Taking Down Holiday Lighting

Taking Down Holiday Lighting

When you feel the time is right, Light Knights will be there to take down and store your holiday lights. Just the same as the installation process, great care is taken to protect your property, home, trees and plants while making sure it is kept looking top notch!

Our goal is to leave your property exactly the way we found it, if not better! This means checking and double checking that all tools have been picked up, all clips have been removed and picked up, staples have been removed where used and the client, if home, is happy before we say goodbye.

Of course you may want to leave some of your lights up year round to add ambiance to your home.  Many of our clients are choosing to do this not only to enhance their living environment, but also to maximize their investment.  This is a topic we have recently discussed entitled Other Uses For Christmas Lights.

Maintaining Your Outdoor Lighting

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Maintaining Your Outdoor Lighting

As mentioned in a previous blog, proper storage is at the top of the list when it comes to keeping your lights in working order. Minimal maintenance is required here. However, if the unthinkable should happen and a bulb or strand stops working, or gets knocked down by weather or visitors, give us a call and we’ll be happy to come right out and service your lighting. We want your home looking it’s best, just as you do.

Incandescent Lights vs. LEDs

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Incandescent Lights vs. LEDs

Find out if incandescent or LED lights are best for your holiday light display.

Incandescent holiday lights

Incandescent light bulbs have been the most commonly used holiday lights until recently. These lights produce a broad-spectrum white light, and are colored by coating the glass envelope with a translucent paint which acts as a color filter. While incandescent light sets are less expensive to purchase than similar LED sets, the operating cost is significantly more. The paint on the incandescent bulbs suffer from fading or flaking when exposed to weather.

These lights are quickly losing popularity in favor of LED lights for reasons listed below.  In favor of more cost effective lighting for our customers, we are no longer selling incandescent lights.  

 

LEDs

First of all, these holiday lights are gaining popularity largely due to their low energy usage. They use about one tenth the energy used by incandescent bulbs.  As well, they have a very long usage life (up to 40 seasons!) and require minimal maintenance, largely due to the fact that they do not contain fragile filaments.

Colored LEDs produce a more vibrant light and a lot better color than the incandescent lights.  And most appealing is the wide variety of colors to choose from!  

Light Knights uses superior lighting and can guarantee customer satisfaction.  Why not let us look after your holiday lighting needs?

Customized Outdoor Lighting Installation

Customized Outdoor Lighting Installation

Light Knights knows that every Christmas Light installation is different, and we’re prepared for that. We offer customized lengths of lights and extension cords to fit your home perfectly with no bulky leftovers.

How do we do this?  We bring in spools of light strand that hold 1000’.  Prior to arriving at your home the crew is given a detailed work order map with the approximate amount of lights required for the job.  Most of the strands will be put together (screwing each light bulb into a socket) before your job is scheduled to begin.  When a gutter line or peak has finished they simply cut the end and if needed put an attachment on the end so that an extension cord can be plugged in and another strand connected.

Each crew also carries spools of extension cords so that when needed the extension cords are a perfect match to the distance required.  No more messy bundles of extension cords left hanging or lying in the garden!

Our last piece of customization offered is the colour of our extension cords, C9 socket strands and our 5mm & C6 strands.

For extension cords we carry the colours White, Green, and Black.  

For C9 Christmas light strands we carry White, Green, and Black.  With these colours we can match most client gutters and fascia to hide unsightly cords during the day.

For 5mm and C6 strands we carry White, Green, and Brown.  Why brown?  People love wrapping lights around trunks and brown strands are a perfect complement to this.

Contact the Christmas Light Installation Experts

Do you have your own design ideas that you would like us to implement into your home’s installation? We love sitting down with our clients to work together and achieve that creative desired outcome. Picture your family’s name written with Christmas lights on your hedge! Whether it be random or specific light patterns, the Light Knights team can deliver results.

Indoor Christmas Lights Safety

Indoor Christmas Lights Safety

It’s that time of year again when people are putting up Christmas lights both indoors and outdoors. The lights may not look that powerful, but when you add them up, you may be putting undue stress on the electrical system in your home.  Fire departments and power companies are constantly warning homeowners about the dangers of overloading electrical outlets.  Here are some tips to keep in mind when putting up your Christmas lights this year:

  • Avoid overloading, use a power bar, with several outlets and a circuit breaker.
  • When using extension cords, make sure that the current rating (in amps or “A”) of the appliance that you are plugging in doesn’t exceed the extension cord’s rating. If the product’s current rating is higher than the extension cord’s, the cord could overheat.
  • Don’t bunch mini Christmas lights together – the excessive heat could melt the insulation and expose live wires. Metal tree ornaments could also pose a shock hazard if they make contact with frayed wiring.
  • Check all cords and plugs for fraying, cracks, or loose connections. When in doubt, replace old cords.
  • Never run cords under carpets or across doorways, where they can overheat or become worn.

