GeneralJanuary 29, 2024

How to Put Christmas Lights on the Roof

Unleash the magic! Illuminate your holidays with our expert guide on how to put Christmas lights on your roof. Spark joy in just a few simple steps

With the Christmas season ending, you’ve probably seen many exciting light displays in your neighborhood. Every new homeowner feels a little shy and uncertain about roof Christmas lights. Do you wonder how to put Christmas lights on the roof of your home safely? 

At District Roofing, we’re here to guide you step-by-step on how to put lights on the roof without damage or injury. We are professional roofers with tons of experience working on roofs so that we will share our tips with you. 

Safety Tips — How to Put Christmas Lights on the Roof 

When working on a roof, being aware of risks is essential. These could be either causing damage to your roof materials or falling; therefore, you want to get the basics right. 

Firstly, you will need a sturdy ladder that is in good working condition. Ideally, it would help if you enrolled a friend or a relative to hold the ladder securely for you while you climb. Typically most homeowners prefer to hang lights on the gutters, the first row of shingles, or roof eaves. It would help if you didn’t have to walk on the roof.

If you attach your lights higher up on the roof, we recommend using a safety harness and installing roof brackets to prevent falls. Every professional roofer has had a close call on a roof once, and this safety kit has saved our lives.  As a rule of thumb, you want to choose a clear day to install your roof lights: No harsh winds, rain, or snow. 

Step-by-step Christmas Lights Roof Display

Believe it or not, the first step to getting an exciting display is to start planning on paper first. This will allow you to figure out the style and areas you want to highlight. 

Are you happy with your Christmas lights sketch? Good! The next step is building up your roof display comfortably in your living room or garage. This is the opportunity for you to test the lights and proceed with all repairs or replacements needed. 

You are now ready to attach clips to your roof. For instance, you’ll quickly find all-purpose plastic clips for light-hanging on Amazon. Make sure to test the lights after putting them on the roof to  ensure everything is how you want it to be. 

Common Mistakes that Can Affect Your Roof Christmas Lights

Ideally, it would help to inspect your gutters, roof eaves, or first shingle row before you decide to put Christmas lights on the roof. This will ensure they are still fastened to the ceiling and prevent any issues with your Christmas light display. 

If you notice loose parts, whether gutters or shingles, remember we at District Roofing are only a phone call away. The last thing you want is for the Christmas lights to cause damage to your roofing structure. 

Another important consideration is how you secure your Christmas lights to the roof. You should never puncture your roof with a staple gun to fasten the lights. Instead, use plastic clips. 

Always use the correct mounting method for your roof type!

Hopefully now you are more confident about how to put Christmas lights on the roof. Don’t hesitate to contact our team if you spot any issues with your roof before installing your Christmas lights. 

Happy decorating! 

District Roofing

District Roofing, hailing from Northern Virginia, serves as a knowledgeable author in the roofing industry. With a commitment to customer satisfaction and community engagement, they offer insights into roof repair, replacement, and damage assessment. Their expertise extends to working with insurance claims and providing emergency services, ensuring readers get professional advice backed by hands-on experience​.