You may be starting to think about the holidays and planning what decorations you will be putting up this year. Hanging lights are on your to-do list, but you might not know how to attach Christmas lights to stucco. Good news! You have options to choose from to go about attaching Christmas lights to stucco, and most do not involve drilling! These methods are not just for Christmas lights, they can be used to hang any string lights or décor on patios, outdoor ceilings, walls, and balconies.
Best Ways to Hang Christmas Lights on Stucco
First things first, do you have gutters or no gutters?
If your stucco home has gutters, the easiest and fastest method of attaching lights is to use gutter clips.
Hanging lights with gutter clips
- Pros – Using gutter clips are an easy, fast, inexpensive solution that causes no damage to stucco and can be reused each year.
- Cons – You are limited to where you can put your lights since they only attach to the gutters.
- How to apply – Attach gutter clips every 12-18” on your gutter. The heavier the lights, the more clips you will need. Attach the light strand into the clips.
- How to remove – Remove the light strands from the clips and remove clips from gutters.
If your home does not have gutters, don’t worry, there are options you can choose from to get your lights hung up on your stucco!
Hanging lights with roof clips, combo clips, or universal clips
- Pros – If your home doesn’t have gutters and you don’t want to use any adhesive or do any drilling, roof clips or universal clips are a great option. They are easy to install under shingles, clipping to the roof edge, or fascia. It creates a straight, clean line along your roof edge.
- Cons – There is risk of the shingles getting damaged when sliding the clips under, especially on older homes.
- How to prep surface – Before you begin, check for any damaged or brittle shingles.
- How to apply – Slide a roof clip under the shingle or roof edge and put the light strand into the clips. Put a roof clip every 1-2 feet to hold up your strand of Christmas lights or décor. Use more clips for heavier lights or décor.
- How to remove – Gently take the light strand out from the clip and slide the roof clips away from the roof edge or from under the shingle. Be sure to slide out and not up to avoid lifting any shingles.
Hanging lights with suction cups on windows
- Pros – Suction cups will cause no damage, are very easy to install, and can be reused year after year. After placing, suction cups are easy to rearrange if not placed in the right area.
- Cons – Although suction cups are easy and damage-free, they have some limitations. There are weight limits to how much the suctions can hold without falling, limiting you on the type of lights or décor you use. They may unexpectedly come off due to weight, weather conditions, or come off for no reason at all. There is also a surface limitation since suction cups can only work on specific surfaces like glass windows.
- How to prep surface – Clean the window and allow it to completely dry before applying the suction cups.
- How to apply – Once the area is clean and dry, get the suction cup slightly wet, like a drop of water. Press the suction cup to the glass and firmly press down to remove any air bubbles. Once the suction is in place, attach the light strand to the hook.
- How to remove – Pry off the suction cup by lifting up on the edge of the suction to break the seal. If the suction leaves a mark, clean the glass. To store and reuse, clean the suction cups in warm water and dry completely before storing.
Hanging lights using double-sided tape
- Pros – Double-sided tape is a fast, inexpensive, and non-invasive option to hang lights on stucco. There are no tools needed to apply except maybe some scissors to cut the pieces. This tape is easily accessible as it’s found in many stores.
- Cons – Using double-sided tape is not as reliable as other options and is a better temporary solution for hanging lights because the adhesive will most likely weaken from weather conditions. If your stucco is rough, it may not hold up at all. Double sided tape will not hold heavy light strands, so you are limited to what lights you can hang.
- How to prep surface – Stucco should be clean and dried completely before applying double-sided tape to that area.
- How to apply – Cut small strips of the double-sided tape. Once the stucco is clean and dry, stick one side of the tape to the light strand and firmly press the light strand onto the stucco for 30-60 seconds for adhesion to stick. Place the tape every 12-18” unless you have heavier lights, for corners or edges, or notice the cord sagging.
- How to remove – Remove the lights from your stucco by gently peeling off the lights and tape. If any tape residue is left on your stucco, you can use a hair dryer or rubbing alcohol to soften it and then use your thumb or plastic scraper to roll off the rest of the residue.
Hanging lights with adhesive clips or hooks
- Pros – Using adhesive clips or hooks to hang lights on your stucco is an inexpensive, temporary method. They are easy to apply and remove and are easily accessible as they can be found at many stores. There is no drilling involved, making it a great option for seasonal use.
- Cons – Adhesive clips are not as secure as other options and may not hold up in extreme weather conditions with heat, cold or humidity. Adhesive clips work best on smooth stucco, so if you have rough stucco, another method would be a better choice for holding up your lights.
- How to prep surface – It is recommended to clean the area of stucco that the clips will be placed. The adhesive will stick and perform best when the surface is free from dust and dirt. The area should be completely dry before attaching the adhesive to the stucco to get the most effective hold.
