Use this page as a quick reference for the most common lighting products used in installs. This guide covers mini lights, bulbs, bulk light line, magnetic lights, and the key differences members should understand when purchasing, stocking, and installing lighting products.
Start with the category you need and jump directly to the section below.
Reference guide for mini light types, spacing, connections, and specialty options.
Quick breakdown of the most common bulb types and the technology behind them.
Important purchasing and setup considerations for residential roofline decorating.
Specialty lighting option that can dramatically simplify installs on compatible surfaces.
LED mini lights are commonly used for trees, bushes, fences, arbors, columns, and flower beds. Most commercial-grade mini lights use a one-piece molded design and come with either standard or coaxial connections.
Mini lights come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and configurations. They are durable, versatile, and ideal for many of the most common decorative applications in residential and commercial installs.
The type of connection matters, especially in wet or snowy climates.
Coaxial: More weather resistant, sealed connection points, reduced risk of GFCI tripping, cleaner appearance, and splitters are available.
Traditional: Standard Edison-style plugs that are easy to use and common across the industry, but more exposed to moisture and more likely to create issues in poor weather.
We do not recommend taping traditional connections, since tape can trap water once moisture gets inside.
In addition to standard mini lights, there are several specialty styles that offer different looks and lighting effects.
Spacing affects both the density and cost of the display.
Choose one spacing and stay consistent. Mixing spacing can make inventory harder to manage and displays less uniform.
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C7 and C9 bulbs are the most commonly used bulbs in holiday lighting. Understanding the differences between them and the technology inside them helps create better, more consistent displays.
Both C7 and C9 bulbs use a faceted lens that creates a diamond-like glow and helps distribute light evenly.
C7: Smaller size, E12 candelabra base, ideal for windows, wreaths, columns, and pillars.
C9: Larger and brighter, E17 intermediate base, ideal for rooflines, large trees, and stake lighting.
C9 is the most popular option for professional displays.
Modern bulbs now commonly use SMD (Surface Mounted Diode) technology.
SMD-equipped bulbs are a strong choice when you want brighter, cleaner, and more efficient lighting.
The Sparkle Bulb is one of the most popular professional-grade bulbs in the industry.
There are several specialty bulb styles that may be useful depending on the install type and the look the customer wants.
Only offer specialty bulb options you regularly stock and can reliably provide.
Bulk Light Line is one of the most commonly used products in the industry for residential roofline installs. Choosing the right line depends on socket size, SPT rating, spacing, and spool length.
The two most common socket sizes are C7 and C9.
SPT wire comes in two ratings: SPT-1 and SPT-2.
Keep your light line and X-wire consistent by choosing either SPT-1 or SPT-2 across your setup.
Consistency in spacing is important for clean installs and inventory control.
On a roofline, the visual difference between 12″ and 15″ is often minimal, so 15″ spacing is commonly recommended for cost savings.
Bulk Light Line commonly comes in 500′ and 1000′ spools. Either can work well depending on the size of your jobs and how much inventory you want to keep on hand.
Magnetic Lights are one of the most revolutionary products in the industry because they can make installs dramatically easier. The main limitation is simple: they only work on metal surfaces.
Magnetic light strands are best used on metal surfaces. If the property has metal gutters, metal fascia, or other compatible metal areas, they can save significant time during installation and removal.
These strands are durable and have been tested to withstand wind speeds up to 70 mph, giving installers confidence that they will remain in place during the season.
Most residential properties do not have metal gutters or fascia, so Magnetic Lights are not always an option. They are highly effective when the surface is right, but not universally applicable.
While magnetic clips for regular C9 socket line do exist, the labor required to install them and the wear on the clips often makes fully magnetic light strands the more efficient choice.
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