How to Install Low Voltage Landscape Lighting: Deck Lights

This post will guide you step by step how to tastefully and securely install a deck light. In this demonstration we used a Kichler LED Half Moon Deck Light. (Product #15764 AZT), but this process can be adapted to other mountable fixtures. The site is a spacious cedar deck. We are mounting half moon fixtures to the insides of the posts surrounding the exterior and stairway of the deck.

First, we must install the deck light.

Unscrew the outer cover of the deck light using a Phillips screw driver.

Using a long drill bit, mark the mounting position on the deck post, ensuring that it is center. Drill a hole through this mark to the other end of the post. Insert the tail of the deck light wire through the newly drilled hole. Snake the wire through until the deck light is flat against the post.

Make sure the light is center, then tighten the interior screws, and refasten the deck light cover. The wire should be hanging on the other side of the post.

Next, drill about 3″ from the base of the post (on the same side as the loose deck light wire) at a down and outward angle until the drill bit emerges underneath the deck. Snake the wire through this new hole and pull taught, so that the line of wire opposite of the deck light is vertical and straight. The tail of the wire should be underneath the deck, where the main electric cable can be connected out of the way and out of sight.

Now, to mask that vertical strip of wire.

In this demonstration we used red cedar wood because it matches the color and finish of the deck. First, measure the length of the deck post, and cut a roughly 1″ wide strip of wood at that length.

Then, using an open table saw blade, press the strip slowly onto the saw blade, starting about 4″ from the end. Using a straight barrier such as the metal edge shown, guide the strip along the saw blade to continue the cut, stopping about 4″ from the end. Do NOT do this with your bare fingers. Use something to guide the strip, like the blocks of wood shown below.

The result should be an open groove in the strip of wood that stops 4″ from either end. Repeat this process about 2mm from the initial groove and then gauge out the 2mm center, as well as any extraneous wood. The result should be a larger open groove in the strip of wood that stops 4″ from either end. Be sure this groove is large enough for the deck light wire to fit inside, and if it isn’t, repeat this step.

Next, drill a wide notch within the 4″ of space on either side of the strip. Mount the strip of wood against the vertical line of the deck light wire so that it fits inside.