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Step by Step Instructions
How to Hang Large Outdoor Christmas Lights:
C7 and C9 Light Line

When hanging outdoor Christmas lights, it is helpful to know which supplies you will need and the method you should use to hang outdoor Christmas lights before you begin. The supplies and methods differ based on the roof type. If you plan to hang Christmas lights on flat roofs or commercial buildings, see "Hanging Christmas Lights on Commercial Buildings" below. If you plan to hang outdoor Christmas lights on gutters, under shingles, or under tiles, see "Hanging Outdoor Christmas Lights on Houses" below. Information and pictures detailing how to hang Christmas lights are provided by The Christmas Light Decorators. The Christmas Light Decorators are located in Mesa, Arizona and have been hanging professional Christmas light displays since 1989.

Before Hanging Christmas Lights

Whether you are hanging Christmas lights on commercial buildings or on homes, you first should determine how many lights you will need, identify the power sources required for the Christmas light line, calculate how many watts can be run on each circuit, and test your Christmas Light Line prior to hanging.

Determine how many Christmas lights you will need: Using a long measuring tape (ideally 30-feet or longer), measure the perimeter of your house or building along the ground. Also measure its height and the perimeter of any windows you intend to light. C7 and C9 Light Strings are available in 25, 50, and 100 foot light strings, as well as 1000 foot reels that can be cut to specific lengths. Determine your total light needs and assess which length or lengths would work best for you.

Locate electrical outlets for the Christmas lights and determine how many lights can be run on a single circuit: To determine how many lights you can run on each circuit, click here. Plan to run heavy-duty extension cords from a working 120-volt electrical outlet (same as 110 outlet) that is protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). The outlet's circuit must be rated to handle the combined amperes of all light strings connected to it.

Test your Christmas lights before hanging: Before you plug in your Christmas lights, visually inspect your Christmas light strings, looking for broken or missing bulbs and worn or defective wires. If you discover faulty wires, replace the strings entirely. If bulbs are broken or missing, replace the bulbs. To extract a broken bulb, wear gloves and use long-nose pliers (pull mini-lights straight out; unscrew C-7 or C-9 bulbs counterclockwise). Plug the light string in and check for burned-out bulbs. Unplug the string before replacing faulty bulbs, then re-test to be sure all lights work. If the string doesn't work at all, check it for a blown fuse, per the manufacturer's directions. If the fuse has blown, replace it; if it blows again, replace the entire string.

Hanging Outdoor Christmas Lights on Commercial Buildings

Supplies Hanging outdoor Christmas light line on a flat building or roof requires the following supplies: Heavy duty construction adhesive, caulk gun. stiff bristled brush, C-Clips, and a measuring stick.
Clean the Surface Prior to attaching Christmas C-Clips to the roof, it is necessary to use a stiff bristled brush and clean the surface.
Measuring Stick and Caulk Outdoor Christmas light bulb sockets are spaced 12, 15 or 18 inches apart. For information on spacing, click here. After you decide which Christmas light string spacing you are going to use, create a measuring stick. Mark the stick in increments 1 1/2 inches shorter than the light line spacing. For example, if you are hanging 18 inch spaced Christmas light line, mark the stick in 16 1/2 inch increments. If you mark your stick at exactly 18 inches, you may be "off" by a fraction when you glue the C-Clip in place and the Christmas light line will not fit. The 1 1/2 inch difference is important because once you have glued your clips in place you do not want to have to redo them. Place the measuring stick on the roof. At each mark, place a quarter-size dab of heavy duty construction adhesive (caulk) on the edge of the roof.
Christmas Light Line C-Clips Place the C-Clips on the caulk and press down until the caulk goes through the holes in the C-Clip. Note that using caulk and C-Clips is relatively permanent. C-Clips are left in place year after year. If you are decorating for Christmas, C7 or C9 Light Line is usually removed each year while the C-Clips remain in place. The C7 and C9 C-Clips usually are hung perpendicular (horizontal) to the roof of the building.
C7 or C9 Light Strings Each C-Clip fits both a C7 or C9 socket base. One end has a larger opening than the other. The larger end is for C9 light line while the smaller end is for C7 light line. Be sure as you place the C-Clips on the caulk, that each clip is facing the same direction.
Inserting C7 or C9 Light Line Once the C-Clips are attached to the roof, the light line is inserted. You can screw the C7 or C9 lamps into the C7 or C9 light line before snapping it into place. If you want to change the color of the lamp, simply remove the lamp and screw in the new one. When you are ready to remove the light line, you can snap the light line out of the C-Clips, leaving the C-Clips in place for next year.

Hanging Large Outdoor Christmas Lights on a House

Christmas All-In-One Light Clips Decorating a house with large outdoor Christmas lights, C7 or C9 lamps, can be done easily with Christmas All-In-One Clips, pictured to the right. However, it is important to insert the Christmas light bulb correctly, as shown in the picture, making sure the green clip on the base of the light socket is hooked into the clear All-In-One clip. Both C7 and C9 bulbs fit into an All-In-One Clip.
Hanging Christmas Lights Christmas All-In-One Clips can be placed on a gutter, as pictured, and are very easy to hang. Place all bulbs into the Christmas All-In-One Clips before hanging any of the lights. This will make the job of hanging Christmas lights easier.
Reusing Christmas All-In-One Clips All-In-One Clips can be reused year after year. Remove the clip and light as a unit and carefully wrap lights for the next year.
Creating an Even, Consistent Light Display Christmas All-In-One Clips fit snuggly onto gutters and should not slip or move. These clips should be used on every Christmas light bulb to create an even, constant look for your Christmas display. All-In-One Clips can also be hung under gutters and on facia edging.
Shingle Tabs Another option for hanging C7 or C9 Christmas Lights are shingle tabs, pictured at the right. Each shingle tab fits both C7 and C9 lights. The larger hole is for C9 lights while the smaller hole is for C7 lights.
Inserting C7 or C9 Lamps Inserting C7 or C9 lamps is done by placing the bulb on one side of the tab and the socket on the other. Then screw the bulb into the socket. The plastic shingle tab will not overheat. Each bulb will need to have its own shingle tab so the lights will hang straight and even.
Hanging Christmas Lights Place all bulbs into the shingle tabs prior to hanging any of them. Christmas shingle tabs are then inserted under shingles, as pictured.
Fixing Loose Shingle Tabs Christmas shingle tabs should fit snuggly under shingles and should not slip or move. If the shingle tab fits loosely under the shingles, fold the end tabs down and then slide the shingle tab under the shingle. This should hold it firmly in place.
Creating a Consistent Look and Reusing Lights Shingle tabs should be used on every Christmas light bulb since this will create an even, constant look for your Christmas display. Shingle tabs can also be hung under gutters. Shingle tabs can be reused year after year. Remove the tab and light as a unit and carefully wrap lights for next year.