I'm no Clark W. Griswold Christmas light fanatic, but I do like the look of a nicely lit window during the holiday season. The problem is that in order to look nice you have to hang each light on a separate clip. So here is how I made some outdoor lighting window frames that are lite, strong and easy to put up and store away.
Step 1: Prep and Supplies
Here is what you need to do,
Measure all the windows you want to trim. Then go to your local home improvement store and buy enough plastic lattice framing to cover your measurements plus some mistakes. This stuff isn't the cheapest but it's easy to work with and should last forever. While you are there pick up 4 'L" brackets for each window.
Supplies/Tools
- Lattice framing (per measurements)
- L brackets (4 for each frame)
- Drill (for screw pilot holes)
- Flat head screw driver
- Mitersaw or handsaw
- C7 strings of Christmas lights.
- Wire stripper, electrical tape
- Hooks,Velcro
Measure all the windows you want to trim. Then go to your local home improvement store and buy enough plastic lattice framing to cover your measurements plus some mistakes. This stuff isn't the cheapest but it's easy to work with and should last forever. While you are there pick up 4 'L" brackets for each window.
Supplies/Tools
- Lattice framing (per measurements)
- L brackets (4 for each frame)
- Drill (for screw pilot holes)
- Flat head screw driver
- Mitersaw or handsaw
- C7 strings of Christmas lights.
- Wire stripper, electrical tape
- Hooks,Velcro
Step 2: Assembly
Begin by measuring and cutting at 45 degree angles to build your frames. If you need help with this you might not want to do this project or get a friend with the necessary skills to help.
Next drill pilot holes and attach the "L" brackets to the corners.
I recommend you take your first assembled frame out to the window and double check your measurements and make sure you have room to hang the frames.
After your frame is completed, unpack a string of lights and confirm that it works. Then push each light socket into the channel of the frame. Some go in easily others will need a little assistance from a flat head screwdriver to pry open the channel a little bit. Be sure to line up the lights across from one another to get a nice clean look. Are the lights still working? Good.
If you run out of lights before the frame is complete you will need to splice in more. Again if you don't know how to do this get some help. You can easily ruin the lights, get electrocuted, or even start a fire.
When you are done it should look like the pictures below and you are ready to hang them up. I used some strong velcro and nails, but you will have to decide what works best for your house.
Next drill pilot holes and attach the "L" brackets to the corners.
I recommend you take your first assembled frame out to the window and double check your measurements and make sure you have room to hang the frames.
After your frame is completed, unpack a string of lights and confirm that it works. Then push each light socket into the channel of the frame. Some go in easily others will need a little assistance from a flat head screwdriver to pry open the channel a little bit. Be sure to line up the lights across from one another to get a nice clean look. Are the lights still working? Good.
If you run out of lights before the frame is complete you will need to splice in more. Again if you don't know how to do this get some help. You can easily ruin the lights, get electrocuted, or even start a fire.
When you are done it should look like the pictures below and you are ready to hang them up. I used some strong velcro and nails, but you will have to decide what works best for your house.
Step 3: Finished
Here is how mine look on the house. I made custom length extension cords for each frame. It's very easy to do, cheaper and liter than a bunch of orange cords hanging all over your house. I hope you like my version of Christmas light frames and maybe give it a try yourself. For other cool DIY Christmas lighting ideas check out PlanetChristmas.com or some of my other projects
Christmas Light Tunnel
North Pole
Christmas Light Tunnel
Christmas Light Holders
North Pole
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Or, maybe even cut the PVC pipe in half and glue the halves in the fittings. That way, you could easily go back and remove lights if you have to. It's possible that simply gluing the fittings on would make the rectangles strong enough.
I like the plastic lattice idea but it looks like it costs about $8.25 for two four-foot lengths. With all the windows in my house, that may cost a small fortune. But half of a ten-foot PVC pipe would go a long, long way.
PVC pipe is amazingly strong and I bet I can use a dado blade on a table saw and cut a kerf wide enough to put in the lights. You could even do a plunge cut and leave an inch or two at either end of the pipe to shove into the pipe fitting. That way, there is no compromise in strength.
But, let it be known, this is one heck of a great idea you had! The only thing that may be better is to purchase replacement screens and drill holes thru the frames to insert the lights. That way, you would not need to build anything nor would you need to find a way to fasten it to the windows. And if you do not like the lights being perpendicular to the screen, you could buy some of those plastic self-adhesive light holders and paste them all around the inside of the screen to get the same effect as yours.
I am pretty curious about homemade extension chords though!!
I have to ask, is there another name for Lattice framing? I went to my local Lowes (bearing in mind that I live in New Mexico) and asked for Lattice framing. Judging by the look I got from the associate I asked I would've been just as well off saying Ziggy Zoggy Ziggy Zoggy Oi Oi Oi.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=250236-73428-73003480&lpage=none