How to Install Outdoor String Lights

How to Install Outdoor String Lights | Ask This Old House

Рет қаралды 86,535

9 ай бұрын

In this video, This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner give her backyard space some charm and coziness with a simple lighting upgrade.
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Backyard spaces can be an opportunity to put your personal style on display outdoors. But in many developments, backyards are relatively basic and need a bit of help. When a homeowner asked master electrician Heath Eastman about dressing up her deck with some outdoor string lights, he knew just what to do to brighten that backyard space.
Where to find it?
Heath uses exterior-rated string lights [homedepot.sjv.io/QyzY59], which can be found at any home center and simply need to be rated for outdoor use.
To hang the lights, Heath uses a universal mounting kit [homedepot.sjv.io/Gmobzn] which includes 4 powder-coated steel poles. Each pole extends to 10 feet tall. Heath uses a drill [homedepot.sjv.io/R50Wna] and exterior decking screws [homedepot.sjv.io/JzokE2] to secure the base of each pole to the 4 outer edges of the patio.
To hang the string lights: Heath uses a ladder [homedepot.sjv.io/WqJOmJ] to carefully hang the wires of the string lights to each metal anchor hook [homedepot.sjv.io/da3ym3]. Heath then secures the wires to the hooks using threaded links.
Heath mounts the smart switch inside by drilling two small holes to secure the bracket of the smart switch [homedepot.sjv.io/Gmobv6] in place.
All supplies used for this project can be found at most home centers.
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Materials:
Post hardware including fasteners [homedepot.sjv.io/Gmobzn]
Heavy-duty hooks [homedepot.sjv.io/da3ym3]
Steel support cable [homedepot.sjv.io/75LXZV]
String lights [homedepot.sjv.io/QyzY59]
Outdoor smart plug [homedepot.sjv.io/Gmobv6]
Exterior decking screws [homedepot.sjv.io/JzokE2]
Tools:
Level [homedepot.sjv.io/XYo4by]
Drill driver [homedepot.sjv.io/R50Wna]
Drill bits [homedepot.sjv.io/3eXkny]
Tape measure [homedepot.sjv.io/rQEBXy]
Hacksaw [homedepot.sjv.io/q4kWJq]
Wire cutters [homedepot.sjv.io/5gmk6o]
Wrench or socket set [homedepot.sjv.io/q4kWJb]
Ladder [homedepot.sjv.io/WqJOmJ]
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How to Install Outdoor String Lights | Ask This Old House
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Пікірлер: 70

@solidworksanimation2119 4 ай бұрын

For anyone looking for the mounting hardware, it's the 'SteelTek' brand sold at Lowe's

@TheRajulurvashi 26 күн бұрын

I was searching in the description and I discovered your comments. Thank you.

@Oldhogleg 9 ай бұрын

One thing no one ever talks about is installing GFCI/AFCI weather proof receptacles with individual indoor switches under the eaves and a foot above grade around the perimeter of the house to eliminate a ton of extension cords running everywhere.

@DadBurl 9 ай бұрын

That is a great idea. Builders won't opt for the expense, but if I was building a house I would want them

@Oldhogleg 9 ай бұрын

@@DadBurl Builders could offer it as an option, especially for those who are very competitive in their christmas decorations.

@morlamweb 8 ай бұрын

That's a good solution, but the homeowner mentioned at the start that they're planning to expand the deck, which would render that work obsolete in a year or two.

@Oldhogleg 8 ай бұрын

@@morlamweb Actually no. The idea was for the entire perimeter of the home with receptacles for all things like chrismass lights/ornaments, and freestanding features regardless of landscaping and garden structures because they're attracted to the home. But could also add receptacles out into the landscape hidden behind/in bushes fed by undergrad PVC conduit from the house.

@Superman-xr1oh 2 ай бұрын

@@OldhoglegSure...

@chaseedmunds5156 9 ай бұрын

Can you check the link to the pole hardware? It’s bringing us to the steel wire.

@rickmelcher1351 9 ай бұрын

I also think that the outdoor receptacle needs to have the cover replaced with a cover that maintains waterproofing while something is plugged in.

@rickybobby9255 9 ай бұрын

How about showing us how the lights look at night???

@user-hg3dj7ek8s 2 ай бұрын

Love festoon lighting

@toin9898 8 ай бұрын

I built myself a custom deck this year and I made the corner supporting posts from 10' 4x4s to have an in-built post for just this setup. Looks great and not like an afterthought like this workaround. They're securely attached to the beams and go ~1.5ft down to make them stronger so the actual "ceiling" with the lights ends up around 8 feet. I also used the tall posts to create a privacy screen by sandwiching a 4x8' trellis piece between two posts spaced 4' apart. Take that, nosy neighbour!

@waynemurphy8363 9 ай бұрын

Where is video showing how to connect the controller to the lights? How long was the extension cord and how was the cord mounted to the wall and patio?

@kevinjohnston8230 8 ай бұрын

Where can you get the poles and brackets

@watuzi 9 ай бұрын

It would have been nice if you showed how to install the wire support. It would be more realistic for most homeowners.

@UglyStupidLumberjack 8 ай бұрын

I feel like they do this a lot. "Now, you may need to do this, but luckily in your case, you don't need to, so we can skip that." BUT WHAT IF I DO NEED TO!?!?

@JoshWitte 8 ай бұрын

Those particular lights have the steel support cable built in. That's why it says it can support itself up to 20ft.

