LED lighting for the ceiling - strip installation and lighting options. How to make a plasterboard ceiling with lighting Installation of two-level ceiling lighting with LED strip

The emergence of innovative building materials on the market has significantly increased the number of possible solutions for ceiling design. There are now many options:

• round,
• multi-stage,
• multifaceted, etc.

Due to the emergence of such a variety of modern materials, the imagination of designers has received a strong leap. Those who wanted to renovate their homes took advantage of this and rushed to decorate the ceilings. Not only plasterboard structures and aluminum corners became assistants to designers in this matter. Lighting fixtures have also undergone significant modernization.

In addition to the usual chandeliers, neon and fluorescent lamps, duralight, and LED strips began to be used for lighting. We won’t talk in detail about all types of lighting here, but let’s try to figure out how to do it.

The main advantage of LED lamps is their simplicity and ease of installation. Of course, you will have to do some things yourself, but if you want to avoid such problems, you can always hire workers. Another undeniable advantage of LED strip is its relatively low cost. The third advantage of LED strips is a wide range of colors and shades. And finally, the fourth advantage is long service life. And don’t let the Made in China inscription scare you. No matter what expensive and elite store you buy an LED strip from, it will still be made in China. Sometimes a Chinese product is much better than a well-promoted “brand”, the prices of which, as a rule, are greatly inflated.

What is LED strip?

The answer is already hidden in this question itself. LED strip is a flexible strip on the base of which LEDs are fixed, conductors and resistors are etched. This is the simple answer.

Main parameters of LED strips

Most often, LED strips use LEDs of the types SMD 5050 (5060) and SMD 3528 (3028). We will not dwell in detail on the characteristics of these two types of LEDs. We can only note that 5050 LEDs have a higher cost, but their power is much higher. The diodes are even visually different from each other. The strips may also differ in the density of the LEDs. On 1 m of LED strip, from 30 to 120 diodes can be located. The more diodes installed on the tape, the higher its brightness.


LED strips are also characterized by moisture resistance. If the description indicates that the degree of protection is IP44 or higher, the tape is intended for use in areas with high levels of humidity, such as bathrooms and swimming pools.
One of the main advantages of LED strips is their wide color palette. There is a class of LED strips that use single-color LEDs. And there are RGB strips, which, depending on the combination of LEDs, create different color shades. In this case, the only drawback of such systems is the need to install a controller. Without it, you won’t be able to control the lighting in the room.

How to properly prepare an LED strip for installation

Before installing the LED strip on the ceiling, you need to decide on the density of the diodes. If the tape is intended only to illuminate certain areas of the room, it is most rational to use tapes such as SMD 3528 (LED density 60) or SMD 5050 (LED density 30). To create the main indoor lighting system, it is better to use LED strips such as SMD 5050 (LED density 60) or SMD3528 (LED density 120).

After you decide on the density of the diodes, you need to determine the required footage. Based on the footage of the LED strip, the total power of the system is calculated and the system’s power source is selected. It is better to seek advice from experienced sales consultants, since different tapes require different power supplies. Usually the tape is cut into pieces of three LEDs. The tape indicates the location of the cut.


If you are using a simple tape, then you need to solder “+” to “+” and “-” to “-”. When using RGB tapes, contact soldering is carried out in accordance with the markings. Standard wires often do not satisfy customers, so they are re-soldered. To do this, solder stranded wires. They are considered more reliable. Tips with a cross section of 0.75 mm are attached to the reverse ends.

The tips are installed only using special clamps. There is no need to use pliers or teeth for this purpose.


In this way, wires are obtained whose contact with the power supply, dimmer or controller will be more reliable. The contacts are inserted directly into the block and secured with screws.


After the wires are soldered to the tape, to increase safety, you need to put on a special heat-shrink tube. It will not only create additional insulation of contacts, but also give significant strength to the connections.

Connection diagrams for LED strips used for installation in residential premises

Below is the connection diagram RGB LED strips.

LED strips are usually sold in reels of 5 meters. If you need to connect a longer tape, the tapes in the reels must be cut and connected to each other. In this case, be sure to take into account the power of the power source used.
The connected reels of LED strips with an amplifier look like this.

