LED stair lights
LED STAIR LIGHTS
LED stair lights set under each stair nose turn a simple passage into an architectural feature and make every step visible, day and night. That is where stair lighting starts, but it is not the only option. LEDCO supplies everything you need, indoors and outdoors: linear fixtures custom-made in our Quebec workshop, decorative LED puck lights, strips, aluminum profiles and recessed lights for the stairwell. This page helps you choose; our team then helps you size the project.
Continuous line or puck lights: the first decision
Before looking at any product, one question: do you want a line of light under each step, or one point of light per step? The continuous line gives the look you see in hotels and high-end homes: no shadow zones, and steps that seem to float. Puck lights, recessed into the riser or the side wall, mark each step with a regular rhythm. Both combine very well, depending on the effect you want and your budget.
The custom continuous line: #85 and #86 profiles under the stair nose
LEDCO's signature for modern stairs is the linear LED fixture assembled in our workshop. The #85 surface-mount profile mounts flat under the stair nose with no machining, which makes it the logical choice for existing stairs. The #86 recessed profile fits into a machined groove and stays invisible except for its diffusing lens.
In our custom LED fixture builder, you enter the exact length of each step, the colour temperature, from 2700K to 4000K, the profile and the mounting. The fixture arrives cut to your measurements and ready to install, even when every step has its own width.
LED strip for stairs in a profile: the same line, installed by you
LED strips are the budget-friendly alternative to the assembled fixture. Installed under the stair nose, ideally in an aluminum profile that diffuses the light and protects the strip, they create the same continuous-line effect. Cut to the length of each step, the strip works well on a straight staircase in a house or condo.
The profile is not an accessory. Without a diffuser, you see every LED as you walk down; with one, the light becomes an even band, and the aluminum shields the strip from stray kicks. That is what separates well-installed stair lights from an installation that ages badly.
#600R, #600S, #200 and #700 puck lights: one point of light per step
For step-by-step lighting, decorative LED puck lights are a safe bet. The round #600R puck light is the most popular for residential stairs; the square #600S puck light gives contemporary stairs a geometric look. When space is tight, the more compact #200 puck light fits narrow steps.
To light the step without stray light in the room, the #700 puck light projects a directional beam. The range comes in several finishes and colour temperatures, in indoor or outdoor versions depending on the model: check the spec sheet before installing a puck light in a step exposed to the weather.
Inside or outside: what changes from one staircase to the next
A staircase is not lit the same way inside the house and on the balcony. Here are the differences that matter:
- Indoor stairs: house, condo, loft. The focus is on discretion and a warm white, from 2700K to 3000K, matched to the rest of the home.
- Outdoor stairs: balcony, patio, entrance, garden steps. Safety comes first, and a 3000K to 4000K white gives better visibility.
- Strip installed outside: choose outdoor LED strips rated IP66, made for rain, snow, frost and de-icing salt.
- Fixture in an exposed step: aim for an IP66 rating and confirm the outdoor version on the spec sheet.
The second layer: a few recessed lights in the stairwell ceiling
Step lighting isn't always enough. In a stairwell, a few 4- or 6-inch LED recessed ceiling lights provide even ambient light. Together with the line under the stair nose or the puck lights, they form two layers of light: general light for the space, guiding light for your feet. Put them on a separate circuit so you can keep only the step lighting on at night.
Dimmer and motion sensor: stairs that light up on their own
A compatible dimmer lowers the intensity at night to avoid glare, and a motion sensor turns the stairs on when someone approaches. It is handy on a basement stairway, or for outdoor step lighting you often reach with your hands full. Our LED dimmers and controllers are chosen according to the lighting installed: tell us what you are putting in and we will check compatibility with you.
Technical tips for well-lit steps
Measure every step, not just the first. On existing stairs, widths often vary; the builder accepts a separate length for each step.
Keep the same product from step to step. Regularity is what creates the effect, and a change of model halfway up shows right away.
Light the step, not the eyes. The source hides under the stair nose or in the riser, and the light falls where you put your foot.
Outside, use a product made for outside. An outdoor step light faces rain, snow and salt: it must be rated IP66 and marked for outdoor use on its spec sheet.
Stairs lit by LEDCO, at Maison Prestige in Candiac, can be seen in our accomplishments. Want your lengths checked? Contact LEDCO: our team advises homeowners across Canada every day.
LED Stair Lighting FAQ
Can I see photos of lit stairs before choosing?
Yes. Our accomplishments show a staircase lit by LEDCO at Maison Prestige in Candiac. To picture your own staircase, send us a photo and its dimensions: we will tell you which solution gives the effect you are after.
What are the best stair lights: a continuous line or puck lights?
There is no absolute winner. The continuous line gives the most architectural effect, with no shadow zones; puck lights mark each step and fit neatly into a riser. On an open staircase, the line is often the first choice, while the puck light remains a safe bet on a traditional wooden staircase.
Can indoor stair lights be used outside?
No. Outside, the strip faces rain, snow, frost and de-icing salt: choose an IP66 outdoor LED strip, ideally protected in a profile. Indoor strip is made for stairs that stay dry.
How do I make the stairs light up by themselves?
Add a motion sensor: the stairs light up as soon as someone approaches. Paired with a compatible dimmer, it keeps a low light at night and full intensity in the evening.
Can I order a line cut to the width of each step?
Yes, that is what the builder is for: you enter the length of each step, the #85 or #86 profile, the mounting and the colour temperature, from 2700K to 4000K. The fixture arrives cut to your measurements and ready to install, with no strip to cut on site.
