Skirting Board With Led Channel? All Answers

Ever wanted to hide the power supply to your LED strip lights? LED strips are a popular choice for home decor because they are affordable, versatile, and easy to install.

However, one disadvantage of using LED strips is that the power supply is often visible. In this blog post, we will show you how to hide the power supply for LED strips so that it is not visible.

We’ll introduce you to a few different methods that you can use to choose the one that best suits your needs. Whether you’re using a single color strip or an RGBW strip, these tips will help keep your installation looking clean and professional. Read on for more information!

Why Hide the Power of LED Strip Lights?

The power supply to your LED strips is often visible as it is usually larger than the LED strips themselves. Also, the power supply is usually mounted on the wall or some other highly visible location.

This can be an eyesore, especially when trying to create a clean and professional look in your home. Hiding the power supply for your LED strip lights is a great way to add a more elegant look to your home.

In addition, it can help protect your power adapter from accidental damage. This also gives you more peace of mind knowing your power supply is hidden and cannot be damaged.

The 10 best ways to hide the power supply of LED strips

1. Using the power supply cover

One of the best ways to hide your power supply is by using a cover. This hides the power supply and makes it less visible.

You can find PSU covers online or at your local hardware store. With this method, you don’t have to worry about your power adapter getting damaged or getting in the way.

2. Hiding behind furniture

Another great way to hide your power supply is to hide it behind furniture. This is a great option if you don’t want to use a cover.

You can place the power pack behind a piece of furniture and make it invisible. It’s also a great option if you’re concerned about damaging your power supply.

3. Place it on top of the crown molding

If you want to hide your power supply but don’t want to use a cover, you can place it on the crown bar.

This helps keep it out of the way but still allows you easy access to it when you need it. You can also use this method to hide the power supply for your TV.

4. Hide in a closet

You can also try hiding your PSU in a closet. This keeps the device out of sight and protects it from possible damage. You can use a small box or even an old shoe box to store the PSU in the closet.

Make sure the box is big enough to fit the power supply snugly and that there are no gaps or openings that allow dust or other debris to get in. You can also put the box on a shelf in the closet to keep it out of the reach of children or pets.

5. In a ceiling panel

If you have access to the ceiling, you can also hide your power supply by placing it in a ceiling tile. This will help keep it out of the way and make it less visible.

You can use a hole saw to cut a hole in the tile, or simply remove the power supply from its housing and insert directly into the tile. Secure the power supply here as well to avoid falling out and a hazard.

6. In a false wall

Another way to hide your power supply is by building a false wall. This can be done by attaching wood paneling or drywall to the studs in your walls.

You can then cut a hole in the bulkhead to insert the power supply. Be sure to install the partition securely to prevent it from falling and creating a fire hazard.

7. Behind a mirror

This is probably one of the more creative ways to store your LED light power supply. For example, if you have a large wall mirror at home, you can simply hide the power supply behind it.

All you have to do is get a small bracket and attach it to the back of the mirror. Then place your power adapter on the bracket and plug it in.

Your power supply is completely invisible, yet easily accessible when you need to change batteries or make other adjustments.

8. Hide under a floor beam

If you have a crawl space or access to the underside of your floor, you can try hiding your power supply by hiding it under a floor joist.

This helps keep it out of sight and less likely to damage it. You can use a cable tie or other fastener to secure the power supply.

9. Behind the bottom of the mantle

If you have a chimney you can try to hide your power supply by hiding it behind the bottom of the mantle. This helps keep it out of sight and less likely to damage it.

You can use some Velcro or other fasteners to secure the PSU in place. It’s also much harder to accidentally knock the power supply off the jacket this way.

10. In a drywall

If you really want to hide your power supply, you can try hiding it in drywall. This will take a bit more work, but it will completely hide your PSU.

First you need to cut a large hole in the drywall so the power supply fits snugly. Then insert the power adapter into the hole and fix it.

You can then patch the hole with some grout and paint over it to match the rest of the wall. This is a great option if you want to completely hide your PSU.

There are many different ways to hide the power supply of LED strips. These are just some of the most popular options. Whichever method you choose, make sure the power supply is secured to avoid accidents.

