How to attach Christmas lights to the roof?

I'm getting a bit of pressure from the kids to put up some Christmas lights this year. It's becoming a bigger thing in the neighbourhood. We have a terracotta tiled roof though so I'm not that keen to be up there for too long - I want something quick and easy. Keen to hear from those with experience about how best to attach some lights. Am also thinking a projector is a safe an easy addition.

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Comments

Ben

I feel your pressure @AHoy.

Last year I ran the coloured rope lights across the front gutter of the house.

This year I'm going to use multiple lasers on the face of the house, and save the rope lights to layout along the lines of the roof. I found these to be really helpful to manage the rope lights and should ensure minimum time up on the rooftop. I use one every half a metre or so to keep the rope light lined up straight at all times.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/perma-products-large-cable-organiser-2-pack_p3950025

MartyH

Google "gutter hooks" and you should be sorted. No need to get up on the roof itself - just follow the lines of the guttering. Then projectors or laser lights on the house itself.

darylhewston

@AHoyWhat I do is make up some light gauge wire hooks long enough to tuck under your tiles and then wrap the wire around the light cable. Works a treat and no damage.

Jason

Are you putting up lights again this year @AHoy?

Stay safe everyone if you are getting up a ladder and/or climbing onto the roof!

Jason

Dazller96

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/2414#Comment_2414

How did you attach the to your roof. Did they just stick or did you slide it under the roof tile

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/67945#Comment_67945

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Dazller96. It's great to have you join us and many thanks for your question.

Could you take a picture of where you want to hang the lights? That will give us a better idea of what options might suit.

We have a range of clips and hooks that make hanging your festive lights a breeze. I trust you'll also find this guide helpful: How To Hang Festive Lights.

Products like the above Perma Products Large Cable Organiser 2 Pack and Cobra Small Wire Saddle have a self-adhesive backing so they simply stick on.

Please let me know if you need further assistance or have questions.

Mitchell

Richiet

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/96839#Comment_96839

Hi guys.

Looking for some help on attaching lights along the roof line pointing. Is this possible? Any products you guys recommend?

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/120480#Comment_120480

Hi @Richiet,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Due to the temporary nature of Christmas lights, anything you use to attach the Christmas lights should be able to be removed without causing damage to the pointing. This rules out any kind of mechanical fastener.

This creates an issue because this would mean using an adhesive product. Unfortunately, anything I recommend would likely be a case of trial and error as there are very few adhesive products that can withstand the conditions faced on a roof while still being removable without causing damage.

I'd suggest giving these Permastik Small Outdoor Cable Clips a try. If they don't prove effective, these Scotch Extreme Fasteners Black 2.5cm x 7.6cm Strips could also be an option.

Allow me to tag @Noyade, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag to see if they have any other ideas to offer.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129055#Comment_129055

"Allow me to tag @Noyade"

Apologies @JacobZ - I avoid the roof as much as possible. I am well and truly into this category...

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134485#Comment_134485

Afternoon @Richiet

I dont like mounting things on the roof, I know I am lazy and recovering them after Christmas will always lag so they will end up looking ratty..... 🙂

However Some ideas you could use.

Craftright 300mm 2 Piece Quick Action Clamp You need to be able to go over the ridge of the roof and clamp either side. And not clamp to tight as you wouldnt want to crack the tiles. There are other clamps that you will be able to match to your roof tho. You could then string your lights through the clamps or use them as fastening points.

I agree with @Noyade about not wanting to get on the roof tho. So how about something along these lines.

Construct a large T shapped piece of timber. The long piece is flat, the shortT arm is on its edge. You screw the edge piece to the long piece on the ground so you have a smooth surface and the other surface has a"step" in it.

This is placed flat side up on the roof, the short piece sits in the gutter to stop it wanting to tilt or slip out. I would recomend some small clamps to help it stay in place on the gutter in case of wind.

With this sorted, you could put some screws/hooks, into the top side of the long piece and then hook your light string through it as you push it up on the roof proper. Never having to step on the roof 🙂 You get your lights plus you dont chance falling off the roof!

Notes -

Make sure you have rubber feet for clamps on the gutter

May be an idea to have a pice of rubber underneath the long piece tip so it wont scratch or bang so much.

Have a way to get them down if something gets caught.

Dave

Nailbag

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/120480#Comment_120480

Hi @Richiet

I think the main issue is getting anything to stick securely to the tiles and stay there. I've used that Extreme velcro that @JacobZ has suggested and have been very impressed, though not in your application. If you were to use it, I would consider the roll being the more economical way. The adhesive on those Permastik in my experience is less than great. I've used them to hold cables on office desks and they just pop off. But the clips are great.

I'm a huge fan of suitable silicone style products to fasten objects as they can be very strong in harsh conditions and I can also remove them when needed. So what about removing the adhesive backing on the clips with a sharp blade and then scratch the surface up on some sandpaper and wipe clean. Then clean each spot the tiles with say Isopropyl Alcohol and then fix each clip using roof and gutter sealant. Give them a day to cure and then you should be right to go.

Regards, Nailbag

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