We install both, so we get this question a lot. Neither one is "better." They solve different problems. Here's how they compare and how to pick.
How seasonal Christmas lights work
With our Christmas lighting service, we design your display, install commercial-grade LEDs leased for the season, maintain them through the holidays, and take everything down in January. You pay each season, and you don't own or store anything. Most single-story homes run $600–$800 and most two-story homes $900–$1,500.
How permanent roofline lighting works
Permanent roofline lighting is a low-profile LED track mounted under your eaves. It's nearly invisible during the day. At night you can set it to millions of colors and effects from an app on your phone, and schedule it for every holiday ahead of time. The LEDs are rated for up to 50,000 hours, and our installs come with a 3-year warranty on workmanship and materials. We're also a Govee affiliate and install Govee permanent systems regularly.
Side by side
| Feature | Seasonal | Permanent |
|---|---|---|
| Install | Every season | Once |
| Cost | Each season | One-time investment |
| Colors | Set when installed | Millions, from your phone |
| Use | Christmas season | Every holiday and everyday |
| In daylight | Visible clips and cords | Nearly invisible track |
| Classic C9 bulb look | Yes | No (modern LED pixels) |
What about cost?
Seasonal lighting is a smaller check each year. Permanent lighting is a bigger one-time cost, priced mainly by the length of your roofline. If you're already paying for Christmas lights every year, permanent lighting starts to make sense over several seasons, and you get Fourth of July, Halloween, game days, and everyday warm white lighting on top of it. For seasonal pricing details, see our Christmas lighting cost guide.
Choose seasonal if…
- You love the classic look of traditional Christmas bulbs.
- You only decorate for Christmas.
- You're renting, or plan to move in the next couple of years.
- You want wrapped trees, wreaths, and a full display, not just a roofline.
Choose permanent if…
- You'd use lighting for more than one holiday a year.
- You never want to think about installs and takedowns again.
- You plan to stay in your home for years.
- You like the idea of everyday warm white accent lighting.
Can you do both?
Yes, and plenty of homeowners do. A permanent roofline covers the house year-round, and we add seasonal wrapped trees, wreaths, or bushes for December. If you're on the fence, send us photos of your home and we'll quote both options so you can compare.
