Welcome to our Decorate Like a Pro series where we give you tips on how to decorate like the pros! Whether you're lighting up your home for the holidays or adding a festive touch to special occasions, choosing the right bulbs is crucial. In this post, we’ll guide you through the differences between the two most common sizes for bulbs, C7 and C9, so you can pick the best option for your project. We’ll also cover different styles and materials available to help you create a display that truly stands out.
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Blog posts of '2024' 'November'
Vampire plugs, also known as slide-on or Gilbert plugs, allow you to create custom power cords to run power to different sections of your roofline or across multiple trees and bushes in your yard. Pairing them with zip wire and in-line female plugs, you can craft highly customizable power cords for your unique lighting needs. The result? Fewer bulky and unsightly extension cords, more flexibility, and a clean, professional look.
Decorate Like a Pro: Why Tuff Clips are the pros Go-To Choice for Decorating
Welcome to our Decorate Like a Pro series! In this post, we’re diving into a must-have tool for holiday decorating: the tuff clip. If you’re looking for a simple, secure, and professional way to hang your lights, this is it. Let’s explore what makes tuff clips the pros' favorite choice and how they can make your decorating process smooth and hassle-free.
Tuff Clip Design: Built for Strength and Convenience
The design of tuff clips sets them apart from traditional all-in-one clips. Instead of attaching to the string of lights, tuff clips fit securely between the bulb and the socket. This provides a stronger connection, ensuring that your lights stay in place, even in harsh weather conditions.
One of the biggest advantages of tuff clips is the option to pre-attach them to the socket before installation. This can save you a lot of time by streamlining the process for both large and small projects. Pre-attaching the clips to the socket means that when you’re ready to install, it’s just a matter of snapping them onto your home.
However, if you prefer, you can also push the tuff clip over the bulb for an equally as snug fit.
The clips come in two sizes, so whether you’re working with C7 or C9 bulbs, there’s a tuff clip that will fit perfectly.
Attaching Tuff Clips to Your Home
Once you’ve selected your tuff clips and pre-attached them to your lights, it’s time to install them on your home. The versatility of tuff clips makes them a great option for any home layout. You can attach them to gutters or shingles without the need for any special tools.
- For gutters: Simply press the clip down onto the edge of the gutter. The strong grip will hold the lights securely in place.
- For shingles: Slide the long side of the clip under the shingle for a firm hold. The simple design means installation is quick and easy, with no hassle.
With tuff clips, you’ll have your lights up and looking great in no time, and the clips ensure everything stays in place throughout the holiday season.
Removing Tuff Clips After the Holidays
One of the best things about tuff clips is how easy they are to remove once the season is over. At the end of the holidays, simply pull down the string of lights, and the tuff clips will come off easily without any damage. Their durable design ensures they won’t crack or break, even after repeated use.
No more putting off taking down the lights because the process seems like a hassle. With tuff clips, takedown is as simple, giving you one less reason to procrastinate!
Why Tuff Clips are the Pro’s Choice
In summary, tuff clips are designed with both strength and ease of use in mind. They offer:
- A secure connection between the socket and the clip, preventing disconnections.
- Simple installation that works with both gutters and shingles.
- Durability that ensures the clips will last season to season without cracking or breaking.
Tuff clips make decorating faster, easier, and more professional-looking, making them the go-to choice for anyone looking to elevate their holiday lighting.
Ready to upgrade your holiday lights? Check out our Decorate Like a pro Kits that come with everything you need to get started including tuff clips or browse our selection of tuff clips and more. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call—we’re always here to help!
Decorate Like a Pro: How to Choose the Right Socket Stringer
Welcome to our Decorate Like a Problog series, where we guide you step-by-step through the process of decorating your home like a professional. In this post, we’ll be diving into how to choose the perfect socket stringer for your holiday displays. Selecting the right stringer involves four key considerations, and we’ll walk you through each one to ensure your display looks stunning.
The Four Key Factors
Choosing a socket stringer isn’t as simple as picking any string of lights. There are four important factors that will influence the final look and performance of your setup:
- Socket size
- Wire and socket color
- Socket spacing and stringer length
- Wire type (SPT1 vs. SPT2)
Let’s explore each of these considerations in detail to help you make the best decision.
- Socket Size: E12 vs. E17
The size of the socket determines the type of bulb you can use, which has a major impact on the appearance of your display. There are two standard socket sizes:
It’s important to note that E12 and E17 stringers are not interchangeable, so make sure you choose the correct size for the bulbs you intend to use. Not sure which bulb to pick? Check out our guide to selecting the right bulb for your holiday display.
- Wire and Socket Color
The color of the wire and socket plays a big role in the aesthetics of your holiday decor. Ideally, you want the wire to blend in with the surroundings, so that the bulbs, not the string, become the focus. Here are the four wire color options we offer:
- Green: The most versatile option, great for trees, bushes, grassy areas and rooflines. This is the most popular option because of its versatility.
- Brown: Ideal for brown gutters and siding, shingles, fences and trees.
- White: Perfect for white or light-colored gutters, fences, and white artificial trees.
- Black: Best for homes with dark roofs, black fences and perfect for Halloween decorating.
Selecting the right wire color will ensure your lights stand out while the string remains subtle and inconspicuous.
- Socket Spacing and Stringer Length
Next, we move on to socket spacing, which refers to the distance between each socket on the string. The spacing you choose can dramatically change the look of your display.
- 6-inch spacing: Provides a tight, full appearance.
- 12-inch spacing: The most popular choice, offering a well-balanced and traditional look.
- 15-inch spacing: Uses fewer bulbs for a more minimalistic appearance, which can also save on energy and bulb costs.
In addition to spacing, it’s important to choose the right stringer length for your project. We offer a variety of lengths, from 10 feet to 200 feet with pre-installed plugs. For larger projects, you can opt for stringers ranging from 250 to 1,000 feet, which come on spools. You’ll need to install the plugs yourself for these longer runs, but don’t worry—it’s quick and easy you can check out this blog where we walk you through it step by step!
- Choosing the Right Wire: SPT1 vs. SPT2
Finally, we need to discuss the two types of wire available for your socket stringer: SPT1 and SPT2. The difference between these wires comes down to the amount of insulation the wire has.
- SPT1: has .03” of insulation and is recommended for most applications.
- SPT2: .045” of insulation and is recommended for decorating in areas with extreme cold weather.
If you’re planning a larger display or decorating in an area with extreme weather, SPT2 is a solid choice. However, for most applications, SPT1 will be perfectly adequate.
Ready to Decorate Like a Pro?
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge to choose the right socket stringer, go check out our popular Decorate like a pro kitsthat include everything you need to get started or customize your own stringer and bulb combinations.
And remember, if you have any questions or need help with your display, feel free to reach out—we’re always here to help!
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