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THE COLONY PATIO LIGHTING
Bistro & String Light Installation in The Colony, TX
Lakeside backyards, golf course views and the dining patios around Grandscape. We install commercial-grade bistro lights in The Colony that stay level in the wind and glow warm all evening.
✓ Layout before install ✓ Year-round systems ✓ Posts where needed
QUICK ANSWER
Bistro or string lighting is outdoor cable with large LED bulbs hung overhead to light patios, decks and dining areas. In The Colony, Christmas Decor by Carruthers Decorative Lighting plans every span for lake wind, uses catenary wire and solid posts and installs dimmable strands for homes and businesses alike.
Since 1978
Dallas family business
5+ years
Commercial and large residential lighting
Fully insured
Liability and workers’ comp
4.5★ Google
Rated by DFW clients
Where We Hang Bistro Lights in The Colony
Every space starts with how people use it after dark, then we pick spans, poles and bulbs to fit.
01
Pool deck perimeters
Lights trace the deck edge or span the water at a safe height, with every connection kept off the coping. Swimmers get soft light and you avoid tangles near water.
04
Outdoor kitchens and bars
Task-friendly strands over a grill island or bar top let you see what you are cooking while the rest of the space stays soft and relaxed.
02
Rooftop bars and terraces
Rooftops have few anchor points and more wind. We use weighted planter poles or parapet mounts and tensioned catenary wire so strands stay put on breezy nights.
05
Commercial-grade LED bulbs
We use LED bulbs in S14, G40 and ST38 shapes, including shatter-resistant options. They run cool, draw little power and hold up to nightly use far longer than retail sets.
03
Trees and tree lines
Strands can run from a mature oak or pecan to the house or a post. We attach with straps sized for growth so the tree is never girdled by a tight wrap.
06
Catenary wire support
A tensioned steel guide wire carries the weight on longer spans, so the light cable is never the thing holding itself up. That keeps sag even and protects sockets.
Three Layouts That Work in Most The Colony Spaces
Most patios and yards fit one of three layouts. A perimeter run traces the edges and suits long, narrow spaces. A zig-zag canopy crosses back and forth overhead for full, even light over a seating area. A center canopy radiates from a single tall pole to the edges, which suits round spaces and fire pit circles.
We sketch the layout on a photo of your space so you can see it before install day.
Perimeter runs for long, narrow spaces
Zig-zag canopies for full overhead light
Center-pole canopies for fire pit circles
Layout sketched on a photo of your space
Five Steps to a Lit Patio in The Colony
01
Tell us the space
Share photos or a quick description of the patio, yard or venue. We schedule a visit around your calendar.
02
Site visit
Our team measures, photographs and checks power. We bring bulb samples so you can compare glow in person.
03
Layout and pricing
We send a layout showing every run and post, with a quote based on your measurements rather than a guess.
04
Install day
Our insured crew sets posts, tensions guide wire, hangs strands and routes power, then tests every socket before leaving.
05
Hand-off and walkthrough
You get a walkthrough of dimmers, timers and smart plugs. If anything needs attention later, our crew comes back.
Lighting The Colony
The Colony sits on the eastern shore of Lewisville Lake, with SH 121 bringing visitors to Grandscape and quieter neighborhoods stretching toward the water.
Grandscape
Restaurants and gathering spaces at Grandscape draw big evening crowds. Commercial strands over patios and walkways hold up to constant use and add warm atmosphere to outdoor seating. Heavy cable on catenary wire stays level through busy evenings, and each span is placed where staff can reach it quickly for service.
Stewart Creek Park area
Homes near Stewart Creek Park and the shoreline catch steady breezes. Tensioned steel wire and shatter-resistant bulbs keep strands even and intact through windy evenings. Turnbuckles make re-tensioning simple after a storm, and every connection gets a drip loop so damp lake air never reaches the sockets.
The Tribute
Homes in The Tribute often have open views across the golf course and lake. A post-and-wire canopy lights the patio without blocking the view, with dimmers to keep the glow soft. Shatter-resistant bulbs are a smart pick near the fairways, and painted posts blend into the landscape during the day.
Established neighborhoods
Older Colony neighborhoods have mature trees and covered patios. Guide wire from the patio beam to a strapped tree creates a natural canopy over the seating area. Straps adjust as trunks grow, and a timer means the canopy is glowing when you step out back after work.
