outdoor LED stair lights
OUTDOOR LED STAIR LIGHTS
Good outdoor LED step lights are first a matter of safety: on a November evening, on a wet or snowy porch, you want to see every step. They also showcase the entrance, the deck or the patio. LEDCO offers outdoor LED stair lights made for rain, snow, frost and salt: recessed puck lights, step lights, IP66 strips in profiles and flex neon, with everything you need to power them outdoors.
Concrete, treated wood or composite: which outdoor LED step lights for which staircase
The material of the steps often decides the product before style does. Here are the combinations that work best:
- Concrete or stone stairs: a puck light or step light recessed into the riser, planned at the formwork stage or drilled afterwards.
- Treated wood or composite stairs: a strip in an aluminum profile under the stair nose, which screws in place without major work.
- Curved stairs or round railings: flex neon, which follows the curve without showing any dots of light.
- Front porch: a wall light near the door lights the top steps and the facade at the same time.
Recessed #600R and #600S puck lights: nothing for the shovel to catch
Recessed into the riser or the stair nose, LED puck lights are the most discreet solution for outdoor stairs. Round #600R or square #600S: these are the models most often found on residential outdoor stairs, with a low profile and light turned toward the tread, without glaring at people coming up. Outdoors, choose the outdoor version and check its protection rating on the spec sheet: IP65 at minimum for an exposed step.
2.5 W LED stair light and 3 W step light with motion sensor
Our LED landscaping category includes two fixtures designed for the step itself. The 2.5 W LED stair light marks each step with a small, low light. The 3 W LED stair light with motion detector only turns on when someone approaches, a good idea for backyard stairs that see little use at night. Their spec sheets give the mounting method and power requirements.
IP66 outdoor LED strip in a profile under the stair nose
For a line of light across the full width of each step, IP66 outdoor LED strips go under the stair nose, in an aluminum profile. The profile protects the strip from snow-clearing impacts and salt, and it draws heat away, even in full summer sun. Warm white makes the entrance welcoming; our LED strips also come in RGB and RGBW for seasonal colours.
Flex neon: a dot-free line for curved stairs
Flex neon LED takes over from strip when the line has to turn. Its soft, continuous silicone sleeve completely hides the dots of light and gives a uniform line, even on a curve: it is the answer for a spiral staircase, a rounded step or a round railing. The range includes an anti-glare model and RGBW versions; for outdoor use, choose a model whose spec sheet allows it.
Under the handrail: guidance at hand height
An outdoor strip set under the handrail or in the railing profile lights the steps from above and guides the hand as much as the foot. Seen from the street, it also outlines the entrance of the house. To switch it on, a CSA-certified 120V photocell turns the lighting on at dusk, and a timer turns it off at the time you choose.
Powering outdoors: power supply, junction box and sealed connections
Outdoor stair lighting is only as reliable as its connections. For low voltage, 12V or 24V, plan a power supply made for outdoor use, such as the LUVIA 100W outdoor power supply. Connections are made out of the water's reach, in an IP68 outdoor junction box or with outdoor silicone marettes, and 18/2 outdoor landscaping wire or 18-5 direct burial wire ties it all together.
Technical tips for outdoor stairs in Quebec
Aim for IP65 for anything in the step. Rain, melting snow and de-icing water always end up reaching the riser.
Choose a 3000K to 4000K white. Outdoors in winter, a slightly cooler white than indoors gives better visibility of the steps.
Use stainless steel in concrete. Plan stainless fasteners or freeze-resistant chemical anchors.
No connection left in the open. Every splice goes into a sealed junction box or a silicone marette.
Protect the strip from the shovel. Under the stair nose, the aluminum profile takes the snow-clearing hits instead of the strip.
Have concrete stairs, a wooden deck or a porch to redo? Contact LEDCO with the number of steps, their width and the material: we will recommend the outdoor LED step lights suited to your staircase and the way you use it.
Outdoor Stair Lighting FAQ
What IP rating do outdoor step lights need?
IP65 at minimum for a fixture installed in a step exposed to rain and snow. Under the stair nose, our outdoor LED strips are rated IP66, and the aluminum profile also protects them from impacts and snow clearing.
Recessed step lights or LED strips under the treads?
Recessed puck lights in the risers mark each step; an LED strip under the stair nose gives a more architectural, continuous glow. The two combine very well, for example a strip under the steps and a puck light on the landing.
What are the best outdoor LED step lights for concrete?
In concrete, a puck light or step light recessed into the riser is the most durable, because it sits flush and has nothing to fear from the shovel. Ideally, plan it at the formwork stage, with a conduit for the wire. On existing stairs, a strip in a profile under the stair nose avoids drilling into the concrete.
How do I change an LED bulb on a railing?
LED railing lighting has no bulb to screw in: the light source is part of the strip or the fixture. If a section stays dark, first check the power supply and the connections, then replace the faulty section. Send us a photo and the product name, and we will tell you which part to order.
How much does outdoor stair lighting cost?
The cost depends on the number of steps, their width and the solution you choose: puck lights, step lights, strip in a profile or flex neon. Send us that information with a photo of the stairs, and we will prepare a complete quote, power supply and connections included.
