The Pittsburgh winter is no stranger to extremes. Snow, ice, wind, and fluctuating temperatures can turn a festive light display into a frustrating, and sometimes dangerous, mess if the wrong materials are used. For homeowners in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh, durability in holiday lighting isn’t a bonus. It’s a requirement. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose durable, weather-resistant holiday lighting, what materials to look for, what to avoid, and how professional installation can make all the difference in performance, safety, and peace of mind.
Pittsburgh’s winter weather is as unpredictable as it is intense. Between freezing rain, lake-effect snow, ice storms, and bitter wind chills, your holiday lighting setup faces serious environmental stress. If your lights aren’t built for it, you’ll find yourself dealing with:
● Shorted-out circuits
● Broken or cracked bulbs
● Rusted sockets and connectors
● Lights sagging or falling due to wind or snow weight
● Water damage leading to electrical hazards
Durability should be at the core of every lighting decision.
When selecting lighting products for your home, here are the most important features to look for to ensure they’ll survive a Pittsburgh winter.
All outdoor lighting should be certified for exterior use. There are two common ways to confirm this:
● UL Rating (Underwriters Laboratories): Look for lights labeled as UL Listed for Outdoor Use. These products are tested for exposure to moisture and temperature fluctuations.
● IP Rating (Ingress Protection): Common in more advanced or smart lighting systems, this rating measures protection against water and dust. A minimum of IP44 is recommended for Pittsburgh winters, though IP65 or higher offers better protection for storm-prone areas.
Avoid using indoor-rated lights outdoors, no matter how sheltered your porch or entryway might seem.
LED holiday lights are the gold standard for durability in cold climates like Pittsburgh. Why?
● Less heat generation = Reduced risk of overheating or fire
● Shatter-resistant plastic bulbs instead of fragile glass
● Energy efficiency (up to 75% less electricity than incandescents)
● Longer lifespan — often 25,000+ hours
● Cool operation — ideal for snow or icicle lighting where ice buildup can occur
Standard holiday light wiring isn’t built to handle moisture infiltration, ice, or heavy snow. Look for lights with:
● Thicker gauge wire (20 or 22 AWG is ideal)
● UV-resistant insulation to prevent cracking
● Watertight connectors that prevent moisture from entering socket joints
These materials prevent the most common winter failures: cracked wiring, shorts, and fire risk due to water intrusion.
Older lights often used glass bulbs, which crack easily under freezing temps or after just a light bump. For Pittsburgh’s freeze-and-thaw cycles, opt for:
● Polycarbonate lenses or shatterproof acrylic bulbs
● Flexible plastic housing that can resist hail or falling ice
It’s not just the lights that need to be tough, the installation method matters just as much.
Professionally installed displays use:
● Commercial-grade clips designed for rooflines, gutters, and shingles
● No staples or nails, which damage your roofing or siding
● Custom attachment solutions for brick, stone, and vinyl
Pittsburgh wind gusts frequently exceed 30 mph in winter months, especially in open or elevated lots common in North Hills. A secure mount prevents lights from detaching, flapping, or causing damage to your home exterior.
While not directly a durability issue, automated control systems help reduce wear and energy use by limiting runtime. Features to consider include:
● Smart plugs or outdoor-rated timers
● Wi-Fi enabled controllers compatible with Alexa or Google Home
● Built-in dusk-to-dawn sensors
By limiting your display’s operation to 4–8 hours per evening, you minimize power strain and moisture exposure, extending the life of your lighting investment.
Avoid these common pitfalls that compromise the durability of holiday lighting in Pittsburgh:
Even “semi-covered” porches can allow moisture into sockets or wires. If it’s not outdoor-rated, don’t use it outside.
Exceeding the maximum wattage of your circuit can blow fuses or even cause fires. Always calculate the load and follow manufacturer guidelines.
If you're using basic extension cords instead of GFCI-protected outlets, a snowstorm can create dangerous situations. Either unplug your lights or use weatherproof outdoor power solutions.
Beyond durability, safety is paramount. Climbing ladders in winter conditions can lead to serious injuries. Professional installation ensures proper placement, load distribution, and anchoring, all done safely.
To understand why durable lights are essential, consider what Pittsburgh throws at your home from late November through early January:
● Average temperatures ranging from 22°F to 38°F
● Frequent freeze-thaw cycles, which stress wiring and mounting clips
● Lake-effect snowstorms dumping several inches of snow in hours
● Icy rain that can saturate sockets and weigh down light strands
● Wind chills below zero, which cause materials to become brittle
These aren’t ideal conditions for generic big-box store lights. North Hills homes require lighting engineered for endurance and installed by professionals who understand the climate.
Holiday lights are meant to bring joy, not headaches. But if your lights burn out, break, or fall down before Christmas Eve, they become one more winter problem to deal with.
That’s why durability should be a top priority when choosing lighting for your home in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh. When you invest in the right materials and work with a trusted installer, you’ll enjoy a beautiful, reliable display that survives snow, sleet, and subzero temperatures.
We specialize in professional holiday light installation and removal for North Hills homeowners. With decades of experience through our sister company, M.A. Thompson Roofing, we understand how Pittsburgh weather affects homes and how to install lighting that lasts.
We provide:
● Commercial-grade LED lighting options
● Roofline-safe installation practices
● Weather-resistant mounting solutions
● Post-season light removal and optional storage
Let M.A. Thompson Lighting handle the weather, and the wires, so you can enjoy the magic.
