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Make your fascia festive for the holiday season
If you want to illuminate your home for the holidays, but you’re not feeling too jolly about climbing up on the roof, why not learn how to hang Christmas lights on fascia? Fascia boards—the outward-facing horizontal boards that run below your roofline—are a great place to hang lights when you can’t (or don’t want to) hang them from the gutters. Lights are also easy to install with special clips made just for the job; no tool boxes required. Here’s how to light up your fascia for the holidays.
Attempting tasks that require ladders in snowy conditions poses a significant safety risk due to slippery surfaces and reduced visibility. It's safer and wiser to hire a snow removal professional who is equipped to handle these challeneges safely and effectively.
When you’re hanging holiday lights, don’t forget to plug them in beforehand to make sure they work. The last thing you want is a couple of bothersome dead bulbs, or worse, a dead string altogether. While you’re at it, double-check that all your light strings and extension cords are rated for outdoor use.
Along with that, you’ll also want a hands-free way of holding the clips while you’re on the ladder. This could be a fanny pack, tool belt, or just a pocket.
You should always avoid hanging Christmas lights with nails or staples, as these cause permanent damage that could lead to leaks and other problems down the line. Luckily, you can hang Christmas lights on fascia with special fascia light clips (you can find these online or at your local hardware store). You’ll need around one clip for every 12 to 18 inches of string lights.
Once you’ve picked up your light clips and ensured your lights are in working order, set up your ladder near one end of the fascia boards. Be sure to place your ladder on flat, sturdy ground, and never climb it if you’re feeling unwell or if there’s wind and rain in the immediate forecast. It’s wise to bring a buddy along to spot you, while you work on the ladder.
When hanging Christmas lights, it’s always wise to start with the plug end of the light string within reach of the nearest outlet. For safety reasons, don’t leave the lights plugged in while you’re hanging them, but do make sure the plug can comfortably reach the outlet.
Next, climb your ladder and install your first clip by pushing it onto the fascia board. Make sure the hook is facing outward. You can either place all your hooks at once, then move on to hanging the lights—or you can install a hook, then a light, then a hook, then a light, and so forth.
If you’ve opted to hang the hooks and lights at the same time, you can now start hanging your lights and adding more hooks as you go. You should need one hook for every 12 to 18 inches of lights, but feel free to experiment and find what looks best to you.
For a multi-dimensional display, consider adding lights to your soffits in addition to your fascia. As with hanging Christmas lights on fascia, there are special outdoor Christmas light holders designed to slip into your soffits without damaging them.
Hanging Christmas lights on fascia, or anywhere else around your home’s exterior, can be a tricky feat. You’re also limited to your own devices, which might not always align with your festive vision. If you’re having trouble achieving your desired effect, or if you’re pressed for time, consider investing in a professional holiday light hanger. Hiring a professional Christmas light installer costs $430 on average.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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