Creating decorative lighting for your landscape can add considerable value and ambiance to your home. Installing lamp posts and ground lighting is a cost-effective way to furnish your exterior lighting without having to hire an expensive contractor. Lamp posts can be made out of a wide variety of materials, such as wrought iron, fabricated aluminum, and 4-by-4 pressure-treated timbers. Using a 4-by-4 cedar timber is the easiest and most affordable way to create a lamp post for your landscape lighting.
- Skill level:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things you need
- Saw
- Post-hole digger or auger
- 4-by-4-foot cedar timber (at least 8 ft. long)
- 1 to 2 bags fast-drying cement
- Light fixture or lantern
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1
Dig a hole 2 feet deep with a 10-inch diameter where you would like to place the lamp post.
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2
Cut the 4-by-4 timber to your desired height. Most 4-by-4 lamp posts stand at 5 to 6 feet above ground. If this is your desired height, cut the post to a length of 7 to 8 eight feet.
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3
Mix a small amount of fast-drying cement. One or two bags will be sufficient. Place the post into the hole and pour in the concrete. Brace the post in place by propping it up with two 2-by-4 boards. This will ensure that the post will not lean as the concrete dries. Allow it to dry for about 24 hours.
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4
Mount the lantern or light fixture on the top or side of the lamp post. This is entirely up to your design. Your light fixture will come with mounting and wiring instructions. Some light fixtures or lanterns are battery powered or require a candle, while others require a power supply. If your lantern requires external power, you may need an electrician to wire the post
Tips and warnings
- You can sand the post down to a smooth finish, paint it, or create a design on it using wood carving tools if you desire. Patterns for lamp post designs are available at many home and garden supply stores.
- Buy pressure-treated, black locust or cedar timbers for longer lamp post life.
