Adding an outdoor living space to your home is a fantastic way to add extra space and value to your property. You can do this by adding a patio, deck, dining area, pool or barbecue area. Each will allow you to enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your own home.
However, with all the appliances, electronics, and gadgets we use in these areas, cables can quickly become a tangled mess. Cable management solutions are crucial for not only safety but also the aesthetics of outdoor spaces. This is why it is extremely important to use various types of cable management solutions to help prevent accidents and ensure the outdoor living space looks neat and tidy.
Types of Outdoor Cable Management Solutions
Currently, there are many different cable management solutions you can use in your outdoor living spaces. To achieve safe and aesthetically sound cabling outdoors, you can use solutions such as cable protectors, cable covers, cable raceways, and cable conduits.
- Cable Protectors: A great choice for areas that experience a lot of foot and vehicle traffic, cable protectors do what the name suggests. These will protect the cable within against weights placed on top of them.
- Cable Covers: For aesthetic purposes, you might consider using cable covers. Available in many colours or painted to match their background, these will conceal your cables across the floor or up walls.
- Cable Raceways: Another option is to use cable raceways. These are tracks made from plastic or other materials that you can attach to walls, floors and other surfaces. Again, you can purchase these in various colours or paint them to suit their surroundings.
- Cable Conduits: These are hollow tubes designed to protect any cables within from weather elements. You can purchase these in a variety of materials such as PVC, metal, and plastic.
Considerations When Choosing an Outdoor Cable Management Solution
Now that you know about the various cable management solutions you have at your disposal, you now have to decide which is the best for your circumstances. You should consider factors including weather resistance, how easy each is to install, durability, and aesthetic qualities. In many cases, simple cable covers or cable protectors will suffice. In other instances, you may need the extra protection provided by raceways and conduits.
Installation Tips
Always have a plan no matter which options you go for. You need to know where and how you will use these cable management solutions. You need to ensure that the cables are as organised as possible. It is also important your cables are laid out as safely as possible. Avoid creating trip hazards and always follow safety precautions if installing yourself. Of course, if you’re not experienced in cable management, you always have the option of hiring a professional electrician that has cable management expertise.
The Takeaway
While an outdoor living space can add to the visual and spacial appeal of your property, it is essential you undertake adequate cable management solutions. This is to ensure the cables required for that space are organised and kept safely out of the way.
