LEDs are becoming more and more popular for residential and commercial lighting. Compared to halogen and incandescent lights, they have many benefits including the small use of electricity, their long lifespan, not producing too much heat and easy and convenient controlling and programming. LEDs are shock resistant and durable, they can be used in various ways, including strip lights. There are many types of LED lights strip:
- Encased flexible LED light strips
- Non-encased flexible LED light strips
- Aluminum LED light strips
- Rigid LED light strips
- Self-adhesive LED light strips
Here is a list of other factors that will contribute towards the decision you end up making on what type of LED lights strip you want to buy.
Brightness
Over the past few years, LED technology has improved significantly so that smaller diodes can produce a much brighter light. Depending on whether you want high or low brightness, there are a few levels of brightness a LED light strip will provide you with, here are a few examples:
- 150-250 Lumens – Accent Lighting
- 175-550 Lumens – Under-Cabinet Lighting
- 250-450 Lumens – Task Lighting near source
- 350-700 Lumens – Task lighting far from source
- 375-575 Lumens – Indirect Lighting
- 500-750 Lumens – Signs
Every reputable LED strip light manufacturer will list the amount of lumens their product is able to produce. However there is no set standard, so one can state that their product produces 250 lumens per foot, and another can state that there are 250 lumens per meter.
Colour and Colour Temperature
LED strip lights come in many colours and have strips that can change colours. Basic LED strips come with only one colour and are simple to install. On the other hand, some LED strips can display multiple colours and have small controllers between each LED that makes it possible to control each one on individual basis. The latter type are usually more expensive and difficult to install.
When it comes to colour temperature, it’s a way to indicate how “warm” or “cold” the light appears.
- 5000 Kelvins – 6000 Kelvins – Daylight Colour
- 3500 Kelvins – 4100 Kelvins – Cool White Colour
- 2700 Kelvins – 3000 Kelvins – Soft White Colour
Installation of the LED Strip Lights
Don’t buy LED strip lights without considering how you are going to install them. Some types like the flexible strip with adhesive backing are simple to install. Other installations may require the strips to be cut and programmed which can be much more complex. When installing LED strip lights, there are some factors to consider:
- Number of strips needed and strip length
- Direction of the LEDs on the strip
- Voltage and power requirements
- Flexibility of the LED strip lights
- Whether connectors are needed or not
- Whether strips need programming
To conclude, shopping and installing LED strip lights can be very easy as long as you know what you are looking for and know how to install them. Make sure you understand the power demands, colours and the options for the installation. Many LED strip lights are used for specialized use, such as the programmable ones.
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