LED Solution: Hardscape Lighting

Our System

1. Pick a strip that works for you - We recommend the White Iris Series, first in the list above. For more power use the King Protea, for less, use the Decor Series. For colored light, use the Verbena Series, which is great when celebrating Christmas.
2. Choose a channel - If you're unsure of which profile is the best fit for your application, reach out to one of our friendly sales representatives.
   
3. Select the correct power supply - Note that the PSUs above are waterproof, which is recommended. First, ensure you choose the voltage that matches your strip, this is either 12 or 24v. Then select the variant with a sufficient power output (wattage). Read this article for help choosing the correct PSU, or contact us for expert support!
4. Build your light fixture - Now that we have all the components we can put together a complete light fixture. Contact us and we'll happily do this for you in the warehouse!
5. Add resin filling - For ultimate waterproofness consider having the LED profiles resin filled with the strips pre installed!
   
6. Use Accessories - Our waterproof Wago wiring connectors help ensure safe electrical connections! The SRW Instalok allows you to attach LED profiles to hardscape materials. The Permatex Adhesive allows you to attach end caps to your profiles and seal any wiring holes. Wire in the Blebox Daylight Switch to have your lights only turn on at night, saving electricity during the day!

 

Are you looking for high-quality LED hardscaping lights made in the USA? Welcome Wired4Signs, your experienced and trustworthy supplier of hardscape LED lighting supplies, made in the USA and Europe!

Are you ready to transform gardens and outdoor areas? You've probably heard of landscape lighting, but have you ever seen hardscape lighting? Let's take a deep dive and explore the limitless possibilities!

What Is Hardscape Lighting?

Simply put, hardscape lighting is used for illuminating man-made objects in your outdoor property. Landscape lighting is used to illuminate natural objects, such as trees and ponds. The two complement each other brilliantly, so don't limit yourself to the more popular landscape lighting!

Where Do You Use It?

The term itself is broad, and you can slice it into smaller and more manageable chunks. The possibilities are endless. Take a look at your outdoor areas and the ideas will start flooding in! Please be warned, that there is a lot of creativity involved, and your or your customer's yard is going to look awesome!

Read on to fill your mind with the best hardscape lighting ideas you've never even thought of!

Retaining Walls

Hardscape lighting retaining walls are one of the most aesthetically pleasing possibilities on this list! These shorter walls can be washed in a bath of soft light to awe any visitor to your home.

If your retaining wall has a lip on the top you can install LED lighting underneath it. This provides that wall washing effect, as well as the indirect lighting effect! The light seemingly gushes out of the wall itself.

If your walls are made with loosely fitted blocks you can also install retaining wall hardscape lighting between them.

Perimeter Walls

Hardscape wall lights mark out your space, giving that inexplicable sensation of satisfaction the human mind gains from clearly defined lines!

If your property walls have a lip on top you can once again install lighting underneath it. You accentuate stone and wooden faces with the wash of light. Consider brighter lighting for these walls as they have a larger surface area than retaining walls.

Another way to access the wash effect is from the bottom up! Install LEDs shining up onto your wall! This may be the best option when you don't have a lip on the top of your walls.

Pavers

Pavers are used in a variety of outdoor areas. They can be utilized to pave a large space or to build paths. The great thing about pavers is that you can easily install small light fixtures between them!

You can use our ultra thin Nano Line LED channel to create hardscape paver lights. Its small size will help to keep the actual light source low profile.

Stairs

Stairs are a common sight in any garden. Hardscape step lights can transform them into a standout feature once more! Here at W4S, we have a wide selection of stair lighting LED channels that you can use to create your hardscape stair lighting.

For tiled steps consider the Uni-Tile12 270deg channel or the Up-Tile10 profile for indirect lighting.

If your steps have a lip you can install indirect lighting with our Slim8 channel.

Decks

When your deck is dull, add light! Decks are some of the most popular outdoor living spaces you can use lighting to draw attention to some of their architectural features!

Decks almost always have some stairs. See the section above to learn how to light up steps.

Consider creating some accent lighting by installing LEDs underneath the deck. The whole platform will appear to float on a cushion of light!

If your deck is covered you can install light shining down to illuminate the area discreetly. Another option is to beam light upwards onto the roof for a softer light.

Installing LED lighting underneath the railings is a great way to accentuate the perimeter of the deck. This produces an indirect light effect, and simultaneously washes the pickets in a warm glow!

Pillars

Pillars are made to stand out, draw attention, and say "Look at me!". It's a pity they can't do that at night! That's why you need to install hardscape pillar lights!

Consider recessing an LED channel into the pillar itself. If the pillar has a lip you can install your LEDs on the underside of it to wash the pillar in light. If your pillar doesn't have a lip consider shining the light from below.

Driveways and Paths

How cool would it be to have a line of light guiding you down your driveway? How about down a narrow path in an unlit area of the garden? We have an amazingly functional LED channel designed to be recessed into concrete. It's called the Klus HR-MAX. It's totally drive and walk safe!

This is a great choice when you prefer a continuous line of light over individual path lights.

Firepits

While firepits could be considered a light source, why not light them up too? While you don't want to install your lights too close to hot areas, there are workarounds. Consider installing the lighting around the base of the outside wall of the pit. This produces the wash effect that we're all so fond of!