@donl1410 9 ай бұрын

Where's the pole hardware link?

@thebeardedhomesteader 9 ай бұрын

Don't forget to cap the tops on the pipes or it will get water in em and freeze and bulge or crack em

@oceanwoods 9 ай бұрын

I was perplexed that they didn’t

@oambrosia 8 ай бұрын

That's why the bottom was elevated slightly off the deck, to let water drain out.

@timpowers225 17 күн бұрын

I’m looking to do a project like this but worry that attaching to the trim below the gutters is too low and would like to go up onto the roof for the added height. Anyone have ideas or tips on how this can be done?

@lewdoty7072 7 ай бұрын

PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

@TJsVette 7 ай бұрын

Where did you hide the extension cord??

@BalaajiVB-ri9tk Ай бұрын

Does it matter the pipe diameter you use. Does 3/8th work?

@brianshafer6339 2 ай бұрын

@thisoldhouse The link to the mounting kit does not include the powder coated steel poles.

@MathewStephens-UNWSP 3 ай бұрын

Your link for the poles themselves is not the right link, and it's the one thing I cannot find! Please help :)

@shikunwang2080 9 ай бұрын

This is the video we've been looking for!! I wonder where we can get the poles and those brackets. The link above directs me to the mounting hooks but no poles & brackets.

@Kennyd8111 9 ай бұрын

Same!

@pnwmeditations 8 ай бұрын

Same! I think they pasted the same link twice by mistake.

@oceanwoods 9 ай бұрын

This New House

@ayayron7776 9 ай бұрын

*Thank you for making this video for ME!!*

@OZYM1 9 ай бұрын

I’m wondering how different the advice would be for solar powered string lights. Mine keeps falling at the point where an end screws into the small solar panel.

@ElectricGears 9 ай бұрын

I don't know for sure since I don't know the product you are using, but I would guess that the manufacture was, let's say, optimistic about the strength of their cable attachment or strain relief. I would do as Heath did and hang the lights on a small stainless steel cable. Make sure that there is slack at the end where it plugs into the power source.

@OZYM1 7 ай бұрын

@@ElectricGears Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

@GrammarPoliceInvestigations 9 ай бұрын

I wonder if she cleared this with her HOA ahead of time.

@brizzle3903 6 ай бұрын

HOAs are the worst! I’ll never move into a neighborhood with one because in my opinion they shouldn’t exist

@julissalopez703 6 ай бұрын

Can you list the wire

@psychodad4634 8 ай бұрын

What is the link for the string light poles? Anyone?

@JoshWitte 8 ай бұрын

It's in the description

@JoshWitte 8 ай бұрын

Never mind. That's like the one thing they didn't include...

@youtubeuser5424 Ай бұрын

lol so if the post wasn’t plumb, was he gonna dismantle everything to fix it?

@justin0114 9 ай бұрын

How can I apply for my home to be on your show ?

@nufcedkidyup8627 8 ай бұрын

Again, no video when it's dark out?😮

@Cypher791 7 ай бұрын

🏠💡😊

@dirkle 9 ай бұрын

The link to the mounting kit does not include the powder coated steel poles.

@roberttruesdell6151 7 ай бұрын

Could have shown it at night.

@77devera 9 ай бұрын

They should move that grill away from the house. It can melt the siding.

@cpt.oblivion 8 ай бұрын

They don't use it anyways it's just for Aesthetics lol

@_JohnRedcorn_ 7 ай бұрын

Nice of him to let her feel like she’s doing something helpful

@nilz23 9 ай бұрын

HaVe An EleCtRiCiAn InStAlL aN oUtLeT iF yOu DoN't HaVe OnE... Anyways here how to plug a string of lights into an outlet.

@biginjapan7824 21 күн бұрын

Are they robots?

@rickys288 8 ай бұрын

That is definitely not an "old house"

@Engineer9736 9 ай бұрын

Lobstahhh

@Mike_Greentea 9 ай бұрын

Warrshing machine

@nilz23 9 ай бұрын

Gotta keep those chinese led string lights that will only last 1 year protected by supporting them by stainless steel cable.

@AraCarrano 9 ай бұрын

And now the back yard looks like a pumpkin/christmas tree lot.

@ellenfisher6341 9 ай бұрын

Very tacky looking ~ in my opinion .

@davidmburkhart 7 ай бұрын

We cover ours with paper lantern globes (I think my wife gets them at World Market). Looks great.

@ajmuzz22 9 ай бұрын

😂😂😂😂😂 😂😂😂

@dawnross644 Ай бұрын

Awful video….does not show the materials used or where you can find them. The alternative items are only listed. Jeez !! Waste of time.

@cpt.oblivion 8 ай бұрын

The x pattern looks like garbage. Just saying. I guess im a hater lol

@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery 9 ай бұрын

Im kind of insulted u assumed I don't know how to put up string lights lol

@TheUnofficialMaker 4 ай бұрын

Wrong, you nee a cable to hang the wires to, you cannot stress the electrical cable! Look elsewhere on how to do it properly. This Old House has let you down.

@bryan__m 2 ай бұрын

Someone didn't watch to the end.

@lewdoty7072 7 ай бұрын

PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

@lewdoty7072 7 ай бұрын

PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

@lewdoty7072 7 ай бұрын

PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

@solidworksanimation2119 4 ай бұрын

SteelTek brand at Lowe's