A SunSetter Awning can turn any porch or patio into an outdoor oasis. The awning lets you decide if you want sun or shade to increase the number of daylight hours you can enjoy comfort on your porch or patio. And to extend those hours of enjoyment long into the night, SunSetter offers LED lighting solutions that integrate into your awning so you can relax outdoors all night long.
The development of integrated lighting for awnings has followed the trend of extending household life into outdoor spaces. Adding lighting to an awning is simply another way to make an outdoor space more comfortable and useful.
The Benefits of Lighting
The lighted space under an awning is more than just functional. The awning lights create a special ambiance that is ideal not only for relaxing but also intimate dinner parties, quiet conversation, and even game nights. For a well-attended house party that spills out into the yard, a lighted awning is ideal.
The glow of the lights under the canopy can be beautiful. Viewed from a distance at night, your shady outdoor oasis becomes a vision of cozy comfort. And lighting under your awning also increases safety—no stumbling over furniture in the dark or trying to find your phone or glasses.
Can you put lights under a retractable awning?
The answer is yes! SunSetter offers awnings with integrated, dimmable LED lights. These lights are integrated into the arms of the awning and offer an elegant lighting solution. Contact your local SunSetter dealer to learn more.
Types of Lighting for Your Awning
There are a number of ways to light the spaces beneath your awning. String lights hung under an awning create a charming atmosphere. Solar powered lights set around the porch or patio can also lend some ambiance. Lanterns and other portable lighting can provide ample light for reading. Some people even opt to create an outdoor living room feel by placing floor lamps and other lamps you’d typically use indoors—an aesthetically pleasing solution, but one that requires taking lamps inside the house when the awning is retracted or the weather is bad.
But the ideal solution for most situations is an integrated, dimmable LED light that is installed along the control arms of the awning. Not only do these integrated lights provide excellent coverage, your ability to adjust them gives you a huge range of versatility. Best of all, they offer simplicity and convenience: they turn on and off with the touch of a remote and retract when you close your awning. There’s no need to worry about placing, positioning, and storing lights. And there are no cords to deal with or glues, fasteners, or adhesive tape. SunSetter’s integrated, dimmable LED lights are built right into the awning structure and are an elegant solution.
For those who enjoy the look of string lights, SunSetter offers a set of six patio lights that create a beautiful, soft light that provides a warm and welcoming touch to your outdoor space. These lights are specially made for use with an awning, so you know they’ll function perfectly and not become entangled during the opening and closing of your awning.
Setting the Mood
There are lots of practical reasons to install lighting under your awning, but creating the right mood is top reason most people consider awning lights.
Bright lights can help keep the party going, whether you’re creating a space for game night or just providing extra space for a party that’s spilling out into the yard. Bright lights are easy—if you need more light, add more lights. Floodlights and spotlights installed in the porch structure or around the patio can provide ample light and create interesting effects.
Creating a more softly lit space requires some thought. It is important to use lights sparingly when trying to set a softer mood. Some LED lights can be quite bright, and adding multiple strings of lights can create a bright and washed-out space. So add fewer lights and choose warm-colored lights and lights with smaller bulbs or globes.
Affixing your own lights to your awning frame can be a challenge, and finding lights that provide just the right amount of brightness can require lots of trial and error. Lights must be mounted so that the awning can open and close without damaging the lights. Your lights must also be able to withstand wind and moisture. And achieving the right level of brightness involves adding and removing lights until you find just the right level.
SunSetter’s Easy Solution
But SunSetter solves these problems with the integrated, dimmable LED lights. Not only are these lights integrated into the frame structure of the awning—so you don’t have to install or affix your own light strings, light strips, bulbs, hooks, or brackets—but they also can be dimmed. That means finding just the right level of light is as simple as dimming your lights to the exact brightness you desire.
Another advantage of SunSetter’s integrated, dimmable, LED lights is their durability. These lights are designed to be used outdoors under an awning. They are built to resist the effects of weather and will stand up to daily use. And they are made to operate flawlessly.
Getting the Mood Right
Lighting can have a powerful effect on mood. You can use different lights and placement of lights to create any mood.
To create a romantic or cozy mood, try keeping the lighting subdued. Instead of using a primary light fixture, use smaller lights scattered around your outdoor space. Keep the lighting in the warmer part of the lighting color spectrum. For those with SunSetter’s integrated, dimmable LED lights, simply dial down the lighting until you get the mood you’re looking for.
Lights can also liven up your outdoor oasis. Bright lights mixed with colored lights can create a festive mood. When arranging lights, be careful not to angle lights towards people’s eyes or to put too much light in any one place in the space. If you’re really looking to add excitement, there are lights on the market that can change colors or can be programmed to produce interesting lighting effects.
Maintaining Your Lighting
If you’re using the proper outdoor light bulbs and fixtures, keeping your awning lights in working order should be easy. Several times a year, check your bulbs and wires. Clean any parts of your lighting system that are getting dirty or corroded. Make sure any replacement bulbs match the ones you are replacing. If your lighting isn’t integrated into the structure of the awning, take it down at the end of the season and store it safely in your garage or indoors.
Putting It All Together
There’s no single way to light up the space beneath your awning. But a great place to begin is with SunSetter’s integrated, dimmable LED lighting that allows you to dial in the exact level of lighting to suit your needs. SunSetter’s string of lights made specifically for awnings is another excellent solution. Contact your local SunSetter retractable awning dealer to start creating an outdoor oasis where you can relax both day and night.