Permanent lighting — LED lights mounted in a track along your roofline that stay up all year and change color from an app — has become a popular alternative to hanging Christmas lights every season. Is it worth it for a Miami home?
We install seasonal Christmas lighting, so take our view with that in mind. But permanent lighting is a good fit for some homes, and here's an honest look at both.
What permanent lighting is
A permanent system mounts small LED points in a channel or track along the roofline, usually tucked under the eave or along the fascia. It stays up year-round, and you control it from your phone: warm white for everyday accent lighting, red and green in December, team colors on game day, orange in October.
What seasonal lighting is
Seasonal lighting is the classic Christmas look: C9 bulbs along the roofline, mini lights wrapped around palms and trees, wreaths and garland at the entry, pathway lights. It goes up for the holidays and comes down in January.
Where permanent lighting wins
- Year-round use. If you want accent lighting every night, or for every holiday, permanent does that.
- No yearly install. Once it's up, it's up.
- App control. Colors, patterns and schedules from your phone.
Where seasonal lighting wins
- The Christmas look. Big C9 bulbs read as "Christmas" in a way small track points don't. Permanent systems light the roofline only; they don't wrap palms, light trees or hang wreaths and garland — which is most of what makes a South Florida display.
- No upfront investment. Permanent systems are a home improvement purchase, paid up front. Seasonal service is a yearly cost with nothing to own.
- Nothing on your house the rest of the year. Track is designed to be discreet, but it's still hardware on your fascia twelve months a year, in full sun.
- Flexibility. Want a different color or a totally different design next year? With a seasonal service that owns the lights, you just change the plan.
South Florida questions to ask
Your HOA
Many communities in Miami-Dade and Broward have architectural review for anything permanently attached to the exterior. Seasonal decorations are usually covered by simpler holiday guidelines. Check before you buy a permanent system.
Your roof and fascia
Tile roofs and stucco fascia are common here. Ask how a permanent system attaches, what it does to your fascia or soffit, and what happens if you replace your roof — common after storms.
Sun and weather
Anything mounted outside in South Florida lives through intense UV, heat, humidity and hurricane season, every year. Ask about the warranty and what it covers.
Resale
Some buyers like permanent lighting. Others see it as hardware to remove. It's worth thinking about if you might sell.
Which one is right for you?
Permanent makes sense if you want accent lighting year-round, plan to stay in the home for years, and your HOA allows it.
Seasonal makes sense if you mainly want a great Christmas display — palms, trees, wreaths and all — with nothing to buy, nothing on your house the rest of the year, and the freedom to change your look every season.
How our seasonal service works
One all-in price for the season: commercial-grade LED lights, design, installation by an insured crew, a dusk-to-dawn timer, free repairs within 48 hours, and takedown in January. The lights stay ours, so there's nothing to buy or store. See it all on how it works, or get your instant quote in about two minutes.
Rather skip the homework?
See your price in about two minutes
Tell us what you'd like lit and the quote shows your all-in seasonal price right away — design, commercial-grade lights, installation, maintenance and January takedown included.
