Scroll through Instagram or Facebook in the GTA, and you’ve probably seen ads for permanent outdoor lighting.
Most of those ads show fully lit rooflines, colourful holiday displays and homes glowing from one side to the other. That can make permanent lighting look like an all-or-nothing project.
But it doesn’t have to be.
Can you add permanent lights to just the front of your house?
Yes. Front-only coverage is one of the most common permanent lighting layouts because it focuses on the part of the home that is most visible from the street without requiring lights around the entire property.
For many GTA homeowners, that means getting the curb appeal, holiday lighting and everyday accent lighting they want while keeping the project simpler and more affordable.
This guide explains how front-only permanent lighting works, what areas are typically included, when it makes sense, and how Toronto Glow prices front-only installations compared with adding the sides and back of the home.
What Does Front-Only Lighting Coverage Include?
Front-facing lighting, also called front-only coverage, follows the selected rooflines across the front of your home. Depending on the design, that can include the garage, front porch, upper eaves and gables, the triangular roof sections above the front walls.
The LEDs sit inside colour-matched aluminum track, typically mounted along the soffits beneath the roof overhang or the fascia at the roof edge. The layout follows your home's architecture, with the hardware blending into the exterior trim. torontoglow.ca
A bungalow might need one main run across the front. A two-storey home may have separate upper and lower rooflines, plus peaks above the garage or entrance.
For one of the Victorian or Edwardian homes found in Cabbagetown and the Annex, specify which front-facing peaks and porch rooflines you want included. Wikipedia
That is why linear footage matters more than the width of your house. Several roof sections can add up to considerably more track than one straight line.
Illustrative placeholder - AI-generated, not a real installationHow Much Does Front-Only Permanent Lighting Cost?
Toronto Glow publishes installed pricing of approximately $25–$40 per linear foot, with typical front-facing installations falling around $3,000–$6,000. torontoglow.ca
For a smaller bungalow, an illustrative 80-foot front-only layout works out to $2,000–$3,200 at that rate. The $2,000 example uses the lower end of the published range; your home's measurements and installation requirements determine the actual quote.
Your installation includes the LEDs, aluminum track, controller, wiring and professional installation. Front-only coverage still gives you app-controlled colours, brightness, patterns and schedules.
Here is how expanding that same example changes the estimated price:
| Coverage option | Example track length | Illustrative installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Front-only coverage | 80 feet | $2,000–$3,200 |
| Front + one side | 120 feet | $3,000–$4,800 |
| Front + both sides | 160 feet | $4,000–$6,400 |
| Full-wrap coverage | 220 feet | $5,500–$8,800 |
These are illustrative calculations using $25–$40 per foot, not fixed packages. The example assumes 40 feet on each side and 60 feet across the back. Peaks, height, access and system requirements can change the final price.
For the other factors that affect a quote, read our permanent Christmas lighting cost guide.
When Should You Add the Sides and Back?
Side Coverage
Side coverage extends the lights along the left side, right side or both sides of your home.
It can make sense for a corner lot, a side entrance or a home visible from more than one street. You can choose front + one side if only one side is regularly seen or used.
What Does Adding One Side Cost?
In our example, adding a 40-foot side represents approximately $1,000–$1,600 of extra coverage at the published per-foot rate. A taller side roofline or a narrow passage between homes can require more installation time.
[Photo: Front + one side installation, photographed from the street corner.]
Rear Coverage
Rear coverage, or back-of-house lighting, follows the selected rooflines facing your backyard.
This option suits homeowners who spend evenings on the patio or deck and want to enjoy their lighting from the garden. You can run warm white on ordinary evenings and switch to colour for a backyard celebration.
What Does Adding the Back Cost?
Using the same pricing example, a 60-foot rear section represents approximately $1,500–$2,400 of additional coverage. Deck rails, fences and detached buildings should be specified separately in your quote.
What Is Full-Wrap Permanent Lighting?
Full-wrap coverage, also called full-perimeter lighting, combines the front, both sides and rear rooflines into one planned installation.
It suits properties visible from several directions and homeowners who want lighting around the entire house. Larger properties with extensive rooflines or multiple levels can exceed $10,000, depending on the footage and complexity.
Ask which roof sections your full-wrap quote includes. The term does not automatically mean every peak, fence or outbuilding is covered.
With lighting zones, different sections can have their own brightness or colour settings. For example, the front can glow blue and white for a Toronto Maple Leafs game while the backyard stays warm white.
[Photo: Full-wrap installation, with front and rear views.]
Can You Start With the Front and Expand Later?
You can often start with the front and add other sections later, provided the system is planned for expansion.
Tell Toronto Glow about your future plans before installation. Controller capacity, power requirements and wiring routes should be considered if you eventually want both sides or the backyard covered.
A later addition also involves another installation visit, so ask for both an initial front-only quote and a full-wrap comparison before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Front-Only Lighting Look Unfinished?
A planned front-only layout can look complete from the street. The track follows the selected rooflines and ends neatly at the chosen boundaries.
Can I Choose Just One Side of My House?
Yes. Your coverage can be tailored to the sections you want, including the front and one side or a separate rear section.
Do I Still Get Holiday Colours With Front-Only Lighting?
Yes. A smaller coverage area still gives you colourful holiday displays and everyday warm-white lighting through the app.
Can You Add Permanent Lights to Just the Front of a House?
Yes, you can. In fact, front-only coverage is our most popular lighting layout. It gives your home a defined roofline and year-round curb appeal without requiring a full-wrap installation.
Start with the areas you want to enjoy most, then compare the cost of adding the sides and back. Browse our gallery for layout ideas, or get a free Toronto Glow estimate for your home.