Outdoor Kitchens

Outdoor kitchens don't just need accent lighting, they need functional lighting! There aren't many times better than when you're grilling up a mouthwatering meal as the sun goes down. The only problem is that when the sun goes down you can't see what you're cooking, and your mouth stops watering! Install some LED lighting, flick a switch, and keep on licking your chops!

Tiled Surfaces

Occasionally you may want to tile an outdoor area. You can take it one step further with tile LED channels. They fit seamlessly in with the tiles, creating OCD-quenching accent lighting! Use them on tiled walkways to guide your feet to their destination!

Garden Decor

Maybe you have a water feature, or a little garden gnome chilling out in your flower bed! You can accentuate these hardscape features with just a touch of light. Consider installing a small spotlight and beaming it onto the desired object. Your garden will come to life in the dark!

Different Voltage Options

Which voltage is the best when working with hardscape lighting? It simply depends on your project's needs. In most cases, low voltage hardscape lighting will do the trick. If you were installing a longish run of strip you may want to opt for 48 or even 120-volt hardscape lighting.

Waterproofing

In almost all scenarios you should be using waterproof hardscape lighting. There are several methods of achieving waterproofness with LED lighting. We even have a unique method that we use to create submergible light fixtures! If your lighting is undercover we still recommend products that are at least water resistant!

Waterproof Strips

We offer many of our LED strips in a waterproof variation. This is probably the simplest way to create lighting that resists the rain.

Don't forget to use some silicon on your electrical connections. The seal has to be scraped off the solder pads on a waterproof strip in order to wire it. If you don't reseal this area with silicon your strip is highly likely to short circuit!

Waterproof Channels

We have several channels with suitable waterproof ratings for sale. These can come in handy if you require a specific strip that is not available in a waterproof version.

Note that these channels generally require the addition of an Easy-On diffuser to gain their rating. you'll also need to attach end caps and seal any holes made for wiring with silicon.

Resin Filling

This is the ultimate solution for outdoor hardscape lighting! We have a resin filling facility in our micro factory which we use to waterproof almost all of our LED profiles. Once the strip is installed and the wiring is complete we fill up the channel with resin. This produces light fixtures that are so waterproof they can be permanently installed underwater!

Watch this video to the end to see our LED installed in a pool!

Take water failure out of the equation with our resin filled fixtures! We're talking lighting that lasts!

Our Custom Hardscape Light Fixture Service

Your unique hardscape has its own unique lighting needs. That's why our solution to hardscape lighting is ideal! You have hundreds of different channels and strips for your specific application. You can cut these to the exact size required, why stop short of perfect?

The problem... This takes time!

Pre-built fixtures are easier to install, and don't have to be assembled on-site, saving you bundles of time!

Our answer... Custom pre-built LED light fixtures!

That's right, we'll put fixtures together for you according to your own specific needs! Get in touch with us now and start sharing your inspiration. We'll bring your ideas to light!

Hardscape Lighting Techniques

These are some of the best hardscape lighting tips you can learn! While you can hardly go wrong, learning a little of the science behind lighting can improve the end result tremendously!

Wash - Use wash lighting to illuminate large flat surfaces such as walls, and fences with a soft bath of light.

Bullet - Bullet lighting directs a focused beam of light of light onto a desired object. Use it to draw attention to standout features in your outdoor areas such as tree trunks and statues.

Well - Well lighting is installed close to or in the ground and shines up to illuminate the underside of plants, bushes, and small trees.

Crossbeams - Crossbeam lighting is when you focus two spotlight-type fixtures on one object from different angles. This reduces shadowing.

Power Supplies For Hardscape Lighting

When you're installing hardscape lighting you need strips, channels, and one more thing... power supplies! We carry a wide range of high quality power supplies made in Europe and the U.S. Here are a few that we recommend for outdoor applications.

The following PSU's are all:

• Waterproof
• 12 to 24 volts
• Made in Europe and the USA

 

Our Recommended Products

These are our top picks for your hardscape lighting projects.

Channels

DPL70

The DPL70 features channels on both sides for 2 directional light! This makes it ideal for outdoor wall sconce lights! If you plan to use it in an area that could be exposed to rain we'd recommend having it resin filled for ultimate waterproofing!

Uni-Tile 180

While this channel is generally used in bathrooms, it also works brilliantly in outdoor tiled areas! You can even use it between pavers in a path. Once again resin filling may be necessary for waterproofness.

Roma and Roma XL

The beauty of the Roma channels is their simplicity! They are both identical in shape, the XL just gives you a larger option. These are great for any linear light application, such as walls and decks!

Arc12

So what happens when you have a curved retaining wall? Use the Arc12 channel. It's bendable, allowing you to shape it onto curved substrates!

Strips

White Iris Series

The White Iris is one of the best all-round strips we sell! It's available in 3 LED densities, and 4 color temperatures. There are 12 and 24-volt options and waterproof versions!

King Protea

Use the King Protea LED strip when you need some serious light. It's one of the brightest we have, making it a great choice for functional lighting.

Verbena

If you ever need colored light for your outdoor areas consider the Verbena. It's a high quality RGBW LED strip.

Best Color Temperature For Hardscape Lights

Not sure what color temperature is? Check out this article.

When deciding on a color temperature for your outdoor lighting you should almost always gravitate toward a warm light! Warm white lighting is easy on the eyes, and far more appealing at night.

A bright white light might be great in your office when you're trying not to fall asleep at your desk, but when you're relaxing on your patio, trust us, you don't want it!