Some things to consider when hiding the power supply of LED strip lights

1. Make enough space for ventilation

One of the most important things to consider when hiding your power supply is to allow enough space for ventilation. The power supply must be able to breathe, otherwise it will overheat and become a fire hazard.

2. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets

Another thing to keep in mind is to keep the power adapter out of the reach of children and pets. This is to prevent them from accidentally injuring themselves or damaging the power supply. When hiding the power adapter, make sure it is safe and secure.

3. Make sure the power supply is cool

Another thing to keep in mind when hiding your power supply is to make sure the power supply is cool.

Power adapters can get very hot and if not properly cooled can become a fire hazard. So make sure it’s in a well-ventilated area when hiding the power adapter.

4. Make sure there is no access to water

Another thing to keep in mind when hiding your power adapter is to make sure there is no access to water.

Water and the power adapter do not mix, and getting the power adapter wet can create a fire hazard. So when hiding the power adapter, make sure it is in a dry and safe place.

5. Consider the size of the power supply

When hiding your power supply, be sure to consider the size of the power supply. Some power supplies are very large, and if not properly hidden, they can be very difficult to hide.

Therefore, when hiding the PSU, consider the size of the PSU and make sure it fits in the available space.

Conclusion

In summary, if you are looking for a way to hide the power supply to your LED light bar, there are several methods that can be used.

However, each method has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the one that works best for your specific application.

We hope this article has helped you in showing you how to hide the power supply from LED strips. If you follow the steps above, you should be able to hide your PSU with no problem.

Please don’t hesitate to share any questions or comments, if you have any, in the comments section below. Thank you for reading!

question

Can you cut LED light strips?

Drew Hawkins1 Community Answer

Yes, LED strips are designed to be easily cut apart with scissors so you can cut them to the size you want. Pay attention to the pair of copper dots at the end of each LED and be sure to cut between the dots so you don’t separate any wires that power the lights. Then you can connect them to a power source.

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Skirting boards don’t always have to be white. In this blog we look at a few color ideas for baseboards that…

You’ve decided on a new skirting board, but which is best – MDF or pine skirting? This can depend very much on the respective activity. Looking to replace baseboards in a high traffic area? Does your bathroom need a new baseboard? Do you live in an old building whose baseboards need to be replaced?

MDF is stronger than pine, has a smooth, unblemished surface, is less prone to warping, and is a good choice when painting baseboards. MDF is supplied either pre-primed or fully painted. It offers many styles and sizes.

Pine has the beauty of natural grain, making it ideal for projects where a painted finish is right.

Here we delve into the pros and cons of MDF and pine skirting boards to help you make the right decision for your needs.

Skirting made of MDF or pine: which is the cheapest?

Typically, prices for MDF and pine are very similar. Depending on the style and size, MDF is sometimes cheaper and usually comes pre-primed or pre-varnished, meaning you save time painting and money on varnishing.

At the same time, depending on the quality and origin of the wood, pine can be cheaper than MDF. However, pine moldings don’t come pre-primed, which means you’ll have to buy more paint and spend more time painting.

Which is the easiest to paint: MDF or pine skirting board?

There are pros and cons to both. MDF skirting boards are usually supplied pre-primed, meaning you don’t have to worry about applying an MDF sealer or primer.

However, you still need to add a primer and a top coat. (Typically, you’ll trade off between satin and sheen.)

To ensure you get a good finish on MDF you will need to sand down between coats with fine grit sandpaper, especially after priming.

Pine skirting boards are usually supplied as bare wood, so some more preparation and painting is required to achieve the best finish. You will need a primer, preferably one with a stain repellent, to cover knots in the wood.

You’ll also need a primer – maybe two coats – and a top coat. Again, use a fine 220 grit sandpaper for a high quality, smooth finish.

What is the best baseboard for a bathroom?

Pine is more resistant to moisture than MDF. With the right finish—primer, primer, topcoat—pine skirting boards can last for years.

Standard MDF is moisture sensitive and can swell and warp if water penetrates the structure of the board. However, choosing the best MDF paint can help protect and extend the life of MDF.

Alternatively, you can purchase ready-made MDF skirting boards, which are more moisture resistant as they are already sealed. But you still have to cut it and expose the fibers to moisture.

