How much does permanent holiday lighting cost?

Permanent holiday lighting cost depends on the linear footage of your roofline, track type, number of controllers, and property complexity. Accu-Bright provides free, no-obligation estimates for every project. The Celebright system typically pays back the install cost within a few years of avoided seasonal lighting service fees, while delivering year-round value with a 15-year or 50,000-hour transferable product warranty and a 20+ year LED lifespan.

Will permanent lighting damage my home or roof?

No. Accu-Bright's Celebright system uses color-matched aluminum track that is professionally mounted along your roofline, soffits, or trim. No holes are drilled into the roof. Wiring runs discreetly through the attic or along existing channels. The system is specifically designed to preserve and enhance your home's architectural lines.

Can permanent lights be used year-round, not just for holidays?

Absolutely. Most Accu-Bright customers use their Celebright system for everyday architectural accent lighting with a warm white glow at night, automated security lighting with dusk-to-dawn scheduling, and then switch to holiday colors and patterns for Christmas, Halloween, Independence Day, and other occasions. That is the whole point — one system, every season.

How do I control permanent outdoor lights?

Accu-Bright installs the Celebright system which comes with a free cloud app for iOS and Android, plus a web portal for browser-based control. You can also use voice commands through Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit. IFTTT integration allows advanced automation. Control your lights from anywhere in the world — home, work, or vacation.

What happens if a permanent light bulb burns out?

Individual Celebright bulbs can be replaced without replacing the entire system. The data line design ensures that if one bulb fails, all other bulbs continue operating normally. This is a major advantage over cheaper systems where a single bulb failure can affect the whole string. Replacement bulbs are available through Celebright's authorized dealer network.

Do permanent lights look tacky or visible during the day?

No. The Celebright system installed by Accu-Bright uses compact 20mm frosted bulbs inside color-matched aluminum track with over 100 color finishes available. The track blends seamlessly into your existing trim, fascia, or soffit color. When the lights are off during the day, the system is virtually invisible. Celebright's motto is 'invisible by day, brilliant by night.'

How long does permanent lighting installation take?

Most residential Accu-Bright installations are completed in a single day. Larger or more complex homes with multiple rooflines, dormers, or additional structures may take two days. Our team personally oversees every project to ensure quality.

What warranty comes with permanent outdoor lighting?

Every Accu-Bright installation comes with a 15-year transferable product warranty on all system components including parts and materials (LEDs, track, controller), plus a 5-year labor warranty on the installation work itself. Celebright requires its dealers to offer at least 10 years; Accu-Bright chose to go above that. The product warranty is transferable to new homeowners if you sell your property, which can increase your home's resale value. Accu-Bright is a division of Accu-Dry Waterproofing, which has been backing its work with industry-leading warranties since 1990.

How much energy do permanent LED lights use?

Very little. Each Celebright RGBW bulb draws approximately 0.5 watts at full brightness. A typical 100-bulb permanent lighting system uses less electricity than a single 60-watt incandescent light bulb. Most Accu-Bright customers report no noticeable increase in their electric bill, even when running the lights nightly.

Why should I trust Accu-Bright if it is a new company?

Accu-Bright Lighting is a division of Accu-Dry Waterproofing, which has been serving Chicagoland homeowners since 1990. Accu-Dry has completed over 10,000 home service jobs, holds 198+ Google reviews at 4.9 stars, and maintains an A+ BBB rating. Accu-Bright brings that same 35-year track record of reliability, professionalism, and customer care to every permanent lighting project. Same team, same commitment, new service.

What is the difference between permanent lights and Christmas lights from a store?

Big-box store LED strips and string lights are consumer-grade products not designed for permanent outdoor installation. They lack IP68 waterproofing, professional track mounting, color-matched profiles, individual bulb control, smart home integration, and proper weatherproofing. They will degrade in Chicago weather within one to two seasons. The Celebright system installed by Accu-Bright is a professional-grade architectural lighting system rated for -40°F to 185°F, IP68 waterproof, with a 50,000-hour bulb life and a 15-year transferable product warranty plus 5-year labor warranty.

