How to Hang Rope Lights on a House

If you’re looking for a way to make your house shine, rope lights are one of the best ways to go. They are long strands of LED lights wrapped up in a waterproof PVC case. They are very easy to cut to fit any stretch of your home. You can also join different strands together to create the most colorful display you have ever imagined. Rope lights are often used for holiday decorations, but you can use them year-round for a safe and durable way to add some flair to your home.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing Where to Hang Lights

1
Select a clear path along your home to hang the lights. Locate the nearest electrical outlets so you have a way to power the lights. Then, look for solid, visible surfaces around the edges of your home. Bare walls and window frames are a few good spots for lights. You can also clip them to the roof’s eaves or gutters.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Rope lights are easiest to install in open areas. For instance, mounting clips are easiest to place on flat walls without lots of twists and turns. They can also be used to line railings, walkways, and other surfaces.
2
Use a tape measure to determine the length of lighting you need. Measure along the length of your home. If you’re planning on hanging lights in a few different spots, calculate the length of each strand separately. Rope lights are very easy to cut and reconnect, so you can arrange several strands together without much trouble. However, remember to also measure the distance from where the lights will be to the nearest outlet in order to factor in the length of the power cord.^{[2]XResearch source}
- For example, you might use rope lights as a holiday decoration along the edges of your roof and then also hang some extra strips vertically underneath them. You can easily connect all of these strips together.
- Power cords are often about 6 ft (1.8 m) long. You may have to rearrange the light placement a little so you can easily plug them into the outlet. You could also get an extension cord, but make sure you’re able to keep it out of the way.
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3
Divide the strand length by 12 to determine how many mounts you need. Plan on spacing the mounts out no further than 12 in (30 cm). If you’re hanging multiple strands or working along different surfaces, such as around corners, calculate the mounts you need for each length separately. Take the total length of each strand or space you’re covering, then divide it by 12. Add each result together to get the total number of hanging mounts required to keep those lights safe and secure on your home.^{[3]XResearch source}
- For example, if you have a wall 48 in (120 cm) long and plan on placing mounts every 12 in (30 cm): 48 / 12 = 4 hangers.
- Add up the number of mounts for each surface or strand you’re hanging. For example, if you need 12, 10, and 8 mounts for different walls: 12 + 10 + 8 = 30 total mounts.
- If you’re working around corners, have a few extra clips on hand just in case you need them. Rope lights often benefit from having a little extra support there. Try keeping at least 1 or 2 clips for every bend in the route.
4
Mark about every 12 in (30 cm) with chalk for the hangers. This will give you an idea of where the mounts for the lights will be installed. Space them out as evenly as possible. Keep in mind where the corners are. To work around corners, mounts have to be positioned close to, but not right up next to them. Make sure the mounts stay about4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) from the corners so the rope lights don’t bend at too sharp an angle.
- Make sure they are spaced out correctly. You may need to go back and revise your calculations to spread them more evenly, especially across curves and other tricky surfaces.
- Before purchasing mounts or installing any on your home, take some time to mark the mounting locations. Careful planning means less additional work you have to do later and less risk of unnecessary damage to your home.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Installing Mounting Clips

1
Select mounting clips to direct lights along tight or curved spaces. Plastic mounting clips are the easiest type of mount to find, and they offer the most flexibility. They can be used to hang lights along straight paths, but they are even better for corners and other areas where the light strands may not lay completely flat against the wall. There are adhesive and screw-on varieties available.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Rope light clips look like C-shaped rings attached to a base with holes for 2 screws. The most common ones have open rings that you simply push the light strands into, but others can be screwed closed.
- The downside of mounting clips is that they all have to be spaced out and installed separately. If they aren’t positioned in the right spots, your rope lights could sag or pull the other hooks down.
2
Choose light tracks to hold the lights straight against a wall. Tracks, or channels, are open clips that the rope strands fit into. They are the best choice for setting rope lights up into the most precise pattern possible. If you look at lights held up with tracks, they look perfectly straight, like a professional painstakingly hung them. The tracks are also difficult to see from a distance.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Rope light tracks are thin tubes, kind of like the rubber weather strips some doors have. They are open on one end so you can thread light strands through them.
- Tracks don’t work very well around corners, in tight spaces, or other tough spots. They can’t be bent, so you have to hang them carefully to direct light strands around corners.
- Track lights come in both adhesive and screw-on varieties, although screw-on ones are more common.
3
Stick adhesive mounts directly to your home if you’re using them. You won’t have to do anything to your home to prepare it. Peel the adhesive backing off of each mount, then press it in place. Once all the mounts are installed, thread the rope lights onto them to complete the installation.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Since you don’t have to damage your home with screws, adhesive hangers are very handy. You can hang rope lights without ever having to pick up a drill.
- Adhesive hangers aren’t permanently attached to anything, so some of them may fall off over time. However, you can just get new ones to stick in place.
4
Drill ¹⁄₈ in (0.32 cm) pilot holes if you’re using screw-on mounts. Fit a power drill with a masonry drill bit. Use it to create ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm)-deep holes through the mounting spots you marked with chalk earlier. A good masonry bit will be able to break through any type of siding without damaging your drill. However, make sure you drill straight into the siding, just deep enough to secure the mounts without breaking through the underlying surface.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Pilot holes should always be slightly smaller than the screws you’re using for the mounts. The screws can vary in size depending on what mounting set you bought, so double-check that you have the right size of drill bit.
5
Use ⁷⁄₆₄ in (0.28 cm) stainless steel screws to secure the mounts. Hold the mounts up to the pilot holes. Make sure the mounts are all positioned in the same direction so the rope light strand can pass through them. Fit a screw through each mount and into the pilot hole. Then, secure them to the wall with a cordless screwdriver.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Screws are typically included with the mounts. If you have to get replacements, choose ones that are the same size as the screw holes on the base of each mount. Also, make sure they are stainless steel or another rust-resistant material.
- Clip mounts usually have a single screw hole on the base. The opposite end is an open clip designed to hold a light strand in place. Some of them are loops that screw closed.
- If you’re using track mounts, make sure they are spaced far enough apart that they don’t overlap. The screw holes will be in the center of each mount. Check that the tracks line up end to end before securing them in place.
6
Use extra mounts to bend lights around walls and other corners. Rope lights can’t be bent at a 90-degree angle. They have to be guided gently in an arc no more than 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) wide. This can be hard to do without extra mounts, so install clips about 2 in (5.1 cm) from corners as needed. When you hang the rope lights, they should curve lightly around the bend without sagging.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If you’re using tracks, make sure they come close to but stop short at the corners. Leave a 1 in (2.5 cm) between the tracks.
- If you’re uncertain about placing extra mounts, hang the lights first, then note any spots where they require extra support.
- If you’re arranging lights in a gentle curve instead of around corners, place the mounts appropriately. They won’t have to be right up next to one another to hold the strands in the shape you desire, so save extra mounts for spots that require additional support.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Placing Lights on Your Home

