How to Hang Christmas Lights from the Rooftop

Introduction

The feeling of driving through a neighborhood and seeing all of the houses lit up with Christmas lights is one that never fails to bring joy. If you’re looking to create that same feeling in your own home, there are plenty of light and design options to consider. One of the most popular ways to light up your home for Christmas is by hanging lights from the roof.

In this article we will share our tips on how to manage Christmas lights installation from your roof top. Plus we will also share a few ideas on how to enhance the look of your lights to make your roof top design look lovely.

Gather your Supplies

Before you start stringing up lights, there are certain supplies that will make the job easier. We suggest purchasing a good pair of scissors (to cut the pieces apart), some rubber coated clamps (to ensure wires don’t come loose), clips or hooks depending on the construction of your roof, and one or more sturdy ladders (depending on how high your roof is).

Safety Measures

The roof is not the most stable of terrains, so taking safety measures is important. It is recommended that you do not install Christmas lights alone. Instead, make sure to have someone on the ground supervising your work and another person steadying any ladder or scaffolding that might be necessary.

Wearing good fitting shoes or boots with rubber soles is crucial when climbing up on your roof to reduce the risk of slipping. Also avoid wearing loose or slippery clothes like nylon jackets or pants.

Look Out for the Weather Before you Head Up

Before you head up onto your roof to string the lights, check the weather report for that day. If it is raining or snowing when you are ready to install, wait until there is a break in the weather before you begin decorating your roof.

It’s important that you are comfortable on your feet when decorating your roof. So, if this is something you have never done before, it might be a good idea to leave it to professional Christmas decorators.

Secure your Ladder

If you are using a ladder to reach the roof, make sure it is properly secured and is not wobbly. It would be a tragedy to fall off of your roof and ruin Christmas for everyone.

Be sure that the ground below your ladder is even and stable enough for your ladder to safely stand on. When you climb the ladder always have three points of contact at all times, with each hand and foot firmly planted. Climbing a ladder will be much safer if you have someone there to spot you. If you do not feel safe using a ladder, then reaching out for a Christmas light installation service near me might be a better idea.

It is always worth checking the ladder condition as it is not used very often. Do not use a ladder if it is damaged in any way, and be especially careful when using an extension ladder.

Fix your Hook or Clips

If you are using hooks to hang your lights, you will need to drill some holes in your roof for the hooks to go into. It is advised to drill holes at an angle so that the water will run off of the roof instead of seeping into the openings. If you are only hanging your lights for the holiday season, then using plastic clips is a better option as you can remove them without making any permanent holes in your roof.

Attaching Christmas Lights from a Roof

Now that you have all of the supplies and safety precautions in order, it’s time to start hanging your lights. Follow these tips for an easy and safe installation:

Start with your Roof Lines

Before hanging lights on your roof, we suggest starting with any roof lines and angles and then working your way to flat surfaces. This will ensure that you have a good grasp on the best ways to arrange and hang the lights before you start stringing them up across flatter areas.

Also, cut your light strands to the desired length. You will want to make sure that the light strands are long enough to reach from the roof to where you want them to hang.

Space out your Lights

To ensure an even and balanced appearance, make sure you space out your lights as evenly as possible. If you use clips or hooks, place them every few feet apart to keep the strand of lights securely attached to your roof. Keep in mind that you will need to leave enough slack on each strand of lights to ensure they can be connected together without too much effort.

Connect the Light Strands

Once you have your light strands all hooked up, connect the individual strands together so it forms one whole strand. Once you have done this, use a staple gun to attach them along the roof line and down any angled sections. Be careful not to staple the lights too close to any power lines.

Finish up by Attaching the Extension Cord

If you are using an extension cord to power your lights, be sure to attach it to the end of the strand before you finish stapling them in place. This will ensure that your lights are properly connected and can be used safely. You may also want to consider using cable clips (used for hanging cables) or even zip ties to keep your extension cord in place along the roof.

Light it Up

Now that your lights are hung in place, it’s time to go ahead and turn them on! Keep in mind that if you have never decorated your roof before, you’ll want to do a test run with just one or two strings of lights turned on. This will allow you to get the layout correct without turning too many of them on at once and overwhelming yourself (or your neighbors).

Once you have everything looking just the way you want it, go ahead and turn on all of the lights and enjoy the show!

Ideas to Enhance your Light Decoration

There are a few ways that you can enhance your lights to really make them stand out and reflect the feel of the season. Here are a couple of ideas on how to add some flair to your roof top design:

Try using icicle lights to create a roof line of icicles.
Hang lights in trees or shrubs around the perimeter of your roof for a natural look.
Create a design with string lights by outlining a shape, like a star or Christmas tree.
If you have gutters on your roof, use them for your light clips to create a beautiful effect.
Consider using rope lights along the edges of your roof to add an extra bit of flair and color.

Hire a Professional

Do keep in mind that anytime you are hanging objects from your roof, there is always some risk involved. If you aren’t confident in your abilities to do it safely and properly, looking for a residential Christmas decorating service near me will be the best option. The Professional Christmas light installers will ensure that both the lights and the roof itself are secure and able to handle the weight of the light strands.

Conclusion

Decorating your roof top with Christmas lights is a great way to show your holiday spirit and add some extra cheer to the neighborhood. By following these simple tips, you can finish your Christmas lights installation safely and efficiently, creating a beautiful display that will be sure to light up the season.

Happy Decorating!