In fact, the amplifier simply duplicates the functions performed by the controller. The amplifier is installed when the controller’s power reserve is exhausted, and the LED strip is not yet fully connected. You can use as many amplifiers as necessary to provide power to the entire LED strip that you plan to install. There are various ways to connect the tape to a power source. Separately, you should consider connecting RGB strips.

Methods for installing LED strips on a suspended ceiling

Having considered the connection methods, we will focus on mechanical issues. Let's talk about the main places used to mount the LED strip on the ceiling. If you follow the following rules, you can install the backlight in such a way that the LED strip itself will not be visible. Only the light emanating from it will be visible. In this way you can create pleasant, soft, uniform lighting in the room. Let's look at the main methods of installing LED strips on the ceiling. Let's start with the following example.


We will not describe in detail the entire cycle of construction and installation work that must be carried out to create such a structure. We will only briefly describe the main stages of the work. First, it is necessary to mount the metal structure of the ceiling frame.


After preliminary priming and puttying of the surface, you should run a cable for the power wires of the LED strip. Before proceeding with the final processing of the ceiling cornice, it is necessary to lay the LED strip.


The area where the LED strip is to be installed must first be cleaned and degreased.


The installation kit usually includes adhesive tape, which is used to attach the tape to the ceiling cornice. The power supply should be located in places where the ceiling structure is reinforced.

Now there are quite a few types of lighting devices, however, the leaders in many respects are LED lamps. They do not heat up to high temperatures, so they can be used with peace of mind on stretch ceilings and other polymer materials. Such lamps have a rich color variety, which allows you to create original light compositions with their help. And most importantly, they are durable, economical, safe and resistant to mechanical damage.

LEDs are widely used not only for residential premises, but also in outdoor advertising, for the decoration of retail, administrative and entertainment premises. Mostly lamps are used for this, but recently they have begun to use LED strip installation under a suspended ceiling. This is a very effective lighting method, successfully used in a wide variety of rooms. We will talk about this design solution in this article.

Economical beauty

The PVC film used for tension fabrics has a translucent structure. This property could not go unnoticed, because if you place a light source under it, you can create the effect of a luminous ceiling. Ceiling lighting with LED strip is ideal for these purposes - the strip evenly distributes the light and does not heat up to critical temperatures for vinyl. No other lighting device will give such a delightful decorative effect.

Depending on the color and brightness, LED ceiling lighting can be a purely decorative element or the main source of light. They consume much less electricity than other lighting devices of the same brightness. So an LED strip under a suspended ceiling not only decorates the room, but also provides budget savings.

Advantages of this lighting device

In addition to being economical, this light source has other advantages:

• Durability. LED service life is up to 10,000 hours. Even if you use the light 12 hours a day every day, the service life will be 22 years.
• Fast payback. The cost of this lighting device at first glance seems quite high. However, thanks to low energy consumption, it pays for itself very quickly.
• Optimal light dispersion. LEDs disperse light evenly, resulting in an even, soft light distribution. Stretch ceilings illuminated with LED strip give the effect of no shadows. This finishing property was highly appreciated by photographers. After all, with such lighting you can take high-quality photographs without using expensive lighting equipment.
• Purity of the light spectrum. They provide lighting in exactly the color you choose. A certain color is achieved without any filters and therefore does not change over time.

Kinds

As already mentioned, LED lighting for a stretch ceiling can perform different functions. You can make a bright, colorful ceiling, shining with all sorts of colors, or you can limit yourself to white, which is necessary for the main lighting. You can highlight the entire perimeter of the ceiling or some areas. In a word, the ribbon can provide basic lighting, or you can use it as an effective decorative element, in combination with a chandelier or spotlights.

The tapes differ in such technical characteristics.

• Diode density. The brightness level in this case directly depends on the number of diodes in 1 m of strip. Typically the density is 30, 60 and 120 diodes per meter. Density 30 and 60 are used for decorative lighting, 120 for main lighting. There are also tapes with a density of 240 pieces per meter.
• Color. There are diodes of different colors. In addition to white, you can choose any color of the diodes that is closest to the color scheme of the room. You can also combine diodes of different colors in one strip. When choosing a color, keep in mind that the color of the ceiling will also affect the shade.
• Waterproofing. LED strips differ in the degree of protection from moisture. There are even types that can be safely used underwater for swimming pools. Tapes with waterproofing have dense transparent insulation. They are somewhat more expensive than conventional types, however, in this case it is not worth saving. If you want to use it to illuminate the bathroom, then it is better to immediately buy a tape with waterproofing, in order to avoid its rapid replacement.

