Christmas Lights

Outdoor lights are a necessary part of any home’s security system. They are great for providing additional lighting for activities outside after dark. Outdoor lights also add curb appeal and value to your home. 

With different types of outdoor lights available, choosing the ones that will work best for your needs is important. This guide will help you understand the different types of outdoor lights and their features to make an informed decision.

Also See: Outdoor Lighting Services Naperville

Floodlights

Floodlights are one of the most popular types of outdoor lights. They are great for providing a wide area of light, making them perfect for security purposes. Floodlights can be either halogen or LED. Halogen floodlights are less expensive but require more maintenance, while LED floodlights are more expensive but last longer and use less energy.

Also See: Outdoor Light Installers Clarendon Hills

LED floodlights are also waterproof and can operate in all temperatures, making them a good choice for areas that experience extreme weather conditions. Install floodlights in driveways, backyards, and near entry points to your home.

Spotlights

Spotlights are a type of floodlight but provide a narrower beam of light. They are ideal for lighting specific areas such as walkways, gardens, and sculptures. Spotlights can also be used to highlight the architectural features of your home. Because they provide a concentrated light beam, spotlights use less energy than floodlights.

Also See: Outdoor Light Installers Plainfield

String Lights

String lights are a popular type of outdoor light used for decorative purposes. They are typically used during the holidays but can be used year-round. String lights are available in various colors and styles, making them versatile for any decor. They are also relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

String lights are a good choice for lighting patios, decks, and pergolas. They can also be used to accent walkways and gardens.

Post Lights

Post lights are a type of outdoor light that is mounted on a post or pole. They are used to light walkways, driveways, and other areas around your home. Post lights come in a variety of styles and can be either solar or electric. Electric post lights are more expensive but provide more light, while solar post lights are less expensive but require more maintenance.

Also See: Outdoor Light Installers Downers Grove

Canopy Lights

Canopy lights are a type of outdoor light mounted on the underside of a canopy, such as an awning or gazebo. Canopy lights are used for decorative purposes but can also provide practical lighting for areas such as patios and decks. Canopy lights are available in various styles, including string lights, lanterns, and spotlights.

Linear Lights

Linear lights are a type of outdoor light mounted on a wall or other vertical surface. They are typically used to accent architectural features or to provide supplemental lighting for walkways and other areas. Linear lights are available in various styles, including string lights, lanterns, and spotlights.

Industrial Pendant Lights

Industrial pendant lights are a type of outdoor light hung from a ceiling or other overhead structure. They are typically used to illuminate an outdoor area, such as a patio or deck. Industrial pendant lights are typically made from metal or glass. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

Also See: Outdoor Lights Installation St. Charles

Pendant lights are a versatile lighting option that can be used in various settings. Industrial pendant lights are ideal for outdoor areas such as patios, decks and porches. They add a retro or vintage feel to any setting.

Conclusion

There are many different types of outdoor lights available on the market. The type of light you choose will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Floodlights, spotlights, string lights, post lights, canopy lights, linear lights and industrial pendant lights are all popular choices for outdoor lighting.

When choosing outdoor lights, consider the type of light bulb best suited for your needs. LED light bulbs are the best for outdoor use as they are more durable and long-lasting than other light bulbs. They are also more energy-efficient, saving you money in the long run.

Christmas always comes packed with magic, merry, and joy. This is a time to share and make your home another paradise on earth. When it’s the Christmas holiday, most homes are looking for the best outdoor light décor ideas to make their homes more feasible.

In this article, we show you how to make your home stand out in the neighborhood. We share with you some of the best holiday lighting ideas you can try at home.

1. Add Animal displays 

You can add some visuals to your outdoor front yard with holiday lights. Consider adding holiday lights that come in different forms like polar bears, reindeer, and moose. 

Source: Pinterest

Try creating your own North Pole or Amazon at home this Christmas. Sparkle the Christmas holiday with some animal decorations in the backyard.

