If you live in a warmer climate, chances are that your neighborhood has a bigger incentive to decorate the front yard this Christmas season. With little worry of a snow storm ruining your schedule you create specifically for decorating, there are practically no limits when it comes to your creativity.
But do you have a plan when it comes to hanging your Christmas lights safely this season? How do you attach lights to your gutters for example, without damaging or reducing their effectiveness in the process?
Choose Lights Best for Gutters
Christmas lights come in a very large variety of colors,lengths and bulbs, so making sure you know exactly the type you want is crucial to the planning stages of your decorating. For example, the color you choose can largely depend on the bulb they have. LEDs are known for being brighter but have a slighter blue tint to them, while incandescent bulbs are slightly dimmer and provide a more orange glow. The way these colors reflect off your gutters should be taken into consideration.
Furthermore, many homeowners will use icicle lights when decorating gutters. These lights are designed to hang vertically from gutters,rather than run horizontally along your home.
Lastly, make sure that the lights you use or buy are specifically for outdoor use. Many lights will mention on the box that they are entirely appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use, but confirming this early can prevent many headaches later.
Make a Plan Before Hanging
Once you’ve established which lights you’d like to hang, it’s time to start scoping your home and build a plan. As much as you’d probably like to improvise as you go along, hanging lights without a plan could cause issues later. For example, test all of the lights and electrically-powered displays you plan on using before you hang them up. Confirm that all the bulbs work;many Christmas decorations will die for seemingly no reason, and you don’t want to come to that conclusion after you’ve spent hours standing on a ladder.
During the planning stages, you should be taking note of important factors unique to your house, including:
- Distance from power sources (multiple extension cords will likely be needed)
- The length of your gutters (so you can determinehow many lights you’ll need)
Use the Right Attachments and Equipment
When hanging your lights, use light clips designed to attach to gutters and shingles. These clips are easy to hide, install and remove without damaging your gutters in the process. Make sure you purchase a large supply to avoid needing to go back to the store mid-decorating. Confirm that they’re all pointing in the same direction as you begin hanging the lights.
Choose a ladder that is sturdy and does not wobble whatsoever once you’re standing on it. Have a person standing at the bottom to ensure complete safety.
Soon enough, your home will be looking festive and ready for people passing by to fully appreciate your holiday spirit!
About Platinum Gutters
The team at Platinum Gutters is more than happy to replace gutters that have become damaged over the years. If you notice that your gutters are past their prime during your decorating session, it may be time to get them replaced by professionals. To get a free quote for replacing and installing new gutters in time for the holidays, contact their office through their website and receive a free quote on your next project!