Installation features

The room will be more lively and cozy if the lighting is distributed unevenly. This is easy to achieve - the brightness along the entire perimeter should not be the same. This can be done by installing strips with different densities of diodes in different parts of the room, or by initially installing a dimmer that allows you to adjust the brightness.

If the room uses a suspended structure, keep in mind that it is unlikely to be removed without damaging it. Therefore, decorative lighting must be installed before the ceilings are stretched. The only exceptions are ceilings installed using the harpoon method - they can be quite simply removed and re-hung.

Brief essence of the article

1. LED ceiling lamps are widely used in modern interiors. If you want to make spectacular decorative lighting for the ceiling, then LED strips are indispensable here.
2. This is a very beautiful and economical option for organizing lighting, which can serve as both decor and the main source of light.
3. There are diodes in a variety of color shades, so the lighting can be selected to suit any interior.
4. Installing LED strips is extremely simple - you need to peel off the protective coating on the strip and press it to the desired surface. You will also need a power supply and a dimmer to adjust the light intensity.

Ceiling lighting will create a special comfort and atmosphere in the room. Unique interior design elements are presented in many variations, which not only add additional volume to the room, but also visually lighten plasterboard and suspended ceiling structures.

In this article we will look at popular types and give tips on how to make ceiling lighting with your own hands.

In addition to aesthetic functions, a similar technique:

• Visually increases the height of the room.
• Provides soft diffused light that will not distract from watching TV in the evening or while getting ready for bed.

Before you decide to include lighting in the interior, you need to understand that such a system can take away the height of the room by about 10-15 cm. When developing the future design of the room, take these points into account. Use the recommendations below. They will help you make the right choice.

• Installation of lighting should be provided at the stage of installing the ceiling frame, so that electrical wires, platforms for lamps, etc. can be hidden in advance.
• Plasterboard, slatted, suspended ceilings can be made in several tiers, and, using complex geometry, give them originality. In this case, your imagination is not limited by anything. Which method of decorating the ceiling surface to choose is up to you to decide.

• On multi-level plasterboard structures, you can combine different types of lighting. For example, a starry sky in the middle and halogen lighting around the edges.
• For suspended ceilings, due to their originality, it is worth limiting yourself to only an LED strip around the perimeter of the room. Please note that different textures give completely opposite effects.
• The main disadvantage of suspended ceilings is that not all light bulbs are allowed to be mounted on them, but only of a certain power.
• To visually enlarge the space, you can hide the lighting in the recesses on the ceiling and niches.
• Evening ceiling lighting will help to dilute the interior, sparse in colors.
• If your financial capabilities do not allow you to make an original ceiling, purchase a ceiling plinth and place LEDs under it.

Ceiling lighting options

The variety of lighting devices offered by manufacturers will help illuminate the room and radically change its appearance. Common ceiling lighting options include:

• LED strips installed at the edges of the room. For multi-level structures, this technique can emphasize individual tiers or highlight geometric shapes.
• are represented by randomly or evenly spaced light bulbs mounted in a ceiling system.
• Neon tubes better than others at changing the appearance of a space. They have a long service life.

In addition, depending on the purpose, the backlight is divided into:

• Target. Used to visually divide an area into zones. For example, or a dining table in the kitchen.
• General. Represents the main lighting. In this case, spotlights are usually installed.
• Designer. This option won’t provide much artificial light, but it will make the room cozy and comfortable. This includes luminous patterns or perimeter lighting.

To choose the appropriate option, decide on the location of the lighting, the brightness you want to achieve, and of course, take into account the general style of the room.

Ceiling lighting with LED strip

Criterias of choice

When choosing an LED strip, be guided by the following criteria:

• How densely are the diodes located?
• How much power does the product consume?
• Is there any protection against moisture?

LED strips are offered for sale in various color variations. According to shades they are divided into:

• Monochrome - one color.
• Universal or RGB tapes provide several different variations - red, green, blue. RGBW stripes additionally emit white color.

The price of the products is almost the same, so it is better to choose RGBW. For such diodes, the kit is equipped with a special controller that makes it possible to adjust the shades and intensity of the glow.

