How to Hang String Lights on your Pergola or Patio without Using Nails
If you’ve just installed a new covered patio, you might be wondering how to add string lights. So let’s get you enlightened on patio lights!
You can hang festoon lights and fairy lights on your patio cover without nails by using outdoor Command hooks, zip ties, awning hangers, or gutter hooks.
1. Gutter Hooks
Gutter hooks are by far your best option for hanging string lights on your patio cover. They can also be used on pergolas and other outdoor structures such as roof lines. Choose whether you’d like to hang string lights on the inside or outside of your patio cover with their different hook and hanger types. These types of hooks can also be used to hang plants, wind chimes or flower baskets. So versatile!
2. Zip Ties
Outdoor-rated zip ties can be used to hang festoon or fairy lights on your patio cover. A simple, easy solution with no drilling required. These are also a great option when you have rafters or beams to hang from and would rather not use nails or screw in hooks. You can also use these zip ties to connect the two solar panel cable ends so they look like one continuous set.
3. Outdoor Command Hooks
Outdoor Command hooks allow you to hang your Christmas lights, rope lights, string lights, festoon lights and other decorations without the use of screws or nails. These hooks are said to withstand winter weather conditions, water, and strong UV rays. Make sure to follow their installation instructions for maximum stick.
4. Awning Hangers
Multi functional, you can also use these on shade screens. If your pation cover has a shade sail or screeen, these awning hooks could be used to hang string lights from your shade screen roller tube. If you want to put lights up temporarily, you could use these to hang string lights loosely.
Also popular for caravan awnings, RV Super Centre sell these and this link will help understand what they are and how they can be used - click here. Excellent choice if taking your solar string lights camping!
After you’ve purchased your lights and other hanging materials, we’d recommend a few other tips during installation.
Tip 1: More is better
Make sure to give yourself enough length to be able to plug in the lights to your outlet. If you’re using an extension cord, make sure that it can have enough reach to your first mounting location. There is no stretch in your string light cable so always allow yourself some extra length.
Tip 2: What hanging pattern do you want?
Think about your hanging pattern as this ultimately determines how many lights you need. Do you want to follow the perimeter, do an X shape or have a zig zag hang? Think about the area you are wanting to light up as the light placement will help zone this area. This is a great blog to inspire a hanging pattern - Outdoor Hanging Patterns for Festoon & Fairy Lights
Tip 3: Choose where your haing points will be
Choose the mounting locations of where you’d like your hooks, hangers, or zip ties to be.
Install the hooks or hangers before hanging the lights. If you’re using zip ties, you should secure them on the light string as you work. If hanging festoon lights we recommend hanging the festoon cable first and then adding the bulbs once happy with your installation.
Tip 4:
Keep it simple. If you have a structure like the one below you can use the wooden beams to loosely weave your string lights. Remember you don't always need a hanging point for each individual light.
