Do’s and Don’ts of Commercial Christmas Light Installation

So, you’re undertaking a commercial Christmas light installation? Installing a display is a great idea, as it will attract customers to your location and encourage people to purchase during the holiday season. However, the installation process is full of pitfalls that must be avoided to ensure success. 

This article will explain how to install Christmas lights on a commercial building and provide a list of commercial Christmas light installation do’s and commercial Christmas light installation don’ts, ensuring you are well prepared for the task. 

Here are some custom Christmas light installation do’s that will steer you in the right direction. 

First, choose the right commercial-grade lights for your commercial Christmas lighting display. Modern businesses typically choose LEDs because they are more energy efficient, safer, and last longer than other bulbs.

However, various types of commercial LED Christmas lights are available. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the ideal option for your installation. 

• Size: Bulb sizes vary from the smallest of mini-lights to large C7 and C9 bulbs. Small lights are ideal for small elements like garlands and wreaths, while bigger lights are best for trees. You may also combine big and small lights to create an aesthetically pleasing display.
• Color: Modern designers are shifting away from the traditional red and green Christmas lights and embracing unusual color schemes like pink, blue, and purple. Choose colors that are best suited to your theme. You may also incorporate your brand colors to send a branding message with your display.
• Light Types: There are various light types, including icicle lights, rope lights, and net lights, which cover huge areas. RGB lights, which alternate colors, are ideal for programmable LED Christmas displays. Choose the one best suited to your display. 

Your installation won’t be as successful without careful planning. Here are some things to consider. 

• Design Scheme: Start by reviewing outdoor Christmas decoration ideas. Consider incorporating a pop culture theme or embracing nostalgia. Many companies integrate their brand identity by including their mascot, brand colors, and the products they sell in their displays.
• Budget: Next, calculate your budget. List the components your display needs and determine how they fit into your budget. Decide what can be eliminated or how to save money if you exceed budget.
• Map Out Your Display: Create a map of the property you wish to decorate and your proposed layout to guide your installation.
• Decide an Acquisition Plan: Which elements of your display will you shop for, and which are already on hand? Decide who will do the shopping and when shopping will take place, ensuring you have all display components in time. Consider the tools you will need for installation as well.
• Make an Installation Plan: Determine who will be in charge of your installation and when it will happen. Ideally, it should be completed overnight after hours, minimizing disruptions and ensuring your shop is ready the following day. 

Safety and compliance are valuable for any business. An accident can lead to expensive damages and devastating injuries, ruining a company’s reputation. Here are some things to consider when working out a plan that keeps your business, employees, and customers safe. 

• Ladder Safety Rules: Installing holiday lights often requires climbing on ladders. Ensure your staff is familiar with ladder safety rules. They should maintain bodily contact with the ladder while climbing, ensure it is on steady ground, and use the buddy system.
• Prioritize Electrical Safety: Electrical safety reduces the risk of shocks and fires. To ensure Fire-safe holiday lighting for businesses, use GFCI plugs, keep lights away from heat sources, inspect lights before decorating, keep cords out of high-traffic areas, and use outdoor-rated components in outdoor spaces.
• Ensure Secure Installation: Ensure all components of your display are installed securely. If ornaments fall, injuries could occur.

Generally, OSHA Christmas light installation guidelines will steer you in the right direction.

Timers and automation are ideal for energy-efficient holiday lighting. You can set your lights on a timer to ensure they turn on and off on schedule. The technology also allows you to operate your lights remotely if necessary. 

Call professional Christmas light installers if you are working on a large-scale display. They provide the following benefits:

• Safe Installations: Professional holiday lighting installers are trained in light display safety, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. If an accident occurs, the company’s liability insurance covers it.
• Professional-Looking Displays: An outdoor Christmas light installation service will ensure your display looks terrific, attracts customers, and enhances your company’s reputation.
• Saves Time: Decorating is a time-consuming task. Installers will take care of every aspect of decorating, so you have more time to focus on your customers during the busy holiday season.

Here are some commercial Christmas light installation don’ts to avoid this holiday season.