LED backlights also differ in the density of diode bulbs: from 30 to 120 pieces per meter of strip. If you plan to illuminate a large ceiling, purchase products with a frequent arrangement of diodes; for a directional light source, you should use smaller indicators.

How brightly the diode bulbs glow depends on the power consumption. Models SMD 5050 and SMD 3528 are recognized as popular. The first gives 4.8 W/m with a density of 60 diodes per meter of tape, the second with the same density - 14.4 W/m.

Often included in the design of bathroom ceilings. Then it is better to use strips with additional moisture protection. Their price depends on the degree of protection.

LED lighting placement options

LED lighting can be mounted in different places of the suspension system. We will give the most common examples:

• In the niches. This arrangement seems to lift the ceiling into the air, creating a floating effect. Typically, niches are purposefully included in ceiling structures for decoration with LED lighting. The upward facing LEDs emit a soft diffused light. Side lighting with a ribbon will make the light directed, sliding along the “floating” ceiling surface.

• Inside the false ceiling. The tapes are mounted in the space between the rough ceiling and the translucent film sheet. This design makes the glow soft and diffuse, and the ceiling seems to glow from within.

• Behind the cornice. This method is the simplest and most accessible. In this case, there is no need to install a tension or suspension system. The cornice is attached to the wall, and an LED strip is laid along the edge of the baseboard.

We have already discussed illuminating the ceiling with your own hands using LED strips in articles both for plasterboard and tension structures. Therefore, we will dwell in more detail on the installation nuances associated with neon lighting and spotlights.

Peculiarities

The classic version of neon lighting is represented by glass tubes filled with an inert gas - neon. A special powder is applied to the inner surface of the “cones” - a phosphor, which emits a glow under voltage.

Due to the fact that neon ceiling lighting requires high voltage, a special current converter will have to be installed in conjunction with it. One device is placed at seven meters. The placement locations of converting devices are determined at the stage of ceiling installation. Usually, niches are made in the concrete floor where the converters are placed.

Neon lighting has the following features:

• Such variations are used only as decoration, since they provide low brightness with significant electricity consumption. A wide range of shades will be an organic addition to the overall style of the room.
• A quality product will last from 10 to 15 years.
• The standard sizes of lamps of this type are 1.5 length and 1.5 cm diameter. The temperature of the heated bulbs does not exceed 40 degrees, and the design operates almost silently.
• The junctions of the elements do not form dark spots, so the glow is uniform and continuous.
• Instead of standard products, you can decorate the ceiling with neon cord. Its flexibility greatly simplifies installation, and the device produces the same glow as lamps. The only negative is the expensive price.

Typically, neon lighting of a hidden type is most often used for rooms, placing products in hidden niches. Moreover, the narrower the hole for the exit of artificial lighting, the brighter the luminous strip.

You can use neon to highlight individual decorative elements or interior items. This will complement the overall design of the room, making the room harmonious and beautiful.

How to make neon lights

Once you have decided on the option you like, you can begin installation.

Before making a neon ceiling light, you will have to replace the wiring running from the switch to the device. The first step is to build a wall for laying a new cable. Subsequently, the cracks can be sealed with putty flush with the surface.

Therefore, it is necessary to determine the placement of lighting fixtures, as well as install wires, before installing the ceiling and renovating the room as a whole.

Neon lighting on the ceiling is placed in a special plasterboard box or behind ceiling plinths. The first method is chosen by carrying out artistic finishing at the renovation stage, before the final decoration of the walls and ceiling with finishing materials.

Lighting is installed in the plinth during the final finishing of the ceiling surface at the final stage of repair. For a clearer design of neon lighting, it is necessary to attach a small side to the plane of the cornice. To obtain diffused light, there is no need to install a board on the eaves.

For such work, it is better to choose a larger plinth, because it is very difficult to mount transformers in narrow elements. If you still want to minimize the finishing, simply “recess” the transformer in the wall niche.

Typically, neon lamps come in a kit, which, in addition to the lighting element, includes cords, fasteners, and circuits, so there should not be any special difficulties when connecting.

