How to Install Christmas Lights on a Tree

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So you want to install Christmas Lights on your home or business’s trees.  There are a number of ways to decorate trees and we will discuss each method in detail today.

 

Among the most popular are what we call globe 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.  Using a step ladder or extension pole helps to get the strands up tall trees.  Both evergreens and deciduous trees are great for globe wraps.  Deciduous (leaf shedding) trees are perfect for 5mm and C6 lights and Evergreen trees are best suited to C6 lights.  Large Evergreen trees should be wrapped in C7 and C9 Christmas Lights.  Pro Tip:  For large trees use an 18’ extension pole and a thick car washing brush to make the job easier.

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Vertical wraps are popular with large evergreen trees and offer a completely different effect. Starting at the top of the tree, anchoring to a strong branch, all strands fall to the base of the tree.  Be sure to space the strands evenly.  These types of installations are best with large bulbs (C7/C9)  Pro Tip:  If you can’t get to the top, don’t worry.  Simply connect the strands at the top and at night no one can see that you’re not reaching the top of the tree!

 

Trunk and limb wraps can bring deciduous trees to life once the sun sets. This involves tightly wrapping the trunk of the tree and certain limbs with light strings to bring out the tree’s unique shape.  The best lights for this option are 5mm and C6.  Pro Tip:  Do not overlap strands too much or it will take an extremely long time to take down.  Rather, use multiplugs at the base of branch sets and feed off them.

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The sky’s the limit when it comes to color combinations and blending.  Some great combinations we recommend:

 

– Trunk wrap (Warm White) and Globe Wrap (Red)

– Trunk wrap (Warm White) and Globe Wrap (Warm White)

– Double Globe Wrap (Purple and Pure White)

– Double Globe Wrap (Red and Green)

 

Light Knights also offers custom made Christmas Light balls that are hung from high points in the tree.  When lit up at night they offer a very unique ‘hovering sphere’ effect! We highly suggest them!

Do you have any questions regarding installing Christmas lights?  Get in touch with us through our contact page.

Happy Lighting!

LED Christmas Lights – Sizes

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Christmas light installation season in Vancouver is around the corner and it can be confusing knowing which bulbs to use on what areas of your home.  Many sizes and shapes of holiday lights are available to consumers today. They vary from 5mm wide angle strings, C6, C7, C9, globe shaped, falling snow LED tubes, all the way to bulbs shaped like icicles and various other designs. We know it can be confusing trying to make your way through all these options, that’s why Light Knights have dedicated designers and seasoned installers to help make your holidays beautifully lit and hassle free!  Below, we will go into detail the different bulb sizes and their best uses.

 

5mm 5mm5multi A light that is perfect for wrapping branches and trucks.  They have a crisp sharp look to them.  Additionally, these lights are good for deciduous trees as the lights are able to shine through the bare trees.

M5 m5multi  The M5 lights are a diverse light that can be used for trunk and branch wraps, deciduous trees and small evergreens.  These lights also work great on wreaths and garlands.

 

C6 c6multi  The C6 lights are a bright light that is good for small evergreens and large deciduous trees.  Additionally, double wrapping these lights can provide a great effect to one’s homes roof lines.

 

C7 c7multi Generally used for homes roof lines the C7 lights provide a a bright larger bulb with 3 LEDs inside.  Applications include commercial buildings and large evergreens.

 

C9 c9multi  The C9 light is a great light for home and commercial building roof lines.  These lights are able to be installed in perfectly straight lines giving a crisp clean look.  From time to time these lights will be used for large trees of the 30’+ variety.

 

Globe Shapedg12multi G12 globe shaped lights are a great light for party’s and weddings.  Their round globe shape provides a perfect balance of light creating a nice ambience for any gathering.  These lights can also be used for trees and bushes.

 

Falling Snow 236513_t607 A great light for commercial applications in parking lots and over walkways.  These lights are also a great addition to a tree lit up with 5mm lights.

 

Intrigued by the various options?  Call us to book a consultation where we will go over your home or business and provide you with a recommended display.  Additionally, for more info check out our Blogs.

Types of Bulbs – LED Christmas Lights

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New technology is constantly having an impact on our Christmas Light installation business and it is great to be a part of an industry that is constantly adapting to what is best for the environment.

Clients often ask us “do you have those LEAD lights?”  We always get a chuckle from that and to ease the confusion the lights are L-E-D and that stands for Light Emitting Diode.  An LED light bulb is a solid-state lamp that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the source of light.  LEDs do not emit light in all directions, and their directional characteristics affect the design of lamps. The efficiency of conversion from electric power to light is generally higher than for incandescent lamps. Since the light output of many types of light-emitting diodes is small compared to incandescent and compact fluorescent lamps, in most applications multiple diodes are assembled.

LED light bulbs are more energy efficient than incandescent lights and this helps bring the annual operating costs of Christmas Lights down.  The initial cost for LEDs are more than for incandescent but this higher initial cost is recouped through the annual costs, less breakage, and longer warranty periods.

Incandescent Christmas Lights have been around for a long time and we understand for many people change is difficult however we are encouraging people to adapt to LEDs.  The biggest issues we have with incandescent bulbs are: breakage, flickering, bulbs burning out in one season, and energy use.  In our effort to improve the environmental impact our business has on the community we no longer supply or install incandescent lights.  Let us show you the amazing colours, brightness, and durability our LED Christmas Lights have.

If you are looking for a professional, environmentally friendly, and community driven company to install your Christmas Lights in Vancouver contact us today!

Want to learn know about our Christmas Lights?  Check out our Blog Section.

How To Install Christmas Lights

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We often have clients ask “How Do You Attach Those Darn Things?”  So here we go:

 

Holiday Christmas lights are installed by a variety of methods, most commonly with gutter clips and staples. We use professional grade clips to ensure a clean and proper fit that keeps lights straight and held in place through changing weather. Our clips are designed and installed with care to protect your home from unnecessary damage.

When installing lights on trees, our first priority is care and longevity of those trees. The nice thing about most of their branch structures is they are very welcoming to supporting light strands as is, whether installed horizontally or vertically. Between branch structure and light strand installation methods, we typically will not have to use secondary attachments. The exception would be when installing light balls that hang from strong limbs by their respective power cord and/or clear line.

 

Custom Sizing and Design

Light Knights know that every home and install 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.

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 lights on your hedge! Whether it be random or specific light patterns, the Light Knights team can deliver results.

Contact us today to ensure your lights are installed when you want this year and if you’re looking for more information head on over to our Blog Section.