One of the best ways to spruce up your home for the holidays is to hang Christmas lights on your garage door. It’s a relatively simple project that can make a big impact, and it’s sure to bring some holiday cheer to your neighbourhood. However, it’s important to be aware of the dos and don’ts when it comes to hanging holiday lights — both for safety and to prevent damage to the exterior of your home.

In this blog we cover some quick tips, and try to help you find the tools you need to complete your job quickly and without any irreparable damage to your garage.

Clips For Vertical Holiday Lights

If you’d like your lights to hang vertically, there are clips designed for the job that you can use to attach lights vertically to surfaces, like the perimeter of your garage doors. These clips usually have nails that you can use to secure them in place, but they can also be attached with an adhesive. Attach clips approximately one foot apart. If you have a design above the garage, consider hanging lights from the top down. If not, start on one side of the garage and work your way around.

Never Attach Clips or Hooks Directly to Your Garage Door

The majority of garage doors are constructed of steel or fiberglass and have a layer of insulation in the centre. If you attach clamps or hooks directly to the door, not only will this damage the surface of the door, but you may create an opening which can be susceptible to rust or rot in the spring and summer. 

Don’t Use Metal Fasteners

If you want to attach lights directly to the trim, avoid using metal fasteners. They can cause insulation around the wiring to deteriorate, causing lights to fail and posing a fire and electrocution risk. Instead of attaching lights by nailing into the trim, use hooks or trim clips where they will hang, and attach a hook from the bottom to hold the string of lights in place. 

Recruit a Helper

Having a helper also means that there’s someone else around in case something goes wrong. If you’re planning on putting up your own lights this year, be sure to ask a friend or family member to give you a hand. Make sure the light cords are all connected securely and that all the lights, end to end, are working properly.

While it’s tempting to try and put up all the lights by yourself, it’s much safer to have someone else there to give you a hand. Stay safe during the holidays and enjoy the time with friends and family. If you need some advice or maintenance regarding your garage door, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help!