Do Christmas light clips damage your gutters or shingles?
The right plastic clips, put on and taken off correctly, do not damage gutters or shingles. Damage comes from nails, staples, screws, adhesive hooks and from prying up brittle shingles in the cold. We never put anything into your roof, and if our install ever damages your roof or gutters, we repair it at our cost.
Do light clips damage roofs?
No, not when the right clip is used the right way. Clips grip the gutter lip or the edge of a shingle and come off by hand. Nothing goes through the roof.
What does cause damage?
- Nails, staples and screws. Every hole is a place for water to get in.
- Adhesive hooks. They can pull granules off shingles and paint off fascia when removed.
- Prying shingles up. Asphalt shingles get brittle in the cold and can crack if bent back.
- Yanking strands down. Pulling a whole line at once can bend gutters and snap clips.
- Walking on a frosty roof. Bad for the shingles and dangerous for the person.
Roofing manufacturers say the same thing. GAF, for example, recommends hanging lights from clips on the gutters or eaves rather than fastening anything into the roof.
Which clip goes where?
| Clip | Where it goes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Gutter clip | Hooks over the front lip of the gutter | Most homes with gutters |
| Shingle tab clip | Slides under the bottom edge of a shingle | Gables and rakes without gutters |
| All-in-one clip | Works on a gutter or a shingle edge | Mixed rooflines |
| Ridge clip | Straddles the ridge cap | Peaks and ridgelines |
How does a no-damage install work?
- We check the gutters and roof edge before we start.
- Clips go on by hand, spaced evenly, with no fasteners.
- Lights are cut to fit the roofline, so nothing sags, dangles or blows loose.
- In January, each clip comes off one at a time, by hand.
What if something does get damaged?
It is in writing: no nails, staples or screws, ever. If our install damages your roof or gutters, we repair it at our cost. That is our roof-safe guarantee.
Common questions
Will light clips void my shingle warranty?
Clips that grip without fasteners don't put holes in the roof, which is what warranties are concerned about. Nails, staples and screws are what to avoid. If you are unsure, check your warranty terms or ask your roofer.
Can you hang lights if I don't have gutters?
Yes. We use clips made for the shingle edge or drip edge instead.
Do clips hold up in Ozarks wind and ice?
Yes, when they are spaced correctly and the line is cut to fit. Loose extra strand is what catches the wind, which is why we cut every line to length.
Should clips stay up all year?
We take ours down with the lights in January. Clips left up all year get brittle in the sun and can trap debris in gutters.
What about metal roofs?
Metal roofs need different clips. Tell us when you send your address and we will plan for it.