We've all noticed homes and businesses that shine with perfectly aligned perimeter lights. Each bulb precisely follows the next, creating seamless shapes around dormers, ridge rows, and architectural features, with no unsightly cords or bulbs hanging loosely. When executed flawlessly, perimeter lighting can transform a regular setup into a masterpiece. Observing projects like the one depicted above, you might think this level of perfection requires a professional installer, right? Surprisingly, anyone can achieve this sophisticated look with some planning and the appropriate materials. If you've ever climbed a ladder to paint, you already possess all the necessary skills to install perimeter lighting like an expert.
Selecting the Right Empty Socket Light Line
To install perimeter lighting like a pro, the foremost guideline is to choose the correct type of cord. Many people make mistakes here—they go to a local hardware or big-box store, purchase several boxes of pre-fabricated C7 or C9 stringer sets and attempt to install them around their home. The issue with these cords is that they typically come in 25 or 50-foot lengths with plugs and bulbs pre-attached. When you reach the end of a segment, you'll be puzzled about what to do with the excess cord. This is why professionals never use stringer sets for perimeter lighting. Instead, they opt for C7 or C9 bulk light lines.
Bulk light lines, also referred to as empty socket light lines, can be bought by the foot or in rolls of 500′ or 1,000′. With this type of cord, you simply measure the required length, cut the cord, screw in the bulbs, and attach slide-on plugs. This requires no electrical expertise, as the plugs easily slide onto the cord.
Because you can cut the cord to fit your space, you avoid the common issue of leftover sockets and bulbs. We've all seen homes with extra cords and bulbs awkwardly dangling from the edges and hastily concealed in bushes. With bulk light lines, you can eliminate this problem. Just cut the length you need, attach a male plug to one end and a female plug to the other.
When choosing your light line, various options are available such as socket base size (C7 or C9), cord gauge, cord color, and socket spacing. Let's quickly examine each option.
Socket Base Size – For most perimeter lighting on structures, C9s are commonly used, whereas C7s are suitable for decorative displays or smaller structures.
SPT-1 or SPT-2 – SPT-1 and SPT-2 denote the thickness of the cord's insulation. SPT-2 has a thicker insulation layer than SPT-1. If the light line is for seasonal use, SPT-1 is sufficient. For installations lasting longer than three months, consider the added insulation of SPT-2. For year-round installations, heavier-weight cords with nylon sockets are recommended for durability.
Cord Color – The most common cord colors are white or green. Occasionally, you may find brown or black, but these are rarer and tend to be more expensive due to limited factory runs. Generally, green represents about 70% of our cord sales, with white making up the remaining 30%.
Socket Spacing – Socket spacing can vary from 4” to 36”. The most common spacing is 12”, with 9” or 6” often used for detailed smaller structures.
Selecting the Right Bulbs
Once you've picked your cord, the next step is to choose the bulbs. You'll first need to decide between incandescent bulbs or LEDs. LEDs have become mainstream, and we now sell significantly more LEDs than incandescent bulbs. Despite their higher cost—five or six times more—most Christmas lighting enthusiasts and virtually all our commercial customers prefer LED retrofit bulbs for their energy efficiency, brightness, and long lifespan.
While we are strong advocates for LED bulbs, we've heard numerous horror stories of people investing hundreds or thousands of dollars in LEDs, only to be let down by high failure rates and poor brightness. We recommend sticking with Minleon USA or Christmas USA LED retrofit bulbs. These are our go-to manufacturers, tried and tested in our own installations, without any other brands matching their durability and performance.
However, budget constraints might lead some to opt for incandescent bulbs. The price gap between LEDs and incandescent bulbs can be significant. The silver lining with incandescent bulbs is their simplicity—they lack complex electronics, so there's minimal difference in quality between different manufacturers. Therefore, spending extra on incandescent bulbs isn't necessary.
Choosing the Right Clips
The success of your perimeter light project heavily depends on the quality of clips you use. Opting for the wrong clips or choosing low-cost, retail-grade clips can undermine all your efforts. Nothing beats the look of clean, straight light lines.
For a polished look using light lines, keep these tips in mind:
- Always use commercial-grade clips.
- Attach one clip per socket, regardless of the socket spacing.
- Select the correct clip for the structure you're affixing the light line to.
Uncertain about which clip to use? Check out our Guide to Light Hanging Clips – Attachment Clips and Hardware.
Electrical Considerations
Using bulk, empty socket light lines is straightforward from an electrical standpoint. You just need a male slide-on plug on one end and a female on the other. Once they're attached, plug your cord into a standard extension cord, and you're all set. Ensure the male and female plugs match the specifications of your light line—use SPT-1 plugs for SPT-1 cords, and SPT-2 plugs for SPT-2 cords. Slide-on plugs are user-friendly and require no electrical know-how. For a detailed guide, refer to our blog post on Installing a Slide-On Plug.
Regarding the number of bulbs per line, we advise no more than 300 bulbs on a single line. This limit is generally sufficient for most applications, but for extended runs, ensure you do not exceed 300 bulbs per cord.
Putting it All Together
Once you have gathered the cord, bulbs, clips, and plugs, you are ready to start. Many who choose professional-grade C7 or C9 light lines are pleasantly surprised by the simplicity and superior appearance compared to traditional stringer sets. The initial installation might take a bit longer, but once the cords are cut, bulbs are inserted, and plugs are attached, future installations will be quick and easy. You'll undoubtedly be the envy of your neighborhood.
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