As it turns out, holiday cheer is magnetic—literally
Learning how to hang Christmas lights on a metal roof is the key to spreading holiday cheer. You can use clips or hooks to attach the lights to metal roof sheets, making them easy to secure for the holiday season and take down once it’s over. This guide will show you how to hang Christmas lights on a metal roof in six simple steps.
Save the eggnog for after your installation. Since you’re dealing with heights, it’s safety first. Some careful prep work will bring your Christmas decor ideas to life—and keep you safe, to boot. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an estimated 160 Americans suffer an injury each day while decorating during the holiday season—half of those from falls.
To make sure you buy the right amount of lights, you’ll need to measure your home’s exterior. Grab a pen and a piece of paper, then measure the areas where you want to hang your lights. Write down the measurements. You can add the numbers together in areas that will share a single outlet to get a total length. If you’re not using an extension cord, make sure you factor in the distance to the outlet.
Christmas lights are sold in packages or rolls of 25-feet, 50-feet, or 100-feet in length, so keep size in mind when you buy.
There are a lot of Christmas lights out there—from standard strands to icicle lights to larger, vintage-style bulbs. White lights give a classic, clean look that works with any style home, while colored lights add some whimsy. No matter what style you choose, the best outdoor Christmas lights tend to be LED. These energy-efficient lights will last longer than traditional incandescent lights, and you’ll be able to connect more strands.
You may also want to consider choosing magnetic lights. That way, you won’t need to use hooks or clips to install the strands. The magnetic backing on the bulbs will stick right to your metal roof, and you can just pull them down when it’s time to uninstall.
To hang lights on your metal roof, you’ll need some sort of hook or clip. There are a number of solutions specifically made for Christmas lights—from plastic clips that hang on your gutter to self-adhesive hooks for outdoor use. Typically, the simplest way to go is magnetic, but not all metal roofing is magnetic. Check before you buy.
Also, make sure to choose a magnetic hook or clip that works with your Christmas lights. You can purchase magnetic C9 or C7 clips that work with C9 or C7 light strands. If you’re not sure about what type of Christmas lights you have, a magnetic hook is a good all-in-one solution. It tends to support heavier loads.
It’s important to safely power outdoor holiday lights, so choose a reliable outdoor outlet as a power source. Plug in your lights to test them out. You want to make sure everything works properly before you start climbing a ladder.
Sometimes homeowners use a light-hanging pole to hang lights in easy-to-reach places, but you’ll probably need to use a ladder if you’re hanging lights in areas other than the edge of your roof. In this case, it’s best to enlist a buddy who can help hold the ladder as you climb.
Attempting tasks that require ladders in snowy conditions poses a significant safety risk due to slippery surfaces and reduced visibility. It's safer and wiser to hire a snow removal professional who is equipped to handle these challeneges safely and effectively.
Now that you’re prepped and ready to go, follow these steps for hanging lights on your metal roof.
To start hanging your lights, set up an extension ladder on solid, even ground. Make sure the area isn’t muddy, icy, or covered in snow. Your ladder should rest at an angle of 1 foot per 4 feet of height. Be sure you understand how to hang Christmas lights on your roof safely before getting started.
Having a buddy hold the bottom of your ladder is ladder safety 101. As they grab the base, climb while maintaining three points of contact. That could mean you have two feet and a hand on the ladder or two hands and a foot on the ladder.
Using a backpack or toolbelt to hold your tools and supplies will make sure your hands are free to climb.
Once you can reach the area where you want to hang your lights, it’s time to install your hooks or clips. Simply put them in place. They’ll either stick easily with a magnetic back, or self-adhesive or clamp-on a surface.
The distance apart depends on personal preference. You want to make sure you use enough clips so your lights are secure and won’t budge during inclement weather. During this process, you may need to climb down and move your ladder. You can do one area at a time or install all your clips or hooks at once.
Once your metal roof Christmas light clips are in place, you can install the lights. With some clips, you’ll have to unscrew the bulb. Others allow the bulb to slide right in. If you’re using a hook, wrap the strand around the hook so it’s secure. Mind the slack between clips. A draped look works for the edge of a roof, but a taut line is most secure in other areas.
Alternatively, some homeowners prefer to put clips on their lights before they attach the clips to the roof—but that only works with specific types of clips. In that case, you’d skip this step because your lights are already “installed” on the clips.
Once you’ve hung all your lights, it’s time to run your extension cord to the outlet. Attach it to the last strand of lights, and carefully run it down the side of the house. From here, you can climb down your ladder and run the rest of the cable neatly to the outlet.
Installing a timer will ensure that your lights turn on at twilight and turn off when you don’t need to use them (i.e. when it’s light out or the whole neighborhood is asleep). Install your timer and set it to the correct time, then plug in your extension cord and enjoy the holiday cheer.
Most homeowners can do this job DIY as long as they’re comfortable climbing a ladder. Nonetheless, there’s no shame in hiring a pro to hang your Christmas lights—especially if you’re planning an extensive display.
As a rule, no one should attempt to climb an ultra-steep roof, and metal roofing is often slippery. If your roof slants more than 30 degrees, bring in a local Christmas light installation service. They’ll have the equipment to do the job safely.
If you hire a pro, the cost to hang Christmas lights is typically somewhere between $1.25 and $3 per square foot, excluding the cost of the lights. Homeowners spend an average of $420 per job, but some jobs can cost more than $1,000 if they’re extensive.
The simplest way to put Christmas lights on any metal surface is by using a magnetic hook or clip. You can also purchase magnetic lights, which should easily stick to any magnetic surface. Keep in mind that not all metals are magnetic. In that case, you’ll need to use a different clip.
Generally, magnets do stick to a metal roof, though certain metals may not be magnetic. In that case, you can use self-adhesive hooks designed for outdoor use or plastic clips that hook onto your gutter or the edge of your roof. But if your metal roof is made of steel, aluminum, or copper, you're in luck—those are all magnetic metals.
