Using Colonnade Light Clip
Strips on Your Home
One of the biggest questions we get
about our display is how do we turn this:
Into this:
When we first saw this house in December
2004 (before buying it in January 2005) one of the first things Ryan
said was "Wouldn't that house look awesome covered in lights, from the
roofline to the foundation?" Rachel looked at him like he was
crazy, but knew that the idea was now firmly implanted in his head.
Ryan found someone right here in Houston
who creates and sells the Light Clip Strips. His name is Fred Blanton
and he is the owner of Colonnade
International Lighting. Fred's strips are the best way we have
seen to easily hang lights on the house, and work in many different
shapes, sizes, etc.
The strips we use are the 60" brown
plastic, with the green mini-light clips. But there are many,
many, many other products, colors, and materials that Colonnade offers.
Check out their website for info on metal track, larger bulb holders,
etc. There's a lot of stuff there that can work on almost any
home. If you don't see it, shoot Fred an email and ask.
There are a lot of opinions on how to
hang lights on your brick. We certainly wouldn't tell people that
their way is wrong, but this is what works for us.
|
 |
Above is a Colonnade Light Clip Strip.
Below is a closer look at the
"ridge" the clips attach to. |
 |
 |
The picture to the left shows the end
of one of the strips. As you can see these are all one piece and I
have never had any issues of one breaking. |
|
The strips are also very flexible, and can
be used around arc'd windows and doors, or even in a complete circle.
I know some people who use them to make arches as well. |
 |
 |
LEFT:
These are the mini clips that we use. The pictures are a little
bigger than actual size, but not by much.
BELOW:
The smaller end of the clip snaps easily, but securely into place on the
ridge of the strip. The larger end holds the mini light in place
very well. |
|
 |
 |
|
Different views on the clips installed on
the strip. |
|
|
Close up on the clip installed on the light
clip strip. One of the good things
about the Colonnade products is that they come in a variety of colors
and different sizes/types to hold different sizes of lights.
|
RIGHT:
Close up of the bulb installed in the clip.
BOTTOM:
A group of lights all spaced apart on the strip.
|
 |
 |
|
We use marine glue (like the 3M brand on
the right) to hold the strip to the brick. Many people don't want
to attach it to the brick/siding permanently, but no one notices the
strip unless they know it's there. We have been asked if hot glue
will work, but have never used it ourselves. |
|
|
LEFT:
This is a picture of the strips installed under the window. You
can't see the strip unless you're looking for it.
You can space the clips
apart however works for you and your display.
BELOW:
The strip installed on top of the window. |
|
 |
The picture on the left is an
example of how you can use the strip in different ways.
This one is installed
vertically along the side of our doorway. |
|
ABOVE:
The strip installed on top of the door frame. From this vantage
point you can clearly see the strip and the clips.
RIGHT:
From this point, which is higher than where people would actually stand,
you cannot see the strip at all. |
 |
Some photos of the lights all installed:
|
|
If you have any questions about these,
shoot us an email at
info@johnsonschristmascorner.com or visit
www.Colonnade.com.
Enjoy! Have Fun! |
|
CLICK
HERE TO RETURN TO
THE "HOW TO" PAGE |
