"Tony and Sue do a great job. They tape and cover all area that are not to be painted. The quality of their work is outstanding. They do a great job of keeping the job site clean during the process and clean up very well when they are done. They went the extra mile for me, replacing weather stripping on several of my doors. I highly recommend them."
No, you should not leave LED Christmas lights up all year. While the LED lights themselves are very durable, their wiring and casings can be as vulnerable as any Christmas lights. They’re subject to drying out, experiencing cold or sun damage that causes them to crack, and even damage caused by gnawing pests. (The same is true of incandescents.) If you want your lights to last the years that they’re rated for, bring them inside after Christmas is over.
In the Christmas days of yore, people braved winter weather to staple or tack their Christmas lights onto their rooftops or nearby surfaces like the fascia boards. Problems quickly emerged with that approach. Damage to the roof, even small marks from staples, provides entryways for moisture and similar issues that can hasten roof rot, wear, and associated leaks. Plus, some homes had tough fiber cement boards or other materials where staples and screws didn’t work.
Yes, you can synchronize Christmas lights with music to create a DIY light show. To do this, you will need several components. For hardware, you'll need standard holiday lights, decorations, lawn ornaments, tools, outdoor-rated extension cords, a computer, and a light show control system or digital controller. You will also need specialized software to program the show; popular options include Light-O-Rama (LOR), Vixen, xLights, and Animated Lights. Some, like Vixen and Animated Lights, are considered more beginner-friendly. The process involves using the software to program your lights, choosing an audio method such as speakers or an FM broadcast, and testing the entire system to make sure it's working correctly before the show.
Christmas trees need about 100 lights per foot, so you would need 700 lights for a 7-foot tree.
Ensure you have a safe environment for them to work on, and there aren’t items such as logs, build-up of yard materials, missing or damaged shingles, and weak areas on the roof. Communicate any known electrical issues with contractors at the beginning of the project, and consider hiring an electrician to fix those. Finally, if you are attempting the project yourself, do so when there isn’t any rain, and you can safely get your footing on the roof using proper equipment, such as an extension ladder. Don’t attempt this alone, and have a helper nearby to assist.
The Mott, ND homeowners’ guide to holiday decorating services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Black Christmas trees are a new holiday tradition, but decorating them can be challenging. Here are 10 tips on how to deck out your black Christmas tree.
Decorating your home for the holidays adds joy to the season but can be time-consuming. Magnetic lights are easy to install and help limit damage to your home. Learn how magnetic lights can simplify your Christmas decorating this year and beyond.
Ready for a very merry holiday season? Learn how to make a Christmas light show sync to music for a choreographed display that lights up the whole block.
