Many people want to get permanent Christmas lights for their homes. And, lots of buyers are currently trying to figure out if do-it-yourself permanent Christmas lights or professionally installed alternatives are the way to go.
It's an important question you need to answer before you buy. If you choose either option as an impulse buy, it could result in headaches and buyer’s remorse. Choosing the wrong option for your house can also be a costly mistake.
Should you go with DIY permanent Christmas lights or opt for a professional installation? That depends on multiple factors. So, how do you make the right choice? Lux Lights has the answer. And with thousands of professional installations to our name, you can trust the advice we have to offer.
This article will help you choose between DIY permanent Christmas lights or hiring a pro. We will do this by covering:
- How To Install DIY Permanent Christmas Lights
- Professional Installation of Permanent Christmas Lights
How To Install DIY Permanent Christmas Lights
If you’re a DIYer, installing your own permanent Christmas lights may be the best choice for you. Here’s a simple guide to help you get started. Please note, that this is a simplified guide and does not provide in-depth instructions. Keep an eye on our blog for a future post detailing a deep dive into the process.
Step 1: Get The Supplies To Install Your Permanent Christmas Lights
To DIY install permanent Christmas lights on your house you will need various tools and supplies. Here’s what you will need:
- 12V LED Lights: These are the lights you will need to install.
- Controller: This device controls the lights, allowing you to turn them on and off or to change the colors.
- Power Supply: This provides the needed electricity for your lights to work properly.
- Channel: A container made of plastic or metal that helps hold the lights in place along the roofline.
- Drill and Screws: Needed to attach the lights and channel to your house.
- Ladder: Unless you have an abnormally low roofline, this is a must!
Step 2: Test Your Permanent Christmas Lights First
Before you start putting holes in anything or attaching stuff to your house, it’s recommended that you do a “dry run” first. This involves laying out all your lights and the required equipment in your garage, living room, or shed to ensure everything works.
You will want to test the lights, controller, and power supply to make sure they are working correctly. If something isn’t right during the dry run, you will need to fix it before it’s installed on your house, otherwise making these repairs will mean climbing around on your roof while you do them.
Step 3: Attach The Permanent Christmas Lights To The Power Supply
Once it's all working, your next step is to connect the lights to the power supply. Most LED lights will have three wires: positive(+), negative(-), and data. You will need to connect the positive/negative wires to your power supply. Take the time to get it right—if you mix them up, your lights may malfunction and not work!
Step 4: Connect The Controller To Your Permanent Christmas Lights
Now, you will need to connect the data wire from your LED lights to the controller. The controller is a device that lets you change the colors, patterns, shades, and animations of your lights. Once all is connected, do another test run to ensure it’s all working properly.
Step 5: Install The Permanent Christmas Lights On Your House
After that, it’s time to install the lights on your house! You will want to start by attaching the channel to your home using metal screws and a drill. Be sure that the channel is secure as this is what will keep your lights in place. Once the channel is attached, you may start placing the lights inside it.
Make sure the LED lights are evenly spaced and pointing in the direction you want. Outward-facing lights produce an intense and powerful beam. Downward-facing lights produce a softer, more sophisticated glow that is perfect for accenting the architecture of your home.
Step 6: Finish Up Your Permanent Christmas Lights
After the lights are successfully installed, it’s time for one final check to ensure everything looks right and works properly. If your lights are flickering, or, dim, you may need to provide more power or adjust the connections. Once everything is just right, you’re done! You can now enjoy your beautiful permanent Christmas lights all year long!
Pros Of DIY Permanent Christmas Lights
Doing it yourself comes with a lot of advantages:
- Cost Savings: Installing the lights by yourself is usually cheaper than hiring a professional lighting technician.
- Customization: DIY gives you full control over where the lights are installed and how they function.
- Satisfaction: There’s something special about the sense of accomplishment produced by installing permanent Christmas lights yourself.
Cons of DIY Permanent Christmas Lights
As with all things, there are also downsides to think about:
- Time-Consuming: Installing permanent Xmas lights yourself often takes a ton of time, particularly if you’ve never done it before.
- Challenging: It can be just plain HARD to get everything working right, especially the first time around.
- Safety Risks: Clambering up icy ladders and working with electricity can be dangerous if you’re not extremely careful.
- No warranty: It may feel permanent at first but could turn into a temporary solution.
Professional Installation of Permanent Christmas Lights
If the DIY approach sounds like a total nightmare, you can always hire a professional lighting installer to do the work for you. Here’s what that would look like.
Step 1: Choose A Permanent Christmas Lights Company
The first step is to find a company specializing in installing permanent Christmas lights. Look for one with good reviews and experience. Be sure to choose a company that will come to your house to give you a free estimate and show you what they can do.
Step 2: Plan The Installation Of Your Permanent Christmas Lights
The pros will always work with you to figure out where the lights should go and what kind of lighting capabilities you will need. Professional installers take all the work off your plate so you can focus on other preparations for the Holidays.
Step 3: Installation Day
On installation day, your permanent Christmas lighting specialists will come to your house with everything they need to do the job. They’ll take care of it all, from attaching the LEDs to setting up the controller. They’ll also test all components to make sure it works exactly as it should.
Pros of Professional Installation
Hiring the pros comes with some major benefits:
- Expertise: Permanent Christmas lighting specialists know how to install the lights safely and properly, getting it right the first time.
- Time-Saving: Professional installers get the job done fast, usually in only a few hours.
- Warranty: Many permanent Christmas lighting companies offer a strong warranty. If something goes wrong, they'll usually fix it for free.
Cons of Professional Installation
There are some drawbacks to having a professional installation done:
- Cost: Professional installation is almost always way more expensive than the DIY route.
- Less Control: You may have less say in how the lights are installed, particularly if the company has a strict way of doing things.
- Scheduling: You will need to work around the company’s schedule, which may or may not always be convenient.
Which Permanent Christmas Lights Installation Option Is Right for You?
Is DIY the route for you or should you hire a bonafide professional? It all depends on your unique situation. If you’re a weekend warrior who loves home improvement, DIY might be your best choice. It can save you some serious cash if you have the time.
If you want a hassle-free experience in which you won’t need to lift a finger that will result in the best holiday lighting for your home, hire a pro.
With the information in this article, you should have a good idea of whether or not permanent Christmas lights are right for your home or not. But, there is more to learn before you buy!
Would you like to learn more about permanent Christmas lights so that you can make the right decision? If you answered yes, you will want to read this sister article Permanent Christmas Lights: What You Need To Know Before Buying.
With the information in this article, you will be able to decide if permanent Christmas lights are the correct solution for your home or not.
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