Gutter guards block debris from entering your gutters, but they shouldn’t prevent you from transforming your home into a winter wonderland. First, design your layout and measure your gutters. Then, hang your Christmas lights using gutter guard hooks, shingle tabs, adhesive clips, and all-in-one light clips.
These methods enable you to hang lights on your gutters, regardless of the type of gutter guards you have installed. In this article, we’ll cover the steps on how to hang Christmas lights on your gutters with gutter guards to prepare your home for the most wonderful time of the year.
| Project difficulty: Intermediate Estimated time to complete: 1 to 2 hours Project cost: $70 for all necessary items for 100 Christmas lights; tools used are not included in the cost. |
What You’ll Need
- Christmas lights
- Weatherproof extension cord
- Ladder
- Tape measure
- Gutter guard hooks, shingle tabs, outdoor adhesive clips, or all-in-one Christmas light clips
Safety First:
- Work on this project on a clear, sunny day to avoid weather-related accidents.
- Wear work gloves, long pants, and slip-resistant closed-toe shoes. Don’t wear loose-fitting clothes.
- Always place your ladder on even ground.
- Reposition your ladder every 5 feet or whenever you can’t reach your gutters or roofline. This will prevent you from over-reaching and losing your balance.
- Ask a family member or friend to hand you the supplies and spot you while working on this project.
Step 1: Plan the Layout
To get a better picture of your desired layout, stand on the sidewalk and take a look at your home. Whether you want a minimalist or elaborate light display, follow these steps for your design:
- Identify the nearest electrical outlet to your gutters. Ensure the outlet has a weather-resistant protective cover. You’ll plug in your Christmas lights to the electrical outlet using an extension cord.
- Draw a rough outline of your desired layout on paper, so you can visualize the path where you’ll install your lights.
James Zogran, a professional lighting installer with 9 years of experience from Dominion Lightworks, explains how he identifies the measurements needed for an installation and adapts his design with gutter guards in mind:
“To install seasonal lighting along a shingle roof, we’ll use non-invasive attachments like shingle tabs or gutter clips, depending on the fascia lining (gutters, no gutters, gutters with gutter guards).”
Step 2: Choose Your Christmas Lights
After you’ve planned your layout, it’s time to buy your Christmas lights to make your design come to life. Here are the 3 common types you can choose from:
- C7 or C9 Light Bulbs: These candle-like light bulbs look like strawberries on your roofline.
- LED Christmas Lights: They have smaller bulbs, but are more energy efficient for more elaborate Christmas lighting designs.
- Icicle Lights: Their vertical strands of lights look like icicles that twinkle along your roofline.
Always check the maximum wattage for your Christmas lights, so you can adjust your layout and add more electrical outlets to your design.
Zogran emphasizes that proper installation needs to be done safely to ensure your home looks its best for the holidays:
“High-quality seasonal lighting isn’t just about sparkle – it’s about safety, durability, and a design that complements your home’s architecture. With the right layout and installation approach, your roofline can shine bright all season long.”
Step 3: Measure Your Gutters
Next, measure your gutters and roofline to determine the length of the Christmas lights you’ll need.
- Use a tape measure to determine the length of your gutters and eaves.
- Measure the distance from the corner of your gutters to the nearest electrical outlet.
- Add these measurements to get the total length of Christmas lights you’ll need.
- Add an extra 10% to the total length you measured to ensure you will have enough Christmas lights.
Step 4: Test the Christmas Lights
Before you hang your Christmas lights, you’ll need to check if they’re working properly. Wear work gloves while handling your lights. Plug the Christmas lights into an electrical outlet and inspect them.
- Check the light strings for defective or exposed wiring. Replace any defective light strands to prevent fire hazards.
- Additionally, inspect the light bulbs to see if any are blown, cracked, or missing.
- Check the wattage limit of your Christmas lights and adjust the number of electrical outlets in your design as needed.
- Ensure your extension cord is weatherproof.
Step 5: Clean Your Gutters and Gutter Guards
Remove leaves and debris from your gutters and gutter guards before you hang your lights on them to ensure you’re working with a clean canvas. Additionally, cleaning your gutters and gutter guards before the holiday season prevents clogs and prolongs the lifespan of your gutters.
Each type of gutter guard requires a different method of cleaning. While cleaning your gutters and gutter guards, inspect them to make sure they’re in good condition.
Step 6: Hang Your Christmas Lights
There are different methods you can use to hang Christmas lights on your gutters with gutter guards. Choose the method that suits your gutter guards and Christmas lights.
| Method | Compatible Gutter Guards | Compatible Christmas Lights |
| Gutter Guard Hooks | Micro-mesh, screen, and other perforated gutter guards | Any type of Christmas lights |
| Shingle Tabs | Any type of gutter guards | C7 or C9 light bulbs |
| Outdoor Adhesive Clips | Any type of gutter guards | Any type of Christmas lights |
| All-in-One Christmas Light Clips | Any type of gutter guards | Any type of Christmas lights |
Regardless of the method you use to hang your Christmas lights from your gutters with gutter guards, follow these guidelines:
- Hang your Christmas lights on a clear, sunny day.
