There are a lot of them. Under cabinets, behind TVs and even along the staircases. LED strip lights have dominated the world of lighting and with good reason. However, they're not ideal for every scenario.
I put my first LED strip about five years ago, behind my television. The effect was instantaneous and stunning. However, I also learned some difficult lessons about what these lights can and cannot accomplish. Some of these lessons cost me money and time.
This guide will give the buyer both sides. The good and the bad, and the things that aren't discussed until you've bought the item. You'll know what you're buying before you pay a dime.
The Advantages of LED Strip Lights
They Save You Money on Energy
LED lighting consumes about 75 percent less power than conventional incandescent bulbs. This isn't marketing talk. This is basic physics, and verified test results.
A five-meter strip can be used for eight hours a day and you'll spend about five dollars a year for electricity. Compare that with the halogen lights in under-cabinets that cost PS30 or more per year. The difference is significant particularly when you're lighting multiple rooms.
Your carbon footprint drops too. Lower energy consumption means less stress on the power grids, and less emissions. You will get better lighting using less energy.
They Last Incredibly Long
High-quality LED strips last for at least 50,000 hours or more. This is over five years of uninterrupted operation. The majority of people use them for only for a few hours a day and that can extend the lifespan up to 20 or 15 years.
I've been running strips in my kitchen for 4 years with not a single issue. There's no need to replace bulbs or maintenance calls or stepping on counters with the screwdriver. They work as they should.
Traditional bulbs go out every couple of months. You purchase replacement bulbs, climb ladders and spend time doing something that doesn't really need doing. LED strips can eliminate all that hassle.
Installation Takes Minutes
Peel and stick. That's it for the majority of installations. Clean your surface, take off the adhesive backing and press the strip in place. You're done.
No wiring in walls. No electrician fees. There are no permits or requirements for inspections. The low voltage structure allows for safe DIY installations, even if not done any electrical wiring before.
My wife put up the wires in my closet while I was working. She had no electrical knowledge and completed the task in just twenty minutes. The lights continue to work flawlessly two years later.
Flexibility Opens Creative Options
LED strips can be bent around corners, insert them in tight spaces and even route them in places that traditional fixtures won't fit. Their thin profile makes them are invisible when you need them to disappear.
I've used them in cabinets behind mirrors, in the shadows of floating shelves and on the edges of decking for outdoor use. Each time, they helped solve a problem that rigid light fixtures could not handle.
You can cut most strips to lengths that are exact. There's no waste, and no sloppy gaps. Take measurements and cut along the points marked and you'll have the perfect fit.
Color Control Adds Versatility
RGB and white strips that can be adjusted to alter the mood immediately. Get up to a reviving cool white. Work in the neutral white light, and cool down to amber warm tones. The whole thing is part of the same installation.
Certain strips can sync with music, or respond to voice commands. You can program schedules, make scenes, or alter the brightness using your smartphone. The options for controlling brightness have increased over the last few years.
UK LED Lights provides strips with control via smartphone that actually performs reliably. Some brands don't deliver the promised features however, testing different options will show which perform exactly as promised.
Heat Output Stays Minimal
LEDs produce less heat than incandescent or halogen bulbs. They can be placed on furniture, in the vicinity of fabrics or even in closed spaces with no worries.
I've ran strips in display cases filled with delicate objects. No heat damage, no fading, no warping. Low temperature power will protect your belongings and supplies the brightness you require.
This makes them more secure. Lower heat means less risk of fire. You'll feel more secure as well as better lighting.
The Drawbacks You Need to Know
Quality Varies Wildly
Visit any online market place and see strips of every price. Some cost PS5 per meter. Other meters cost PS30. The difference isn't just in branding.
Cheap LEDs are made of inferior materials that fail after a few months. Color consistency issues mean that the white light you see appears blue in certain areas while others appear yellow. Adhesive that isn't able to stay on or disappears after an entire week. Ratings for waterproofing that aren't waterproof.
I learned this lesson the hard way when I used the purchase of a strip that was a bargain designed for outdoor use. Three months later, and the leds died. The "waterproof" coating had cracked and let moisture ruin the circuits. I had to tear the coating off and start with a new product.
Research is important. Review user reviews. Look for warranties. You can spend a little more money on well-known brands instead of betting on generic products.
Voltage Drop Causes Brightness Issues
When electricity moves through the LED strip the resistance causes the voltage to decrease. The LEDs located at the end are less powerful and have a lower brightness than those close to the power source.
This is especially evident when runs are over five meters or more. The strip's beginning appears bright, while the final appears dull. It's distracting and appears unprofessional.
Solutions exist. You can supply electricity from both ends of the circuit, employ amplifiers or even switch to 24V strips that can handle longer distances better. However, these modifications make it more complicated and costly to what appears to be an easy project.
Adhesive Backing Fails Sometimes
The adhesive on the majority of strips is fine on smooth, clean surfaces. However, it is not as effective on the texture of walls, certain plastics, and any surface where it gets warm.
I've seen strips peel away from under cabinets, above the stove. The heat melted the adhesive and they fell down came. Sometimes dust or grease could hinder good bonding right from the beginning.
Aluminum channels or mounting clips solve this issue, but they add to the overall cost. Consider these items if you're installing them in difficult areas.
Dimming Can Be Problematic
Not all LED strips dim smoothly. Some flicker when the brightness is low. Others will not dim below 20 percent intensity. Some buzz when dimmed.
This is different based on the brand and the quality of the controller. Dimmers that aren't as expensive and used with cheap strips cause the most issues. Better components work better, however you have to verify compatibility before purchasing.
I've returned three dimmers before locating one that was compatible for my strips. Each return resulted in more time, more frustration and delays in completing the project.
Color Accuracy Isn't Always Great
RGB strips produce colors by mixing green, red and blue LEDs. This is ideal for bright colors, but is not so great for pastels and whites. The white light that comes from RGB strips can appear slightly different from the white LEDs that are specifically designed for this purpose.
RGBW strips include white LEDs to address this problem, but they cost more. If you are concerned about accurate color rendering to your application, take this into your choice.
Video and photography work requires high-quality color accuracy. I prefer white strips for my workspace because RGB white isn't sufficient for tasks that require color accuracy.
They Need Power Supplies and Controllers
LED strips can't be plugged directly into wall outlets. You'll need a power supply that is compatible with the strip's specifications for wattage and voltage. RGB strips also require controllers to control color changes.
These components add weight and make installation difficult. You must find a place to conceal them. They generate heat. They can also be a source of failure within your system.
Calculate the total cost, including these items. A PS20 strip can be transformed into an PS50 project after you've added everything necessary to run it.
Weather Resistance Adds Cost
Outdoor installations require strips that are waterproof with a rating of IP65 or more. They cost more than strips that are indoor. The power supply, connectors and controllers all require protection from the weather too.
I estimated the cost of the outdoor work at PS80 Based on the strip cost alone. When I added outdoor-rated equipment, the total was PS180. This is more than double the initial estimate.
Weather-resistant does not always mean weatherproof also. Certain ratings shield against splashes, but not for prolonged exposure. Check the specifications carefully for outdoor use.
LED Strip vs Neon Flex
Neon flex lighting provides an alternative to LED strips that is worth looking into. Both utilize LED technology but neon flex houses the LEDs within flexible silicone tubing that produces continuous light without visible dots.
LED strips excel in their versatility and are low-cost. They can be cut into any length, bend them in a sharp manner and place them in tight areas. They have greater control options, and are great to create accent lighting.
Neon Flex wins on appearance. The seamless glow appears refined and professional. It's more durable and weatherproof too. But it's more expensive and requires minimum bend radiuses and isn't cut to lengths that aren't arbitrary.
For lighting in the under-cabinet or TV backlighting LED strips make more sense. For architectural features, signage or accent lighting for outdoor areas neon flex usually is more durable and looks better.
Outdoor LED Strip Lights Considerations
Taking LED lighting outside requires planning. Temperature fluctuations, moisture exposure to UV radiation physical impacts and even physical damage all affect the life of the strip.
Select strips that are rated IP67 or IP68 to ensure outdoor use. Make sure that the power supplies and connectors are in line with this rating. A weak connection can destroy the installation in its entirety.
The UV resistance is crucial when exposed to direct sunlight. Certain plastics turn yellow and become fragile after exposure to sunlight. Be sure to read the specifications of the product to determine UV stability in the case that the strips are facing south or lie unprotected.
Physical protection also helps. Running strips within aluminum channels shield them from impact and also provides heat dissipation. It's an extra expense, but prolongs the life of your outdoor space significantly.
I put up Outdoor LED Strip Lights along my garden paths 3 years ago. Proper IP68 strips made of aluminum channels have lasted through the summers, winters, and everything in between. Cheaper IP65 strips that were placed on pergolas failed after just eight months. The quality difference was evident through the tests.
When LED Strips Make Sense
Use them for indirect lighting that fades away throughout the day. Under cabinets, in the hallways or behind features. Anywhere the light is important but the fixture isn't.
They're ideal to create accent lighting that emphasizes the architecture or creates an atmosphere. You can achieve dramatic effects without any permanent modifications to the space.
Task lighting in kitchens, closets and work areas work very well using LED strips. The light that is focused goes exactly where you want it, without shadows or glare.
If you are renting your house, LED strips can provide high-quality lighting with no permanent changes. Remove them when you move in and bring them with you.
When to Choose Something Else
Primary room lighting requires more power than the majority of strips can offer. Yes, high-density strip exist however, traditional fixtures typically work better to be used for overhead lighting.
If you want lighting that resembles an actual fixture instead of hiding from view, think about chandeliers, pendants, or even visible LED panels.
For precise color work, you need lights that have top Color Rendering Index ratings. Many LED strips are not up to the mark in this regard. Make sure to check CRI specifications if accuracy of color is important.
The areas that are sensitive to heat must be considered. While LEDs do not generate as much temperature than other types of technology, they produce heat. Spaces that are tightly sealed and without airflow can reduce the life of LEDs.
Making Your Decision
Begin by defining exactly what you want the lights to accomplish. Accent lighting? Task lighting? Decorative effects? Each use case has its own strip specifications.
Be sure to measure carefully. Know your lengths of runs power requirements, as well as controller requirements prior to shopping. This helps avoid budget-related confusion and compatibility issues.
Investigate brands thoroughly. Review reviews of verified purchasers. Check return policies. A few extra dollars spent on high-quality strips will save you money when compared to replacing failed ones.
Take into consideration the total cost of the system. Strips, power supply, mounting hardware, controllers, and any extensions or connectors add up. Plan for the entire installation not just the strip.
UK LED Lights stocks components designed to work reliably. When comparing alternatives make sure to consider the time savings by purchasing compatible components from a single source instead of assembling components from different suppliers.
Real World Performance
Practice meets theory when you switch on the light. I've put LED strips in more than a dozen places over the course of five years. Some installations exceeded my expectations. Others offered expensive lessons.
The best installations made use of high-end components that are matched to the particular application. The right power supply, the correct wire gauges, and appropriate IP ratings. Making the right choices could mean the difference between failure and success.
The most sloppy installations attempted to save money using cheap strips or a mismatch of components. Every step I took ended up bringing me back. Lights flickering and premature failures, as well as inconsistent color. False economy is always more expensive in the final.
Make sure you plan thoroughly, purchase high-quality components, and adhere to the best practices for installation. Follow these steps and LED strips will deliver outstanding results. If you skip any step, you'll regret it.
Final Thoughts
LED strip lights provide significant advantages. Energy savings, long lifespan simple installation, and a creative flexibility make them ideal for a variety of applications. The benefits are real and significant.
But they're not magical. Quality is crucial. Installation details affect results. They're not the ideal option for every requirement.
Be aware of the strengths and limitations prior to you purchase. Make sure you match the specifications of the strip to your particular needs. Choose the right components instead of cutting corners.
Make sure you do it correctly and you'll be delighted with the results. Cut corners and you'll spend time and money attempting to fix problems. Your choice is yours however, now you're aware of which you're going to choose between.