Home › Lights with gutter guards

How to Hang Christmas Lights with Gutter Guards

Updated November 1, 2026 · General information, not electrical or safety advice

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend. How we make money.

The short answer: Standard gutter clips often will not fit over gutter guards. Two sourced options: hooks that slip between mesh guards, or shingle clips slid under the bottom row of shingles. Check your guard maker's instructions first, and pick clips that do not block water flow.

Safety first. Use only lights and cords rated for outdoor use, plug them into a GFCI-protected outlet, keep ladders and light strands at least 10 feet from overhead power lines, and have a helper. Hire a licensed electrician for any wiring or new outlet. See our safety guide. This reminder is ours; the sourced details are on that page.

Your options

Method	What the source says	Source type
Clips that slip through mesh	With mesh gutter guards, use gutter hooks that slip between the mesh.	This Old House
Shingle clips	Slide them under the bottom row of shingles, spaced about a foot apart.	This Old House
Temporary shingle clips	Described as effective, and said not to void a roof warranty. Check your roof maker's terms.	LeafFilter, a gutter guard company
Adhesive clips	Attach directly to the gutter surface.	LeafFilter
Moisture-resistant clips	Hold firmly without blocking water flow.	LeafFilter
Permanent roofline lighting	Mounts separately from the guards. See permanent vs seasonal.	LeafFilter (it sells its own lighting service)

LeafFilter's blog promotes its own services. We list its methods because they match This Old House, not because we endorse its products.

Pole method (no ladder)

LeafFilter describes this ladder-free way to clip lights under shingles:

Hook the light wire into the clip.
Use the pole's trigger to open the grasping end and grip the clip.
Raise the pole to the roof edge and slide the clip under a shingle.
Release the clasp and pull the pole away slowly.

What to check first

Ask your gutter guard maker. Check their instructions before using clips from another brand (our advice).
Do not block water flow. LeafFilter says to choose clips that let water pass through the gutter.
Skip wind and ice. LeafFilter notes these conditions raise fall risk.
Test every strand for broken bulbs and loose wires before hanging (LeafFilter, Public Storage).
Ladder rules apply. LeafFilter says to keep two feet on the ladder and have a partner. OSHA says three points of contact. See safety.

If the roof is steep or the guards are hard to work around, LeafFilter suggests professional installers. See installer vs DIY.

Need clips or a hanging pole?

Clips made for the job are gentler on your gutters and cords than nails or staples. Match the clip to your gutter, shingle or trim.

Browse light clips and hanging poles Count your clips

Common questions

Can you hang Christmas lights on gutter guards?

Often, with the right clips. This Old House says to use hooks that slip between mesh guards, or shingle clips under the bottom shingle row. Check your guard maker's instructions.

Will shingle clips damage my roof?

LeafFilter says temporary shingle clips should not void a roof warranty. We could not verify that with a roofing maker, so check your own warranty.

Is there a way to do it without a ladder?

Yes. LeafFilter and This Old House describe a light-hanging pole that places clips from the ground.

Related guides

Sources