Whether you want to enhance your home’s garden appeal or simply make it easier to navigate your backyard at night, an outdoor light fixture is a great solution. And if you’re planning to install your light fixture on stone, you’re in luck. Stone surfaces are strong and stable, making them the perfect foundation for your new lighting. But how do you install outdoor light fixture on stone?
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the entire process of installing an outdoor light fixture on stone, from choosing the right light fixture to properly securing it to the stone surface. Ready to transform your outdoor space? Let’s get started!
Requirements to Install Outdoor Light Fixtures on Stone
Installing outdoor light fixtures on the stone is slightly more difficult than you would expect it to be. So, there are some prerequisites to installing outdoor light fixtures on stone. If you fulfill these requirements, you can easily install the outdoor light fixture on stone. For instance, you will need to have the following:
- Electrical Knowledge
- Mounting Location
- LED Lights
- Screwdriver and Screw Cutter
- Screws and Wingnuts
- Rubber Gloves and Glasses for Safety
- Wires and Electrical Tape
- Sensor
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How to Install Outdoor Light Fixture on Stone? (A Complete Guide)
There are various steps that you have to follow in order to install outdoor light fixtures on stone. If you miss any of these steps, you won’t be able to install the light fixture on stone.
Select the Light
First of all, you need to select the lights. It is important for you to choose LED lights that last longer than usual lights because you don’t want to replace them again and again.
Apart from that, you should consider choosing a light that doesn’t easily break since outdoor lights are prone to the danger of being broken. In case something hits the light, it doesn’t easily break.
On top of everything else, you need to ensure that the lights don’t consume a lot of power since they will add up to your electricity bills. A light that consumes less power will last longer and will not add much to the electricity bill as well.
Remove the Old Light Fixture
Before installing the new light fixtures, you need to remove the old light fixture. To do this, you need to turn off the power to the light fixtures. You can do this by flipping the switch on the circuit breaker. It is recommended to do this before you start removing the old light fixture in order to prevent the risk of electrical shocks.
Start by removing the light bulb and keeping it aside. Then, take out any pieces that separate the fixture mount. All light fixtures are different from each other, but most of them have screws that hold them in place, so you need to unscrew every component to remove the light fixture.
Next, you need to take out the plastic caps that cover the exposed ends of the cables or wires. You can simply twist the wire ends to detach them. There will be a pair of copper, black, and white colored wires.
In the end, remove the old light fixture mount with the drill machine or screwdriver.
Install the Bracket
The next thing you need to do is to install the bracket. You need to make sure that you turn off the lights on the stone wall before installing the bracket. You need to secure the bracket on the place with the help of two or more screws.
In case the screws are longer and don’t fit in the bracket hole, you can cut the screw using a screw cutter and then tighten them in place using a screwdriver.
The Wiring
Wiring is a major step that you have to follow very carefully, and before touching any wire, make sure to wear rubber gloves for safety reasons.
There are three types of wires Black, White, and Ground. Before starting off, make sure to take care of the ground wire. Start by securing the wires using wing nuts. Additionally, you can cover these wing nuts using electrical tape.
The electrical tape will help in preventing moisture because the outdoors is full of moisture and dampness, so it is very much possible that the moisture may enter inside.
After that, you need to connect the wires to the lights and ensure that the lights are illuminating before proceeding to mount them. Then, you can screw the lights cap and ensure that they are properly fastened.
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Adding Fillers or Sealant
After screwing the light cap, you have to use the filler or sealant to cover the top and sides of the cap. Make sure not to cover the bottom of the cap with sealant.
You also need to use silicon filler at the sides and top of the cap. You can use small chunks of silicon filler, and don’t use it in the bottom as well since the water will drain from the bottom of the cap.
Installing the Sensor
Finally, you need to install the sensor. The sensor should be placed on the top side of the light since it will be easily able the detect the darkness from the top side.
When the outdoors becomes dark at night, the sensor detects it and automatically turns on the lights. Similarly, the sensor will turn off the light automatically in the morning.
Some Tips and Tricks to Install Outdoor Light Fixture on Stone
All the stone light fixtures are different from each other, which poses a unique challenge to installing them. You can follow these tips and tricks to install the stone light fixtures with ease:
- If you are installing the new light fixture on a stone, it would be ideal to use a back plate since you can easily do cutting or drilling with the back plate.
- While replacing or installing an outdoor light fixture, it is ideal to use a drill machine than using a hammer. This is because a hammer can damage the stone completely, and you won’t be able to install the light fixture. You can rent to get a new drill machine to install the new light fixture.
- It is ideal to use a masonry bit to drill holes into the brick surface since the masonry drill bit is more precise and fast. This will prevent any damage to the standard drill bits.
- You should use wall anchors while installing the light fixture on a stucco surface. This is especially helpful when you are replacing your current outdoor light fixture with a heavy fixture that requires additional support.
The Video Guide to Install Outdoor Light Fixture on Stone
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you install an outdoor light fixture on a brick wall?
Yes, you can install an outdoor light fixture on a brick wall using the same methods as installing it on a stone wall. However, you will need to use a masonry drill bit to drill into the brick.
Is it necessary to use a waterproof sealant when installing an outdoor light fixture on stone?
It is generally a good idea to use a waterproof sealant to help protect the light fixture from moisture and ensure a long-lasting installation.
Can I install an outdoor light fixture on a stucco wall?
Yes, you can install an outdoor light fixture on a stucco wall using the same methods as installing it on a stone wall. However, you may need to use a different type of drill bit and screws, as stucco is a softer material than stone or brick.
Can I use an indoor light fixture as an outdoor light fixture?
Some indoor light fixtures may be suitable for use outdoors if they are designed for damp or wet locations and are properly sealed to protect against moisture.
However, it is generally recommended to use outdoor light fixtures that are specifically designed for outdoor use, as they are more resistant to the elements and have been tested to meet outdoor safety standards.
Conclusion
So, hopefully, you will be able to install an outdoor light fixture on stone with the help of this guide. Remember to always follow safety precautions when working with electricity, and be sure to carefully read and follow the instructions that come with your light fixture.
With proper installation and maintenance, your new light fixture should provide reliable and attractive lighting for years to come. If you are having issues, you can look for an expert’s help and let us know about your experience in the comment section.
