It's
one thing to put a lot of lights on trees and bushes... but if you
really want to get their attention, use wireframe (or wireframes.)
There are plenty of vendors that will sell them to you and most will put the lights on
them, too.
If you want your wireframe to be
different, consider mounting your own lights.
You can use standard miniature lights.
The pros use 50 light strings with 2-4 inch spacing between the lights
instead of the standard 6 inch spacing you get at the stores. They
typically attach the lights with 1/2 inch fiber based, plastic packing
tape (see below). The only problem with this tape is it tends to
come unraveled after a few years being outside and exposed to the
elements. It's worth your time to enhance the wireframe and use a
4 inch tie wrap on each light socket. You'll never have to worry
about the tape coming undone again but the tape still deteriorates with
age.
The
alternative method to using miniature lights is to use
ropelight.
Use lots of tie wraps to attach the ropelight to the wireframe.
Spots where you don't want to see the ropelight should be wrapped in
black electrical tape. See the close-up of the picture.
Ropelight creates special challenges of
its own. Be sure and read how to cut and attach 120 volts to it on
another page.
Most of the time, you'll have an excess length of ropelight color on
your wireframe. Simply use black electrical tape and wrap it
around the length of extra ropelight giving the end special attention to
make sure bare wires are not protruding (use liquid electrical tape or
silicon to cover.)
Securing lights to the wireframe
There are three fundamental methods of securing the light to the
metal frame... plus a few hybrids. Close-up pictures will speak
volumes.
 |
Tape (either colored electrical or
fiber-based packing) is an easy way to quickly attach the
lights. Weather is the biggest challenge. After a few seasons
you will need to re-apply the tape. |
 |
Tie wraps (zipties) are another preferred
method. A 4" length works the best and you'll want to get a
"tensioning tool" to automagically pull and cut each tie, though
people have been known to use fingernail clippers. Note the
lock assembly is always on the back of the frame. With
ropelight, put the tie between lights. |
 |
Clips are by-far the easiest and fastest
method. You sometimes need to get creative securing excess
wires (look carefully at this picture for a black tie wrap). |
Examples
Here are some example of wireframes used at PlanetChristmas.
