Don't Buy Outdoor Led Strip Lights Before You Read This Guide - Shine Decor

Don't Buy Outdoor Led Strip Lights Before You Read This Guide

LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are becoming more popular for residential illumination. LEDs provide several advantages over traditional incandescent and halogen lighting, including low energy consumption, a long lifetime, low heat output, and the ability to be easily controlled and programmed. 

As LEDs are also very robust and shock-resistant, they may be utilized in several applications, such as strip lights. Purchasing LED strip lights may seem simple, but there are several considerations consumers must make to ensure they get the appropriate lighting for their purposes.


Different kinds of LED Light Strips

The phrase "LED strip light" is used to describe the many varieties of LED lights that come in strips. Depending on how you want to use the LEDs, you may need a certain sort of LED light strip. 

Generally speaking, coated LED strip lights are more suitable for spaces such as restrooms since they are waterproof. 

However, for locations such as walkways, you may choose to use an aluminum panel LED light strip.

  • Encapsulated bendable LED light strips (also called LED rope light);
  • LED flexible light strips (also called LED ribbons);
  • LED light strips that self-adhere;
  • Aluminum LED strips light;
  • LED rigid light strips (also called LED light bars)

LEDs/length

When purchasing LED strip lights, it is essential to consider the number of LEDs per unit length. Look for strip lights with the greatest number of LEDs per foot for greater light output and illumination quality (Meter, Yard, etc). 

If LEDs are positioned too widely apart along the strips, they may generate patchy illumination rather than a continuous stream of light. 

It might be confusing when several units of measurement are used for advertising purposes. Our advice would be to adhere to a single unit of measurement and then convert all other units to determine which strips have the most LEDs per unit of measurement.


LED Strip Illuminance

As LED technology continues to advance, the brightness of LED strips increases. This does not imply that all strips will be very brilliant. In certain instances, you may not even want a bright light. This is shown with accent lights inside a shelf.

The LED light output is measured in LUMENS. Depending on how you want to use the LED strips, you will likely need a certain amount of lumens.

For accent lighting, you usually will not need anything brighter than 200 Lumens per foot, but there is no hard-and-fast rule; it all depends on personal choice and the desired atmosphere.

Using LED strips for general illumination inside a room becomes somewhat more complicated. Depending on the light's direction, its distance from your topic (the region you want to illuminate), and your personal choice, the brightness requirements will vary.

Be careful to take note of the Lumens/length and LEDs/length of each strip in your study, as this will have a significant impact on the light quality and kind of light emitted by the strip.


Installing LED Strip Lighting

When purchasing light strips for an application, you should always have a plan for their mounting and installation. For some strips, adhering them to a clean surface is as simple as exposing their sticky backside. 

Other installations might make mounting, cutting, and wiring strips together which are much more complicated. 

Here are certain considerations you should always bear in mind:

  • Determine the required length of LED strips;
  • Determine the number of breaks in the lights or the number of different strips required;
  • Know the power and voltage specifications for your strips;
  • LED strip lighting's adaptability;
  • The durability of LED Strips: Waterproofing Requirement or Not;
  • Determine whether more components, such as connectors or extra wiring, are required;
  • Determine how you will dim, regulate, and program the installed strips.


Knowing these things ensures that you buy the appropriate LED strip lights according to requirements and taste.


Conclusion

Purchasing LED strip lights does not have to be challenging if you know what to look for. Most importantly, purchasers will want to comprehend their installation options, power requirements, and color options. 

There are also other LED strip lights for particular applications, such as programmable LEDs.

For additional information about LED Strip Lights and to discuss your unique project requirements, please contact us at: info@shine-decor.com.
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