Do permanent lights increase home value?

Yes. Permanent outdoor lighting enhances curb appeal, improves exterior visibility and safety, and adds smart home functionality that today's buyers actively look for. A professionally installed Celebright system already in place saves future homeowners the time and cost of their own installation. Accu-Bright's transferable 15-year product warranty makes it an even stronger selling point during resale.

What is RGBW lighting and why is it better than RGB?

RGBW stands for Red, Green, Blue, and White. Unlike standard RGB systems that create white by blending red, green, and blue light together resulting in a cool, artificial-looking white, RGBW systems like Celebright include a dedicated 2700K warm white LED. This produces a true, warm incandescent-like white light that is ideal for everyday architectural accent lighting. RGBW also delivers deeper color saturation, higher brightness, and lower power consumption than RGB-only systems. Most competitors like Trimlight and JellyFish use RGB only.

What does IP68 waterproof rating mean for outdoor lights?

IP68 is the highest possible waterproof rating available. It means the Celebright system installed by Accu-Bright is rated for continuous submersion in water. For Chicago homeowners, this means the lights withstand heavy rain, snow, ice, sleet, extreme humidity, and temperature swings from -40°F to 185°F without any risk of moisture damage. Most competitors offer lower IP ratings that protect against rain but not continuous submersion or heavy sustained moisture.

What areas does Accu-Bright serve near Chicago?

Accu-Bright Lighting serves all Chicago suburbs across Chicagoland, headquartered in Westmont, IL. Service areas include DuPage County (Downers Grove, Naperville, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Lombard, Elmhurst, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Oak Brook), Will County (Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Joliet, Lockport, Homer Glen, Mokena, New Lenox, Frankfort, Orland Park), Cook County suburbs (La Grange, Western Springs, Burr Ridge, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn), and Kane County (Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles). Accu-Bright is a division of Accu-Dry Waterproofing, serving Chicagoland homeowners since 1990.

How does Accu-Bright compare to Trimlight?

Accu-Bright installs the Celebright system which offers several advantages over Trimlight. Celebright uses RGBW technology with a dedicated warm white LED, while Trimlight uses RGB only which produces artificial-looking whites. Celebright is IP68 waterproof rated for continuous submersion. Celebright offers 12 different track profiles and 100+ color-matched finishes compared to Trimlight's more limited selection. Celebright uses multi-bulb strings with only 10-15 connection points per 100 bulbs, reducing failure risk. Accu-Bright is backed by Accu-Dry Waterproofing's 35 years of trusted home service in Chicagoland.

How does Accu-Bright compare to JellyFish Lighting?

Accu-Bright's Celebright system offers key advantages over JellyFish Lighting. Celebright features RGBW with a dedicated warm white LED versus JellyFish's RGB-only system. Celebright has IP68 waterproofing rated for continuous submersion while JellyFish is rated at IP67 (temporary immersion only). Celebright provides full cloud-based remote access from anywhere and integrates with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT. Every Accu-Bright install comes with a 15-year or 50,000-hour transferable product warranty plus a 5-year labor warranty and is backed by Accu-Dry Waterproofing's 35-year reputation in Chicagoland with 198+ reviews at 4.9 stars.

How does Accu-Bright compare to Gemstone Lights?

While both Accu-Bright's Celebright system and Gemstone offer RGBW technology, Celebright has a critical reliability advantage: its multi-bulb string design creates only 10-15 connection points per 100 bulbs, while Gemstone uses single-bulb strings creating 99 connection points per 100 bulbs. Fewer connections means dramatically lower risk of moisture infiltration and system failure, which matters in Chicago's harsh weather. Celebright also offers full cloud-based remote access from anywhere, while Gemstone's system has limited remote capabilities. Accu-Bright is backed by Accu-Dry Waterproofing's 35 years of trusted service.