How to arrange devices

In addition to the requirements for, it is necessary to take into account their correct location on the ceiling surface:

• Uniform used in simple structures consisting of one level. In this case, the lamps are placed around the perimeter of the room on the entire ceiling plane.
• Group intended for illumination of individual areas. For example, when zoning space. Most often, such variations are combined with the main source of artificial light - a chandelier.

On a note! Group lighting is often used to highlight figures on stretch or plasterboard ceilings.

Before you buy appliances, clearly plan and think through possible variations in their location. Be guided by the following parameters:

• Type of light source, its power and technical characteristics.
• View of the ceiling surface.
• Placement method.

Installation of spot lighting involves the following procedure:

• Lay the wires and bring them to the installation locations of the devices at the stage of assembling the frame.

Important! The permissible distance between the lamps and the metal base of the suspended structure must be at least 25-30 cm.

• Place the wires in special corrugations to protect them from moisture, and secure them to the metal profiles with plastic clamps.
• In the final ceiling covering, make the required number of holes corresponding to the size of the lamps.
• Mount drywall to the ceiling and install appliances.

For suspended ceilings, the fixtures are fixed after fixing the canvas, but all preparatory work (electricity supply, installation of platforms, etc.) is carried out at the frame assembly stage.

When arranging lighting in your apartment, remember that it mostly serves a decorative function. Before starting work, check out the possible design options for lighting on the ceiling on the Internet, since ill-chosen methods can make the structure heavier. This especially applies to multi-level suspension systems.

LED ceiling lighting - ready-made kits (video)

When renovating an apartment or private house, people strive to create an interesting and original interior. The design of the ceiling plays an important role in giving the room a special atmosphere or sophistication. Illuminating a stretch ceiling with an LED strip from the inside looks very impressive. In this combination, LEDs are not only interior decoration, but can also act as the main source of lighting.

Advantages of LED ceiling lighting

To create a backlit interior, different types of lighting devices are used: LEDs, duralight cord, fluorescent lamps. However, using LED strip for these purposes has a number of undeniable advantages:

• LEDs do not heat the ceiling made of PVC film. Accordingly, it does not deform or bend. In this regard, there is practically no alternative to LED strip.
• The LED strip has a long service life of more than 10,000 hours of operation for white LEDs, and more than 30,000 hours for color LEDs. For this reason, they do not require access for maintenance, which is very important if a suspended ceiling is planned in the room.
• The power consumed by LEDs is minimal.
• LED strip provides uniform light, while it can be used to create figures of any shape on the ceiling and laid in structures of complex configurations.
• Use colored LED strips under the suspended ceiling, which will allow you to diversify the design of the ceiling.
• The lighting intensity can be adjusted by connecting the LED strip to a dimmer.

The main disadvantage of LEDs is the price. However, the reliability that they guarantee when used to illuminate a stretch ceiling from the inside more than compensates for this drawback.

Use LED strip for. The soft glow of the tape will allow a baby who is afraid of the dark to fall asleep peacefully. And low energy consumption will give parents the opportunity to leave the lighting on all night without worrying about the family budget.

Options for using tape in ceiling lighting

Installing LED lighting under a suspended ceiling is possible in several basic ways. The choice depends on the initial design idea of ​​the room owners, as well as the height of the room and the distance by which it can be reduced to install a lighting system.

Single-level stretch ceiling with LED lighting around the perimeter

A single-level stretch ceiling with LED lighting around the perimeter is the most popular way to use the tape. Visually, it seems that the ceiling is floating in the air. The soft glow helps to set the mood for relaxation and creates an atmosphere of calm and comfort. The brightness of the backlight can be adjusted. The LED strip is attached behind a special ceiling plinth slightly below the ceiling level, and the tension fabric is suitable both glossy and matte.

Stretch ceiling with LED strip

With an LED strip laid inside, it allows you to create a unique light pattern. With one touch of a switch, you can turn a room into a disco hall, light up the starry sky, or delight children with images of your favorite cartoon characters. For patterned lighting, it is necessary to use a stretch fabric that transmits rays of light. Glossy film will not work in this case, since it is completely opaque. It is better to opt for matte canvases.

Two-level lighting

Illumination of a stretch ceiling with LED strip is also possible when creating two-level structures, the perimeter of which is made of gypsum board. With this installation method, the tape is hidden in the resulting plasterboard box. You can also place the power supply and other necessary equipment there. It is not recommended to use glossy stretch fabric: the tape and all accessories will be reflected in it, like in a mirror.

Translucent stretch ceiling

Another interesting way to install lighting under a suspended ceiling is to use a special translucent stretch fabric. It is produced, for example, by the French company Clipso. Such canvases are thinner than fabric or PVC models and transmit light well, which allows LED lighting to play the role of the main lighting in the room. Unfortunately, this type of ceiling will be quite expensive.

Try using different types of LED strips in the ceiling design, differing in color and number of LEDs per square meter. This will allow you to create several lighting zones in the room and diversify the interior. .

Technology for installing LED strip under the ceiling

Stretch ceiling design system with side lighting

Even a person with minimal construction skills can install LED lighting under a suspended ceiling. It is necessary to draw a diagram of its location, calculate the required length, and also purchase power supplies and mounting hardware.

Nuances to consider during installation:

• Before starting work, the ceiling surface must be cleaned and degreased. Neglecting this stage may result in the tape falling off after installing the ceiling sheet, completely violating the design intent;

To clean and degrease the ceiling, it is not necessary to buy special products. Regular soap solution and alcohol are perfect for these purposes.

• The length of the continuous connection of the tape should be no more than 5 meters. The segments are connected in parallel to the power supply;
• it is necessary that the total capacity of the tape segments does not exceed . Ideally, the power supply has a power reserve of 25%;
• cutting and marking the tape while being up near the ceiling is difficult and inconvenient. Therefore, this work should be completed in advance. The tape can only be cut in places where there are special markings.

Do not remove all of the protective coating from the adhesive surface of the tape at once. Release 10-15 cm in stages. Otherwise, the tape will make your work much more difficult, sticking everywhere possible.

The use of LEDs in ceiling structures is a modern and unusual way to decorate a room. A little imagination and knowledge of the features of their installation will allow you to make a suspended ceiling with LED lighting the main element of the interior.

Ceiling lighting with LED strip is an original design solution that allows you to give the ceiling area a unique look. In order for this ceiling design technique to be stylish and appropriate, it is necessary to study the subtleties of its placement and the most advantageous design techniques.

Peculiarities

LED strip is a functional lighting device with a lot of diode lamps. The design consists of a base with an adhesive surface and a protective film. Some varieties are attached to the ceiling using plastic brackets. At the very base there are auxiliary components, a contact pad and LEDs. To ensure uniform lighting, light sources are placed at the same distance from each other.

This material is quite flexible, the tape is sold in reels that prevent the formation of creases, and has cutting lines. It is an auxiliary lighting, although the power of this lighting device often allows it to replace the central lighting. The power consumption of 1 m of tape ranges from 4.8 to 25 W.

In this case, the number of LEDs per 1 m can range from 30 to 240 pieces. Its uniqueness lies in its efficiency: a 10-meter-long piece consumes less energy than a conventional incandescent lamp.

Resistors eliminate the possibility of a voltage surge; they limit the flow of current. The width of the tape can reach 5 cm. The size of the LEDs also varies, so some varieties shine brighter than others. If it is necessary to increase the intensity of the ceiling lighting, sometimes an additional row of diodes is soldered to the strip.

Based on their tightness, LED strips are divided into three types:

• not having tightness (for ordinary premises);
• with an average degree of protection from moisture (for rooms with high humidity);
• in silicone, resistant to water (for the bathroom).

On the modern market, such products are presented in the form of classic white strips, RGB varieties and single-color backlighting.

Advantages

LED backlighting in the form of a strip is convenient and of high quality.

It is a sought-after ceiling design tool for several reasons:

• is an impeccable technique for updating the interior composition of any room;
• sets a unique atmosphere for any room;
• features an even and soft directional glow without flicker or noise;
• attaches directly to the ceiling;
• significantly saves energy consumption;
• has an attractive design;

• durable - has a service life of about 10 years;
• distinguished by the ability to choose a color shade for the interior composition;
• due to its flexibility it can take any shape;
• harmless, does not emit toxic substances into the air during operation;
• fireproof;
• does not affect TV and communication signals (does not create interference).

Such a ribbon can be a decoration for any room in your home.

You can decorate the ceiling with it:

• living room;
• children's;
• hallway;
• corridor;
• bathroom;
• bay window area;

• kitchens;
• work office;
• home library;
• glazed loggia;
• balcony;
• storage rooms.

