How to Prepare Your Home’s Exterior for Holiday Decorating

Nov 03, 2025

As the holidays approach, many Wisconsin homeowners can’t wait to light up the neighborhood. But before you climb the ladder or untangle that first string of lights, it’s important to make sure your home’s exterior is ready.

At J&B Construction, we’ve spent more than 70 years and three generations helping southeastern Wisconsin families protect, improve, and beautify their homes. From roofing and siding to skylights and insulation, we know how to keep your home safe, efficient, and ready for the holiday season — and for the harsh winter that follows.

Step One: Inspect Your Roof and Gutters

Before hanging lights or setting up rooftop décor, take a moment to look up. Your roof does more than complete the look of your home — it’s your first line of defense against Wisconsin’s snow, ice, and wind.

Check for loose or missing shingles, cracked flashing, or other damage that could worsen with the weight of snow or decorations.
Clean gutters and downspouts so melting snow and rain can drain freely — blocked gutters can lead to ice dams and roof leaks.
Use plastic light clips instead of nails or staples, which can puncture shingles or fascia boards.
When using a ladder, have a spotter and avoid stepping directly on roof surfaces — especially on frosty mornings.

A quick roof inspection now can prevent bigger problems once winter sets in.

Step Two: Protect Your Siding and Trim

Your siding frames your holiday look, so keep it looking great and performing well. Before decorating:

Inspect for cracks or gaps where moisture or cold air can enter. Seal or repair as needed.
Avoid drilling or nailing into siding or trim — even small holes can allow water intrusion. Use removable plastic hooks or clips for garlands, wreaths, and lights.
Keep cords and decorations clear of walkways and use only outdoor-rated electrical equipment.
A little care now ensures your home stays weather-tight — and your decorations stay secure all season.

Step Three: Check Skylights and Attic Insulation

If your home includes skylights, this is the perfect time to give them attention.

Enjoy Peace Of Mind

The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em.

Dave H

We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project.

John Lamb

J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them.

Kenneth Simons

My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done.

David W.

We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future.

Jessie C.