Outdoor step lights are used to illuminate a stairway that might otherwise present a hazard at night. Step lighting is a functional requirement that should be set as priority in an outdoor lighting plan. In areas without overhead illumination step lighting make sure people are able to ascend or descend stairs safely and easily after dark. Typically, step lights are small, unobtrusive fixtures that can be recessed into step risers, mounted on flanking walls or installed on the side of deck railing posts or balusters. These fixtures can be used in masonry and wood constructions. Step lights that are used to illuminate steps leading up to an elevated wooden platform are also known as deck lights.
Step riser lights are recessed fixtures. Wall mounted step lights can be surface mounted or recessed depending on the width of the stairs and the fixture mounting height. Most of these fixtures are designed to produce downward asymmetric light distribution in order to avoid disturbing glare. Step lights use faceplates to conceal the light source and control the beam spread. Faceplates can be divided into the lensed type, the louvered type, the hooded type, and the cutoff type. Step lights with an opal lens produce softly diffused to provide unobtrusive illumination over steps. The louvered faceplate shields the light source from all viewing angles, making it a great choice for step lighting and other low level applications. The louver design also provides superior vandal resistance. The hooded lights cast a pleasant pool of light over a small area while eliminating glare. The cutoff faceplate allows the light to be distributed in a wide beam and provides tight control of uplight.
at the Open Lighting Product Directory (OLPD)
