Fashionable Series Lighting - Ideal For Screened Porch

Many of us are familiar with festoon lights - strings lights used around the holidays. They highlight outside venues, like circuses, as well as bistro patios and gatherings inside tents. They are surely low cost, and practical.

strings lights came to imagination as permanent lighting effects for the screened porch in the house we were remodeling. They would be perfect with this relaxed, industrial style home. string lights are not really the same thing as low voltage cable light bulbs, which are not suitable for outdoors, and can cost more than ten times as much.

String lights are simple to install: When doing the electrical wiring stage, three outlets were installed on top of the wall at intervals across room or space. The outlets were linked to a switch, so the lamps could be turned on quickly. During the finishing level, common wire was connected to eye screws in the walls. At one end, the eye screws were close to the outlets, in order that the light string can be plugged in. Three strands of average gauge wire were linked to the eye screws and drew tight across the room.

We first of all tried a package of little miniature lights on one of any leads, but did not like the wrapped green electric wire that came with lights. It was too obvious. So we took those back and got three containers of standard bulb Christmas lights. These came with simpler electric wire and larger bulbs. They were known as C-7's. You can find C-9's if you want bigger bulbs. There are lots of bulb styles and sizes out there, all the way up to common sized bulbs.

Each bulb bears a little clip in order that it can be hung on the twine. We spaced the lights out, and then pulled the strand tighter. This type of light strand can be cut off, so there was no excess at the end. When the strand is cut down, you will need some black electrician's tape to be able to seal the end.

As soon as the light strings are turned on we had a delightful surprise. The lighting was beautifully diffused throughout the room. It appeared to be so soft and diffused that it seemed like moonlight. Strings of little lights have a special ambiance - they remind us of celebrations and festive moments. It was fun to re-interpret this type of familiar lighting design for daily use. Click here