Here at Light Knights Lighting, we are all about safety!  You can count on us to adhere to strict safety guidelines when installing your outdoor lights.

 

Go Green This Christmas

Go Green This Christmas

While Christmas enthusiasts still long for a white Christmas, there is another Yuletide shade that is gaining in popularity……..green!

Environmental consciousness is becoming a topic of keen interest to people around the globe. More people than ever before are acknowledging that this planet is the only place we have to live, and it’s in our best interest to care for it. This new shift in environmental awareness has affected what we eat, what products we buy, and overall, how we live. This new desire to go green has had an impact on the ways in which we choose to celebrate Christmas.

Want to know just some of the ways that Light Knights Lighting is working to help you enjoy a green Christmas?

LED lights

We use LED lights exclusively and while there are many benefits that LED technology provides to consumers, in green terms, the most important one is probably energy efficiency.  For more information on how you can benefit from using LED lights, check out our blog discussion dated August 26th, 2014.

Recycle

Did you know that the holiday lighting we use is 100% recyclable? It’s true, as we care about our environment just as much as you. The last thing we all want is more reusable materials in our landfills. So, if it’s time for new lights for your home, we will take away the old ones to be properly broken down and recycled. The copper gets salvaged and reused, plastic is melted and reused and the glass is as well. Everybody wins!

Eco-consciousness

Eco-consciousness is a good thing. The more that people are concerned about the health of our planet, the better off all of us will be. At Light Knights Lighting we’re doing everything we can to assure that our products and packaging are as eco-friendly as possible.

Attachment Accessories For Your Christmas Lights

Christmas Light Attachment Accessories

There are several different types of clips and attachment accessories for the installation of Christmas lights.  Following are some of the different types of surfaces involved in installation and the best solution for attaching your lights.

Wood & Asphalt Shingles – The “All In One Clip” is the most commonly used and also doubles as a gutter clip.  Biaxial shingle tabs also work and are designed to accommodate C7 and C9 bulbs.

Clay Shingles – Clay Tile Roof Clips.  These clips have ridges built into the clip that help to hold it in place without damaging the tiles.

Roof Ridge Rows – These clips are designed to work with all types of roof ridge rows and work for C7 and C9 sized bulbs.

Gutters – Gutter hooks are available that will attach lights to most gutter types.

Trees and Shrubbery –  Tree clips can be used for installing lights on small tree branches, bushes and shrubs.  For larger branches, you might want to try stainless steel staples.

Flat, smooth surfaces –  Some options available for smooth surfaces include C clips, mini light adhesive clips (for mini lights only) and magnetic clips.

Another option for installing lights on a number of different surfaces is the use of a hot glue gun.  This probably isn’t a good choice for smooth metal surfaces or plastic and painted surfaces.  Make sure to test a small area first.

Using the proper means of installing your lights is no small detail.  Using cheap clips can quickly lead to disaster and a great deal of frustration!  It’s best to find a reputable seller as opposed to heading to the big retail stores.

Light Knights uses quality materials only and can guarantee customer satisfaction.  Why not let us look after your Christmas lights installation this year?

The History of Christmas Lights

The History of Christmas Lights

The history of Christmas lights dates back centuries, first being introduced in the 18th century where candles were glued (by wax) or pinned to trees. This of course was a safety hazard and many fires ensued. In 1882, the first known Christmas tree decorated with bulbs was displayed by Edward H. Johnson at his home in New York. He decorated a tree with 80 red, white, and blue incandescent bulbs. Starting around 1900, businesses, who could afford it, began stringing light bulbs around their storefronts, though electricity didn’t become the lighting mainstream until around 1930. From then on holiday lighting increased in popularity and has grown into what we see today; safe, extravagant, multi-option designs.

Call Light Knights today to arrange your free consultation for holiday lighting and make history for your home!

9 Best Christmas Activities in Vancouver for 2015

Best Christmas Activities in Vancouver

Every year Vancouver celebrates the holiday season with Christmas light displays, parades, and shows. If you’re staying in Vancouver this Christmas season, here is a list of activities to check out in and around the city during the most wonderful time of the year.

The Peak of Christmas
Grouse Mountain (transformed into the North Pole) hosts a mix of sleigh rides, reindeer, and ice pond skating to create the ultimate Christmas experience. You can go to Santa’s workshop, see the choir perform, or even have breakfast with Santa! This event is perfect for families.

