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No, you should not leave LED Christmas lights up all year. While the LED lights themselves are very durable, their wiring and casings can be as vulnerable as any Christmas lights. They’re subject to drying out, experiencing cold or sun damage that causes them to crack, and even damage caused by gnawing pests. (The same is true of incandescents.) If you want your lights to last the years that they’re rated for, bring them inside after Christmas is over. 

Your maintenance needs revolve around the type of foundation you choose, as well as how you furnish or decorate it. Patios require little else other than the occasional hose-down, but decks and other wooden structures will require annual power washing and sealing. You may also need to restain the wood every two to three years.

Adding a solid roof rather than building a pergola or leaving the space open will make maintenance much easier. Without a roof, you will need to spend more time sweeping, washing, and covering your furniture to protect it from UV bleaching.

The five common types of landscape lighting are up-lighting, down-lighting, spotlights, built-in lighting, and pathway lighting.

• Up-lighting casts light upwards from the ground, mostly for aesthetic purposes.

• Down-lighting directs light onto the ground, lighting pathways, or outdoor space.

• Spotlights cast direct, focused lighting in any direction.

• Built-in lighting integrates lighting into an outdoor feature.

• Pathway lighting illuminates walkways, increasing safety.

Replacing a pool light costs about $625 per light. If you only need to replace the light bulb, plan on paying about $20 to $100 per light. The largest cost factors include the type of pool light, the number of pool lights needed, and the labor costs in your location. But additional cost factors include work required on existing wiring, other repairs, and the continual maintenance needed to keep your pool light in good working condition after installation.