You can take the help of professional decorators for installing Christmas lights.

2. Hang Christmas lanterns 

Bring out the Christmas mood in your home with some vintage lanterns. You can hang these lanterns in the entry door to create an amazing festive atmosphere. Instead of using ordinary candles, you can use battery-powered LED candles to save some bucks. 

These lanterns will not go out when you put them outdoors. They are also less hazardous compared to your conventional candles.

Source: Unsplash

3. Install Christmas lights on the porch and deck

If you have a home with a nice deck or handrails on the stairs, you can decorate these with Christmas lights. Decorating the porch and stairs improves the beauty of your home. 

Also, it can help your visitors to see the stairs at night when they enter your home. Add some Christmas cherry and spice up the home mood by decorating your porch with lights.

4. Hang ice lanterns 

Ice lanterns may not be the most durable Christmas lights you should have at home. However, they are worth it for the short time they stick around. If you want to make these lanterns, start by finding some natural treasures in your backyard, like colorful berries and greenery springs. 

Get an empty plastic container and nest both sides. Fill the space between the containers with a favorite flora and water. Put the creation in a freezer for some hours and allow it to take shape. Lastly, drop some LED light to achieve a glowing touch.

Source: Unsplash

5. Install a Tomato cage tree 

Outdoor Christmas tree installation is always fun and exciting. A tomato cage tree is another idea you can try to make your home look good this Christmas. For this DIY, all you need is a tomato cage and some strands of two outdoor LED lights. To make the tree extra sturdy, you can stack two tomato cages and collect some tips to secure them together. 

You can use rubber bands for this work. Create some dense cover lights. Wrap the LED strands around the structure you have created. Light up your outdoors by placing the creation outside, just close to the front door.

6. Create a winter wonderland 

You can kick off your Christmas holidays in the winter. Buy some charming holiday luminaries to create a winter wonderland on your home pathways. Here is the tip: Start by drilling holes in 10-inch plastic cylinders in your favorite pattern.  

Then, pop some battery-powered LED lights inside the cylinders to add some glow. This idea is superb for a garden path, parking, and driveway. It is such an amazing way to invoke the holiday spirit during the winter. When it’s cold enough, these LED lights can make you feel warm as you walk down the pathways.

7. Install Christmas light balls 

During the holiday season, most people prefer light balls to spice up their backyards. You can join the merry this holiday and buy some light balls to decorate your home. 

Most light balls are found in holiday light shows and botanical gardens. 

8. Decorate your roof

There is more you get when you focus on lighting up your home exterior. Instead of emphasizing decorative accessories and inflatables, you can think about pure lighting. 

Source: Unsplash 

Take that step to cover your roof with some colored lights. It looks a bit simple and ordinary to cover the roof with lights, but this will definitely make your home glow and feasible from far.

9. Decorate your fence 

The garden fence is another place you should not forget when decorating your home with Christmas lights. To create a welcoming look in your home, you should string the garden fence with LED outdoor lights. 

Don’t forget the walkways and the front door handrails for an amazing look. You create a more realistic appeal when you string lights around the old garden and your compound fence. 

Source: Unsplash

10. Trim shrubs and tree trunks 

You have to make your home look neat and presentable this holiday. To achieve this, trim all the thick shrubs and tree trunks in your home compound. Tree trunks and shrubs form the best place to position your Christmas lights. 

Plants look amazing when you wrap the tinsel and lights on them. You can spot any tree in your yard and put some lights on it. It will depend on how much décor you need in your compound.

11. Lower the harsh lights 

If you have lights in the walkways, porch, and garage, you should keep them low. Harsh lights can ruin the mood and lighting ambiance in your home. 

Therefore, you should ensure you turn off all the exterior lights or, better still, change all the high wattage bulbs to achieve a more festive night light. This way, the exterior lights will not overpower the Christmas light interface and spoil the mood in your home.

