How to Install Outdoor String Lights | Ask This Old House

[@solidworksanimation2119]

For anyone looking for the mounting hardware, it's the 'SteelTek' brand sold at Lowe's

[@TheRajulurvashi]

I was searching in the description and I discovered your comments. Thank you.

[@chaseedmunds5156]

Can you check the link to the pole hardware? It’s bringing us to the steel wire.

[@Oldhogleg]

One thing no one ever talks about is installing GFCI/AFCI weather proof receptacles with individual indoor switches under the eaves and a foot above grade around the perimeter of the house to eliminate a ton of extension cords running everywhere.

[@DadBurl]

That is a great idea. Builders won't opt for the expense, but if I was building a house I would want them

[@Oldhogleg]

@@DadBurl Builders could offer it as an option, especially for those who are very competitive in their christmas decorations.

[@morlamweb]

That's a good solution, but the homeowner mentioned at the start that they're planning to expand the deck, which would render that work obsolete in a year or two.

[@Oldhogleg]

@@morlamweb Actually no. The idea was for the entire perimeter of the home with receptacles for all things like chrismass lights/ornaments, and freestanding features regardless of landscaping and garden structures because they're attracted to the home. But could also add receptacles out into the landscape hidden behind/in bushes fed by undergrad PVC conduit from the house.

[@Superman-xr1oh]

​@@OldhoglegSure...

[@kevinjohnston8230]

Where can you get the poles and brackets

[@waynemurphy8363]

Where is video showing how to connect the controller to the lights? How long was the extension cord and how was the cord mounted to the wall and patio?

[@TJsVette]

Where did you hide the extension cord??

[@rickmelcher1351]

I also think that the outdoor receptacle needs to have the cover replaced with a cover that maintains waterproofing while something is plugged in.

[@nacho10f]

I dont see him connecting the lights to the smart plug. How did he hide the cable?

[@lewdoty7072]

PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

[@toin9898]

I built myself a custom deck this year and I made the corner supporting posts from 10' 4x4s to have an in-built post for just this setup. Looks great and not like an afterthought like this workaround. They're securely attached to the beams and go ~1.5ft down to make them stronger so the actual "ceiling" with the lights ends up around 8 feet. I also used the tall posts to create a privacy screen by sandwiching a 4x8' trellis piece between two posts spaced 4' apart. Take that, nosy neighbour!

[@donl1410]

Where's the pole hardware link?

[@rickybobby9255]

How about showing us how the lights look at night???

[@BobbiHarding-h9o]

how did you hid all the extension card from the lights to the plug in?

[@timpowers225]

I’m looking to do a project like this but worry that attaching to the trim below the gutters is too low and would like to go up onto the roof for the added height. Anyone have ideas or tips on how this can be done?

[@OZYM1]

I’m wondering how different the advice would be for solar powered string lights. Mine keeps falling at the point where an end screws into the small solar panel.

[@ElectricGears]

I don't know for sure since I don't know the product you are using, but I would guess that the manufacture was, let's say, optimistic about the strength of their cable attachment or strain relief. I would do as Heath did and hang the lights on a small stainless steel cable. Make sure that there is slack at the end where it plugs into the power source.

[@OZYM1]

@@ElectricGears Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

[@watuzi]

It would have been nice if you showed how to install the wire support. It would be more realistic for most homeowners.

[@UglyStupidLumberjack]

I feel like they do this a lot. "Now, you may need to do this, but luckily in your case, you don't need to, so we can skip that." BUT WHAT IF I DO NEED TO!?!?

[@JoshWitte]

Those particular lights have the steel support cable built in. That's why it says it can support itself up to 20ft.

[@super3900]

Won't the steel poles attract lightning strikes?

[@BalaajiVB-ri9tk]

Does it matter the pipe diameter you use. Does 3/8th work?

[@MathewStephens-UNWSP]

Your link for the poles themselves is not the right link, and it's the one thing I cannot find! Please help :)

[@matthewluca2914]

Pole hardware is at Lowe's

[@brianshafer6339]

@thisoldhouse The link to the mounting kit does not include the powder coated steel poles.

[@psychodad4634]

What is the link for the string light poles? Anyone?

[@JoshWitte]

It's in the description

[@JoshWitte]

Never mind. That's like the one thing they didn't include...

[@614x2]

Love festoon lighting

[@thebeardedhomesteader]

Don't forget to cap the tops on the pipes or it will get water in em and freeze and bulge or crack em

[@oceanwoods]

I was perplexed that they didn’t

[@oambrosia]

That's why the bottom was elevated slightly off the deck, to let water drain out.

[@shikunwang2080]

This is the video we've been looking for!! I wonder where we can get the poles and those brackets. The link above directs me to the mounting hooks but no poles & brackets.

[@JDkennyd]

Same!

[@pnwmeditations]

Same! I think they pasted the same link twice by mistake.

[@julissalopez703]

Can you list the wire

[@dirkle]

The link to the mounting kit does not include the powder coated steel poles.

[@GrammarPoliceInvestigations]

I wonder if she cleared this with her HOA ahead of time.

[@brizzle3903]

HOAs are the worst! I’ll never move into a neighborhood with one because in my opinion they shouldn’t exist

[@youtubeuser5424]

lol so if the post wasn’t plumb, was he gonna dismantle everything to fix it?

[@ayayron7776]

*Thank you for making this video for ME!!*

[@oceanwoods]

This New House

[@justin0114]

How can I apply for my home to be on your show ?

[@nufcedkidyup8627]

Again, no video when it's dark out?😮

[@77devera]

They should move that grill away from the house. It can melt the siding.

[@cpt.oblivion]

They don't use it anyways it's just for Aesthetics lol

[@roberttruesdell6151]

Could have shown it at night.

[@_JohnRedcorn_]

Nice of him to let her feel like she’s doing something helpful

[@Cypher791]

🏠💡😊

[@rickys288]

That is definitely not an "old house"

[@nilz23]

Gotta keep those chinese led string lights that will only last 1 year protected by supporting them by stainless steel cable.

[@nilz23]

HaVe An EleCtRiCiAn InStAlL aN oUtLeT iF yOu DoN't HaVe OnE... Anyways here how to plug a string of lights into an outlet.

[@biginjapan7824]

Are they robots?

[@AraCarrano]

And now the back yard looks like a pumpkin/christmas tree lot.

[@ellenfisher6341]

Very tacky looking ~ in my opinion .

[@davidmburkhart]

We cover ours with paper lantern globes (I think my wife gets them at World Market). Looks great.

[@dawnross644]

Awful video….does not show the materials used or where you can find them. The alternative items are only listed. Jeez !! Waste of time.

[@Engineer9736]

Lobstahhh

[@Mike_Greentea]

Warrshing machine

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

Im kind of insulted u assumed I don't know how to put up string lights lol

[@cpt.oblivion]

The x pattern looks like garbage. Just saying. I guess im a hater lol

[@ajmuzz22]

😂😂😂😂😂 😂😂😂

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

Wrong, you nee a cable to hang the wires to, you cannot stress the electrical cable! Look elsewhere on how to do it properly. This Old House has let you down.

[@bryan__m]

Someone didn't watch to the end.

[@lewdoty7072]

PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

[@lewdoty7072]

PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

[@lewdoty7072]

PLEASE LIST THE POLE MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THIS VIDEO

[@solidworksanimation2119]

SteelTek brand at Lowe's