Permanent Strands or Seasonal Swags
Most of our bistro installs stay up year-round. With guide wire, solid anchors and outdoor-rated cable, a well-hung system can stay in place through the seasons and only needs occasional bulb changes.
Some clients want strands only for spring and fall entertaining, or for a single event. We can set permanent hang points and posts so seasonal strands go up and come down quickly without new holes each time. If you want color, ask about PermaLites 365 permanent lighting for the roofline too.
Year-round systems with outdoor-rated cable
Permanent hang points for seasonal strands
No new holes each time strands return
Pairs with PermaLites 365 roofline lighting
What Shapes the Cost of a The Colony Install
No two patios cost the same. These factors make the biggest difference.
Permanent or seasonal
A year-round system is built with heavier hardware and guide wire from day one. Seasonal setups with reusable hang points spread their cost differently over time.
Number of spans
Each span needs two solid anchor points and often guide wire. A zig-zag canopy with many crossings takes more hardware than a single perimeter run.
Posts and poles
If there is nothing to attach to, we add steel posts in concrete or weighted planter poles. Each new anchor point adds material and install time.
Bulb type and count
Bulb shape, shatter resistance and socket spacing all affect cost. Tighter spacing gives fuller, brighter light overhead but uses more bulbs and more cable on every run.
Height and access
Second-story hang points, rooftops and high pergolas may need taller ladders or a lift, which adds labor and setup time compared with a single-story patio.
What DFW clients say
4.5-star average on Google from clients across Dallas-Fort Worth.
★★★★★
“First season with them and hands down best service I’ve had. Very impressed with their service and communication. David was very professional and made the entire experience easy and worry free. Will definitely be keeping my business with them!”
Courtney Carrier
★★★★★
“Fast and courteous office staff and installers. Abraham my installer was excellent!”
robert simmons
★★★★★
“This is the first year I have used this company, & I can say I am absolutely pleased! The designer and I agreed on the overall design, and the team executed it properly. Any issues that have arisen since install, they have been very prompt in their…”
Ellen Sterin
String Light FAQs
Have a question we didn’t cover? Call 972-620-9560 or request a free quote online.
Do you light pergolas, gazebos and covered patios?
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All three. Each structure gets its own layout: beam runs on pergolas, radiating drapes on gazebos and clean, straight lines under covered patios. We use clips and hardware that hold firmly without marring the wood or finish, and we place them where they disappear in daylight.
What is the difference between bistro, café and string lights?
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They are the same family of lighting. All three describe a weatherproof cable with sockets spaced along it, hung overhead. Bistro and café usually mean larger bulbs like S14 or G40, while string lights can also mean small decorative sets. We install commercial-grade versions built for nightly outdoor use.
Can the lights be dimmed or put on a timer?
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Yes, and we recommend it. A dimmer lets you run bright for a party and low for a quiet dinner. A timer or smart plug handles the on and off, so the patio is lit when you step outside without anyone flipping a switch.
Can a business patio get holiday décor too?
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Yes. Holiday lighting and décor is our main business. For The Colony restaurants, venues and commercial properties, we can add wreaths, garland, lit trees and building lighting around the patio, with design, installation, in-season service and removal handled by one team.
Are you insured?
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Yes. Our crews are covered by liability insurance and workers' compensation. Businesses, landlords and property managers often ask for a certificate of insurance before install day, and our office can send one quickly so the job stays on schedule and nobody is left waiting on paperwork.
Do you service lights another company installed?
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We can take a look. Many service calls start with sagging strands or dead sockets from an earlier install. Sometimes adding guide wire fixes it. Sometimes the strand itself needs replacing with commercial-grade cable. Either way, you get a straight answer.
Can string lights stay up all year?
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Yes, when they are built for it. Outdoor-rated cable, catenary support and solid anchors let a system stay up through every season. Most of our installs are permanent, with an occasional bulb replacement as the only routine upkeep, and the hardware is chosen to last for years.
Can you light a restaurant or brewery patio?
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Yes. Restaurant, bar and brewery patios need lighting that runs every night, looks good from the street and is easy to service. We design for all three, and our office can provide certificates of insurance for landlords or property managers before the crew arrives.
Will you mount to brick, stone or stucco without damage?
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Yes. Many The Colony homes and storefronts are brick or stone, and newer builds often use stucco. Each gets its own anchor: mortar joints on brick, sized masonry anchors on stone and sealed penetrations on stucco. The result is secure and leaves a small, neat footprint.