Installing Driveway Lights
If you want to have a great lighting design outside, consider installing driveway lights. You can choose from a variety of models and save money on installation expenses by doing it yourself. Follow this easy method to create a stunning look in your driveway in two hours or less.
Tools and Supplies Needed
6 to 8 solar driveway lights
Shovel
Directions
Choose solar lights if you want to have the illumination feature of your driveway to work all night. They are much easier to install than traditional lights and will save you money in the long run. It is advisable to use them if your driveway is located in a sunny spot. If you want a brighter driveway, you will need to purchase solar LED bulbs. If you want to save space and the majority of your driveway is in the shade all the time, select a lighting system in which the lights are via a central panel. Make sure to find one sunny spot so all the lights can get sufficient energy.
Lay out the design of the lighting. Choose the darkest areas of your driveway to install the lights. Some people tend to hide the solar features inside bushes or flowerbeds. Measure and create sketches. Ensure that you take into consideration the strength of the lights when determining the distance between the features. Make sure that you are designing the layout in a way that the lights will not be knocked out of their locations.
Prepare the area and ensure that there are no plants affecting the spread of light. It is also important that you choose an area where the lights are protected from strong direct winds. If the area you select is exposed to such conditions, it is recommended that you position the lights securely to prevent any obstruction or interference. If you require fixtures, check the kit you purchased. Some types of solar lights go directly into the ground, but these are the ones you have to place in an area where they are protected from the wind.
Install the lights. If you are fixing taller post lights, you may have to secure the posts into the ground. Use a shovel to compress the soil around the light posts or concrete to keep them in place. If you use flat or flood lights, you will need a drill to secure the screws into the concrete. That is the only way you can secure these lights to concrete or patio stones.
Due to the dust and rain your driveway lights may lose their brightness. If you are using solar lights, make sure that you clean the solar panels separately and the bulbs’ glass every two weeks for the best performance.