- Start from the corner of your gutters that’s closest to the electrical outlet.
- The recommended spacing between your light clips, tabs, or hooks is 1 to 2 feet. You can achieve a clean look with 1-foot spacing, while a 2-foot gap will give a more relaxed appearance.
- As you’re hanging the lights along your roofline, adjust the position of your ladder. This will prevent you from over-reaching while on your ladder.
- Regardless of the spacing you choose, ensure your lights are taut once they’re hung.
Method 1: Gutter Guard Hooks
Gutter guard hooks are specifically designed to help you hang Christmas lights directly from your gutter guards. They are available in plastic or metal variations.
Best for: Micro-mesh, screen, and other perforated gutter guards
Placement of gutter guard hooks: Directly on your gutter guards
- Slide the bent end inside one of the holes on your gutter guards. Afterward, the hook should sit outside your gutter guards.
- Attach the remaining gutter guard hooks.
- Then, hang the Christmas light strands on the hooks. Ensure the light strings are taut for a clean look.
Method 2: Shingle Tabs
Shingle clips or tabs are another great option to hang C7 or C9 lights if you have gutter guards. However, they are not ideal for areas with heavy snowfall that may dislodge the shingle clips.
Best for: Hanging C7 or C9 light bulbs on gutters with any type of gutter guards
Placement of the shingle clips: On the first row of shingles, directly above your gutter guards
- Before going up to your roof, attach the light bulbs to the shingle tabs by threading the base of the bulb into the hole and screwing in the C7 or C9 bulb.
- Screw the remaining light bulbs into the shingle tabs.
- Position your ladder on the corner of your roof that’s closest to the electrical outlet.
- Gently slide a tab under the edge of the shingle. Be careful not to lift the shingles while you’re doing this.
- Continue placing your shingle tabs underneath the first row of your shingles.
If your roof is pitched low and the lights hit the gutter guards, you’ll need to use a different method.
Method 3: Outdoor Adhesive Clips
Adhesive clips are a great way to hang your Christmas lights if you can’t use shingle clips or if the holes on your gutter guards are too small for gutter guard hooks. They feature weatherproof adhesive and can be attached to the front or underside of your gutters.
Best for: Gutters with any type of gutter guards
Placement of adhesive clips: Front or underside of your gutters
- Decide if you want to install the adhesive clips on the front or underside of your gutters.
- Ensure your gutters are dry before installing the adhesive clips.
- Peel off the protective cover on top of the adhesive on the flat side of the clip.
- Stick the adhesive clip onto your gutters. Press the adhesive firmly for a few seconds to secure it in place.
- Hang the light strands on the hook of the clip.
- Repeat the process until you’ve hung your Christmas lights on your gutters.
Best for: Gutter guards with very small holes
Method 4: All-in-One Christmas Light Clips
All-in-one Christmas light clips enable you to turn your home merry and bright, regardless of the type of gutter guards you have. They can be placed underneath the first row of your shingles or along your gutter lip.
Best for: Gutters with any type of gutter guards
Placement of the all-in-one Christmas light clips: Underneath the first row of your shingles or on the gutter lip
- If you’re hanging C7 or C9 light bulbs, thread the socket of the light bulb into the hole of the light clip. Then, screw in the light bulb. Repeat this process for the remaining light bulbs. Remember, you’ll need to attach the light bulbs before going up to your roof.
- Decide if you’re going to attach the all-in-one light clips underneath the first row of your shingles or on your gutter lip.
- Position your ladder on the side of your gutters closest to your electrical outlet.
- To attach the light clips underneath your shingles, gently slide a light clip under the edge of the shingle. Do not lift the shingle to prevent damage.
- To attach the light clips to your gutter lip, slide the light clip vertically on the edge of the gutter lip. The hook for your Christmas lights should be facing upwards.
- Attach the remaining light clips.
- Then, hang your Christmas lights on the hooks.
Step 7: Plug Your Christmas Lights into the Extension Cord
Once you’re done hanging your Christmas lights on your gutters with gutter guards, plug them into your extension cord. Now, your home is ready for the holiday season.
| Meet the Expert: James Zogran owns and operates Dominion Lightworks with his brother, Sam. For the past 9 years, Zogran and the Dominion Lightworks team have specialized in holiday lighting installation. They are committed to continuously improving their skills and adapting to industry changes by attending yearly training sessions and conferences. Zogran and his team proudly serve homeowners and businesses in Richmond and the Central Virginia area. Their dedication to offering excellent Christmas lights design and installation includes providing top-quality customer service. |
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Main Image: Multicolored Christmas lights clipped onto a copper gutter that has a black mesh gutter guard. Photo Credit: Susan Vineyard / Adobe Stock
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