I finally got around to hanging Christmas lights this year. I bought gutter clips so I wouldn't have to permanently install anything, but I just realized that I don't have gutters along a pitched portion of my roof. The soffit there isn't perforated, so I can't hang them through it either. I did notice the metal flashing (maybe it's flashing? someone correct me if I didn't use the right term) is hung with nails underneath the eaves. Can I nail into that without worrying about moisture problems?
7 Answers
How about Magnetic Christmas Lights? I've never tried them, but if they use a descent magnet it would be a winner.
I've seen these before a Walmart or places like that. It looks like it would clip onto your shingles. They might be good for the short term of Christmas but I don't know how sun, wind and weather will affect their life.
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I actually ended up using something similar to the all-in-one clips you mentioned. They were a little bit different, since I was using B1 bulbs.– DoresoomDec 19, 2011 at 14:54
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I left last year's clips attached, and when I went to use them this year, they were all hard and brittle from the summer sun. They don't stand up that well, but they are cheap. Dec 20, 2011 at 15:54
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What if your roof doesn't have a gutter or shingles and has no metal to stick a magnet to?– MichaelDec 7, 2016 at 1:51
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Do not use plastic clips. they break after one season. I am still searching for a non rusting metal clip that would work on the non gutter edge of the roof. Somebody design or create something please.– RobinJul 7, 2020 at 17:43
I use small vinyl-coated cup hooks.
I screwed them my first xmas in this house 10 years ago and have never had a problem with them. Just hook the lights on every year. Easy up-easy down.
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1This does work well, but I added one step by stapling my lights to silver painted 1" X 2" strips and just hang the strips by several cup hooks. Dec 7, 2016 at 14:49
Would Velcro Christmas light hooks work?
I used them one year (not this exact brand though) to good effect.
I use the all-in-one clips from here - http://goo.gl/ldASe
After the first season of use they can become brittle and break, I usually have to replace a few of them every year but they are the best I've used.
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since the first link was already mentioned by lqlarry, the rest of the post probably makes more sense as a comment on his answer.– BMitch ♦Dec 18, 2011 at 13:02
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2Um that guy hadn't used anything he posted about he just put some links up to stuff he googled. Anyone can do that. It just happens that one of them was what I recommended. I actually have used these and offered valuable information. Dec 18, 2011 at 20:17
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2I'm upvoting the guy that actually uses them...btw...I've used something similar for 10 years, took a peek under the shingles this year in a couple of places and the sheathing showed no sign of water damage.– w4ikDec 18, 2011 at 21:27
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@BMitch without this answer, how would anybody know about "Vanessa's Big Heart Foundation"!? Dec 19, 2011 at 13:40
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1@Michael Don't own that domain any more. I updated the link. Thanks! Dec 7, 2016 at 14:04
I have the same issue. I simply drive very tiny finishing nails (the ones with slightly rounded heads) every few feet and then used white wire ties to attach the light wires to the nails.
Once painted, the nails are barely visible in the summer.
(We live in an Eichler with a foam roof and, thus, don't have shingles or any kind of a real lip along the roof edge to which anything might be attached.)
Reviewing the area that you would like to put your lights I would recommend clipping the lights to the shingles with the clips you are showing. By doing this you will save time and headaches, and you would not have screw holes or nail holes in your wood. I hope this helps.
I used the cup hook handle nail on my arched gable and bought the light hanger pro hook to string the lights. Went perfectly and with ease.
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Adding a photo, product link, or more detailed explanation of your solution would really help to strengthen your answer.– dslakeOct 3, 2016 at 19:31