It is better to opt for moisture-resistant MDF skirting boards, which have a higher fiber density, making them more resistant to water and moisture in a bathroom. However, this is not really suitable for damp rooms.

Tiled baseboards can be a better alternative to both in bathrooms, especially wet rooms; It is waterproof and can be adapted to tile bathroom floors.

What is the most durable between MDF and pine moldings?

Nowadays there is little difference in the durability of pine and MDF. However, pine is a softwood and therefore not as strong as hardwood or MDF, especially HDF.

Pine is more likely to take a hit if she’s in a high-traffic area like a hallway. However, pine is easier to repair and/or sand and refinish than MDF.

Does an MDF or pine skirting board give the best natural looking finish?

The answer is simple – it’s a pine skirting board. MDF is plain and uniform and looks like the manufactured wood it is. If you want a natural finish where the grain shows through, pine is the clear winner.

If you want an enhanced natural finish to match the look of your home, which is typically the case with some older homes, you need to use a clear coat instead of paint.

Of course, when you paint your baseboards, the natural grain of the pine is lost. While white is the popular choice when painting baseboards, you may want to try some baseboard color ideas to add some creativity.

What sizes are pine and MDF skirting boards available in?

When buying skirting boards, there are three sizes to consider: length, height and width/depth. Height is the most obvious measurement to pay attention to. If you are swapping like for like, simply measure the current baseboard and replace with the same size.

Common skirting board sizes range from 119mm to around 200mm, with 144/145mm being a popular choice in many homes. Older homes typically have taller baseboards – around 230mm. But you can get pine and MDF skirting boards from 70mm to 350mm+.

The width or depth usually ranges from 12mm to around 20mm, but you can buy deeper if you prefer. But deeper baseboards obviously protrude further from the wall, which can be a problem when placing furniture against the wall. The most popular options are 15mm and 18mm.

Are you designing a brand new nest and feel like it’s time to shake things up a bit in terms of style? Skirting boards are key to protecting your walls and floor joints from scratches and dents caused by the normal wear and tear of your home.

These also help keep connections stable because, although you might not notice it, all houses vibrate a little — and materials expand and contract with changes in temperature. However, nowadays there are some alternatives to skirting boards with great decorative – and functional – potential.

Whether you’re renovating or looking to start from scratch, check out these three different ways to replace traditional baseboards.

1 – For a contemporary ambience – shadow gap or shadow gap strip

This trend has become very popular in recent years. Many developers with a knack for modern, minimalist architectural styles would suggest floater paneling when time, budget, and design goals align.

A shadow gap – also known as a shadow line – is a linear horizontal gap of approximately 10mm that extends along the planes of the walls. Visually, it creates streamlined, continuous surfaces. Structurally, this also allows and dampens the vibrations of walls and floors and avoids the dreaded cracks.

It’s very important to remember that if the work isn’t up to standards, there’s no way you can walk away with great finishes. No room for error with this skirting board alternative!

Because working around metal shadow lines requires detail, it must be balanced during the design and construction phase. The “easiest” way to nail down the look is to get a formed line that already comes with the gap, install it and let the plasterboard sit on top of it.

2 – Wooden skirting boards – An alternative to skirting boards for small spaces and low ceilings

The primary function of wood battens is to support and evenly distribute the weight of a structure. They’ve been around for a long time, but it’s not common to see them as skirting boards. Thin and semi-circular, it is worth using them as an alternative to baseboards. As they take up very little wall space, small rooms or homes with low ceilings can benefit! Some homeowners even choose to add wood moldings next to their baseboards to provide extra protection, smooth the transitions, and hide gaps between walls, floors, and baseboards.

3 – No skirting boards – is that even an option?

As we told you at the beginning of this guide on different skirting alternatives, there is more to skirting than just looks. These moldings help block bumps and prevent dents, but also absorb some of your home’s natural vibrations, preventing cracks and other problems that can affect your property. If in doubt, discuss this with your builder or interior decorator!

We encourage you to get creative and find the best option for your home. If you choose the versatility, durability and low maintenance costs of an MDF skirting board, let us guide you through the process of selecting and purchasing skirting boards.

The top tip of the skirting shop

Before making a final decision, always check if you need to run cables behind the baseboard – this would require the baseboards to have a different internal profile.

