It might be confusing when it comes to hanging Christmas lights on your home’s stucco exterior. You need to carefully secure the lights without damaging the finish on your house, yet most adhesives are useless due to stucco’s rough, uneven texture.
The stucco on your house could be a challenging surface to adorn with Christmas lights. You may, however, efficiently turn them by following a few simple techniques. We’ve gathered three ideas for installing Christmas lights on stucco to make holiday decorating a breeze.
Some choices include using double-sided tape, applying glue to each light socket, or using plastic roof clip nails. You can learn more about hanging lights on your home’s stucco exterior in our guide.
With the methods here, by the end of the guide, you’ll have the easiest way to decorate your home by hanging lights on stucco that will safely secure themselves until you want to remove them. (Read Christmas Light Bulb Size Chart)
How do you hang Christmas lights on stucco without drilling?
Here you can find two of the best ways of hanging Christmas Lights or icicle lights on painted stucco. Your home’s exterior will never look drab again.
1. Hot Glue Method
What You Need
- Extension cord
- Glue gun
- Glue sticks
- Ladder
- Measuring tape
Allow a companion to help you measure along the path where the lights will be installed to ensure you purchase the correct length or number of string lights.
The advantage of this procedure is that it eliminates the need to drill holes in stucco, which can cause the material to chip and crack, resulting in larger holes.
Use a lower-temperature, cooler-melting gun if you want to glue the lights on synthetic stucco EIFS. High-temperature glue could melt this sort of stucco, a fragile surface reinforced by foam insulation.
Do not attempt to glue lights to painted surfaces, as paint can blister and peel.
Directions
- Fill the hot glue gun with a glue stick. Then, plug the hot glue gun into an extension cord and the nearest outlet, depending on where you want to hang string lights.
- Place the ladder where you want your string lights to terminate and climb it with your lights and a glue gun.
- Hold the string light’s end against the wall. (Place the glue gun’s nozzle close to the light cable, but avoid touching it.)
- Pull the trigger, and a small bead of glue will be directed onto the cord and the wall.
- Hold the string lights against the wall for 20 to 30 seconds as the glue goes hard.
- Repeat on the next securing location, about 18 inches away from the first, and carry on until you reach the end.
2. Permanent Clips Method
What You Need
- Construction adhesive
- Caulk gun
- Light clips
- Ladder
- Measuring tape
Purchase light clips made explicitly for the lights with a flat surface for attachment.
Make a measuring stick to make clip spacing easy while putting light clips on a level roofline.
To avoid breaking the clip, carefully remove the bulbs from the mounting clips. On flat surfaces, mounting strips can be used instead of individual clips.
Because construction adhesive is permanent once applied, avoid glues that offer extra-strong adhesive properties as it could pull part of your wall after the glue dries and there is sharp force. (Learn How Long Do Christmas Trees Last)
Directions
- To calculate the proper spacing for the light clips, measure the distance between each light bulb on your string lights.
- Place the ladder where your lights will be turned off.
- Fill the caulk gun with construction adhesive.
- Ascend to the roofline or the location where the lights will be installed. Then, apply a quarter-sized dab of adhesive to the stucco surface directly.
- Firmly press the mounting clip by its flat edge into the glue.
- Repeat this process for each light clip, spacing the clips to fit the light strand’s bulb spacing.
- Each mounting clip should be filled with light bulbs.
How Do You Hang Christmas Lights On Stucco?
Here is one of the simplest ways to hang lights, yet it won’t be suitable for year-round use.
Double-Sided Tape Method
- Clean the area of your home where the lights will be installed. Use tri sodium phosphate (TSP) or rubbing alcohol for the greatest results.
- Wipe down the surface of your stucco wall with a small bit of the cleaner and a dry microfiber cloth.
- Tape your Christmas lights using double-sided tape. Remove the tape’s back and stick it to the rear of your first light. To get the best adherence, press hard against your light.
- Unlike plastic roof clip nails, double-sided tape stays up effectively in windy environments.
- Remove the cover from the tape’s remaining side and press the Christmas light against the stucco wall.
- Continue taping and pushing your Christmas lights to the wall with double-sided tape.
How Do You Hang Things On Stucco?
You may not want (or even need) to use clips for interior décor, especially since they will remain on the walls. Screws and anchors may be ideal, especially if you plan to install another decoration in the exact location after the holidays.
- Mark the location of your screws on the wall using a pencil.
- Drill into the stucco with a masonry bit that is longer than the anchor’s length.
- Fill the hole with silicone caulk before inserting the anchor. Then, gently pound it into place until it’s flush with the wall.
- Fix the anchor using corrosion-resistant screws (s).
- Place your decoration on the wall.
- Keep in mind that it can take more effort with larger and heavier objects. If your property has synthetic stucco, seek advice from an expert on how to place anchors.
Using Glue
If another installation has damaged your Styrofoam backing, you’ll need to create some tiny holes with a hammer and drill before hanging lights.
After that, apply glue to your first empty bulb socket. This will help it stay in place and prevent messes on your stucco!
Step 1: Drill holes in the plaster.
Gently tap your stucco if it has a Styrofoam backing. Using a hammer and drill, make numerous little holes in the plaster before hanging your lights. (Learn How To Hang Christmas Lights Around Windows)
Step 2: Examine Plaster for Styrofoam.
You should avoid using hot glue if your stucco is painted. If you’re not sure whether your plaster has Styrofoam backing, lightly tap it to see if it does.
Step 3: Install String Lights
Make sure the light bulbs are out before hanging your lights. Once the holidays are over, hanging Christmas tree lights too high makes it difficult for you and future homeowners to see.
For the most outstanding results, use an outdoor-rated stringing wire. The insulation on these wires protects the lights from moisture and keeps them dry, prevents light bulbs from overheating and catching fire.
Step 4: Apply Bead Glue
Attach a tiny bead to your first empty bulb socket’s side (or top) with hot glue. This will help keep it in place to hang it quickly and maintain the best adhesion.
Continue to fasten the light socket to your home’s framework.
This will help you stay organized while also allowing you to follow the rules of the letter. For example, the more solidly you can attach a light bulb, the less likely it will break loose or fall out.
To remove the bulb socket, weaken the glue with a heat gun.
How Do You Hang Something On Stucco Without Drilling?
Another method is to use plastic roof clip nails to secure your lights.
Plastic roof clip nails are very helpful as plastic roof clips offer some of the strongest adhesion.
Hang clips from the rooftop and slide them along the roofline, pressing them against each other until you reach the desired length.
Place a pin in the center of where you want to begin and work your way out on either side. You’ll have more control over the spacing because of this.
Hang lights using screw hooks.
Lights can be hung by screwing hooks into the stucco. This will make the fixture more permanent, but it will take time to complete it adequately.
Attach lights using zip ties.
Dip ties may be a good option if you’re using outdoor-rated stringing wire and your stucco isn’t too uneven. If you’re hanging Christmas lights on stucco, make sure they’re at least six feet above the ground. This will prevent the weight of your light string from developing a crack in the stucco surface.
