Every fall, someone in Ottawa asks us the same fair question: if the lights stay up all year, what happens when January hits? Between deep cold snaps, heavy snow, freezing rain and those weeks when it thaws by day and freezes again at night, our winters are hard on anything attached to a house. So it makes sense to want to know how permanent LED lights hold up before you put them on your roofline.
Here is the short answer: the permanent LED lighting we install is built for Ottawa winters, rated to -40, and backed by a warranty. Below is the longer answer, including how the system is mounted, what ice and snow actually do, and what to check on your home before an install.
Built for Ottawa Cold
Anyone who has scraped a windshield in a February cold snap knows Ottawa winters are no joke. The lighting we install is built for exactly these winters and rated to -40.
It is also a very different setup from the strings of Christmas lights many of us grew up with. You are not untangling stiff wire on a ladder every December or clipping strands to frozen gutters. Once the system is up, it stays up, and you control it from your phone.
How Permanent Lights Are Mounted
A lot of how well a lighting system survives winter comes down to where and how it is mounted. Traditional Christmas lights are clipped to gutters or shingles, where they sit in the path of snow, ice and wind.
Permanent lights are different. Our team custom-fits the track to your roofline and hides it behind the trim, so it nearly disappears by day. That placement does two useful things in winter:
- It keeps the lights tucked under the roofline instead of sitting on top of the gutter or the shingles.
- It gives the system a clean, continuous line to follow, which is exactly where permanent lighting looks its best.
Most installs take one to three days, depending on the size and shape of the roofline.
Ice, Snow and Freeze-Thaw
Cold on its own is only part of the story. Ottawa winters also bring snow, ice and constant freeze-thaw cycles, and each one tests a home’s exterior in a different way.
Snow
Snow builds up on roofs and in gutters, not under the trim. Because the track sits beneath the roofline, the lights are not buried the way gutter-clipped strings can be after a big storm.
Ice and freezing rain
Freezing rain coats everything it touches, and ice dams can form along the edge of a roof. Lights mounted under the trim sit out of the way of that build-up, and there are no loose strands hanging from the gutter for ice to weigh down.
Freeze-thaw cycles
In late fall and early spring, water melts during the day and refreezes overnight. Over time, that cycle is hard on anything that lets water in or traps it. That is why the condition of your gutters and fascia matters, and why it is worth asking any installer about the hardware and seals they use and what their warranty covers. When we quote your home, we are happy to walk you through the warranty details.
Check Your Gutters and Fascia First
Permanent lights mount along the roofline, so the roofline itself should be in good shape. Before an install, it is worth looking at:
- Gutters: clogged gutters overflow, and overflowing water in winter turns into ice along the edge of the roof. Clear gutters let meltwater drain away from your home and your foundation.
- Fascia and trim: the track is fitted to your trim, so it should be solid and secure.
- Downspouts: make sure they are clear so water has somewhere to go when it melts.
If your gutters need attention, our team can handle that too. Our gutter cleaning clears leaves, debris and blockages from gutters and downspouts so water flows away from your foundation. The same team handles both cleaning and lighting, so you can book them together.
Is Late Fall Too Late to Install?
Not at all. Late fall is when most people start thinking about holiday lights, and it is a great time to make the switch. Once the system is up, you are set for this Christmas and every holiday after it, without ever climbing a ladder in December again.
The install itself happens along the roofline, and most installs take one to three days. We demo the lights at your home before you decide, then book a day that works for you and for the weather.
Control It All From Your Phone
One of the best parts of permanent lighting in winter is that you never have to go outside to use it. From an app on your phone, you can choose:
- Warm white for everyday evenings, which is welcome when it gets dark before five.
- Colours and scenes for Christmas, New Year’s and Valentine’s Day.
- Custom patterns for birthdays, game nights and anything else worth celebrating.
Millions of colours and custom scenes, controlled from your phone, and one install replaces every string of lights you used to put up and take down.
Serving Homes Across Ottawa
We install permanent lighting across the city, from Kanata and Barrhaven to Orleans and beyond. Every home’s roofline is different, from long, simple lines on split levels to larger homes with more gables and trim, which is why we look at your home before we quote. See our full list of service areas to find your neighbourhood.
Permanent LED Lights in Winter: FAQ
Will permanent lights hold up to an Ottawa winter?
Yes. The lighting we install is built for Ottawa winters and rated to -40, and every install is backed by a warranty. Ask us about the warranty details when we quote your home.
Do the lights get buried by snow?
The track is custom-fit to your roofline and hidden behind the trim, under the roofline rather than on top of the gutter or shingles, so it is not sitting where snow piles up.
Can you install permanent lights in late fall?
Yes. Late fall is a great time to switch, so you are ready for the holidays. We demo the lights at your home first and book an install day that works for you and the weather.
How long does an install take?
Most permanent lighting installs take one to three days, depending on the size and shape of the roofline.
Should I get my gutters cleaned first?
It is a good idea. Clear gutters and solid fascia make for a better install and help meltwater drain away from your home. The same team handles both, so you can book them together.
How do I get a quote?
Fill out our quote form or call 613-854-6779, and we will get back to you the same day. Quotes are free, and for lighting we demo the lights at your home before you decide.
Get Your Free Quote
Light up your home for every season without ever climbing a ladder again. Tell us about your home and we will get back to you the same day with a free quote and a demo of what your roofline could look like.
Get a Free Quote or call 613-854-6779.