The Vancouver Christmas Market
You can’t have Christmas in Vancouver without the Vancouver Christmas Market. The market boasts traditional food and beverages, unique craft vendors, and an enchanting atmosphere. With over 50 vendors, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

The Nutcracker Ballet
A much-loved classic of the holidays, the Nutcracker is scheduled for the end of the year at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre this season. The performance is put on by Alberta Ballet with choreography by Edmund Stripe, and costumes by designer Zack Brown. You can enjoy this fantastical ballet with family or friends.

Holidays at the Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium presents a multitude of festive entertainment to keep you jolly this Christmas. You can see Scuba Claus swimming with his aquatic friends, watch the Eel-ectric Lights show, or enjoy a 4-D Experience screening of Polar Express. With amazing activities and Christmas décor, this is a spot you want to check out this holiday season.

Karaoke Christmas Lights Trolley Tour
It’s a trolley tour mixed with karaoke, mixed with Christmas lights. The tour goes through Stanley Park’s Bright Nights light display, and then makes its way to Van Dusen Botanical Garden’s Festival of Lights. Each trolley is equipped with a karaoke machine for your Christmas carol-singing urges. It’s a good way to see both Stanley Park and Van Dusen’s light displays while enjoying yourself in song.

Rogers Santa Claus Parade
This year marks the 12th Annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade. It is scheduled for December the 6th in downtown Vancouver. Spectators can watch a myriad of dancers, musicians, and floats traveling all around downtown. Spectators are also encouraged to bring monetary or non-perishable food donations for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank to help hungry families in the Lower Mainland. With over 300,000 people watching the parade each year, it is a great way to get into the holiday giving spirit.

A Traditional Christmas Concert
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs traditional holiday music at their concerts in Burnaby, the North Shore, Surrey, Delta, and downtown Vancouver. If you want to enjoy a night of Christmas music glee, this is the show for you. However, tickets sell out fast so make sure to be quick in making plans.

Carol Ship Dinner Cruises
For a unique Christmas dining experience, join in Harbour Cruises and Events’ annual Carol Ship Dinner Cruises. Guests can board a Carol Ship, decorated in Christmas lighting, and travel down the Burrard Inlet and False Creek. You can enjoy a festive dinner with onboard entertainment while taking in the Vancouver night view.

Canyon Lights
Celebrate the Christmas season with lights! Canyon Lights showcases holiday lighting all throughout Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. At Canyon Lights you can see the tallest living Christmas tree in the world, make your own gingerbread cookies, listen to live music and more! If you’re looking to see cool Christmas light displays and get into the holiday spirit, Canyon Lights is definitely the place to be.

 

 

It’s All About The Design!

Christmas Light Design

Our design team at Light Knights are experts in Christmas lights and décor for both residential and commercial settings, and they love new challenges and opportunities for creative expression. We offer the following decorating options:

– Rooftops, roof and gutter lines

– Windows, Doors, Archways, Railings, Walls, Pillars, Decks, Garages, Driveways

– Trees, Shrubs, bushes, plant material

– Wreaths, Bows and Garland

– Regular tree wraps, trunk and limb wraps

– Candy Cane effects

– Themes

– LED lighting

– Use of: mini and 5mm lights, C6, C7, C9, net lights, rope lights, LED strip lights, icicles,

 falling snow effects, twinkling lights and every color you could want!

 

Trees

There are a number of ways to decorate trees. Among the most popular are what we call regular wraps. This is done by starting at the bottom of the tree and wrapping around it in a horizontal manner, resting the strands on the appropriate branches, with the required amount of slack. Vertical wraps are also popular and offer a totally different effect. Trunk and limb wraps can really bring certain trees to life once the sun sets. This involves wrapping the trunk of the tree and certain limbs with various lights to really bring out the tree’s unique shape. The sky’s the limit when it comes to color combinations and blending. Light Knights also offer custom made light balls that are hung from high points in the tree, when lit up at night offer a very unique ‘hovering sphere’ effect! We highly suggest them!

 

Houses

Every house is different and has it’s own architectural features that can be emphasized. Our design team works with our clients to fulfill their visions as well as be there to offer seasoned suggestions. Do you have a beautiful archway entrance to your home? Do you have stylish pillars that could be dressed to look like giant candy canes? We guarantee your home’s holiday lighting curb appeal will impress any eyes that gaze upon it.

 

Commercial

Light Knights is proud to offer our commercial lighting services. We work with Churches, Schools, Colleges, Universities and businesses of all shapes and sizes to brighten up their holidays and special events.