How to Install Outdoor String Lights | Ask This Old House

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  • Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
  • 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....], 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....] which includes 4 powder-coated steel poles. Each pole extends to 10 feet tall. Heath uses a drill [homedepot.sjv....] and exterior decking screws [homedepot.sjv....] 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....] to carefully hang the wires of the string lights to each metal anchor hook [homedepot.sjv....]. 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....] 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....]
    Heavy-duty hooks [homedepot.sjv....]
    Steel support cable [homedepot.sjv....]
    String lights [homedepot.sjv....]
    Outdoor smart plug [homedepot.sjv....]
    Exterior decking screws [homedepot.sjv....]
    Tools:
    Level [homedepot.sjv....]
    Drill driver [homedepot.sjv....]
    Drill bits [homedepot.sjv....]
    Tape measure [homedepot.sjv....]
    Hacksaw [homedepot.sjv....]
    Wire cutters [homedepot.sjv....]
    Wrench or socket set [homedepot.sjv....]
    Ladder [homedepot.sjv....]
    Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: www.thisoldhou...
    About Ask This Old House TV:
    From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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    How to Install Outdoor String Lights | Ask This Old House
    / thisoldhouse

Комментарии • 72

  • @solidworksanimation2119
    @solidworksanimation2119 7 месяцев назад +25

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

    • @TheRajulurvashi
      @TheRajulurvashi 3 месяца назад +1

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

  • @Oldhogleg
    @Oldhogleg 11 месяцев назад +40

    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
      @DadBurl 11 месяцев назад +2

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

    • @Oldhogleg
      @Oldhogleg 11 месяцев назад +1

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

    • @morlamweb
      @morlamweb 11 месяцев назад

      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
      @Oldhogleg 11 месяцев назад

      @@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
      @Superman-xr1oh 5 месяцев назад

      ​@@OldhoglegSure...

  • @rickmelcher1351
    @rickmelcher1351 11 месяцев назад +16

    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
    @rickybobby9255 11 месяцев назад +19

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

  • @waynemurphy8363
    @waynemurphy8363 11 месяцев назад +12

    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
    @kevinjohnston8230 11 месяцев назад +9

    Where can you get the poles and brackets

  • @watuzi
    @watuzi 11 месяцев назад +15

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

    • @UglyStupidLumberjack
      @UglyStupidLumberjack 11 месяцев назад

      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
      @JoshWitte 11 месяцев назад

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

  • @chaseedmunds5156
    @chaseedmunds5156 11 месяцев назад +17

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

  • @toin9898
    @toin9898 11 месяцев назад

    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!

  • @matthewluca2914
    @matthewluca2914 Месяц назад

    Pole hardware is at Lowe's

  • @thebeardedhomesteader
    @thebeardedhomesteader 11 месяцев назад +6

    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
      @oceanwoods 11 месяцев назад +2

      I was perplexed that they didn’t

    • @oambrosia
      @oambrosia 11 месяцев назад +2

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

  • @donl1410
    @donl1410 11 месяцев назад +3

    Where's the pole hardware link?

  • @lewdoty7072
    @lewdoty7072 10 месяцев назад +1

    PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

  • @nacho10f
    @nacho10f Месяц назад

    I dont see him connecting the lights to the smart plug. How did he hide the cable?

  • @timpowers225
    @timpowers225 3 месяца назад

    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?

  • @BalaajiVB-ri9tk
    @BalaajiVB-ri9tk 3 месяца назад

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

  • @MathewStephens-UNWSP
    @MathewStephens-UNWSP 6 месяцев назад

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

  • @OZYM1
    @OZYM1 11 месяцев назад +2

    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
      @ElectricGears 11 месяцев назад +3

      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
      @OZYM1 10 месяцев назад

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

  • @brianshafer6339
    @brianshafer6339 5 месяцев назад

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

  • @GrammarPoliceInvestigations
    @GrammarPoliceInvestigations 11 месяцев назад +6

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

    • @brizzle3903
      @brizzle3903 9 месяцев назад +2

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

  • @oceanwoods
    @oceanwoods 11 месяцев назад +6

    This New House

  • @ayayron7776
    @ayayron7776 11 месяцев назад +1

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

  • @youtubeuser5424
    @youtubeuser5424 4 месяца назад

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

  • @dirkle
    @dirkle 11 месяцев назад +1

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

  • @psychodad4634
    @psychodad4634 11 месяцев назад +1

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

    • @JoshWitte
      @JoshWitte 11 месяцев назад

      It's in the description

    • @JoshWitte
      @JoshWitte 11 месяцев назад +3

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

  • @julissalopez703
    @julissalopez703 9 месяцев назад

    Can you list the wire

  • @nufcedkidyup8627
    @nufcedkidyup8627 11 месяцев назад +1

    Again, no video when it's dark out?😮

  • @justin0114
    @justin0114 11 месяцев назад +1

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

  • @roberttruesdell6151
    @roberttruesdell6151 9 месяцев назад

    Could have shown it at night.

  • @_JohnRedcorn_
    @_JohnRedcorn_ 10 месяцев назад

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

  • @77devera
    @77devera 11 месяцев назад +2

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

    • @cpt.oblivion
      @cpt.oblivion 11 месяцев назад +1

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

  • @biginjapan7824
    @biginjapan7824 3 месяца назад

    Are they robots?

  • @nilz23
    @nilz23 11 месяцев назад +2

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

  • @nilz23
    @nilz23 11 месяцев назад +2

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

  • @AraCarrano
    @AraCarrano 11 месяцев назад +5

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

    • @ellenfisher6341
      @ellenfisher6341 11 месяцев назад +5

      Very tacky looking ~ in my opinion .

    • @davidmburkhart
      @davidmburkhart 10 месяцев назад +1

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

  • @dawnross644
    @dawnross644 4 месяца назад

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

  • @irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery
    @irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery 11 месяцев назад +4

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

  • @Engineer9736
    @Engineer9736 11 месяцев назад

    Lobstahhh

  • @cpt.oblivion
    @cpt.oblivion 11 месяцев назад +1

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

  • @ajmuzz22
    @ajmuzz22 11 месяцев назад

    😂😂😂😂😂 😂😂😂

  • @TheUnofficialMaker
    @TheUnofficialMaker 7 месяцев назад

    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
      @bryan__m 5 месяцев назад

      Someone didn't watch to the end.

  • @lewdoty7072
    @lewdoty7072 10 месяцев назад +2

    PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

  • @TJsVette
    @TJsVette 10 месяцев назад +3

    Where did you hide the extension cord??

  • @lewdoty7072
    @lewdoty7072 10 месяцев назад +1

    PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

  • @lewdoty7072
    @lewdoty7072 10 месяцев назад +1

    PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

  • @rickys288
    @rickys288 11 месяцев назад +1

    That is definitely not an "old house"

  • @614x2
    @614x2 5 месяцев назад

    Love festoon lighting

  • @Cypher791
    @Cypher791 10 месяцев назад

    🏠💡😊

  • @shikunwang2080
    @shikunwang2080 11 месяцев назад +3

    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
      @Kennyd8111 11 месяцев назад

      Same!

    • @pnwmeditations
      @pnwmeditations 11 месяцев назад +1

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