Final Thoughts 

There are many ways to make your home look nice for the Christmas holidays. If you are running low on ideas, you can count on these eleven tips. Reach out to American Holiday Lights to have your home interior and outdoors ready for the big day. 

Hiring someone to do Christmas decorations for your home is always useful. Christmas is a festival of love and joy that happens across the globe yearly. When Christmas is around the corner, most Christian families are always doing preparations for the day. 

You can feel the mood in your neighborhood change with light and flower decorations on the roof, plants, and backyard. People decorate their homes to set the perfect mood for Christmas and welcome the season.

There is more to Christmas, and most families always look for the best moments on this day. The advent of Christmas light decorations borrows a lot from the ancient Yule tradition. The Norsemen would celebrate the Yule festival by drinking sacrificial beer while watching a Yule log burn. 

Today Christians decorate their homes with light as a way of representing Jesus Christ lighting up the darkness in the world. Lighting is also a symbol that holidays are underway, and most people would have them to spice up their homes and get ready for the Christmas festivals.

When Christmas is around the corner, the best you should do is hire someone to do Christmas lights decoration. 

Professional Christmas Decorations And Holiday Lighting For Your Home

Holly Shrub

Most people prefer to have this plant in their homes during the Christmas holiday. The shrub is unique in the sense that it can withstand high temperatures of up to 110 degrees F. They produce attractive berries and sharp-toothed leaves that remain on the plant for long. 

Christians prefer to have this kind of plant in their home decors because it is a symbol of long life and the immortality trait that God has given every human being. The sharp leaves represent the crown of thorns that the soldiers used to mow Jesus during his crucifixion. 

Gifts

Gifts are also part of Christmas decorations. During Christmas, you should focus more on giving than receiving. This is the perfect time to put a smile on other people’s faces. The wise men honored Jesus with gifts like myrrh, gold, and frankincense for giving himself to us on Christmas. 

The manger signified that Jesus was a king born in Bethlehem. The gifts that wise men gave to baby Jesus when on his birthday inspire the concept of sending people gifts today on Christmas day.

Christmas Tree

St. Boniface converted the German people to Christians in the early 700s and demolished the Oak of Thor. This was a mighty tree that the Saxons worshiped. On the spot where the tree was demolished grew another tree that Boniface would take as a symbol of Christian faith. 

A small tree was brought indoors and decorated with candle lights to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. That was over 1500 years ago. 

By the 18th Century, the concept of decorating Christmas trees with lights was already popular in Austria, Germany, and France. Today, the Christmas tree still represents the original tree of paradise, the branch of Jesse from which Jesus originates, and the burning bush that spoke to Moses. 

The Christmas tree is evergreen throughout the year, and because of this, it is a sign of hope to Christians. The tree is cut down and erected again, a symbol of Christ’s resurrection.

When Christmas is almost here, most families will be on the lookout for this special type of tree. Hiring a Christmas tree decorator is a good choice. You can reach out to professional Christmas tree decorators to have the tree shipped and installed in your home.

Christmas Lights And Candles 

There is no Christmas without lights and candles. Candles and lights symbolize that Jesus is the light of the world. Candles remind us that we are the lights of other Christians, and we should show them the way, just like Jesus in his teachings.

Bells 

Bells also make part of Christmas decors. Bells were part of the Jewish high priest’s garb and would symbolize the joy of the world. 

Having bells in your Christmas home decors reminds you that Jesus is the high priest. They also make your Christmas trees stand out, especially when you decorate them with candle lights. 

What Are The Benefits of Hiring a Christmas Lights Decorator? 

Why should you hire a Christmas lights decorator for your home when the holidays are almost here? When you are looking forward to the lights event, you can hire a professional holiday lights decorator to provide you all types of lighting.

Lighting Design

Lighting service includes finding the best lighting design for your home. Professional lights decorators are committed to offering modern lighting designs for every client. When you hire lighting design services, you can be certain your home will stand out from the rest.