LED strip lighting is affordable. It is easy to install; you can install it yourself, without involving outside specialists.

photos

Criterias of choice

LED strip lighting has a lot of varieties. Before purchasing, determine the type of lighting.

If this tape will serve as general lighting, all lighting fixtures are removed from the ceiling. Then several tapes of higher power are fixed on the ceiling, placing them around the perimeter, as well as behind the stretch ceiling film (a costly method). To accentuate the contours, this self-adhesive lighting is fixed around the perimeter of the niches, creating diffused light and the visual effect of increasing the space.

If you need to highlight a figured protrusion, you can partially repeat its shape, which is especially important for suspended structures. At the same time, the flexibility of the tape does not limit the curvature of the line.

If the ceiling lighting is planned to be repeated, for example, by highlighting the shape of a mirror or the lining of a kitchen apron, varieties are purchased that are identical in glow. In order to choose the right LED strip and not get confused in the wide range of the presented assortment, you need to decide on the type of fastening, the shade of the glow, the power of the light sources and their number. The design idea also matters, on which the final effect of light transmission depends.

Therefore, when purchasing, you should even pay attention to the backing: you don’t want it to be conspicuous. It is purchased to match the color of the main background of the ceiling. She can be not only white. On the market for similar products you can find options with a brown, gray and even transparent base.

Shade of glow

Ribbons are not simply divided into plain and colored. In the first case, these are light bulbs that burn exclusively in one shade (for example, white, blue, yellow, orange, green). In addition, these varieties can emit infrared and ultraviolet light. The second ones are a strip with built-in light bulbs that can glow in different colors alternately or simultaneously. The different capabilities of the tapes affect the price: options with a light switching mode are more expensive.

Power and density

If the main requirement for backlighting is the brightness of the luminous flux, you should purchase a product with a smaller gap between the diodes. In this case, electricity consumption will be greater than that of varieties with sparse bulbs. If the lighting in the ceiling design will only have a decorative function, it is enough to buy an LED system to decorate the ceiling area - a system with the number of LEDs per 1 m of about 30-60 pieces. For the main lighting, a strip with a number of bulbs of 120-240 pieces per 1 m length is suitable.

In this case, a nuance is important: the more spacious the room, the larger the width of the tape should be. A narrow version on a high ceiling of a large area will be lost. It is better to decorate the ceiling area with a wide variety of LEDs in 2 rows.

Studying the board

In fact, everything is simple here: the abbreviation SMD indicated on the tape means “surface mount device”. There are 4 numbers next to the letters: this is the length and width of one LED. Of the options presented, the most relevant choices are parameters 3020 (3 x 2 mm), 3528 (3.5 x 2.8 mm), 5050 (5 x 5 mm). The larger the diodes and the density of their placement, the brighter they shine. Each type of belt has a different capacity. For example, SMD 3528 with 60 diodes per 1 m consumes 4.8 W, if there are 120 light sources, the power is 9.6 W. If there are 240 of them, the consumption is 19.6 W.

Footage

The meter of the tape depends on the perimeter of the ceiling plane being pasted. Since LEDs differ in the intensity of their glow, they are not bought at random: if the space is small, excess light will hit the eyes. Simply put, a total of 11 watts will replace a 100 watt incandescent light bulb.

To select the light level, measure the required footage of the illuminated area using a tape measure. After this, the resulting figure is multiplied by the power of 1 m of tape. This value will allow you to decide on the purchase of a power supply or controller if you plan to purchase a strip with multi-colored light bulbs to decorate the ceiling.

As a rule, the length of tape for ceiling lighting is 5 meters, although today such a product can be purchased in shorter lengths.

Protection class

Each type of LED strip is designed to decorate the ceiling of different types of rooms.

Returning to the topic of notation, it is worth considering the marks:

• IP 20 is a label indicating the possibility of using LED strips in dry rooms (living rooms, children's rooms, work rooms, corridors).
• IP 65 is an indicator indicating that the board can withstand contact with moisture; it can be used in “wet” areas (places where leaks are possible from neighbors above).
• IP 68 – category with insulation.

When purchasing, it is worth considering that varieties with a silicone layer are not suitable for decorating the ceiling, as they conceal the intensity of the light flux and force the substrate to heat up, which provokes heating of the surface of the ceiling finish.

Installation

Installing LED backlighting with your own hands is easy. However, before installation, it is worth considering the fact that the tapes dissipate some of the energy in the form of heat. Therefore, before fixing and connecting the lighting, in some rooms it is necessary to consider insulation. For higher power diodes this may be an aluminum substrate. If the backlight power is low, the lamp is needed as decorative lighting; insulation is not necessary.

Into the baseboard

This method is convenient because the lighting can be mounted on the ceiling after the ceiling covering has been installed. The main task is to purchase a skirting board that is attractive in appearance, but it is important to take into account that it is not thin. This can cause the backlight to lose its expressiveness. At the beginning of work, a plinth is attached to the ceiling using reliable glue (for example, liquid nails), leaving a channel about 8 - 10 cm from the ceiling. To ensure that the cornice is level, you can mark it using a level.

After the glue has set and dried, begin installing the tape. To do this, clean the surface of the plinth, remove the adhesive layer from the back of the backlight, and attach it to the ceiling or the back of the plinth in the gap left. If laying the self-adhesive tape seems unreliable, you can glue it in several places with silicone glue or double-sided tape. All that remains is to connect the power supply, and for multi-colored varieties, the RGB box, taking into account the polarity. After checking the voltage in the system, you can connect the tape to a 220V power supply.

In a plasterboard cornice

You can hide the lighting in a plasterboard box while installing the ceiling. At the time of construction of the system, an open or closed niche is created for laying the built-in strip lighting. The box structure is made according to markings, connecting load-bearing profiles with CD elements to the walls, forming a niche. In this case, whatever the system is (single-level, two-level or multi-level), it is necessary to mount it with a gap of 10 cm in order to ensure the passage of light from the LEDs.

Sheets of plasterboard are placed on the frame, leaving a niche for strip lighting. The perimeter of the box is covered with a side (cornice), which will subsequently hide the fastening of the tape. The seams are masked, primed and painted, then the self-adhesive backlight is mounted directly on the drywall. Fixation is carried out in such a way that the light of the LEDs is directed from bottom to top. After observing the polarity, the system must be connected to the current conductors.

Design

Ceiling decoration using LED strip is varied. It depends on creativity, the design of the ceiling, the presence of protrusions, patterns and the type of lamps. The light strip can be located around the perimeter of the ceiling and can be a decorative element for multi-level structures. There are many options for its location, in each case it creates an individual effect.

The lighting of the ceiling with LED strip looks especially interesting, participating in emphasizing the protrusions of the structures. For example, the lighting of the second level with a combination of strip and central lamp will be beautiful. At the same time, they try to select the backlight in such a way that its shade matches the temperature of the central light.

The tape, hidden in a niche of the suspended structure, will emphasize the desired area of ​​the ceiling, due to which you can zone the room. For example, in this way you can highlight a dining area in a living room combined with a dining room. The same technique can advantageously accentuate the guest area, creating a special atmosphere in it due to the color shade.

The illumination of the curly lines of a certain part of the ceiling composition looks beautiful. This can be a single-color coating or a stretch ceiling design with photo printing. The use of diode strip around the perimeter of the picture gives the image volume and a special effect. Lighting small prints changes their perception and is a tool for adding the right mood to the interior. Such lighting makes the ceiling visually wider and lighter, even if the structure consists of several levels.

The texture of the ceiling covering also matters. For example, LED strip lighting is reflected in a glossy canvas, visually adding light to the space, which is especially important for rooms with north-facing windows and spaces with small window openings. Directing the diodes upward creates a soft light; mounting to the side of the niche provides a directed flow and a “floating ceiling” effect.

Installing a tape between the coating material and the base creates the illusion of a glow from within. A complex technique is to create designer lighting using a strip inside a stretch ceiling. Often, for such systems, additional threads with a glow source at the ends of the fibers are used.

To make the backlight as correct as possible, the cut locations must be fixed using a connector or soldering iron. In this case, you cannot act on the material for more than 10 seconds. In single-color varieties, it is necessary to connect the “+” and “–” contacts.

In RGB type boards, the contacts are combined based on color and markings, where:

• R stands for red;
• G – green;
• B – blue;
• 4 contact = 12 or 24 V.