LED stair lighting
LED STAIR LIGHTING
Good LED stair lighting goes beyond the steps: a staircase also has side walls, landings, a stairwell and, outside, front steps. Each calls for a different type of fixture, and it is the whole set that lets you go up and down without a second thought. LEDCO brings together the wall bricks, puck lights, sconces and LED strips that light the entire staircase, whether it links two floors of a house, serves a building or leads to the main entrance.
Where each LED stair lighting fixture goes: the stairwell plan
Before choosing a model, identify the surfaces to light. In most staircases, each zone has its own fixture:
- The side wall: a wall brick recessed low lights the steps without touching the stair nosing.
- The riser or stringer: a louvered puck light marks the step while hiding its source.
- The landing: an up/down sconce provides general light and draws on the wall.
- The long stairwell wall: a linear sconce replaces several small fixtures.
- The stairwell ceiling: LED ceiling downlights complete the set.
- The front steps: an outdoor wall light, near the door.
#975 LED wall brick light: the side wall that lights the steps
Recessed low in the wall that runs along the staircase, the #975 LED brick wall light lights the surface of the steps rather than the faces of people coming down. It is spaced evenly along the flight, often every other step, for a balanced rhythm of light. It suits a concrete staircase as well as a wooden one, and it leaves the stair nosing untouched, which simplifies renovations.
#2000 louver LED puck light: a source you don't see on the way down
For a more discreet look, LED puck lights recess into the riser or the stringer. With its louvered face, the #2000 louver LED puck light hides the light source from view, a detail that matters on a staircase you walk down facing the fixtures. Its low wattage lets you multiply light points without overloading the circuit, on a concrete, wood or metal staircase.
8W and 4W up/down wall sconces: light for the landings
Landings and high-ceiling stairwells need general lighting in addition to the step markers. The 8W 3000K up/down LED wall sconce projects light toward the ceiling and the floor: it lights the landing while drawing two decorative beams on the wall. For a narrower landing, the 4W 3000K round up/down LED wall sconce gives the same effect in a more compact format.
20, 24 and 48 in linear sconces: long stairwell walls
On a straight staircase lined by a large wall, a linear sconce underlines the line of the stairwell and advantageously replaces several small fixtures. The 48 in 30W 3CCT backlit linear LED wall sconce creates a halo on the wall, and its white is selected from three colour temperatures. The slot and oval versions in 20 and 24 inches, shown with our LED wall light fixtures, suit shorter walls and intermediate landings.
17W/m dim to warm strip and PIR sensor: the staircase at night
At night, a staircase does not need full light. A PIR occupancy sensor turns the lighting on only when someone uses the stairs, an ideal solution for little-used stairwells. The 17W/m dim to warm LED strip, slid into an aluminum profile under the handrail or along the stringer, warms up as the intensity is lowered, much like an incandescent bulb. Plan a 24 V dimmable LED power supply for each strip zone.
Front steps and entrance stairs: the bidirectional outdoor wall light
Outdoors, the front steps or porch stairs are often lit from the wall of the house. The 10" bidirectional outdoor LED wall light fixture, installed near the door, lights the top steps and the facade at the same time. The 14" and 18" models suit more imposing entrances, and the 13W 3000K IP65 outdoor LED wall light fits beside a side door.
Technical tips for lighting a stairwell
Light the steps, not the faces. Low wall brick, louvered puck light or strip under the handrail: the light falls on the step.
3000 K at home, 4000 K at the office. Warm white suits a residential staircase; in an office or commercial staircase, aim for 4000 K instead.
From 20 steps up, two zones. A long staircase is wired in two separate zones, each with its own dimmable power supply.
IP65 for any exposed fixture. Outdoors, under rain and snow, an IP65-rated fixture is the minimum.
A concrete residential example: the staircase at Maison Prestige in Candiac, shown in our accomplishments. Contact LEDCO: we will choose your LED stair lighting with you, according to your type of staircase, its use and building code requirements.
Stair Light Fixtures FAQ
Which LED stair lighting goes on the stairwell ceiling?
For a stairwell of normal height, the 10W-18W linear LED recessed light draws a clean line on the ceiling. Under a higher ceiling, the 10W-40W commercial round LED recessed light gives more light. Complete the set with an up/down sconce on the landing to light the wall.
How far apart should the #975 wall brick lights be?
They go low in the side wall, often every other step, at regular intervals along the whole flight. Regularity is what creates the rhythm of light; on a landing, a sconce takes over.
Which colour temperature for an office staircase?
In an office or commercial staircase, aim for 4000 K, while 3000 K suits a residential staircase. The 3CCT linear sconces let you choose from three colour temperatures, so the stairwell can match the rest of the building.
Does a long staircase need special wiring?
For a staircase of 20 steps or more, plan wiring in two separate zones. Each strip zone gets its own 24 V dimmable LED power supply, and our team helps you divide the zones to suit your staircase.
What does dim to warm strip change on a staircase?
The 17W/m dim to warm strip warms up as you lower the intensity, like an incandescent bulb. At full intensity, the light is at its whitest; dimmed to the minimum at night, it becomes a warm glow that guides without waking the house.
