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How to Hang Christmas Lights Outside Without Nails

Brightly decorated homes throughout the Delaware Valley bring cheer to long winter nights. If you’re planning an outdoor light display this holiday season, don’t use nails to affix them to your home. Poking holes in your home’s exterior can be a costly mistake. Your local home improvement store has many noninvasive products for hanging holiday decorations like clips and removable adhesives. Here are your best approaches to how to hang Christmas lights outside without nails.

How to Hang Christmas Lights Outside Without Nails Steps

To hang Christmas lights from rain gutters:

  1. Obtain enough gutter hooks or clips for the length of lights being used.
  2. Plan to place gutter hooks roughly 6 or 8 inches apart.
  3. After making sure that your ladder is steady, climb up to the gutter.
  4. Loop the S-shaped gutter hooks over the outer edge of the gutter.
  5. String lights along the hooks.

To hang Christmas lights from a shingled roof:

  1. Buy some light-hanging shingle tabs.
    1. These are either metal or plastic products with a 90-degree bend in the middle.
  2. Slide the 2 fingers of the tab beneath the shingles so that the end with the hole stands straight up.
  3. Place tabs about 6 to 8 inches apart.
  4. String the lights along the tabs.
  5. Insert bulbs into the holes on the tabs as you go.

To hang Christmas lights with adhesive hooks:

  1. Smooth exteriors, like aluminum siding, will accept adhesive hooks.
    1. The adhesive does not work well with textured surfaces.
  2. Buy enough adhesive hooks to secure light strings every 6 to 8 inches.
  3. Remove the backing on each hook and stick it into place.
  4. Hang your Christmas lights once the hooks are installed.

To hang Christmas lights with hot glue:

  1. Hot glue is appropriate for textured brick or concrete surfaces.
  2. Plug a hot glue gun into a long outdoor-grade extension cord.
  3. Let the gun heat for 5 minutes to melt the glue.
  4. Squirt a pea-sized bit of glue at the junction of the wire and bulb.
  5. Press the wire with wet glue against the wall and hold for 10 seconds or until glue secures the object.
  6. Continue to glue the lights every 6 to 8 inches until done.
  7. When you take down the lights, the bits of glue can be popped off with your fingers or a putty knife.

Tools & Materials

Use caution and take your time when working on a ladder.
  • Ladder
  • Measuring tape
  • Gutter hooks or clips
  • Hot glue gun (only for brick or concrete exteriors)

If Your Home is Damaged, Call PJ Fitzpatrick

At PJ Fitzpatrick, we know what’s best for your siding and roofing. We’ve been repairing and installing both for decades. If you find any damage while you’re hanging your Christmas lights, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our experts can provide their recommendations to help protect your home for years to come.

Need help with this project?

We have trained professionals that can help. Contact us today. 1-877-246-4354

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