed based on the number of steps you have.

What Are Solar Step Lights Made Of

Here you need to consider the material of the solar steps lights mainly consists of the following parts:

  • Housing Material: Commonly used are plastic, stainless steel, aluminium alloy lamps, it is recommended to choose stainless steel and aluminium alloy as a priority, and secondly, it is recommended to choose the lamp body composed of high quality ABS as far as possible, because the above materials are equipped with good durability and corrosion resistance.
  • Transparent cover: Transparent cover is an important part of solar step light, used to protect the LED bulb and emit light. Transparent cover is usually made of transparent or semi-transparent materials, such as glass, polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), etc. It is recommended to choose glass or high-quality PC, which has good light transmission and durability.
  • The material of solar panel: it is divided into glass laminate, drip solar light, PET laminate solar panel, it is recommended to give priority to glass laminate solar panel and PET laminate solar panel.

Waterproof Level Of Solar Deck Step Lights

The IP (Ingress Protection) rating is another important feature you must consider when choosing the ideal outdoor light. This rating indicates the luminaire’s ability to withstand water and dust. The IP rating is therefore particularly important for preventing damage and ensuring longevity in outdoor environments. These IP ratings vary for different purposes and locations. For example, for general garden, pathway, security and string lights, IP44 is sufficient, but for solar step lights, which are installed very close to the ground, IP65 and above is recommended.

Durability

You never want to take on the hassle of frequent lighting repairs, do you? So make sure you consider the durability of the fixtures you choose for your studio. High-quality fixtures last longer, require fewer repairs, and perform efficiently. But how do you test the quality of a fixture? To find out the quality and durability of a solar light, check out the certifications and warranty policies; CE, EMC, ROHS, IP ratings are some of the certificates that can give you assurance of quality, but at the same time, pay attention to the warranty period offered by the supplier, and if possible, opt for more than 1 year of warranty time.

Installation Direction Of Solar Panels

The solar panels of solar lights need sufficient sunlight to effectively collect solar energy and convert it into electricity. Therefore, the installation location must ensure that the solar panel can receive sufficient sunlight and avoid being blocked by shades, meanwhile, a proper tilt angle of the solar panel can ensure that the solar panel receives more sunlight.

solar step lights for outdoor steps fligreen

3 Tips When Buying Solar Outdoor Step Lights

When buying solar outdoor step lights, consider the following three tips to ensure you make the best choice for your needs:

Consider The Atmosphere And Mood You Want To Create

If you want to create a warm, comfortable and cosy romantic atmosphere, it is recommended that you choose a colour temperature of 2700K-3000K, as warm white light is more honourable for creating a warm, comfortable atmosphere and is suitable for use in lounge or outdoor dining areas of the garden for a more relaxing and enjoyable feel, and is also sometimes used to create a romantic ambience, for example, lighting around garden spots or flower beds for an added romantic touch.

If you want to create a refreshing and comfortable atmosphere with natural authenticity, we suggest you choose a colour temperature of 4000K-4500K, as natural white light has a refreshing and natural feel to it and is suitable for use in access routes or activity areas of the garden for a fresher and more comfortable feel, as well as restoring the effect of the natural light so that the plants, flowers and grasses in the garden look more authentic and lively.

If you want to create a vibrant and modern minimalist atmosphere, it is recommended that you choose a colour temperature of 5000K-6000K, as cool white light has a bright, clear effect and is suitable for use in garden access routes or work areas, adding vibrancy and clarity to make people feel more alive. At the same time, cool white light is often used in modern style garden design, mirroring minimalist buildings or landscapes , creating a contemporary atmosphere.

Try To Find Solar Powered Lights For Steps With Motion Sensor

The solar step light with sensor function can sense the human activity in real time according to the surrounding environment, and automatically control the light to turn on and off, on the one hand, it can prolong the time of use, according to the law of conservation of energy, because the lamps are only turned on when they are needed, which reduces the unnecessary use of time, and thus greatly prolongs the working time of the lamp; on the other hand, it can improve the working brightness of the lamps, and the lamps will be turned on only in the moment when they are triggered, so the energy will be enough to be used even if they are kept at a high level of brightness, and so it can provide a brighter illumination in the moment.

Choose A Lighting Design Style That Matches Your Stairs

Modern architecture usually focuses on a clean, pure design style, making it appropriate to choose a minimalist, smooth-lined step light design. These lamps usually feature simple geometric shapes and clear lines, echoing the minimalist style of modern architecture.