1
Hang the lights by threading them through the mounts. You may be tempted to cut the rope lights right away, but wait until you finish hanging them. Rope lights come in reels, so unravel only what you need. Place the free end of the rope light strand on the mount closest to the electrical outlet. Then, pull more of the strand off the reel to reach the next mounts in the line.^{[10]XResearch source}
- If you plan carefully, you can start mounting the strand on either side of your home. However, starting near the outlet is usually easier. You can connect the power cord to the end of the rope light strand there.
2
Use scissors to cut the strand according to the marks on its tubing. Look closely at the rope lights for dotted lines. These spots are the only places where you can cut the lights. Find the closest dotted line and trim through it. Cut along the lines to remove excess lighting and hang separate strands across your home.^{[11]XResearch source}
- If you don’t have scissors, you can also cut strands using a utility knife or shears.
- The cutting lines are spaced out across the strand between the bulbs. If you cut elsewhere, the strand won’t work.
3
Place a plastic cap on the cut end of the strand. When you purchase new rope lights, you will most likely get a couple of caps with them. To apply the cap, just push it onto the end of the strand. It covers the exposed end to keep it dry and protected.^{[12]XResearch source}
- For each light strand you cut, fit a plastic cap on the end. If you need more of them, order some online or from a lighting retailer.
- Rope light caps and connectors come in a variety of sizes. If you buy extras, make sure they match the diameter of your light strands.
4
Attach the power cord to the strand near the power outlet. Rope lights come with a power connector. It’s a plastic cap that fits on one end of the strand. If you started mounting the strand close to the outlet, you can use the end of the strand for an easy way to attach the connector. Push the connector onto the light until it’s firmly connected to the tubing, then run the electrical cord to the nearest outlet. Wait until you’re done setting up the lights to plug it in.^{[13]XResearch source}
- The power connector can be attached to either end of a strand. If you cut the lights, it will fit over one of the cut ends. Keep it close to the outlet.
- You only have to use one power cord for rope lights. Any additional strands can be wired to the one with the power cord, so they don’t have to be plugged in separately.
- Power cords can be a little short, so get an extension cord if you’re unable to reach the nearest outlet. Plug the connector into it, then tuck the cord into a safe spot, such as behind some bushes.
5
Use strand connectors to secure any additional strands to the original one. Choose connectors according to the number of strands you plan on joining together. There are a variety of connectors available that make installing multiple rope strands way easier than you might expect. Push the metal barbs on the connector into each cut strand to secure them together. After you have all the strands connected, you can plug the original strand into the wall outlet to light up your home.^{[14]XResearch source}
- The main type of connector is a plug that splices 2 different strands together. You can also get T or Y-shaped connectors to join 3 different strands and X-shaped connectors for 4 strands.
- Use a splice connector to join strands across portions of your home you don’t want lit up. It’s a good way to cover gaps between strands, for instance, or work around corners.
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Tips

To help protect cut rope light sections from water damage, apply a silicone sealant or cover them with a shrink wrap tube.^{[15]XResearch source}
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LED rope lights don’t use much power and can last as long as 100,000 hours. They are a great choice if you’re planning on using them often.^{[16]XResearch source}
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Rope strands are easy to maintain. Cut out any portions that have burned out, then join new lengths to the existing strands with connectors.
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Warnings

Rope lights can be a fire risk, so watch for breaks and other signs of damage. Replace the lights if they look worn out, burned, or cracked.^{[17]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer Products Safety CommissionIndependent U.S. government agency responsible for protecting consumers by developing safety standards and conducting product researchGo to source}
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Cut light strands with caution. If you cut them in the wrong spot, they will stop working. Make sure you look for the cutting spots marked on each strand.
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