How to Decorate for the Holidays Without Damaging Your Windows & Doors

‘Tis the season for constantly changing decorations as we move from one holiday to the next. As fun as the decoration and the celebration is, be sure to protect your home as you do so. Damaging your windows and doors wouldn’t bring any of that holiday cheer, and sometimes you could be causing ugly damage or invisible harm that leads to wear and tear.

The winter weather, though milder in Atlanta, can still bring its own host of issues to the health and safety of your home, so be sure to take special care when putting up and taking down the festive decorations.

Protecting Your Doors

Decorating your front door is a delightful way to add to the holiday ambiance and provide that welcoming feeling for your winter visitors. When hanging decorations on and around your doors, avoid using things like hooks, nails, and screws, which will weaken the door’s integrity over time.

You should also avoid masking tape or double-sided tape when putting up decorations. Only use tape that is made for easy removal, so as not to take your door’s paint down with the decorations. Here are some alternate options for door decorations:

• Fishing line. If you want to hang a wreath, tie fishing line in loops to secure it to the corners of your door, making your decoration appear to hang in midair.
• Adhesive hooks. This is an easy way to temporarily hang decorations. Choose hooks that are right for the weight of your decorations, and be sure that you clean the surface before you apply them. Adhesive hooks are much easier to remove during clean-up, and are effective for wreaths, garlands, and lights.
• Door hanger. This is a common option for hanging wreaths, but it’s important that the hooks have a felted back to avoid scratches on your door. Also be sure to open the door carefully so that the weatherstripping isn’t damaged.

Protecting Your Windows

Decorating your windows brings festive light and life to your home both inside and outside. However, as with your doors there are steps you need to take to protect your windows from damage. Don’t drill any holes into the window frames to put up decorations; this could lead to rot in the window over time.

Before you go around putting up decorations, clean your windows. It will not only make them look nice, but the clean surfaces will ensure that suction cups and adhesive strips attach better. Here are some ways you can protect your windows this holiday season:

• Curtain rod. There’s no need to use any additional hooks or tape if you’re able to hang your garlands or lights from secure curtain rods. Light ornaments can be hung using fishing wire, allowing them to be seen through your windows without harming the glass.
• Suction cups. These make it easy to hang small ornaments and are easy to remove.
• Window clings. An alternate option to hanging ornaments, you could opt for decorations made to be placed on windows without damaging them, such as peel-and-stick window clings.
• Adhesive strips. This is another easy way to hang things in your window and around your window frame that is easy to remove when the holidays wrap up.

Ensure You Have Strong Windows this Winter

You want to be sure your home is secure this winter. Protect your windows, and if you believe you’re in need of a window upgrade, let Window Makeover Atlanta show you the options we have for better and more durable windows.