Traditional VS Permanent Christmas Lights: Pros And Cons

With the holidays approaching, many are thinking about their lights. Some folks are ready to use their old holiday lights. Others are thinking of buying permanent Christmas lights.

You are probably trying to figure out which of these two options is right for your home. On one hand, the tradition of hanging Christmas lights comes with a lot of happy memories. But, it can also evoke images of dangling from ladders at unnerving heights on slippery roofs. 

Broken bones are not happy memories.

With the holidays right around the corner, you are going to have to make a decision. If you don't, you might end up using the wrong lights. Or, you could end up hanging them in stressful situations rather than jolly celebrations.

But, which option is right for you? Permanent Christmas lights or traditional holiday string lights? In this article, we will review both options and help you to make the best decision for your home. Topics in this article will include:

• Traditional Holiday String Lights: Pros And Cons
• Permanent Christmas Lights: Pros And Cons
• Permanent Christmas Lights Or Traditional String Lights: Which Is Right For You?

Traditional Christmas Lights: Pros And Cons

Traditional holiday string lights are loved and hated for different reasons. Countless heartwarming memories have been made by families while hanging regular Christmas lights. But, the occasional memories of reaching across the perilous edge of a roofline after hours of shivering in the cold, also tend to hold strong.

Safety is a key reason many people are switching to permanent Christmas lights. But, others take risks for the warm, fuzzy feelings from these holiday memory makers.

The big question is, are traditional Christmas lights right for you? Or, should you switch to permanent Christmas lights?

In the section below we will review the pros and cons of old-fashioned Christmas lights. With the information here, you will be able to decide if they are right for your home this holiday season or not.

Pros Of Traditional Christmas String Lights

Here are some pros of traditional Christmas string lights:

1. Affordability: Traditional Christmas string lights are cheap. So, they suit most budgets.
2. Ease of Use: They are simple to install and can be hung up with minimal effort, requiring just a power outlet.
3. Flexibility: They come in various lengths, colors, and bulb sizes. You can customize your holiday decorations.
4. Versatility: Can be used for indoor and outdoor decorating, on trees, windows, roofs, and more.
5. Availability: Widely available at most retail stores during the holiday season.
6. Classic Look: Provides a nostalgic, classic holiday aesthetic that many people love.
7. Dimmable Options: Some string lights have dimmer switches. They let you control the brightness to suit your mood or setting.
8. Reusable: With proper care, they can be used year after year.
9. A Variety of Styles: Available in themes, from twinkling lights to multi-colored. They enhance the festive atmosphere.
10. Battery-Operated Options: Some traditional string lights are battery-operated, offering more flexibility in placement.
11. Compact Storage: They are easy to store in small spaces. This makes them great for seasonal use.

Cons Of Traditional Christmas String Lights

Here are some cons of traditional Christmas string lights:

1. Installation and Removal Hassles: It takes time and effort to install and remove seasonal string lights each year. This often involves:
2. Climbing Ladders: Climbing up and down ladders to hang lights can be tiring and unsafe.
3. Untangling Wires: Lights stored from previous years often get tangled. This makes setup frustrating and time-consuming.
4. Securing Lights: Properly securing lights to avoid them drooping or falling can be tricky. Clips used to attach lights to gutters or eaves frequently break, requiring replacements.
5. Maintenance Issues: Seasonal lights are prone to a variety of maintenance issues, including:
6. Burned-Out Bulbs: Incandescent bulbs burn out quickly. They need regular checks and replacements.
7. Damaged Strands: Weather can damage light strands, causing failures.
8. Dangling Strands: If lights aren't secured, they can dangle. This looks bad and ruins the festive vibe.
   
   

Permanent Christmas Lights: Pros And Cons

Permanent Christmas lights have many benefits. They have better quality, a wider color range, and superior controls. But they also have some drawbacks as well. Permanent Christmas lights appeal to some people, but not to others.

When it comes to your home's holiday lighting needs, are permanent Christmas lights or traditional Christmas lights better for you? To answer that question, you will want to review the information in the section below.

Once you have reviewed this information, you can compare both options. You should then easily be able to decide which lights to use for your house this holiday season.

Pros Of Permanent Christmas Lights:

Here are some pros of permanent Christmas lights:

1. One-Time Installation: Permanent holiday lights are installed once and remain in place year-round. This saves time and reduces the risks of hanging lights. It eliminates the need for annual setup and take down.
2. Durability and Reliability: Lux Lights' permanent lighting systems can withstand all weather. They last much longer than traditional string lights. These systems use high-quality LED lights. They are more durable and reliable. This reduces the need for frequent replacements.
3. Energy Efficiency: LED lights used in permanent systems are highly energy-efficient. They use up to 90% less electricity than incandescent bulbs. This can save you a lot on your electricity bill. For example, Lux Lights' system uses very little power. It costs less than $1 per month for electricity for nightly use.
4. Cost Savings Over Time: Permanent holiday lights cost more to install upfront. But, they save money over time. You save on energy, maintenance, and annual installation fees. So, they are a better choice in the long run. 
5. Customization and Smart Control: Permanent lighting systems offer extensive customization options. You can change colors, create patterns, and control your lights remotely using a smartphone app. This flexibility lets you use the lights for various occasions, not just the holidays.
6. Convenience: Once installed, they can be used year-round for various occasions. There's no need for seasonal installation and removal.
7. Safety: Permanently installed lights reduce accident risks. No more climbing ladders or handling fragile bulbs each year.
8. Increased Home Value: Professionally installed lights can boost curb appeal. They may increase your home's value.
9. Remote Control: Many systems include a remote or smartphone app. They make it easy to change settings or turn lights on/off.
10. Eco-Friendly: They create less waste than traditional lights. You don't need to replace them as often.
11. Low Maintenance: Designed for long-term use, requiring minimal maintenance once installed.
12. No Tangling Issues: Permanently installed lights end the hassle of untangling them every year.

Cons Of Permanent Christmas Lights:

Here are some cons of permanent Christmas lights:

1. High Initial Cost: Permanent lights with a professional installation cost much more than string lights.
2. Complex Installation: DIY installation can be tough and slow. It needs knowledge of electrical systems and tools.
3. Limited Design Changes: After installation, changing the design can be costly and hard.
4. Aesthetic Limitations: Some prefer the traditional look of string lights. They want to change or rearrange them easily.
5. Permanent Appearance: If not managed well, the lights might look out of place during non-holiday seasons.
6. Power Consumption: Energy-efficient lights save energy. But, leaving them on year-round may raise your electric bill.
7. Professional Installation Costs: Opting for professional installation, can add to the overall expense.
8. Maintenance Costs: Low maintenance is good. But, repairs may cost more than replacing traditional lights.

Permanent Christmas Lights Or Traditional String Lights: Which Is Right For You?

With the knowledge you’ve gained from the article above, you can now choose between permanent and traditional Christmas lights. If you prefer traditional Christmas lights, it is easy to find a vendor that sells them. These include businesses such as local big box stores or online retailers, such as Walmart or Amazon.

If you've decided that permanent Xmas lights are best for you, you have a little more work to do. But, it will be worth it! One of the biggest decisions you have to make now is, which is the right permanent Christmas lights company for you.

If you would like some help in this process, please read this sister article: The Top 5 Best Permanent Christmas Lights Companies in Utah. This article will help you to choose the best permanent Christmas lights company for all your home’s holiday lighting requirements.