Can permanent lights work with Alexa and Google Home?

Yes. The Celebright system installed by Accu-Bright integrates natively with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT. You can use voice commands to turn lights on and off, change colors, activate presets, and adjust brightness. IFTTT integration allows advanced automation like triggering specific lighting patterns when your doorbell rings, syncing with weather forecasts, or activating security lighting when your phone leaves the house.

How many colors can permanent outdoor lights display?

The Celebright RGBW system installed by Accu-Bright can display over 16 million colors per bulb, with billions of possible combinations when multiple bulbs are combined. Every single bulb can be individually controlled, allowing custom patterns, sequences, color chases, and displays. The system also includes a dedicated 2700K warm white LED for elegant everyday architectural accent lighting.

What track colors are available for permanent lighting?

Accu-Bright offers over 100 enamel-coated aluminum track color finishes to match virtually any home exterior. Colors include whites, beiges, browns, grays, blacks, greens, blues, reds, and specialty finishes. The track is custom color-matched to your existing trim, fascia, soffit, or siding color so the system blends seamlessly into your home's architecture and is virtually invisible during the day.

Is permanent outdoor lighting safe for my home?

Yes. The Celebright system installed by Accu-Bright operates on 24V DC low voltage, which is inherently safe for residential use. An AC/DC converter in the control box plugs into a standard 120V household outlet. The system is IP68 waterproof, operates safely from -40°F to 185°F, and all connections are waterproofed. Each bulb draws only 0.5 watts. The aluminum track is non-combustible. Accu-Bright's professional installation ensures all wiring is properly routed and secured.

Can I schedule permanent lights to turn on automatically?

Yes. The Celebright app allows you to set automatic schedules by specific times, days of the week, or sunrise and sunset tracking based on your location. You can program holiday displays months or even years in advance. Set your Christmas lights to activate on November 25th and switch to warm white on January 2nd — all automatically. The system also supports dusk-to-dawn security scheduling.

What is the best permanent lighting system for Chicago weather?

For Chicago's extreme weather — hot summers, freezing winters, heavy rain, snow, and ice — Accu-Bright recommends the Celebright RGBW system because of its IP68 waterproof rating (highest available, rated for underwater use), operating temperature range from -40°F to 185°F, waterproofed connections, and enamel-coated aluminum track that resists corrosion. The multi-bulb string design with only 10-15 connection points per 100 bulbs further reduces moisture infiltration risk compared to competitors using 99 single-bulb connections. Accu-Bright has installed systems across the Chicago suburbs and every system performs through all four seasons.

What to Expect During Your Accu-Bright Permanent Lighting Installation

Connor Tierney
May 29
4 min read

You've decided permanent outdoor lighting is right for your home. Now what? What actually happens between your first call and the moment you open the app and light up your roofline for the first time?

Here's the full process, step by step. No surprises.

Step 1: Free Consultation

Every Accu-Bright project starts with a consultation led by one of our team members. This is a one-on-one conversation with the person who will oversee your installation from start to finish.

The consultation can happen two ways:

On-site visit: We come to your home, walk the perimeter, inspect the roofline up close, and take measurements. This is the most thorough option and is ideal if your home has complex roofline elements — dormers, multiple levels, mixed materials, or unique trim details.

Remote estimate via Google Maps: For straightforward rooflines, we can often provide an accurate estimate using satellite imagery and a phone conversation. This is faster and works well for standard single-level or two-story homes.

Either way, the consultation is free. There's no pressure, no commitment. You get a clear picture of what the system would look like on your home and what it would cost.

Step 2: Custom Design

Once you decide to move forward, we design your system specifically for your home. This isn't a one-size-fits-all template. Every Accu-Bright installation is custom.