- How to apply – Be sure to purchase adhesive clips or hooks that are for outdoor use, ones that can hold up in whatever climate you live in. Once the stucco is clean and dry from prepping, peel the back off the clip and firmly stick to the stucco for a few seconds. Place hooks every 1 to 2 feet, keeping the distance shorter for heavier lights. Leave the hooks for at least 1 hour before attaching the lights.
- How to remove – When you are ready to remove the hooks, pull the strip of adhesive down as directed on the packaging. Do not attempt to pull the hook right from the stucco. If any residue is left over, use some rubbing alcohol to clean it.
Hanging lights using hot glue
- Pros – Using hot glue to hang lights on stucco is quick, temporary, and works on rougher stucco. Lights can be hung almost anywhere, making this a flexible option. Hot glue holds the lights well and the removal process is overall easy.
- Cons – In very cold or wet conditions, the hold can weaken, making this method best for cool, dry conditions. There is more effort needed with using a glue gun and glue, and residue can be left behind if not removed properly.
- How to prep – If stucco has dirt or dust, brush or clean it off so hot glue holds effectively. If using any water to clean, make sure the surface is completely dry before using hot glue.
- How to apply – Apply a small amount of hot glue directly onto the stucco and press the light strand cord into the glue for a few seconds while the glue dries.
- How to remove – Slowly pull the light strand away from the glue. To lift the glue off, use a plastic tool like a scraper or credit card to remove it. Using a plastic tool instead of metal will reduce the chances of scratching or chipping your stucco. If glue needs to be softened, you can use a heat gun on low or hair dryer on the area before scraping it. If any area of stucco gets chipped, be sure to seal it.
Hanging lights with drilling with anchors and screws
- Pros – Drilling into your stucco with anchors and screws is a very secure method for holding up Christmas lights. Because it’s a secure option, it can support heavy lights or decorations. After you do it once, you can leave the screws year-round to hang up seasonal lights and décor. Using screws to hang lights on stucco is a reliable option, not having to worry about weather conditions affecting the hold.
- Cons – Drilling into your stucco to hang Christmas lights is a semi-permanent option that is time-consuming and requires a higher skill level to complete so your stucco doesn’t get damaged. If you remove the screws, there will be small holes in the stucco that must be sealed to prevent further damage. By drilling screws to hang your lights, you are at risk of damaging stucco more than intended, which can be difficult to repair.
- How to prep surface – Determine if your stucco is a traditional 3-coat stucco or EIFS. If EIFS or synthetic, it is best not to drill, and other methods should be considered instead. Avoid excessive drilling to preserve your stucco long-term.
- How to apply – After figuring out if the stucco you are working with is safe to drill, mark the points you will drill. Be sure to be 4-6” away from any edges, control joints, and openings. Using a masonry bit, drill a pilot hole before inserting an exterior-rated anchor and then inserting the stainless screw into anchor. Using exterior silicone/polyurethane, seal around the hardware. Place anchors 16-24” apart or closer if you are hanging heavier lights or large decorations for secure installation.
- How to remove – With your drill, back out the screws from the anchor and fill in and seal the holes with correct patching compound or caulk for your stucco type.
Safety Tips for Hanging Christmas Lights on Stucco
No matter which option you choose to attach your lights to stucco, safety is important when installing and removing clips, hooks, or screws. Here are a few safety reminders to review before beginning:
- Be sure to choose lights and décor that are made for outdoor use.
- Lights should always be plugged into GFCI outlets.
- It can be easy to have many things to plug in but avoid overloading circuits.
- Use a sturdy ladder and have someone spot you. Working with someone else can make it safer and quicker to get your lights hung up.
Pro Tips to Help Hang Christmas Lights on Stucco:
- If you’re unsure if one option will work on your stucco, test your application and removal process on a small, less-visible area first before completing the whole project.
- Always test your lights and décor to ensure they are working properly before hanging them up.
- Use a timer outlet or smart plug for convenience.
- Pair two methods, such as using hot glue with adhesive hooks, if you are worried that one will not hold up due to weather or other factors.
Which Option is Best for You?
If you are struggling to figure out which option to go with, try to weigh the convenience, durability, and damage risk. Depending on what type of lights you are hanging will help determine which method to use – the heavier the lights, the more secure the hold needs to be. If you prefer a non-invasive option, then purchase lighter weight lights or décor and use adhesive methods. Whichever way you choose, you will be able to hang Christmas lights on stucco and get the festive look you want!
Pro Tip for Future Stucco Projects
Consider using Stucco Tape for a variety of stucco projects including construction, ceiling or maintenance work. This versatile red tape is great to protect windows and frames while applying, repairing, spraying, or painting stucco. Stucco Tape works on rough, textured areas and can be applied directly to the surface or used to hold up plastic sheeting to protect larger areas.
