Recommendations For Low Voltage Lighting

edmontondecks

Hi guys,

I am looking for your preferance for low voltage lighting. I am doing an Azek "show" deck on my house and plan to incorporate lighting for under benches, stairs and plan to do an inlaid circular/compass design which I had hoped to put some lighting in there as well. The yard is beautifully landscaped and I may also redo the lighting in the yard as well.

I have worked with Malibu but Home Depot distributes and their stock and expertise is questionable at best. I am in Alberta Canada FYI.

On another note...does anyone know anything about an aluminum deck product called "Drylock"?

Thanks guys

L.W.
Edmonton Custom Decks dot com

redwood

You can only go up from Malibu lighting systems. They are a prime example of you get what you pay for.

A few of us deck builders like the Dekor line.

__________________
Mark
Los Gatos, CA
www.creative-redwood-designs.com

RobertCDF

I like the De-Kor line a bit. I think highpoint is ok as well. Just depends upon who has something that will work with your design. I used malibu a couple of times and I was not real impressed with it. I however did not buy from HD but a time or 2 most of the time I would order over the net for a big savings.

__________________
Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

s&mll

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.p...ghlight=malibu

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.p...ghlight=malibu


Anyone who uses-installs Malibu can not claim they are professionals. I have seen a few nice deck light installs then contractors ruin it with a crappy black plastic box. Use a professional transformer guys.


Kichler
Hadco
Unique
Coppermoon
Nightscaping
Hinkley

Tons of great companies out there.

Dekor puts out a "decent" L.E.D. system but I can't stand that cool blue color. Few more years and the led lighting will be top notch.

Kichler puts out nice led deck lighting.

edmontondecks

I don't claim to be a professional lighting installer...thats why I posted the request. I am a professional deck builder however.

Attached pics are of the deck I did with Malibu (sorry, no dusk photos). I did this one early this year. My experience with lighting is minimal but I am always striving to set myself apart from all of the average deck builders locally. Quality is #1.

I have been to the sites posted by everyone and I am blown away/excited by the options that are out there.

I love this site and really appreciate the feedback from everyone. It is only going to make me that much better going into next year.

Thanks guys/gals

Attached Thumbnails

     

redwood

Edmonton, changing directions a little. How are your planters lined, on the deck? Are there weep holes?

__________________
Mark
Los Gatos, CA
www.creative-redwood-designs.com

edmontondecks

Hey Mark,

No lining, plenty of drainage underneath right down to the ground. This particular customer wanted to just drop pots in and remove for winter. Honestly, I have only done a few decks with planters and everyone of them, I give the option for both lined/drop in, and all go for the pot drop in. I am also not a gardener so I don't know if it is to do with our climate...harsh winter and in general wild climate changes in the spring.

My wife is really into the flower thing. She has our yard looking awesome. She says never plant anything until our May long weekend is over. Even then it is risky. I think we may have had just about freezing temps at night in May this year...Long and short, I guess they choose drop in method so if we do get freezing nights, they can take pots indoors?

Thanks
L.W.

ClemS

"Drylock" is an aluminum deck product called "Drylock". About 8 bucks a square foot. Keeps the water from penetrating the decking material so you can have a dry space underneath your second story deck. I wouldn't put my grand piano underneath though... just as a precautionary measure....

s&mll

Yes there a TON of options. Malibu is great for the diy. It's just not for the professional contractor to install. Last thing you want is your reputation being ruined over a simple addon to a beautiful deck. If your going to use the half moon type lights use Kichler. If you want them in a raw brass that will patina to a verde use Coppermoon. But it all comes down to your connections and your transformer.

http://www.landscapelighting.com/por...tail/15PR300SS

Use something similar to that unit.

Connection wise well that topic can be argues for days.

http://www.kinginnovation.com/produc...re-connectors/

Those should handle putting leads on.

But to hook up to your main line wired in a hub style method

http://www.kinginnovation.com/produc...re-connectors/

One thing to remember is. Low voltage is NOT LINE VOLTAGE. In a house a parallel circuit works just fine. But with low voltage lighting daisy chaining is just not an option. Once again a diy homeowner might be happy with his handy work. But being a professional who gets paid proper wiring is mandatory.

To finish up if alot of this seems over your head you might be better off subbing this work out. Contact a local landscape lighting guy and talk to him. My rates for contractors are much lower then homeowners. Also with all of these post sleeve type railing system chasing wire is easy these days. If you have any questions or I can be of any help just pm me and I will give you my cellphone number. Lighting is my passion as decks are yours so I can go on for days about this crap.