Here’s the most exciting guide you’ve been looking for. How to bring your LED RGB dream to life!

Here you will find tips on the best placement of your LED strips, a step-by-step guide and alternative placements.

You can install LED strips around your ceiling by measuring the length of the ceiling perimeter, using a high quality strip with built in adhesive and choosing to install the strip behind a recess or cove for a beautiful, dramatic yet luxurious look achieve light effect.

Where should LED strips be placed on the ceiling?

The starting point of your strips is really important since the socket is in that area.

And if you’re an avid YouTuber or TikToker, you definitely don’t want unsavory cables showing up in your videos.

Otherwise, the cable running from your outlet to your LED power supply should be inconspicuous, e.g. B. behind furniture or doors or near a wall corner.

Alternatively, you can use the cable cover like this one on Amazon.

Once your light strips are connected, you need to decide where to place them on the ceiling.

If you want more of your ceiling to be illuminated, place the strips about 3 to 5 inches from the ceiling.

If you want more of your wall to be illuminated, place the strips about 30cm below the ceiling to leave enough room to shine upwards.

The most ideal way to install LEDs is where their individual LED diodes are not obtrusively visible and hidden while at the same time preventing the harsh glare the lights emit from your eyes.

Some ceilings have a built-in recess and are referred to as false ceilings, false ceilings, or drop ceilings.

There is a small area to insert lights if needed and in our case the perfect place to hide exposed LED strips.

How to install LED strips on the ceiling: step-by-step instructions

Here is the step-by-step guide to installing LED strip lights. Before you begin the process, however, plug in the LEDs and verify that they work, then continue with the project.

Step #1: Measure the perimeter of your room’s ceiling, including any corners and bends along the way. Make sure you also measure the distance from your outlet if the power adapter has a short wire.

Because LED strips come in specific lengths, you can now decide whether you want one or multiple LED strip rolls.

You can simply cut the tapes to length if the intended copper cutting points are available on the roll.

Step #2: For the best look and minimal wastage of extra reels or extra cord, make sure the outlet is as close as possible to the source that comes with your LED strip reel.

Step #3: To ensure your LED strips last as long as they were designed, your setup should be well ventilated, with airflow in the room and not stuffed behind bulky furniture or thick curtains.

Also, be sure to use a cove that allows for good heat dissipation (like aluminum, don’t use wood) and that is wide and deep enough for ventilation.

Step #4: Here comes the fun part. Hold everything! Some high-quality strips come with built-in adhesive on the back of the strips that you peel and stick.

This is a better option as some manufacturers ensure the built-in band is also designed to dissipate excess heat.

Other moldings need external double-sided tape, you need to stick it yourself, first on the molding, and then on the wall, molding or ceiling.

This can be a lengthy process and resolve sooner than expected.

Say your ceiling has a porous or textured design. In this case, you must consider adding external double-sided tape or wall glue to hold it better.

Remember to peel off about 3-5 inches of tape at a time for easier handling.

Measurements can go wrong, but don’t worry. If you measured the strip before sticking it on and found it was too short, leave the extra gap at the end of the full length.

This way you can add more light strips when ordering again or join existing strips together.

How to install LED strips in false ceilings?

False ceilings, sometimes referred to as drop ceilings – where an additional “false” ceiling hangs below the main ceiling – are perfect for LED strips.

You can have a clean, modern ceiling that looks like it’s floating, with LEDs providing the perfect modern accent—especially if you choose RGB lights for a cool hue that illuminates your home.

No additional fillets or crown moldings are required here.

Installing striplights on false ceilings has many of the same challenges as installing on any other ceiling.

The two biggest specific challenges relate to power supply and positioning.

When it comes to the power source, you have to keep in mind that your ceiling rafts will likely be central.

This means that in order to reach an outlet, you need to route the LED strip cables out of the false ceiling, along the main surface, and then down a wall.

Some ceiling panels extend to the wall, making it easier to hide the cable.

But if that’s not the case for you, you’ll either have to find a subtle way to cover the cable, or get really clever (but also pretty tricky) and route the cable through the main ceiling and to a space in the wall.

However, this is a significant renovation project that should not be attempted unless you know what you are doing.