Overloading circuits is dangerous. If you plug too many lights into a single outlet or power strip, the circuit can overheat, melt, or even catch fire. In a worst-case scenario, it will trip the breaker, leaving you without power until it switches back on. 

You can avoid overloaded circuits by:

• Spread Out the Load: To avoid drawing too much power from one circuit, spread the load over multiple circuits.
• Upgrade the Circuit: If your circuits are old or lack the power to handle your load, consider upgrading them.
• Unplug Some Appliances: Consider unplugging phone chargers and other nonessential appliances to reserve more power for your lights.

Improper wiring can occur if wires are damaged or not rated for their intended use. To avoid these issues, check wires in advance and ensure you use the correct wire for the job. 

It can be challenging to tell if your lights are high quality. Here are some signs that may guide your purchasing decision.

• Use LED Lights: LED lights are safer and more durable than incandescent ones.
• Look at Reviews: Before purchasing, check the company’s online reviews to ensure you buy from a reputable provider.
• Consider Pricing: It’s great to find a bargain, but if the pricing seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

It’s also essential to use weatherproof Christmas lights in outdoor environments. They offer the following benefits:

• Moisture-proof: Weatherproof lights resist moisture and dust, which can damage components. For best results, choose lights with an optimal  IP rating.
• Longevity: The lights are designed to withstand harsh conditions, reducing maintenance and replacement costs.
• Aesthetics: Lights designed for outdoors glow brighter in dark and stormy conditions. 

Most businesses want to make the most of their decorative space, but blocking exits and interfering with business operations can do more harm than good. 

Retail spaces typically have at least two doors, a front door, and one or more emergency exits. If these exits are blocked, it can lead to safety issues if a fire or another emergency occurs. Additionally, if a law official comes into your location and notices exits are blocked, they could fine your company. 

You also want to ensure your decorations don’t interfere with business operations. They should not block displays, interfere with access to various parts of the store, or make it difficult for customers and staff to move around. If decorations are in the wrong location, they can reduce efficiency and make purchases impossible. 

Once the decorations are down, they must be stored appropriately. Proper storage ensures that the decorations can be used the following year and reduces damage that can increase safety risks. 

Here are some storage tips to consider. 

• Protect Fragile Ornaments: You can protect fragile ornaments by wrapping them individually in newspaper, tissue paper, or their original packaging. Placing them in divided storage boxes can also help.
• Wrap Wiring: Store wires in a cable container or a similarly shaped circular storage box to avoid tangling and damage.
• Store Ornaments in a Cool, Dry Place: Doing so will avoid overheating.
• Organize Ornament: Organize ornaments by color, type, or decorative area to ensure an organized decorating system the following year.
• Clean and Examine Ornaments Before and After Storage: Check for dirt that can damage components and issues that can cause safety risks. 

Installing commercial Christmas lights for businesses can be a huge undertaking. Knowing the do’s and don’ts of Christmas light installation can help you avoid common pitfalls. However, you may also hire a professional decorating service to ensure your display is safe and looks its best.

Dekra-Lite is a top choice for Christmas decoration services. We provide comprehensive installation, from design to removal, and our nearly 40 years of experience ensure satisfactory results. 

Contact us for the help you need to create impressive large outdoor Christmas light displays. 

LEDs are the best type of Christmas lights for commercial buildings because they are highly durable, energy-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing. They also offer variety in terms of color, size, and type.

You can ensure your holiday display is energy efficient by using LED light, which uses up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Combine your bulbs with timers that shut lights on and off to avoid using more energy than necessary. 

You do not need decoration permits for businesses unless you plan to install lights in a public space in a way that causes sound disturbances, slows traffic, and violates safety regulations for holiday lighting in other ways. Check local ordinances to learn about display times and address different concerns.

Yes, you can leave your holiday lights up year-round. However, doing so increases the risk of damage and injury if accidents occur. Also, even if lights aren’t turned on, people will see them, reducing the impact of turning them on the following year. Additionally, many businesses want to change their display each year, so leaving them up would be a moot point. 

Unsafe holiday lighting can endanger customers, employees, and business assets, leading to injuries and liability costs. To avoid safety issues, reduce electrical hazards, ensure ladder safety, and hang decorations securely.