Build Your Own String Lights (2024)

Ourcommercial grade cordsare suitable for outdoor, year-round use and ideal for permanent installations. They are perfect for that high-end, professional look around patios, backyards, bars, restaurants, weddings, events, and more. Additional features of our commercial grade string lights include:

• High quality PVC sockets form a snug, weather‐resistant seal around the bulb.
• Heavier gauge wire (14- or 16-gauge depending on socket size).
• Ability to safely have longer runs (total wattage allowed per cord).
• Cord colors: black, white, and green.
• Socket sizes: E27.

Our standard grade stringers still have a time and a place in the world of decorative string lights. Not every application calls for the heavier outdoor stringers. Below are some key points when deciding if our globe patio lights are perfect for your space:

• Cost-effective.
• Suitable for outdoor use but may not last as long.
• Great for indoor lighting for events, holidays and room decor.
• Good option for temporary lighting needs like smaller events or weddings.
• Cord colors: black, white, and green.
• Socket sizes:E12

Benefits ofLED Bulbs

• Efficiency— lower energy usage where a 1W LED bulb can replace an 11W incandescent.
• Cost— although a higher upfront cost, over the long term you can save not having to replace them as often.
• Durability— small LED bulbs are less fragile than an incandescent filament and stand up to vibrations better.
• Material— LEDs are available in both glass and plastic options. Because of the heat produced with incandescent, plastic shells are not an option. For example, if you are lighting around pool decking or edging a structure where bulbs may come in contact in the wind, you'd want plastic bulbs options.
• Safety— they produce very little heat so they are safe to touch or be safely near sensitive materials.
• Color— LEDs have the technology to make the small LED bulbs emit a range colors versus having the glass dipped in color.

Benefits ofIncandescent Bulbs

• Cost— An inexpensive option, especially if you just need them for a one-time party.
• Color— For some, nothing beats the traditional warm glow of incandescent.
• Style— This mainly refers to the various unique filament styling in vintage bulbs that you can get with incandescent and hard to mimic in LED (see vintage notes below).

E27 / E26 bulbs

have the same base size as a standard household socket. As the name implies, they are paired with our E27/E26 base cords. Bulb highlights include:

• Largest selection of LED and incandescent options.
• Provide the brightest options among the three socket sizes (range from 7W to 60W equivalents).
• Available in 11 bulb styles and sizes (see graphic below).
• Clear, opaque white, frosted and nine colors available in incandescent. Warm white, cool white and five colors available in LED.
• Glass (incandescent and LED) and plastic (LED only) options available.

E12 /E14 bulbs

have a base size that's just over a half inch. As the name implies, they are paired with ourE12 E14 Bulb. Bulb highlights include:

• Wide selection of LED and incandescent options.
• Brightness options range from 1W to 8W equivalents
• Warm white, cool white and seven colors available in LED.
• Several glass (incandescent and LED) and plastic (LED only) options available.

Vintage incandescent bulbs

provide a wide variety of unique filament styles to get that warm glow and old world charm.

• Brightness ranges from 1W to 25W depending on wire size.
• Available in A60/G80/ST64/G80
• Glass options only.

Vintage LED bulbs

step away from the various LED bulbs and instead use vertical style filament to mimic traditional "vintage" incandescent bulbs.

• Brightness ranges from 1W to 15W depending on Wire size.
• Available in many styles/sizes.
• Glass and plastic options available.