When it comes to stair lighting, there are a lot of options available. From LED strips to color-changing lighting, you can find a stair light that suits your style and needs.
When choosing the type of stair lighting you want, consider the number and length of your stairs and where you plan to install it. Do you want to light up individual treads, or do you need to illuminate the entire stairway?
The brightness of your strip lights is also important. Generally, lower output strips are more effective for illuminating stairways since you won’t need them to be as bright as other areas of your home. However, if your stairway will be the primary source of light in your space, you may want to lean toward higher-output strips.
How to Wire a Stair Light
When you are wiring a stair light, the most obvious place to start is the switch. Many people choose to wire their stairs using 3-way switches, which allow you to turn a light on or off from either the top or bottom of the staircase. These switches are more complex to work with than conventional double-pole and single-pole switch systems, but they offer increased convenience and safety.
Once you have a few switches in place, you’ll need to run your wires down the front of the stairway and into a junction box. These boxes are typically designed to be weatherproof and outdoor-rated to prevent moisture from coming into contact with the wires. Then, connect the stair light to the junction box by running the green and black wires through the hole in the side or back of the box and attaching them to the switch’s terminals using wire strippers and wire nuts.
If your stairway doesn’t have a wall or door where you can mount a switch, you may need to use conduit to connect the wires to the house. Conduit is usually made of PVC or a similar material, and it can be installed underground in some locations to connect the stairlight wiring to your house’s electrical system.
Before wiring a stair light, make sure to check the building codes in your area for any special requirements. For example, if you live in a floodplain area, you might need to connect the wires to a separate circuit breaker than the ones you have for your main house switch.
How to Install a Step Light
When you’re installing step lights, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. These usually specify the size and shape of the opening for each step light, so it’s important to cut or drill the openings with a Forstner bit that matches their installation design.
In addition to cutting or drilling the holes, you will need to mark where you plan to install each light. Once you’ve determined where each light will be, you can purchase the exact model you need.
Once you’ve purchased the strip lights, power supplies and motion sensors you need, you can begin to install them. You’ll want to make sure that you choose the right type of stair light for your home, as this will impact how much electricity it uses and what color temperature you use.