How To Hide Outdoor Wiring

Outdoor renovations that involve outdoor wiring for lighting and security are never complete until the wiring attached to these systems has been carefully and strategically hidden away from view. Wires often distract from most outdoor decorative themes and a structure’s attractiveness…but this doesn’t have to be!

When hiding wires and cables, you want to avoid power cords becoming a trip-and-fall or tangle hazard. Exposed cables that connect to alarms, motion detectors, and cameras can actually pose a security risk if a thief or vandal locates and cuts them to prevent detection.

Hiding these wires from view isn’t difficult and you can approach the problem of unsightly wires by using one or more of these simple solutions to hide the outdoor wires.

How to Hide Outdoor Wires

1. Special Mounting Base

A professional electrician can help you choose and secure a metal or plastic mounting base that is large and deep enough to hide all of the exposed wires outside the house. Wires are coiled near the base of the outdoor light fixture with a plastic tie or electrical tape. The coil is then placed within the special mounting base. A box-style mounting base can also be used for pathway lights connected to underground wires.

2. Paintable Channel Raceways

In an office, a tech hides wires and cords attached to computers and other systems along the floor, walls, or ceiling of a room behind special long guides that have a smooth curved, or rectangular shape. Similar outdoor wire raceway options also exist that you can stain or paint to match or blend in with nearby surfaces. These options provide an inexpensive sleek and modern solution to unsightly and dangerous wiring outdoors.

3. Decorative Outdoor Cover

Many people successfully hide wires behind decorative items. For example, you might run string light wiring behind decorative porch roof molding. Manufacturers have also designed decorative boxes for hiding wires, security keypads, circuit breakers, and other electrical systems.

Do-it-yourself enthusiasts often build covers with faux rustic and modern decorative designs. For example, a property owner might hide wires, cables, and attached systems behind or under a cover designed to look like a stone pedestal, sculpture, lighthouse, birdhouse, miniature shed, or small closed-door and walled entryway.

Running Underground Wiring and Cabling

The best way to hide outdoor wiring is to have it buried and installed by a licensed electrician. There are several ways for an electrician to run underground wires, one of the best ways is to use a 12-inch deep PVC conduit. That’s because it provides great protection against physical damage.

Interior and Exterior Lighting Installation

If you’re interested in remodeling your home or need assistance with either an interior or exterior lighting project, call Dean’s electricians to help! Our licensed and insured electricians can handle all electrical projects, repairs, breakers, panels, switches, and outlets, along with any home wiring project.