Create a staycation-worthy backyard by installing string light poles with this easy outdoor project.
Al fresco dining andbonfireseason is made all the better with the warm glow of string lights.
Here, long vertical poles secured with concrete footings offer easy support for twinkling string lights.
Credit: Adam Albright
What’s more, only some light carpentry work and a few basic supplies are required.
The concrete forms need to be set deep enough to go below thefrostline, which varies by region.
Center a same-height piece of 1-inch-diameter PVC pipe inside and fill form around the pipe with concrete.
you could cut the conduitusing a hacksaw.
Don’t stand the pipe up in the tube in the ground yet.
Feed a screw eye through the hole and secure it with a nut.
The screw eye is what will hold the string lights.
Next, feed it into the PVC pipe in the concrete.
Before you do this, see to it the concrete has dried all the way through.
Experiment with pole height and light draping styles to create the atmosphere youre going after.
Hang Outdoor String Lights
Attachoutdoor lightsto the screw eye using zip ties.
If necessary, spray-paint the zip tie to match the color of the pole and hook.
Remove the string light poles when not in use, and mow right over the concrete bases if needed.
Concrete forms placed above the frost line are likely to be displaced by seasonal changes.
A form set below the frost line will have a more solid footing.
Add extra clearance if you are usinglanternsor larger bulbs.
