Decorative lighting is used throughout the year by businesses and homeowners alike to
add a little flair to outdoor spaces. Of course, this is especially true during the holiday season.
This presents an opportunity for some contractors to supplement their income by installing holiday
lighting during what would normally be a slower time of year for their business. In this video
we’ll provide some tips for installing C9 string lights on a shingled, residential roofline.
Before we begin, it’s important to mention that every installer should have safety as
their number one concern. Be sure to consult local ordinances, state laws and OSHA regulations
to ensure that your employees work safely and that you are aware of what’s permitted
with regards to installing temporary lighting. After determining which sections of the roof
you plant to light, take photos of the structure from as many angles as needed to help you with
the design. You can use the photos to create a diagram showing the layout of the design along
with the measurements for each section. The photos will also be used by the installers to ensure
that the installation is done according to plan. Take note of architectural features of the roofline
including gables, dormers, ridgelines, valleys, and gutters. Be sure to indicate
the location of power sources as well as where you plan on making connections in your display.
For our demonstration, since it’s a relatively small job,
we will be using 100 ft. Pre-made C9 socketed stringers with 12” spacing. Ewing also offers
both C9 and C7 socketed wire in 1000 ft. spools with sockets spaced at either 12 or 15 inches.
Using bulk wire allows you to cut custom lengths for a cleaner look with fewer plug connections
while keeping overall material costs down. To estimate how much socket wire will be needed,
measure the length of each section of the roof line you plan to light using a measuring wheel
or tape. Another way to take measurements, without having to be on site, is to use
the Measure Distance feature of google maps or google earth. With the satellite view enabled,
zoom in on the property then right click on the starting point of your first run of wire.
Select Measure Distance from the list then click the end point of the run. Repeat the process for
each section and note the measurements on your diagram. To account for gable peaks,
instead of making a straight line, make a triangle that best illustrates the pitch of the roof.
Finally, measure the distance for any jumper wire you may need. Rather than using bulky
extension cords, lamp cord, also called zip wire, is used as a jumper to move power from
one section of lighting to another or from the power source to the starting point of the display.
Once the design process is complete, you can prepare for the installation. If using bulk wire,
start by cutting the lengths of C9 socketed wire to match the measurements for each section.
Be conservative with your length. You can trim any excess off
when you reach the end of a section. When using bulk rolls of wire, making jumpers,
or if you need to trim excess off a pre-made strand, you will need to add a male or female
Zip plug, commonly referred to as vampire plugs. Be aware that there are two types of lighting
wire and plugs: SPT1 and SPT2. SPT2 has a thicker insulation so if using this type of wire make
sure to use SPT2 plugs. They have longer prongs needed to pierce through the thicker insulation.
When connecting a plug, it’s important to maintain polarity.
You’ll notice that one of the wires on the zip cord is ribbed and the other is smooth. The ribbed
wire should always be connected to the wide bladed side, which is the neutral side of the plug.
To connect a plug, separate the two wires by a quarter of an inch then slide the two ends into
the slot at the enclosed end of the plug. You’ll notice that there’s a plastic divider at the
bottom the hole that keeps the wire ends separated to prevent arcing. Press both ends of the wire all
the way to the bottom of the slot making sure that the wires are separated by the divider.
Next, Fold the wires over the 2 prongs and press down firmly so that the prongs pierce the
insulation and make contact with the wire inside. Finally, slide the backing cover over the opening
beveled side first. This will secure the wire in place. Be aware that you should never have an
exposed male plug. A female plug should always be at the end of the directional flow of power.
The female plugs can also be used to create and inline connection for a drop to jumper wire, or
another string of lights or a wreath. Simply snap off the closed side of the plug and lay the wire
across the prongs. Again, make sure the ribbed wire is on the wide bladed side of the channel.
Slide the cover on to complete the connection.
Next, install the bulbs as well as the clips you plan to use.
Ewing has several options of high-quality, shatter-proof bulbs to choose from as well as
a variety of clips and tabs to fit your particular application needs. This includes tabs that slip
under shingles or all-in-one clips that can be used on shingles or gutters. Once you have the
bulbs and clips installed, test the string to make sure it’s all working before you hang the lights.
As you hang the lights, keep in mind that for a clean, professional look, you will want to place
a socket at each corner of the roofline as well as at the peak of each gable. It’s okay if you end up
with a little bit of slack in between lights as long as you keep your spacing consistent.
Also note that bulb orientation may change between vertical and horizontal depending on
what you are clipping to. This is okay and will not affect the look of the display at night.
To transition to another section of lighting where you do not want to have lights in between,
cut the socketed wire, install a female Zip plug, then use a length blank Zip wire with a male plug
on one end and a female on the other to make the transition to the next section of roofline.
You can also use Zip cord to move power to the yard to light trees,
shrubs, or other elements of the landscape. To make removing the lights and clips at the
end of the season easier, consider using a clip that can be secured to the socket when installing
the bulb. This will ensure that when you pull the light string down, the clips come with it.
While we covered some of the basics for holiday lighting design and installation in this video,
there are a lot more product options to choose from and more detailed information
on design and installation available from Ewing. To learn more, stop into
your local Ewing branch or visit our holiday lighting page online at ewingirrigation.com.