The design process covers:

Track profile selection: Celebright offers 12 track profiles. We select the one (or combination) that fits your roofline architecture — standard fascia, recessed, angled, flat soffit, or specialty mounts for stone, stucco, or railing applications.

Track color matching: We match the enamel-coated aluminum track to your trim, fascia, or soffit color from a library of 100+ finishes. The goal is a track that virtually disappears into your roofline during the day.

Layout planning: We map the exact run of the track — where it starts, where it ends, how it handles corners, jumps, and transitions. Every linear foot is accounted for.

Controller placement: The system controller needs to be mounted in a protected, accessible location with access to power and your home's Wi-Fi signal. We plan this during the design phase so there are no surprises on installation day.

You'll know exactly what you're getting before any work begins.

Step 3: Installation Day

Most Accu-Bright installations are completed in a single day. Larger or more complex homes may take two days. Here's what happens:

Our installation crew arrives at your home organized, and ready to mount. The track is installed along your roofline using purpose-built mounting hardware. LED strings are seated into the track and connected. The controller is mounted and wired.

The entire process is exterior work. We're on ladders and working along the roofline — not inside your home. In the vast majority of installations:

No landscaping removal is required. We're working at roof level, not at ground level.

No painting or patching is required afterward. The track mounts cleanly with minimal fasteners, and the enamel finish matches your trim. There's nothing to paint over or cover up.

At the end of installation day, your system is physically complete and ready to be connected.

Step 4: App Setup and Walkthrough

Once the hardware is installed, we connect the system to your home's Wi-Fi network and set up the Celebright app on your phone. Then we walk you through everything:

Basic controls: On/off, color selection, brightness adjustment.

Scheduling: How to set up dusk-to-dawn automation so your lights turn on and off every day without you thinking about it.

Presets: How to save your favorite color combinations — warm white for everyday, red and green for Christmas, orange and purple for Halloween, your team's colors for game day — so you can switch between them with a single tap.

Smart home integration: If you use Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit, we'll connect the system so you can control your lights by voice. If you use IFTTT, we'll show you how to set up automations like doorbell-triggered lighting or geofencing.

Community library: The Celebright app includes a shared library of effects and patterns created by other users. Want a specific holiday animation or a slow color-fade pattern? Chances are someone has already built it and shared it.

By the time we leave, you'll be fully comfortable controlling your system. And if a question comes up a week or a month later, we're a phone call away.

Step 5: Ongoing Support and Warranty

Your Accu-Bright installation comes with a 15-year or 50,000 hour transferable product warranty covering the LEDs, the track, and the controller, plus a separate 5-year labor warranty covering the installation work itself. If something fails within either window, it gets replaced or serviced.

The product warranty is also transferable: if you sell your home, it goes with the property. That's a genuine selling point — the next buyer inherits a fully warrantied permanent lighting system at no cost.

On our end, Accu-Bright provides ongoing support for the life of your system. Questions about the app, help with new presets, troubleshooting a Wi-Fi connection — call (630) 663-4598 and talk to the same team that installed your system. No call centers. No ticket queues. Just direct support from the people who know your home.

The AccuDry Standard

Accu-Bright is a division of Accu-Dry Waterproofing. Over 35 years, Accu-Dry has completed more than 10,000 home service projects across the Chicago suburbs, earning 198+ Google reviews at 4.9 stars and an A+ BBB rating. We bring that same professionalism — same crew quality, same communication, same respect for your home — to every lighting installation.

When we're on your property, it looks like a professional job site. When we leave, it looks like we were never there — except for the lights.

Get Started

Ready to see what permanent lighting would look like on your home? The first step is a free consultation. Call (630) 663-4598 or request your estimate online. No commitment, no pressure. Just a clear look at what's possible.

Accu-Bright Lighting

A division of AccuDry Waterproofing — serving Chicagoland since 1990

1049 Zygmunt Circle, Suite A, Westmont, IL 60559

(630) 663-4598 | accu-brightlighting.com