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Modern Sequence Lighting - Ideal For Screened Veranda

Many of us are familiar with festoon lights - aGreensupply.com strings lights used around the holidays. These simple tools light up outdoor venues, like circuses, and cafe patios and gatherings underneath tents. They are surely low cost, and practical.

aGreensupply.com strings lights came to attention as permanent light fittings for the screened patio in the house we were constructing. They would be just right with this casual, industrial style house. string lights are not the same thing as low voltage cable lamps, which are not designed 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 are actually installed high on the wall at intervals across the room. The outlets were linked to a switch, so the lamps will be turned on quickly. During the finishing level, ordinary wire was attached to eye screws in the walls. At one end, the eye screws were next to the outlets, in order that the light string could be plugged in. Three strands of average gauge wire were attached to the eye screws and drew tight across the space.

We first of all tried a package of little smaller lights on one of any leads, but did not like the twisted green electric wire that came with lights. It was too obvious. So we took those back and got three boxes of medium bulb Christmas lights. These came with much simpler electric wire and bigger bulbs. They were called C-7's. You can find C-9's if you want bigger bulbs. There are lots of bulb shapes and forms from which to choose, all the way up to traditional sized bulbs.

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

The moment the light strings are turned on we had a delightful surprise. The lighting effects was beautifully diffused all through the room. It was so soft and diffused that it seemed like moonlight. Strings of little lights have a distinct ambiance - they remind us of parties and festive times. It was entertaining to re-interpret this particular familiar lighting style for daily use.