Imagine that you’re sitting outside with a drink at sunset, surrounded by the soothing glow of string lights gently moving in the breeze as the evening comes to a close. Does this seem like one of those special holiday memories you wish you could revisit every now and then?
How about recreating that atmosphere in your own yard? I guess the time has arrived for you to recreate this. Don’t you think it would be so wonderful?
Outdoor string lights could be the missing piece in transforming your home into a relaxing shelter where you can relax and enjoy the longer breezy evenings, even after it gets dark.
If you are wondering how to hang outdoor string lights on concrete then you are certainly at the right place!
So before we look at how to hang outdoor string lights on concrete, you need to first analyze which mounting method is best for you. Ask yourself these few important questions below before purchasing the materials required to hang outdoor string lights on concrete.
- Can I afford to drill something permanently into the concrete wall?
- Do I need a permanent mount or something temporary?
- How much do the outdoor string lights weigh (it generally weighs around 0.72 lbs (0.33 kilo for a 20 ft (6.1m) strand of outdoor string lights)?
- Which type of outdoor string lights do I need?
- What’s my budget?
And once you are done with the above questions, we will move on to the different types of outdoor string lights available in the market, different ways of hanging outdoor string lights on concrete, and how to hang outdoor string lights on concrete!!
What Are The Different Types Of Outdoor String Lights Available?
Well, outdoor string lights come in a variety of styles, but I would personally recommend you to start with the ones that are listed below. You might ask me why only these? That’s because these are some of the most sought-after outdoor string lights, capable of completely changing the look of your outdoor space.
LED Festoon Globe Lights
Because of their romantic and dreamy looks, these LED lights are an excellent addition to any garden or backyard. When strung from the ceiling or hung on concrete, they create a warm and inviting environment.
LED festoon lights are available in different brands, but Brightown is our top recommendation. Brightown’s LED string lights are usually in the shape of a globe, which evokes the universe – the earth, moon, and other celestial bodies. They have a surprisingly simple style and design, yet they lend just the appropriate amount of elegance to any outdoor space. These clear bulbs tend to emit a warm, white glow, brightening a large area in a blink of an eye.
The ability to connect at least 20 strands of these lights together for an impressive lighting effect is the major benefit of investing in these lights. It would not be wrong to see them as a good investment, given their high quality and low price.
Solar LED Lantern String Lights
Using lantern string lights, you can create a dreamlike lighting experience that is elegant in every sense. These lights resemble conventional paper lanterns, but they are made of tarpaulin, a durable cloth-like material that can be used in all seasons, including the winter.
The best aspect about these string lights is that they are solar-powered, which means they will help you save money on your energy costs. The most astonishing aspect is that they stay on for a long time, up to 15 hours on the steady mode and up to 20 hours on the sparkling mode.
These lights will give your outdoor space a sophisticated and contemporary look. So Install lantern string lights in your garden to create a joyful, festive atmosphere.
Colorful String Lights
During festive seasons, bright, colorful string lights are commonly employed. If any of these important occasions are approaching, go ahead and purchase these colorful string lights so you may greet the happy occasion in style.
When it comes to colorful string lights, you can mix and match the color bulbs at any time. And guess what? you don’t have to wait for the holidays to enjoy these multi-colored string lights. Hang colorful lights if you just want to be happy being around colorful lights 🙂
People who have already purchased and used these LED lights say that they are simple to install and are quite effective in brightening a large backyard or garden space.
Vintage String Lights
These string lights, also known as Edison bulb lights, have managed to keep their attractive vintage appearance for ages. You might be wondering what makes these bulbs so flawless after all these years? It’s because of the unusual way they emit a warm glow.
The warm golden light produced by the wire inside the bulb is highly appealing to the eyes. Even though these lights aren’t as brilliant as modern lights, they still manage to create a pleasant, romantic atmosphere. To add to this, they’re quite durable and long-lasting in nature.
Outdoor Fairy String Lights
These string lights are typically used in bedrooms and are also becoming popular as an outdoor lighting alternative. The beauty of fairy lights is that when put around trees or green plants, they resemble a beautiful bunch of fireflies. I’m sure many of your guests are likely to have never seen such a brightness before.
When you light them up at night, they will appear to be a sky full of lovely stars above you and when you are planning to enjoy a romantic meal with your lover or have a celebration, you can use this lighting option.
The primary function of most lights is to enlighten the space in which they are placed. However, fairy lights have other uses too. They can be used to create the illusion of a longer backyard.
All you got to do is to just simply arrange the lights in a geometric design (which will appear like a transparent roof) at the same height as your backyard’s roof and wait for the magic to happen!
Rope Lights
Rope light is a decorative lighting fixture made up of small light bulbs that are covered in a PVC jacket. This results in a long string of lights that may be used both inside and outside, but are most typically employed in open spaces such as a garden or patio.
