You know what’s actually scary?
It’s not ghosts, HOA letters, or even accidentally picking the wrong warm white.
It’s the neighbor who watched two YouTube videos and decided he’s a lighting expert. Now he’s up on a 20-foot ladder with discount wire from Amazon and a staple gun.
At Lux Lights, we’ve seen it all: the droopy strands, the exposed power cords, the drilled-through gutters, and yes… the occasional fire hazard. So before you plug in another string of mystery LEDs and call it a “system,” let’s talk about how not to install permanent lights.
We’re not here to shame the DIY spirit; we’re here to save your roof (and your resale value).
Mistake #1: The “Just Use What I’ve Got” Method
Some things shouldn’t be improvised. Like electrical systems.
Don’t be the homeowners who try to power professional-grade lights with extension cords, indoor power strips, or even attic outlets meant for Christmas trees. This is how circuits overload, breakers trip, or worse, wires heat up and melt inside your walls.
What to do instead:
Permanent lighting systems require dedicated outlets installed to code, with proper load calculations based on the wattage and length of the run. Make sure you find a company that works directly with certified electricians to make sure you never have to guess.
Mistake #2: Improper Wire Management
Here's the truth: zip ties aren’t a wiring strategy. Leaving cords exposed across your roofline, bundling wires under shingles, or using staples that pierce through insulation? That’s how you ruin a perfectly good lighting system and your home.
What to do instead:
Use waterproof connectors, low-voltage-rated cabling, and run wiring through protected channels or hidden soffits. And if you're not sure what that even means, that’s your sign to call a pro.
Mistake #3: Buying a Franken-System Online
We get it. There’s a certain thrill in trying to piece together a DIY kit. But let’s be real, when your power supply is from eBay, your LEDs are from an overseas factory, and your controller is in a foreign language you don’t understand? Things go sideways fast.
What to do instead:
Choose a system that’s UL-listed, locally supported, and designed to work together, from controller to LEDs to app. At Lux Lights, we custom-build your system to match your home’s specs and ensure everything speaks the same language.
Mistake #4: Bad Mounting = Bad Look
Crooked lights, uneven spacing, sagging corners… If it looks like your 7-year-old hung it, you’re doing it wrong. A permanent lighting system should blend into your home when it's off and enhance it when it's on, not make your house look like a carnival booth.
What to do instead:
Use custom-colored tracks that match your trim, professional-grade clips that hold tight in every season, and careful measurements for symmetry.
Mistake #5: Ignoring the Weather
Permanent lights live outside. That means they face heat, ice, wind, snow, and UV rays year-round. We’ve seen systems fall apart in six months because they weren’t rated for extreme temperatures or weren’t installed to handle shifting gutters and roofing materials.
What to do instead:
Use weather-rated components and install with seasonal expansion in mind. We live and work in Utah; our systems are built for this climate, not just some sunny warehouse in Arizona.
The Truth: Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should
Permanent lights are an investment, and a dangerous one when done wrong. If your install plan involves a friend with a ladder and some extra zip cord, hit pause. You're not just risking ugly results; you're putting your home (and your safety) on the line.
Let’s Do It Right the First Time
At Lux Lights, we don’t mess around with guesswork.
We handle every detail: power load, clean installs, hidden wiring, custom trim-matching channels, and full smart app integration. No blown fuses. No sketchy adapters. No embarrassing mistakes.
Because when it comes to permanent lights, “good enough” just isn’t.
You don’t have to take our word for it. If you're comparing professional installers, we’ve done the homework for you.
Check out our guide to The Top 5 Best Permanent Christmas Lights Companies In Utah — where we break down the pros, the features, and what to look for when hiring a lighting pro.
Make the smart choice (even if it’s not us).
Topics:
