After starting repairs in an apartment, people often face a lack of lighting. Some people like decorating a stretch ceiling with LED strips. Therefore, the demand for such light sources is growing every year. Many people wonder if it is possible to install LED strip on the ceiling with their own hands. This work is easier than it seems at first glance. To successfully complete it, you need to know some of the nuances of installation. It is important to choose the right tools. What is an LED strip, what are its advantages and how to do it yourself? All of this we will consider in our article today.
Characteristic
Before you begin installing the LED strip on the ceiling, you should find out what it is. You need to understand how to fix it correctly.
LED strip is a bar that bends easily. On the one hand, compact LEDs and resistors are fixed on it (sometimes they have silicone protection). The reverse side of the strip has an adhesive even base. The tape is divided into sections, each of which is usually a multiple of five centimeters. On a segment of five centimeters, three LEDs are installed. There are special marks on the tape, they indicate places where it can be cut. When connected, the LEDs are a circuit. She is different sequence.
Ribbon Production Options
It can be produced in a protected version when the tape is closed from external exposure by silicone, as well as with plastic overlays. And also it is released in an open version.
What diodes are taken for backlight?
To make a bright illumination, a special diode 3528 is needed. The diode 5060 is also suitable. It can be used as a separate light device, as it has more powerful light than other lamps.
Preparatory work
Before starting work, it is necessary to draw up an accurate plan, on which there will be a drawing. It should reflect the location of the LED strip. You should calculate how many fixtures are needed, and also set the footage of the tape. In the future, this will facilitate installation.
If a color tape is required, then you need to buy a controller with it. At installation it is necessary to observe safety measures. Before fixing the tape with a construction stapler, it is necessary to "plant" it on the adhesive layer. The surface on which the tape is planned to be installed must be treated with an antiseptic or any alcohol solution.
If in the process you have to bend the tape, then it is worth considering one point. Folds should not be more than two centimeters. In this case, the tape will be irreparably damaged.
How is the installation?
Installation of LED strip on the ceiling should take place in a certain sequence. It is important to take into account such nuances as the area of the room and the height of the ceilings.
It is better to buy a tape with a length of not more than fifteen meters. Otherwise, the diodes located next to the power supply will take on the maximum load and quickly burn out.
The algorithm for installing the tape:
- It is necessary to determine the LEDs that will be involved in the desired tape. If the owner of the room wants to get a bright light, then he is better off buying 5060 lamps. They will be a little more expensive than standard 3528 diodes.
- It is important to choose what the density of the lamps on the tape will be. The options are 30, 60, 120 cm. These numbers indicate the number of diodes placed on one meter of tape. Thanks to these indicators, you can make the light more subdued or brighter. You just need to consider that the more lamps are fixed on one meter of tape, the brighter the lighting in the room will be.
- Do not forget about the type of backlight. This issue is no less important than the previous ones. It is better to choose waterproof species, they will last longer.
- It is necessary to decide whether the tape will be colored. If a person wants to see many colors, then he is better off buying a controller.
- Measurements and calculations. Installing the ceiling lighting with an LED strip requires accurate data on the perimeter of the room where you want to highlight. You need to find out the area of the selected room. When all the necessary data is received, you should multiply the power that one meter of LED strip consumes by the area of the room. The obtained values must be recorded. They will be needed when choosing a controller, as well as the power system for the LED strip.
- It will be necessary to determine where the lighting will take place. Mounting under a stretch ceiling will be different from installing an LED strip in a soaring ceiling. You should pre-select the installation option and decide whether to create special protrusions from drywall.
- When installing LED strip under the suspended ceiling, it is worth considering this nuance. When the tape has one color, then it is worth connecting plus to minus. If it is colorful, you will have to look for areas in which the selected color is indicated.
Important nuances at work
When installing the LED strip on the suspended ceiling, only fifteen meters can be attached to each power supply. If the length increases, then you need to purchase an additional power supply.
When connecting, check the polarity in advance. Errors in this case may cause the tape to burn. The cord should be connected in advance. On the contacts for connection are the icons N and L.
When a person installs LED strips under the ceiling, it must be remembered that the installation order of the color and plain tape is different.
What are the differences? Color connection consists of the following steps: the power supply is connected to the controller, after which the tape itself is attached to them.
When installing the LED strip on the ceiling, it is important to ensure that it is not visible from below. To do this, you can use the eaves. Some make drywall protrusions. It is necessary to choose the optimal distance between the tape and the edge of the material. A small distance will not allow diodes to be hidden from view. A large distance will cause the tape to give the main light to the ceiling niche. The ceiling itself will remain virtually unlit.
For what purpose is the tape used?
Some citizens want to see at home contour lighting, an LED strip is perfect for these purposes.
It also applies when the room needs to be divided into zones. Some people use LEDs to emphasize the original interior design and the vibrant colors of the walls and furniture.
Recently, there has been a fashionable trend to make a bedroom in light blue tones. LED strip designers offer to make various drawings on the ceiling. It turns out the effect of the starry sky, which is equally liked by adults and children.
Many designers advise to do the lighting in the kitchen, to highlight the working surface of the table with light. You can highlight the color of the food intake area, as well as a place for cooking. With the help of soft light from the tape, the kitchen acquires a unique cosiness and holiday atmosphere. Spotlight is very popular with children, as it creates the feeling of a fairy tale.
For the kitchen, professionals are advised to choose yellow lighting. It should be warm. If the design of the dining room is made in a modern style, with a minimum number of details, then you can choose the lighting in silver or blue.
It is better to install a color tape in the living room with the controller. Guests will be pleasantly surprised by the number of shades of lighting. LED strip is often attached in restaurants and cafes. She distinguished bar counters. The room becomes elegant and unique.
Tape benefits
The main advantages of LED strip include:
- Low price in comparison with other lighting devices.
- Long service life.
- Low power consumption. LEDs do not require a lot of electricity to work, like their counterparts, while lighting the room efficiently.
- It is easy to carry out installation work with your own hands, guided by step-by-step instructions.
- Large selection of colors. You can install in the room lighting of any color you like. The color will help the controller.
- A wide range with various diodes.
- It is believed that LED strip is one of the simplest types of lighting.
- It is multifunctional. In addition to lighting, decorates the interior.
- Compact It can be carried out in hard-to-reach places where it will not work to put standard lamps.
Backlight Options
Installing LED strip on the ceiling allows you to choose the power of lighting, the type of fixtures, as well as color. You can set the backlight in the form of modules. She looks beautiful. Spotlights are always relevant. Some use miniature spotlights. In any case, due to such lighting, you can significantly decorate the interior and make it unique.