Light Installation

Installation is another reason you should get a pro light service for the job. For instance, American Holiday Lights provide expert light installation for customers at a reduced cost (read this article to know more about Christmas lights installation prices.) The company adopts a smooth and easy installation process from start to finish to light up your home. 

Lighting Maintenance

A light service provider stays on the lookout during the festive, providing real-time lighting maintenance. When a bulb burns out, you can be sure a team will be there to have it fixed on time. 

Lights Removal

Finally, when the holidays are over, you have to remove the lights and store them. Professional light decorators have the skills and tools to remove all the lights and leave your house as it was before the festival. 

When you hire a professional Christmas light decorator, you can be certain your home lighting service will be handled with the right people. These experts design, install, maintain, and repair broken décor and lights during and after the festival. 

Final Thoughts 

When Christmas is almost here, you should prepare to welcome the birth of Jesus. 

A reliable lighting decorator will provide a clear plan and quotation of how much you will spend on your décor project. This way, you are able to plan your budget and make necessary arrangements to have the lights installed in your home. 

When looking for experts to do your home décor for the festival, you can always count on American Holiday Lights. We have the expertise, tools, and high-quality products to have your décor project completed to perfection. 

Hanging Christmas lights outside your home is one of the most challenging things to do – either you love or hate it. If you’re going to be hanging the outdoor lights for the first time, you have to be cautious. It is never that easy. 

If you plan to install Christmas lights this festive season, you are on the right page. Here is what you should do when installing the string lights for decoration.

Step 1: Safety first 

When you plan to install outdoor lights, you will need a stable ladder to climb to the roof and trees. That means you have to ensure you are safe, always making sure the ladder you are using is in a solid-state.  

When using the ladder, ensure you can reach where you are installing the lights without stepping on the topmost steps. 

You should also have someone on the ground to hold the ladder for you just in case you trip. Also, don’t forget to choose your ladder wisely. Avoid metal ladders because they conduct electricity which is not good when installing lights at home.

Step 2: Take a picture of your home 

Do you want to find out how your house will look when you view it from far with the lights on? Take a picture of the front of the house from a distance. Viewing your house from the perspective of those driving to your home is the best way to choose the right Christmas bulbs and décor design. 

This way, it is also easy to determine the kind of Christmas lights you will hang on the windows, doors, fascia board, roof, and around the backyard. Everywhere you choose to install the lights, you have to know which bulbs are the best fits.

Step 3: Measure where to hang the lights 

Once you know where you’ll be hanging the string lights, measure the height and width you expect the light strands will cover. You don’t have to climb the roof of your house to measure the width; you can do that on the ground. Measure the width of the house at the base. 

By measuring the distance, you can easily estimate how many feet and strands of light you will need for the house.

Step 4: Choose the right time to install the lights

The best time to hang Christmas lights is during the winter day or mid-morning. Ensure there is plenty of sunlight to get a clear vision of where you are mounting the clips and string lights. 

If you are installing the lights on the roofline, you want to be careful not to step on the shingles. Also, climbing your roof on a hot sunny day can result in damage to the roofing material. Shingles are more likely to break in hot weather.

Step 5: Inspect your light bulbs 

Before installing the light bulbs on the roof or trees, you want to ensure they are all working optimally. Lay out the bulbs in a garage or a dry place and untangle all of them from the strings. 

Test to find out which of the bulbs are dim or burnt out. Do this a week before installing the lights so that you have enough time. 

You should also ensure the Christmas light bulbs you are installing are all weatherproof. This means they are safe for outdoor use and can last throughout the festive period. If you buy lights covered in shades, you should also ensure the material is suitable for outdoor use and won’t be damaged by other weather elements. 

Step 6: Buy plastic light clips only 

Plastic clips are the best you can have if you plan to install Christmas lights in your home. Plastic clips are not only inexpensive but also helps you save time when installing lights on your roof. 

They don’t damage your roof in any way. You don’t need nails and staples when using plastic clips. Additionally, they can hold any size of light strands, including larger C7, C9, and icicles.

