Building Frames for windows - What media?

[jaimwolfe]

I'm going to build window frames to hang lights on, to speed light installation. I was originally going to make these out of 3/4" PVC, but am wondering if making them from wood would be a better option? I am planning on making them 6'x6' and putting both 18' Green incandescent rope and LED White 18' rope lights around the two sides and top, and covering the bottom with green mini's. I will be running 2 channels per window.

Do you think wood would be a better option than PVC? It would probably make it easier to attach the lights to them. Anyone have any experience with either? What wood? Should I take time to paint the wood? I know that next year I may add a third color to the window, and think that wood may make that easier.

Thanks,
Jaime

[dqhall]

I was pondering this very same question last year and decided to go with the PVC solution. I built PVC frames for all my windows. I put three separate strands of lights on them and attached them to each window. When the lighting season was over, I just pulled them down and stored them right into the shed with the lights still on. I pulled them out the other day and they still look as good as last year (a little dusty though).

[shakeonit]

I use pvc also, works great... The problem with wood, is that it's heavier and can warp, making it less stable IMO.

Wood is an easier mount with lights - staple gun, but I just used zip ties, and the lighter pvc hangs and dangles from 1 hook for storage, I would think that setup with wood might create additional warping.

[-klb-]

Mine are 3/4 PVC as well. I probably would not build them to be a tight fit, but rather plan for a pair of screws, about 3/4 of the way up each side to hold them in. Otherwise, the amount of thermal expansion/contraction might surprise you.

[Tom Clapper]

I am getting ready to build some myself. I plan to use wood to make a frame(probably 1x2). Using metal corners on the insides. Current Plan is to paint them. And then I am putting plastic rope light tracks on them so the rope light stays nice and straight. I'll let you know how mine work...or if you get done first let me know how yours worked.

[jim6918]

Mine are built out of #2 clear 1" X 6" pine, ripped in half lenghtwise. I used a Kreg Pocket Jig to make pretty strong, yet simple butt joints that i glue up with white Gorilla Glue. I like my C9 LED bulbs to point straight out for maximum effect and feel that stapling the wire to the frames gives me the tightest attachment to the frame. I am not sure I agree with shakeonit that wood is heavier than PVC. Mine are very light and I just hang them with the lights still attached to hooks in my storage unit.

[Christmas_time_karl_UK]

I used wooden frames for my LED window strings...drilled positioned holes to poke the LEDs through so the viewer gets full on intensity and brightness due to perfect viewing angle.

[RaceMedic]

I use C9 bulbs around all my windows.

I use 2" x 2" plastic eaves trough ... ripped them in half and drilled holes every 3" ... the final look .. all u see is the bulbs and the wire is hidden inside.

You can take a look at some pics .. http://www.pbase.com/dgeall

Dave

[beeiilll]

I have been wanting to make frames as well but have not had the money for it yet.
I was looking at using plastic "C" channel that is used as an edging for lattice. It is sold at Lowes and HD.
I use C6 LED lights around my windows and the channel is the perfect size for the bulbs to fit in nice and firm.
I'm sure that there was another thread about some other means for securing lights as well.
Bill

[eluttmann]

RaceMedic wrote:

I use C9 bulbs around all my windows.

I use 2" x 2" plastic eaves trough ... ripped them in half and drilled holes every 3" ... the final look .. all u see is the bulbs and the wire is hidden inside.

You can take a look at some pics .. http://www.pbase.com/dgeall

Dave

Thanks for the links to the pictures, how did you mount the plastic troughs to the windows?

[yukon]

I went with the 1x2 wood frames and used wire ties to attach the lights to the frame..I can add a new set each year or replace and the wire tie makes it easy to do so...I put up some hanging racks in m garage for easy storage and this year being my second year I am already to go..

the only exception was one of my windows was a little narrower due to roof shingles so I went with 3/4 in pvc for that.

On the wood frames I made corner braces braces from the 1x2's for extra support.Works great!

[yukon]

ONe more thing...the wood frames are fit snug inside the window frame so nothing needed except a little tap and they are nice and snug !

[RaceMedic]

eluttmann wrote:

Thanks for the links to the pictures, how did you mount the plastic troughs to the windows?

I just used small screws making sure it was away from the glass to make sure I did not break the vapor seal of the glass planes. When I took them down I just put a dab of clear silicone over the holes.

On the facing of the house I put anchors in and then put a screw through the center of the anchor.

Along the eaves trough I cut the back out differently and just hang them on the edge. Water still drains in the trough and I just zipped tied a couple of spots in case the wind caught it.

It all came down in less than an hour. Almost 800 bulbs.

Dave

[Paul Roberson]

Tom Clapper wrote:

I am getting ready to build some myself. I plan to use wood to make a frame(probably 1x2). Using metal corners on the insides. Current Plan is to paint them. And then I am putting plastic rope light tracks on them so the rope light stays nice and straight. I'll let you know how mine work...or if you get done first let me know how yours worked.

Our window frames with rope lights mounted on them were done the same way. Only difference it I used 1x4s and stained them to match the house.



I used some alum. flat bar and attached them to the rope light channel to hang the rope light on the gutters.

[jaimwolfe]

Well, after searching I was only able to find 1" PVC in 20' sections, so I picked up 12 from Lowes tonight. I decided to go with the 1" because my windows are pretty large, and each frame will be 6'x6', and have 3 channels/3 18' rope lights. Here is a picture as a test to see how they will work with the frame.

So my question is, should 3 ropes look OK if the middle rope is white LED, while the red and green are just incandescent? The red is pretty bright, the white is Really bright, while the green is not very bright. I'm probably worrying over nothing. The plan is to have 200 green incandescent mini's along the bottom of the frame, attached to the same channel as the green rope.

Attached files

[Paul Roberson]

LED rope light is very directional. How are you keeping your clear LEDs pointed toward the viewing area? The rope light channels I used for mounting them allowed me to keep the LED rope light pointed directly at the viewing area.

Also I think with the 3 rope lights that close together. When the clear is on you may also be able to see the red and green 'appear' to be on somewhat.

[jaimwolfe]

Hi Paul,

Yes, I just checked and it does appear that the green is slightly on when the white LEDs are on, but not really with the red. I had placed the white in the center so that I could force the LEDs to be pointed straight out at the road. Perhaps I will place them White/Red/Green to negate that effect. I may try to place them a little further apart as well.