ᐅ How to Install Floor Lighting on a Wooden Deck?

Hello everyone,

We built two wooden decks using Garapa wood. The boards we used are 145 mm (5.7 inches) wide and 25 mm (1 inch) thick. For one of the decks, I purchased three recessed ground lights. Each requires a hole with a diameter of 105 mm (4.1 inches) to be drilled.

I’m unsure whether to drill the hole centered in a single board (which would leave a 20 mm (0.8 inch) edge on each side) or to position the hole between two boards so that more of each board remains intact.

With the first option, I’m concerned that the 20 mm (0.8 inch) edge might not be sufficient and could crack or develop cracks over time as the wood expands and contracts. With the second option, I’m worried that the two boards might move differently and cause issues.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks!

I don’t think either option is a good solution.
Exchange them for smaller ones and avoid "monster lights."
There are special small parts made exactly for this purpose.

Thanks for the assessment. However, I find it quite difficult to find suitable options. The hole should be larger than 80mm (3 inches), otherwise my electrician won't be able to access the distribution box, which needs to be filled after connection. I’d rather not remove the floorboard again. I already experienced a situation where the screws didn’t grip into the aluminum substructure for one board. Or is that an exception?

DASI90 schrieb:

The hole should be larger than 80 mm (3 inches) because otherwise my electrician won’t be able to access the distribution box, which needs to be encased after connection.

What kind of distribution box is encased like that? Is there no power supply connected yet?

SaniererNRW123 schrieb:

What kind of junction box is being cast? Is there no power supply yet?

Yes, there is a separate cable. The installers have run a cable with a junction box up to the first lamp. The other two lamps will also be connected to this box. The box needs to be cast in place to make the electrical connection waterproof, as water may temporarily accumulate on the sealing.

DASI90 schrieb:

The box needs to be sealed with casting compound to make the electrical connection waterproof.

There are simpler and also waterproof solutions. You should have used a Friedl box and installed the cables directly for appropriately small fixtures – there are great spotlights starting from 25mm (1 inch).