How To Install Ultra-Thin Exterior Lighting

Floodlights offer extra safety and curb appeal by illuminating the exterior of your home, drawing attention to whatever features you choose. However, standard protruding floodlights aren’t terribly attractive, and they have other drawbacks as well. Installing ultra-thin LED floodlights solves these problems and, depending on your home’s wiring, may be a project you can complete yourself. 

Above, This Old House master electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner install these innovative lights, showcasing their ease of use and impressive functionality. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of upgrading your outdoor lighting with ultra-thin LED fixtures. 

Benefits of Ultra-Thin Exterior Lighting

Ultra-thin exterior lighting, which typically gets its power from LEDs, represents a significant advancement in outdoor illumination technology, particularly compared to standard floodlights. Here’s why these lights are a popular option for homeowners:

• Easy installation
• Energy efficiency (up to 90% less energy use than incandescent bulbs)
• Long-lasting LED technology (up to 25 times as long as incandescent bulbs)
• Low profile design
• Versatile placement options

In the video, Caron installs recessed soffit lights, but there are other ultra-thin options, such as path lights and accent lights.

Preparing for Installation

Before beginning the installation process, consider safety issues as well as the tools and materials you’ll need.

Safety Precautions

First, inspect the wiring in the chosen location to see whether this is a job you feel comfortable completing yourself. Switching out one fixture for another is within the skill set of most do-it-yourselfers (DIYers). However, if your home’s wiring is degraded or you suspect you’ll need new wiring to power the lights, we recommend hiring a licensed electrician. They’ll be able to install everything safely and up to code.

If you do feel comfortable taking on this job yourself, safety should always be the top priority when working with electrical systems. Take the following precautions:

• Turn off the power at the breaker.
• Use a sturdy ladder when working at height.
• Use an electric tester (voltmeter) to confirm the power is off.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, when using a power saw.

Tools and Materials Needed

Gather the following tools and materials before starting the installation:

• Astronomic timer switch (optional)
• Electrical wire (14-2 gauge)
• Keyhole saw, or hole saw
• Ladder
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Pliers
• Safety glasses
• Screwdriver
• Ultra-thin LED light fixtures
• Voltmeter
• Wire nuts

Installing Ultra-Thin Exterior Lights

Depending on your home’s wiring and where you choose to install your new lights, the process may look a bit different. However, here are the basic steps Caron used when replacing a standard floodlight with ultra-thin recessed soffit lights.

Step 1: Disconnecting Old Fixtures

To safely remove old fixtures:

1. Ensure the power is off at the breaker. 
2. Remove the fixture cover, if applicable.
3. Test the wires with the voltmeter to ensure the power is off.
4. Disconnect the wires, noting their connections.
5. Unscrew and remove the old fixture.
6. If necessary, patch any holes or imperfections in the mounting surface

Step 2: Creating Openings for New Fixtures

Use the appropriate tools to create openings for the new fixtures, then do the following:

1. Measure and mark the areas where the new light fixtures will go based on your home’s architectural features or illumination needs.
2. Select a hole saw or keyhole saw that matches the fixture size.
3. Wearing safety glasses, carefully cut the opening following the manufacturer’s specifications.
4. Clean up any debris from cutting.

Step 3: Running Electrical Wires

This is where it may be prudent to hire a licensed electrician, as you want to ensure that all wiring is safe and up to code. As demonstrated in the video, Caron had to run one line of 14-2 electrical wire to the first and second fixture and then a second line to the third fixture. Your home’s needs may differ, so if you need to do more than just swap out fixtures, call a pro.

Step 4: Making Electrical Connections

Carefully connect the wires for each fixture by doing the following:

1. Strip the ends of the wires.
2. Connect black to black (hot), white to white (neutral), and ground to ground.
3. Secure connections with wire nuts.
4. Tuck wires neatly into the junction box.

Step 5: Securing Fixtures in Place

Finally, install the ultra-thin fixtures:

1. Align the fixture with the opening.
2. Engage the mounting clips to secure the fixture.
3. Ensure the fixture sits flush against the mounting surface.

Optional: Installing an Astronomic Timer Switch

To maximize the efficiency and convenience of the new lighting system, Caron installed an astronomic timer at the homeowner’s switch plate. This device automatically adjusts the on/off times based on sunrise and sunset.

Benefits of an Astronomic Timer

An astronomic timer offers several advantages, including the following:

• Automatic adjustment to seasonal changes in daylight
• Convenience of not having to manually control lights
• Energy savings by ensuring lights are only on when needed
• Enhanced security through consistent lighting patterns

Installation Process

These switches should come with manufacturer instructions for installation and programming. Essentially, you’ll turn off the power at the breaker, remove the faceplate, and swap out the old switch for the new one. If you have questions, encounter obstacles, or don’t feel like doing this yourself, contact a licensed electrician. They should be able to help you with programming it, as well.

Maintenance and Care for Ultra-Thin LED Lights

Ultra-thin LED lights have very few maintenance needs—you don’t even have to change bulbs—but they do require a little looking after to keep them in top shape.

Cleaning Fixtures

Regular cleaning helps maintain the appearance and performance of your lights. Here’s how to keep them in top condition:

• Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the fixture.
• For stubborn dirt, use a mild soap solution.
• Gently wipe fixtures with a soft, damp cloth.
• Remove any debris or cobwebs.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems with your lighting system:

• Check for loose connections.
• Consult the manufacturer’s guide for specific troubleshooting steps.
• Inspect fixtures for any visible damage.
• Verify that the power source is functioning.

Optimizing System Longevity

The lifespan of LED lights depends heavily on their quality and how often you use them, not how long since they were installed. That’s why manufacturers list their lifespans in hours, typically anywhere from 15,000 to 100,000 hours. If your new ultra-thin exterior lights stay on from dusk till dawn every day, they’re likely to last about four to seven years. To extend this, make sure to turn the lights off when you aren’t using them, which is something a timer can help with.

Tools: