Christmas Light Attachment?

[Coloshaver]

What is the best method/product to attach Christmas light strings to the drip edge of a asphalt shingled roof? There are no gutters, just the edge of the shingles. I use subtle white LED lights and would leave them up year around if the clips didn't fail and let the strings fall to the ground. The light strings are the C9 type with screw base LED bulbs.

I have used a couple different kinds of plastic clips that slide under the shingles and have a clip over the top. Both types I have used turn brittle in the sun and fail in less than a year - usually in a wind event. They don't just fall off, the clip itself breaks. The first set tended to break off at the roof edge. The more recent ones broke at the clip that attaches to the bulb socket.

What have you found works best?

Thanks,

 

[u2slow]

I staple them to the fascia board with insulated staples.

https://arrowfastener.com/fastener-category/staple/t59/

I used these before I went to staples:
https://www.grainger.ca/en/product/p/WWG6LVH3

 

[Shiftless]

I think Clark Griswold used those.

 

[Jeff]

duct tape for the win

 

[nadogail]

Screw Hooks.

 

[Shiftless]

Screw Hooks.

Good idea nadogail
A lot of my neighbors use cup hooks. Those work but most get rusty and streak the painted fascia board. I would go with these stainless steel ones.
Unless you want to go full GJ overkill with the second option.

I don’t put light strings on the house but just drape them loosely over an 8 foot high pine tree near the front door. I wired a receptacle in the eave with an inside switch.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I use subtle white LED lights and would leave them up year around if the clips didn't fail and let the strings fall to the ground.

NEC 590.3 Time Constraints
(B) 90 Days.Temporary electric power and lighting installations shall be permitted for a period not to exceed 90 days for holiday decorative lighting and similar purposes.

 

[PhantomEB]

I stapled our to the underside of the soffits and since they are white lights in a shaded area all year long, I just unplug from the upper outlet after New Years and plug back in day after Remembrance Day.

 

[AP514]

I used EYELET HOOKS and Pried them open.
100-PACK for $7....
Tap the Drip Edge with a #40 Drilbit. Add a dab of sealant on the screw threads. Your good to go for 10 years. I am just replaceing mine this year.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-212-Zinc-Plated-Threaded-Eye-Hook-100-Pack-803252/204273857

Use the old time Christmass lites from here. Cord and Bulbs at an AWESOME PRICE
https://www.christmas-light-source.com/C7-Cord-100-foot-SPT-1-White-Wire_p_1167.html

 

[theoldwizard1]

Stick with the plastic clips that you slide under the shingles. They are cheap. Buy lots of spares.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I use the little S-shape plastic clips and take them down with the lights at the end of the season. I've been using the same 50 or so clips for 3-4 years now, I've had only one clip break in that time, and I lost one in the lawn.

 

[hamnajain]

I have used duct tapes.

 

[MFortie]

I use the plastic clips. Bought a thousand a while back and I’m slowly working through them.

My fascia boards are cement board (Hardie) ‘cause we’re in a wildland fire area so staples are out.

 

[XJSuperman]

Heater cables you can place in the gutter or string along the shingles often come with metal versions of the shingle clips. They last all year and often more than that. Im sure they can be found separate from the cable kit.

 

[Coloshaver]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The house is a 100+ year old Victorian with fancy detailing on the fascia so I am really looking for a better quality shingle attachment rather than screw/staple/nail to the fascia.

Thanks again

 

[MileHighRover]

...The house is a 100+ year old Victorian with fancy detailing on the fascia so I am really looking for a better quality shingle attachment rather than screw/staple/nail to the fascia...

But you leave your Christmas lights up year round?