A little planning goes a long way when it comes to making your exterior look gorgeous for the holidays. Hanging lights, wreaths, and decorations brings festive cheer to your surroundings. You’ll want to take ample precautions to ensure you don’t damage your roof, siding or windows in the process of decorating your home. Avoid potential pitfalls others encounter when creating a festive looking home by following our simple tips on holiday decorating.
6 Ways to Create Festive Holiday Beauty Without Damaging Your Exterior
1. Begin with a plan.
Decide on a focal point to feature (such as your front door or another interesting architectural element). Place the most lights (or the brightest ones) in that location. From there, consider placing string lights along your walkways, windows, hedges, and/or railings.
2. Select your lights and clips.
LED bulbs come in warm or cool tones. Purchase those rated for outdoor use. Plastic light clips are the perfect solution to outlining your home in lights without damaging your roof, gutters, or windows. They give you the opportunity for optimal control with your creativity as you decorate. They are easily removed once the holidays are over, so your fascia, asphalt shingles, and gutters will all stay intact. Use adhesive clips on railings, windows, and columns. Use universal clips to hang mini lights, icicles, and string lights in a variety of locations.
3. Measure before purchasing lights.
You’ll have the right amount of lights by measuring the areas where you need them before purchasing. Keep the distance to your power source in mind while planning. Avoid creating a fire hazard by ensuring you don’t connect more light strands together than recommended.
4. Install lights with care.
Peel the backing and place clips at an even distance, then install lights onto the clips. Use a smart plug so you can schedule your lights to turn on with ease from your phone.
5. Wrap lights and holiday greenery for extra beauty.
For extra Christmas cheer, intertwine your lights with holiday greenery and wrap them around your railings.
6. Stay safe by working together—especially if you use a ladder.
Thousands of people injure themselves each year due to improper ladder use. Avoid injury by keeping ladder safety in the forefront:
- Work with a helper rather than alone and have them “spot” you on the ladder.
- Make sure the ladder is in good condition and safe to use before climbing it.
- Rungs should be dry and clean before using them.
- Locks should be secure.
- Wear slip-resistant shoes.
- Keep your body weight centered and don’t overreach.
- Ensure both your feet are planted on the ladder at all times.
- Never stand on the top rung.
- Don’t climb the ladder with items in your hands.
7. Use caution when powering your lights.
Overloaded circuits and loose connections can cause shocks or fires. LED lights are cooler than incandescent ones, and use less power, so they are the preferred choice. Read the safety information from the light manufacturer to ensure your protection. Plug your lights into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupting outlet (GFCI). You’ll know you have the right outlet when it has “Test” and “Reset” buttons on it. These special outlets cut the current if they detect moisture or sense that the current is getting too hot.
8. Don’t take any chances when it comes to your roofline.
If necessary, hire a professional to hang the lights on your roofline rather than risking the danger of doing it. Have them use universal clips to fasten lights under your shingles and onto your gutters. If you have a brick chimney, hot glue holds lights in place. (Secure lights with painter’s tape until hot glue hardens.)
Renovate Your Home with New Siding, Roofing, or Windows
As you’re hanging Christmas lights, if you see the need for upgrading your siding, roofing, or windows, contact us today. Ensure your home is beautiful and safe all year round! Don’t settle for subpar siding, roofing, or windows. Get the upgrades you desire and enhance your home’s beauty while safeguarding it from the elements and adding value to it.
At Porter Family Exteriors, we specialize in enhancing your exterior! Since our opening in 1976, we have been a local company you can trust. And we aren’t going anywhere! After your project is completed, we stay in contact with you for any needed follow-up. It will put you at ease knowing you have a trustworthy contractor to rely on—for good.