Traditional architecture usually has a vintage and classical design style, so it is suitable to choose vintage and classical style step light design. This kind of lamp usually adopts antique design elements, such as patterns and carvings, to harmonise with the style of traditional architecture.

For some buildings that combine modern and traditional, you can choose step light designs that combine modern and traditional elements to create a unique atmosphere and style.

4 Types Of Lights Should Be Used In Outdoor Steps

Solar Deck Lights

When building wood or concrete outdoor stairs, consider adding recessed solar step lights to illuminate the steps for safety and style. Each light can be fitted into the riser of the steps to allow light to be projected from the centre of the steps towards the edge.

solar deck light super bright in the middle of a small lake fligreen

Solar Step Lights

Please consider choosing solar step light when you are secondarily decorating the steps, and fix the step light in the right position of the steps by hitting the screws to fix it, so as to show different decorative lighting effects.

Triangle Square Steps Motion Sensor Creative Waterproof LED Black Modern Solar Post Caps Lights

Solar String Lights

Outdoor solar string lights can be used as a visual guide to help people navigate outdoor stairs more easily, especially in areas with multiple levels or complex layouts. They can highlight the edges or steps of a staircase to provide clear direction for movement.

Waterproof Multi-Color LED Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights Camping Decor

Solar Path Lights

If there happens to be a hilly lawn on either side of the steps, then solar path lighting are an excellent choice, as they can illuminate both the lawn on either side and the path in the centre.

Cooper Lights Geometric Waterproof LED Black Modern Solar Powered Pathway Post Lights

Top 4 Installation Ideas To Decorate Your Outdoor Stairs

Single Row Installation

Installing outdoor solar step lights not only provides light for people walking up the steps to avoid falls, but also, with professional design and construction, solar outdoor step lights can become a special decoration for the steps, enhancing the aesthetics of the interior or exterior of the building. Punching holes in the middle of the steps to install solar deck step lighting, neatly arranged and installed in the middle of the steps to form a ray of light to guide the way up.

Single Row Installation solar stainless step lights
solar step lights for outdoor steps fligreen

Double Row Installation

Installing double rows of step lights on the steps makes the steps brighter and creates a romantic mood. Walking on this ladder at night gives one the feeling of walking on top of a ladder covered with starlight.

Staggered Arrangement

If it is a wide and long outdoor ladder, in addition to using this type of installation with a hole in the middle, you can also stagger the installation position of the step light with each other, so that the light shot out will illuminate the stairs more evenly. Of course, according to the needs of the scene to install dimmable lamps and lanterns can increase the mood, make stairs more ornamental and decorative.

Staggered Arrangement solar step lights fligreen
Wrap Lights Around Stairs solar step lights fligreen

Wrap Lights Around Stairs

This solar led step lights installation are we can often see, is in each class want to pull out a dark groove on the outside side, will line light or light strip to buy in, you can achieve the effect of light around the class, “see the light do not see the light”, but also very good to avoid glare. After seeing these pictures, do you feel the marvellous combination of light and architecture?

FAQs

Where Should Solar Lights Be Placed On Steps?

Depending on your lighting needs, they can be placed on the top, sides and the angle between two steps, but most importantly they need to be unobstructed above the steps so that they can be charged during the day.

How Do You Put Lights On Outdoor Stairs?

Depending on the material and shape of the stairs, you can screw, glue or strap the lights in place.

Are Stair Lights Worth It?

 They are worth it because they can light up your steps, avoiding the danger of walking at night, and they can give your steps the warmth of light.

Can You Put Solar Lights On Concrete Steps?

Yes, use a drill and an electric drill to drill holes in the steps for the screws. The diameter of the drill holes should be slightly larger than the diameter of the screws to ensure that the screws can easily pass through the concrete surface.

How Long Do Solar Step Lights Last?

Depending on the quality of the product, the combined lifespan is between 1-5 years.

How Many Lumens Do I Need For Outdoor Stairs?

Depending on the number of luminaires installed and the size of the stairs, it is usually recommended to have more than 50 lumen for step lights.

Are Solar Lights Weatherproof?

Yes, solar lights need to be waterproof, dustproof and corrosion resistant.

Last Takeaways

The importance of solar step lighting cannot be overstated, solar step lights have become the preferred choice for step lighting due to their eco-friendly and easy-to-install features, Fligreen as a manufacturer of mid to high end solar lights, we offer a wide range of products that can be used for step lighting, including solar step lights, solar lawn lights, solar strips, etc. Our main goal is customer satisfaction, and we offer free samples for your quick test. So, if you have related needs, please contact us as soon as possible!

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