Rope lights come in two basic combinations, as described below:
LED Rope Lights
LED rope lights are available in a variety of colors and generate a bright light for a long period. You also need to keep in mind that these lights are only colorful when they are turned on or else they appear colorless.
LED rope lights use less energy as well; for example, they only use 1 watt per foot and due to this, they are relatively expensive but well worth the money because they are dependable and long-lasting.
Incandescent Rope Lights
This form of rope light includes a colored filter that is attached to the bulb. So what happens is that even when the lights are switched out, they retain a faintly colored glow appearance.
In comparison to LED rope lights, incandescent lights use more energy and generate more heat. They use twice as much energy as LED rope lights, consuming 3 watts of light per foot. As these lights do not save much energy when compared to LED rope lights, they are less expensive.
Twinkle Star LED String Lights
These lovely string lights create the illusion of genuine stars, making you want to spend the entire night beneath them. We recommend hanging these lights for special occasions such as an outdoor wedding anniversary because they are stylish and breathtaking.
Star string lights are available in a variety of sizes, including little and large stars, to create the perfect balance in your outdoor space. The companies who sell these rope lights make sure that they are waterproof, having an IP44 rating.
These twinkle star lights are also available in eight various modes, including twinkle/flash, steady on, gradual fade, flash/chasing, sequential, slog lo, and in waves and combinations. You may vary the style and design of your illumination based on the mood and occasion thanks to their wide variety of choices.
Jar String Lights
Jar string lights are by far the most fancied option of all the outdoor string lights available. It isn’t surprising that these lights are only seen on special occasions like weddings, wedding anniversaries, birthday parties, and so on, given their stunning effect.
These string lights are easily available in the market, but in case you don’t find them, you can create them on your own too!
All you need is jars and fairy lights, depending on how long you want your string to be. Fill each jar with fairy lights and secure them with string. Invest in light-weight string jars as well as tough and durable strings to ensure that the strings can withstand the pressure imposed by the jars.
For a fun DIY bottle/jar light, people commonly reuse wine bottles or any other glass bottle. Another option to make these lights at home is to take some empty plastic water bottles and crush them randomly before attaching a colorful LED light to them. To create a colorful lighting effect, use a different LED light for each bottle.
While these concepts are simple and straightforward to implement, the end product is always breathtaking. These lights have a distinct beauty that is both fascinating and wonderful.
Now as we have gone through different types of outdoor string lights that are available in the market, let us know
How To Hang Outdoor String Lights On Concrete?
Well, there are different ways to hang outdoor string lights but when we talk particularly about hanging those on concrete, two things come into my mind:
1. Eye Screw
If you are using outdoor string lights on a concrete wall, then the first tried and tested option is to use an eye screw and plug it into a wall plug to secure it.
An eye screw, also known as a screw eye, is a unique type of screw that is distinguished by the usage of a looped hoop. Alternatively, you can also use a Dyna-bolt.
Once you plug it onto a concrete wall, install mounting hardware (Steel wire). Post steel wire installation, the outdoor string light cable can be attached to the steel wire with cable ties, and the excess cable tie can be cut off neatly.
Some people like to use snap hooks instead of cable ties. At the end of the day, outdoor string lights should be used in a way that makes you happy and gives you some sort of satisfaction.
2. Sugru
Sugru, also known as Formerol, is a multi-purpose silicone rubber that resembles modeling clay. It comes in a variety of colors and cures to a rubber-like texture when exposed to air.
Measure the length of your lights and calculate how many hooks you’ll require before opening your Sugru. Cut open the Sugru pack and divide it into five equal pieces, rolling each one into a little ball. There’s no need to rush because you have 30 minutes to work with the Sugru after it’s opened.
- Using one of your Sugru pieces, pinch and make a pea-sized piece.
- To create a Sugru base layer, spread this piece onto the wall. (Sugru sticks to itself really well, and because it’s mouldable, it’s easy to fill in odd spaces)
- Make a little Sugru-sausage out of one of the Sugru balls and press it onto the base layer.
- Pinch and press the Sugru with your fingers to shape it.
- The Sugru sausage should then be bent upwards into a hook form.
- Keep in mind that gravity will play a role in this. Because the Sugru hook will droop slightly during curing, you may want to slightly over-compensate the hook shape so that it dries into the correct shape.
- Repeat these processes until you get the desired amount of hooks. Sugru comes in single-use sachets that make 5 hooks.
- It would have cured into robust and durable rubber hooks in 24 hours and once cured, will withstand any weather condition, wet or dry, hot or cold!
Conclusion:
So now you can easily hang your outdoor string lights, creating a nice, warm, and inviting atmosphere for you to enjoy when the nights become longer and warmer. And the good news is, the weather looks quite welcoming. So get those outdoor string lights out and enjoy the outdoors!!