Step 7: Start with the highest points 

When you are ready to install the lights, start with the highest points on the roof and trees, go side-by-side, then go down. This will help you save time when coming down to pick more string lights to install on the roof. 

Step 8: Mind the wires 

Most light strings will always come with a foot or so for additional unlit wire. You can roll up and clip all the extra wire into one of the unused clips to ensure the light spacing is even. 

As you install the string lights, take care to avoid damaging the wires. Secure the Christmas lights tightly without damaging the wires. 

Also, avoid using staples and nails because they increase your chances of ruining the wires.  

Step 9: Turn on the lights

Let the party begin! When you are done installing the lights, you can switch them on and enjoy the Christmas spirit it brings to your compound. To turn on the lights, plug the last end of the strand, the male end, into an outdoor extension cord. 

Locate an outdoor outlet and plug the extension into it. Always ensure the outdoor outlet has a switch you can control. Some modern string lights come with automatic timers and apps you can use to switch on and off.

Bonus: You can reach out to professional Christmas light decorating service and have the job done hassle-free.

Final Thoughts 

When you are getting ready for Christmas Day, ensure you spice up your home with lights and decorations. Follow these tips and steps to install Christmas lights on your roof, doors, and backyard to make your home the best place to spend this holiday. 

You don’t have any idea how to install string lights on trees and roofs? Hire a professional installer to help. Professional light installers will custom your home décor and Christmas lights making your home feasible and glowing in the neighbourhood. 

To hang your Christmas lights on the peak of your roof, the first thing you need to consider is your safety. Always have someone to hold your ladder whilst you climb the side of your house. And make sure that you have all of your lights, detangled and easily accessible in a belt or harness secured close to your body.

Continue reading this article put together by the experts at the American Holiday Lights to find out more….

You will need hooks or clips, depending on the construction of your roof; but this will become apparent when you carry out an inspection. You need to ask yourself: shall I drill permanent holes for hooks, so I can easily hang the lights every year? Or you can fix temporary hooks – just pop to your local hardware store and you’ll find them there.

Make sure the weather is conducive to hanging lights and your ladder is secure

Only ever hang Christmas lights when the weather is dry. Don’t be tempted to cut corners.
Use a ladder that can extend at least 3ft above the peak of where you need to climb, and ensure that it grips the ground firmly, and is free from mud or dirt.

When you climb the ladder, be sure to have three points of contact at any one time. It is always worth checking the ladder to see if rust or mould has set in – especially if it hasn’t been used for some time. Wear shoes that fit well, and have a good grip, and never climb past the fourth rung from the top of the ladder.

Attaching the Christmas lights

If you’re attaching to shingles, use the first clip to connect to the shingle and feed the first bulb into the clip. Or carry out the same action if you’re using hooks. Carefully climb your roof, attaching the clips/hooks approximately 12-inches apart. Be sure to make things fit tightly so they are not displaced in bad weather.

Once you reach the peak of your roof, you might want to consider having your partner move the ladder to the opposite side. You then need to run an extension cable down the side of your home, being sure to tuck it under the guttering where possible. This will then need to be plugged into the nearest socket, which will need to be fully protected from the elements.

Things to consider when you hang Christmas lights on roof peak

• Check that your ladder is in tip-top condition
• Check to see where the nearest power source will be
• Be sure to have all the lights untangled and easily accessible – close to your body in a belt or harness
• Decide whether to use hooks or clips
• Have a partner, ready to help you
• Wear good-fitting shoes with lots of grip
• Don’t wear loose-fitting clothes
• Only hang lights in good weather, during the day (ideally with plenty of sunlight)
• Use a timer to switch the lights on at the appropriate time
• Be sure that you will not be causing any harm or inconvenience to your neighbours

Need help with your Christmas lighting? You can get in touch with American Holiday Lights via our contact page and we’ll be happy to help answer any questions you may have.