About Outdoor String Lights

What was once usually seen only around Christmas time has now become far more varied in design and in the number of its uses. Outdoor string lights have become a popular way to light up your garden or yard. They are used for landscape lights, and may find their way in use as patio lights. There are many types several varieties of string lights available to choose from.

One way to sort string lights is by their power source. As with all outdoor lighting, there are three types of outdoor lights.

High Voltage String Lights

The first is high voltage, or those operating on house current or higher voltages. This type is used for long strings that are required to throw of a great deal of light, or applications that call for a great many bulbs. Christmas lights would be a good example of this types of string light.

Low Voltage String Lights

The next type to consider are those used for low voltage outdoor lighting. These commonly use a transformer to lower the house current from 110 volts down to 12 volts. This might be used to supply a string of LED lights or short strings that won't have the number and type of bulbs found on many commercial Christmas light strings.

Solar Powered String Lights

Finally, there are solar powered string lights. These turn sunlight into electricity and store it for use at night when the lights will be used to provide illumination. One of the great things about these lights is that they rely on a renewable energy source (the sun) to supply their energy. They also have no impact on your energy bill as all the other types do.

Outdoor string lights are available in a multitude of different designs and styles.

Rope Lights

Rope lighting is a popular type which is used to accent edges of things like steps or pool edges. They not only provide a measure of safety, but are a contemporary way of illuminating certain features. These are often found in strings using multiple colors.

Globe Lights

Globe lighting gives an elegant modern look where they are used. They provide a comforting embrace for those who choose to spend some time in their soft, warm light.

Bamboo or Japanese Lantern Lights

Bamboo or Japanese lanterns made from rice paper are another popular way of lighting up the patio area of many people's homes

LED string lights are the way to go for those who want the most light for the least amount of electricity. And when powered by solar power, there is no greener source of light available anywhere. LED powered outdoor solar lights are available in a number of colors to suit any decorative style.