As the holiday season approaches, you may be thinking, Should we keep using seasonal Christmas lights or invest in permanent lighting? Maybe you’ve struggled with dragging heavy bins out of storage, climbing up ladders in freezing weather, or wrestling with tangled strands that mysteriously lost half their bulbs since last year. On the other hand, the idea of installing permanent lights that can change colors year-round sounds appealing, but it also brings questions about cost, appearance, and long-term value.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we install seasonal Christmas lighting here in Omaha, and we’ve served this community since 1996. While our company focuses on seasonal displays, we’ve also had many conversations with homeowners who are weighing permanent lighting options. Because of this, we understand the pros and cons of both choices. Our role in this article is not to sway you one way or another but to lay out the differences clearly so you can make the best decision for your home.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll understand how permanent Christmas lights differ from seasonal lighting, what each option costs, how they look, how long they last, and whether they fit your goals as a homeowner. You’ll walk away with the confidence to choose the solution that fits your budget, lifestyle, and vision for your home during the holidays and beyond.
What Are Permanent Christmas Lights?
Permanent Christmas lights are LED light systems that are professionally installed on the roofline of your home and built to stay up year-round. These lights are designed to blend into the trim or soffit when turned off, making them discreet during the day. With an app or remote control, you can change the colors for Christmas, Halloween, the Fourth of July, birthdays, or even Husker game days.
Some popular features include:
- Smart controls through your phone
- Multiple color patterns and animations
- Waterproof housing built to withstand weather
- Lifespans of 10+ years if maintained properly
They’re an investment upfront, but they eliminate the need to hire someone every year for installation and removal.
What Are Seasonal Christmas Lights?
Seasonal Christmas lights are the traditional holiday lighting displays most Omaha homeowners are familiar with. They are installed once a year, typically in late fall, and removed in January. With seasonal lights, you can change the look each year, add wreaths, garlands, bows, and try different colors or patterns.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we provide seasonal lighting installation, and we’ve seen how much joy these displays bring to families during the holidays. Seasonal lights allow for flexibility, but they do require yearly setup and takedown.
Comparing Costs: Permanent vs Seasonal Christmas Lighting
Permanent Lights
- Installation typically costs between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on the size of the home and features included.
- Once installed, the main expense is electricity and occasional maintenance.
- Viewed as a one-time investment that spreads over many years.
Seasonal Lights
- Professional installation in Omaha ranges from $800 to $2,000 per season, depending on home size and complexity.
- Since this is a yearly expense, the cost adds up over time.
- Offers the option to adjust the design or scale back based on what you’re looking for.
In simple terms, permanent lights make sense for homeowners planning to stay in their home for 10+ years and who want convenience, while seasonal lights work better for families who enjoy flexibility or might move in the next few years.
Appearance and Flexibility of Permanent vs Seasonal Lights
Permanent Lights
These systems are discreet and designed to blend into your trim during the day. At night, the colors are bold and can be customized for any occasion. The downside is that the design is limited to your roofline, so if you like wreaths, bows, and ground-level displays, those would need to be added separately.
Seasonal Lights
Seasonal lighting gives you more variety. You can go classic with warm white lights, colorful with multi-colored strands, or trendy with cascading icicles. You can add greenery, bows, and garlands for extra holiday cheer. Some homeowners love being able to switch up the look every year instead of committing to one permanent style.
Durability and Maintenance of Permanent vs Seasonal Lights
Permanent Lights
These systems are built to last through Nebraska winters, but they’re not maintenance-free. You may eventually need repairs or replacements, especially if a section stops working. Because they stay up all year, they’re also exposed to more UV rays, storms, and dust.
Seasonal Lights
Since they are only used for a few weeks each year, seasonal lights don’t wear out as quickly. However, strands may still break or stop working, and there’s always the chance of bulbs burning out. Professional installers usually check and replace bulbs during setup, so homeowners don’t have to worry about it.
Safety Considerations of Permanent vs Seasonal Lights
Climbing ladders in the cold can be risky. Permanent lights remove that hazard for the most part since they stay up year-round. With seasonal lights, hiring professionals to install them ensures your roof, gutters, and shingles aren’t damaged, and you won’t be putting yourself in harm’s way.
Should You Get Permanent or Seasonal Outdoor Lights?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I want the convenience of never scheduling light installation again?
- Do I enjoy changing my display each year, or do I prefer one setup that works year-round?
- Am I planning to stay in my home for 10 years or longer?
- Do I want lights only on my roofline, or do I like adding wreaths, bows, and yard displays?
- How does my budget fit with each option?
There’s no wrong answer. Some Omaha families love the modern look and ease of permanent lights, while others find joy in refreshing their seasonal design every December.
Christmas Light Installation in Omaha, NE
The choice between permanent lights and seasonal Christmas lighting comes down to your lifestyle, budget, and preferences. If convenience, long-term savings, and year-round use appeal to you, permanent lights might be worth the upfront investment. If you enjoy changing your design, adding festive greenery, or controlling costs year by year, seasonal lighting may be the better choice.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we specialize in seasonal Christmas lights for Omaha homeowners, but we also recognize the benefits of permanent systems. No matter which option you choose, the goal is the same: to bring warmth, joy, and holiday cheer to your home.
If you’re ready to brighten up your home this Christmas, click the button below to get a quote.
Not ready to commit yet? Try our Christmas light pricing calculator to see what fits your budget.
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