String Lights: Types, Features, and Installation Guide
String lights are a type of electrical light, strung together on a string or wire for an ambient look. They are made by a number of bulbs of various shapes (globe, vintage Edison) and sizes, spaced evenly on a wire or cord. String lights are known as café lights, fairy lights, globe lights, or festoon lights. These lights are widely used for their enhanced ambient feature, making them a suitable choice for setting a warm and inviting mood for both indoors and outdoors. What are the Key Features of String Lights? Feature Description Purpose Adds decorative and ambient lighting to outdoor and indoor spaces, ideal for patios, gardens, decks, events, and festive occasions. Design Flexible cable or wire with evenly spaced bulbs; available in globe, Edison-style, fairy lights, rope lights, or novelty designs. Bulb Type LED (energy-efficient, long-lasting) or incandescent (warmer glow but higher energy use). Light Direction Provides omnidirectional lighting, creating a soft glow across wide areas. Length & Size Available in various lengths (10–100+ feet) with different bulb sizes (mini to oversized). Power Source Options include plug-in (120V), low-voltage, solar-powered, or battery-operated for portability. Brightness & Color Offered in warm white, cool white, multicolor, dimmable, and even color-changing smart options. Durability Outdoor-rated string lights are weather-resistant with strong wiring and shatterproof bulbs. Waterproof Rating Typically IP44–IP65 for outdoor use, protecting against rain and dust. Installation Easy to hang using hooks, poles, fences, trees, pergolas, or wire guides. Applications Perfect for patios, pergolas, gardens, weddings, cafes, restaurants, holiday décor, and general outdoor ambiance. Table of Contents What Materials Are String Lights Made Of? String lights are made up of the following four materials: Wire Types: These types of string fixtures involve insulated and gauge-rated electrical wire to connect bulbs. SPT-1, SPT-2, and SJTW are commonly used for insulation, while 18 AWG and 16 AWG are used for gauge. SPT-1 is a lighter-duty insulation, while SPT-2 offers a thicker insulation, which makes it suitable for outdoor uses. SJTW is able to withstand harsh weather fluctuations, more preferred for outdoor areas. The wire gauge measures the thickness of the wire inside the insulation. The smaller gauge number indicates thicker wires. For example, 16AWG wire is thicker than 16AWG gauge wire. Bulbs: Shutter-proof string lights include plastic or protective layer-coated bulbs. Plastic bulbs are durable due to their impact and weather resistance properties, which make them ideal for outdoor use. These bulbs last for 4-6 years of continuous use. Traditional glass bulbs are not able to withstand pressure or temperature, but the protective layer coating (like kaolin clay) makes them shatter-resistant. Shatterproof string lights reduce the risk of potential injuries. Sockets: Medium/E26, C7/E12, and C9/E17 socket types are widely used for string lights. The sockets made from stainless steel, brass, and aluminium offer resistance to rust and corrosion, making them ideal for outdoor use. The sockets with features like gaskets or rubber boots ensure a tight seal around the bulb, which prevents moisture from entering. Sealed light sockets are also preferred for an extra layer of protection. Cords & Clips: Hooks like Q-hooks or screw-in hooks, clips, and zip ties are used to hang the string lights. A combination of staples and hooks is used for overhead installations, as they provide extra stability. Eye bolts, snap hooks, and cable seals are preferred to properly secure the guide wire for longer distances. Gutter clips and shingle clips are designed specifically to securely clip onto gutters and to slide under shingles, respectively. What are the Types of String Lights? There are five types of string lights: LED String Lights: LED bulbs are highly energy efficient and last for more than 50,000 hours. These string lights are used both for indoor and outdoor areas, especially during holidays. LED string lights come in various colors and also give a free vein to program it to produce various effects like fading, twinkling, and chasing. Available in different shapes, including C7/C9 and miniature. These lights are more durable (due to their solid-state construction) than traditional bulbs like incandescent or CFL. The components, like semiconductors and epoxy lenses, make them resistant to physical vibrations and impact. Edison Bulb Strings: The Edison bulb strings are known for their distinctive, exposed filaments. It mimics the look of standard incandescent bulbs. They offer warm, soft, and inviting light due to the carbonized bamboo or cotton filaments present in them. Edison bulbs are used in patios, decks, gardens, and cafes to add a decorative touch. The durable and weatherproof bulbs contain shutterproof plastic bulbs or LED filament bulbs with a warm white color temperature around 2200K-2700K. Available in various shapes and sizes, including tubular and globe designs, and different wire colors. Globe String Lights: The main feature of these lights is the spherical shape of the bulb, which is larger than standard fairy lights. These string lights come in various shapes, like golf balls or ping pong balls. The globe lights made up of PVC are more durable(4-6 years) and resistant to tough conditions like rain, UV rays, etc. While the glass lights withstand 200-260oC °C temperature and need extra care for outdoor use, but work best for indoor areas. Globe string lights are mostly used to create a unique and inviting ambiance. Fairy Lights: The fairy lights are typically smaller and less bright than those used outdoors. The structure of these lights makes them an ideal choice for decoration. Fairy lights come in different shapes and colors. They are utilized for both outdoor and indoor areas, wrapped around objects or hung on the wall. The bulbs are mostly LED or incandescent styles, offering longevity and style. Smart String Lights: The primary feature is to control the lights wirelessly with the help of a remote or a smart device. It also runs on voice commands with the help of a smart assistant like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. These lights are dimmable and allow you to set the brightness and colors(up to 2700K). Modern smart string lights are resistant to weather and