Answers · Permanent Trim Lighting
Can I still hang strand Christmas lights if I have AE LEDs?
Straight answer on whether you can (or should) still hang traditional strand Christmas lights on a home that already has AE LEDs permanent trim lighting installed.
The honest version: Yes — and a lot of Arizona homeowners do exactly that. Permanent trim lighting handles the architectural line — fascia, roofline, parapets, patio perimeters. Strand and wrap lights fill in the ornament work — tree wrap, wreath accents, saguaro wrap, temporary landscape features. The two systems complement rather than compete. What you don't want to do is hire a seasonal strand service to also do the rooflines, because that recreates the annual ladder-and-install cost the permanent system was meant to eliminate.
- AZ ROC 211530 · 347738 · 341002 · 340966
- Arizona-built since 2005
- President, Southwest Hardscapes Association
01
Where the two systems complement each other
- Permanent trim — architectural line (fascia, roofline, parapets, patio perimeters).
- Strand — ornament and tree work (tree wrap, saguaro wrap, wreath accents, ground-level landscape features).
- Permanent trim runs year-round; strand goes up for the season.
- Same holiday scene — one architectural, one ornamental — reads as a designed whole.
02
Where they compete (skip the strand)
- Rooflines already covered by permanent trim — hanging strand over them defeats the purpose.
- Fascia already channeled — no room and no reason to add strand.
- Patio perimeters wired to permanent trim — strand duplicates the scope.
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03
Practical strand tips when you have permanent trim
- Match color temperature — if permanent trim is running 3000K warm white and strand is 5000K cool white, the mix looks wrong. Buy strand that matches.
- Time schedules so both systems run together — strand on a smart plug scheduled to match permanent trim's sunset trigger.
- Route strand power off outlets that aren't tied to the permanent lighting circuit — don't overload.
- Storage — strand still needs a box; permanent trim doesn't.
04
When to stop hanging strand entirely
- When the annual install-and-remove service starts costing more than a small permanent expansion.
- When the ladder-time risk stops being worth it.
- When permanent trim has been expanded to cover the ornament features you used to strand (saguaro trim, patio perimeter, ramada eaves).
FAQ
Common questions.
Yes. AE regularly returns to prior installs to add permanent channel to patio perimeters, ramada eaves, second-story rooflines, and landscape features that homeowners were still stranding annually. The expansion is quoted like any new install.
No — strand lights on smart plugs or their own transformer don't touch the AE LEDs system electrically. AE warranty on the permanent install is unaffected. What voids warranty is unauthorized modification of the permanent trim channel or controller.
Design the full Christmas look — permanent + strand where it makes sense
AE walks the property, spec's the permanent trim scope, and flags where strand still adds value — no upsell on scope that doesn't earn its place.
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Why this is an investment, not a cost.
An AE backyard is engineered to add daily livability and long-term home value. We publish honest ranges and build to code with a licensed and bonded Arizona crew. AE provides project-specific workmanship and manufacturer-warranty information in the signed agreement. Website summaries are for planning only.
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Arizona. ROC 340966 (R-62) · ROC 341002 (R-3) · ROC 347738 (KA-5) · ROC 211530 (CR-21). Most Arizona contracting work valued at $1,000 or more — or requiring a permit — must be performed by a properly licensed contractor, subject to statutory exemptions. Verify the legal entity, license status, and classification with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
- Real ranges, itemized scope. You see materials, finishes, equipment models, and a line-item budget before you sign — not a one-line "pool — $90,000."
Next step
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