How to Hang Christmas Lights on a Shingle Roof

How to Hang the Lights

Disclaimer: Hundreds of accidents occur from hanging Christmas lights each year. Always have someone with you during the entire installation process. Never hang lights if there is visible snow or ice on the ground or roof, or during wet weather conditions. Always follow local building codes, safety codes and ladder safety. Home improvement stores carry accessories for personal ladder safety as well as accessories to prevent ladder damage to the home.

• Step One: Always have an assistant with you while hanging lights — trust us you’ll need one. Before you get on the ladder, attach the first few clips to the bulb or cord (depending on which kind of clips you purchased). It is easier to work with a short string, so don’t connect the next string until you have run out of line.
• Step Two: Locate the power outlet, attach your extension cords, and start from whichever part of the roof is closest to the outlet. That way, you know the cords will reach the outlet. But don’t turn the lights on until you have hung them as they can get very hot.
• Step Three: Position and carefully climb the ladder. Attach the clips to the gutters with one hand, so that you always maintain three points of contact with the ladder. If a clip comes loose, have your assistant fix it.
• Step Four: Keep the clips close enough together so that the line is taut and straight, especially if you’re installing icicle lights. This will ensure the lights match the roof line exactly.
• Step Five: Work along the roof, taking care never to reach so far that you’re shifting your center of gravity off the ladder. Move the ladder frequently.
• Step Six: Only add more clips or another string when you’re on solid ground, so you can work with both hands.
• Step Seven: If you reach a roof edge that does not have gutters, like a gable edge, attach the clip carefully to the drip edge or shingle. Never puncture any part of the roof with staples or nails.
• Step Eight: If you need to reach higher, you have several options. You can use a taller ladder, or a light-hanging pole, or rent special equipment, like a bucket lift. Never stand or walk on the roof.

How to Hang Christmas Lights Without a Ladder

There are a few ways to hang Christmas lights without a ladder. The first is a simple solution, a light- hanging pole.

To use these poles, you attach the clip to the lights then place the clip in the pole’s grip. Then, you simply extend the arm and hook the clip over the gutter.

If you find this method too frustrating, or your roof is too high for the pole to reach, you can rent a bucket lift to get you up there safely without a ladder. The rental costs often aren’t as expensive as you expect, but, you’d need to rent it to take the lights down too. Sometimes a bucket lift is the only way to get to the peak of high-pitched roofs safely.

Those who are deeply uncomfortable on ladders or at heights may prefer to hire someone to put up their Christmas lights. Be sure to choose a legitimate company that specializes in Christmas lights, follows safety protocol on your roof and has insurance. The last thing you’d want is to be responsible if your installers fell or hurt themselves.

How to Take the Lights Down After the Holidays

While some people like to keep their lights up all year, the sun may actually fade their colour. In fact, if one side of your house has more light exposure than the other side, your Christmas lights may even fade unevenly, affecting the overall appearance of your holiday display.

When you take down your lights, you shouldn’t just pull on the string. While it saves you time, it may pull down your gutters and otherwise damage your asphalt shingled roof. Instead, take down your lights the same way you put them up, carefully, safely and one clip at a time.

You should also be conscious about how you wrap the light strings. If they twist, they may kink and look odd next year, especially if you use clips that hook to the line instead of to the bulb.