As far as positioning goes, there are two options to choose from.

You either have the strip lights oriented vertically and attached to the frame that holds the false ceiling, or they are horizontal and directed upwards.

If you are attaching them to a frame that may have gaps, the LED tape may not be strong enough to hold them in place.

You may need wide staples or a stronger adhesive for the contact points.

If you choose to mount the LEDs horizontally, make sure they are behind a lip – your ceiling needs a lip; Otherwise, you’ll still see the actual unsightly streak of light.

Bring them as close to the lip as possible to prevent points of light from shining onto the frame holding up the ceiling.

You could use sealed string lights if you want a guaranteed even light, but this probably won’t be necessary.

An advantage of a false ceiling is that you probably won’t have to string together as many light strips which could cause a voltage drop if they are connected in series.

How to hide the LED light strip on the ceiling?

So hiding LED strips on the ceiling is relatively easy – you already have the perfect hiding spot.

Before I tell you more ways to hide the LED strips, I want to tell you why strips look better in moldings, recesses and hidden.

First of all, keep in mind that your LED light bar will not be on all the time at night, as this would put unnecessary strain on your transformer or power supply. Think of the day too! In both cases, your LEDs are off.

When the stripes are removed, they are not a very pretty sight. They are covered in numbers and the wiring and all the small electrical components like the diodes and resistors are visible.

In addition, your view will also be affected by uncovered LEDs. Aside from the glare I mentioned earlier, the bright, unscattered light from the LEDs leaves an impression in your eyes that is an “afterimage.”

So when you look directly or indirectly at exposed LEDs, when you close your eyes you see tiny black dots of light, which is due to overstimulation of the receptors in our retinas.

Now that you know a few deeper reasons for hiding your lights, let’s look at some other options.

Of course, the ideal way to hide your LED strips is by using the drop down ceiling mounts you already have in your room.

Alternatively, you can use covings to create extra space to hide and install your strips.

To achieve this look, buy an aluminum bar, which is a strip of aluminum with a recess to place your LED strips and a raised lip to hide them from view.

The lip is low enough to let the soft and mystical shine shine through.

This setup looks the best as it hides the black stripe with dotted lights and keeps the light source a certain mysterious and romantic aspect. In this case, less is more!

Another similar solution is to purchase flexible LED profiles, which come in a wide variety depending on the project needs.

An LED profile fully accommodates an LED strip. The light shines through a diffuse surface and creates a beautiful glowing effect throughout the room.

When used on the floor, such a housing allows the LED strip to be walked on without damage.

How do I hide LED light connectors?

So you’ve got your sleek LED lights installed in your living space, everything is connected and working great – but now you’ve got some ugly connecting cables flaunting them.

And from your walls or ceiling they really stand out, especially if it’s a black wire against a clean white or light colored wall.

The easiest way to hide them is with a cord cover (Amazon). These can be made from a variety of materials, so choose the colors that look best in your space.

You can buy tape that you just stick directly to the wall – it has a raised center where the cables sit.

More common is the fixed cover, usually a slim plastic box.

You simply place the cables in the open box mount and then attach the cover to the wall, usually with double-sided tape. However, some are more permanent if you prefer and can be screwed in.

A box is usually a better option, as wires can get trapped under tape if you’re not careful. It will be more visible but they are still relatively discreet.

Once you’ve installed the cover over your ports, most can be painted to match the color of your wall or ceiling.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to save leftover paint cans! Paint the cover the same shade and you’ll hardly notice it’s there.

Suppose you want more of a DIY project. In this case, you can route the cables through the wall to the power source using a cable baffle (Amazon).

You need someone with experience in proper cable management

Can LED strips be installed without the coves?

With all this talk about hiding strip lights, you have to be asking yourself, is it such a big mistake to install any lights without hiding them?

Well of course you can install them as is. When you start your LED strip light projects and only have enough budget to experiment with a roll, you may not want to get an extra bar.

With the included tape you can easily stick the light strips directly to the walls or ceiling, and you might even prefer the ‘bare’ look!

The reason for hiding it in covings or recesses is to reduce glare and give the room a more aesthetically pleasing look.

But if you want, you can install a dimmer in your setup and turn down the glow for a less harsh light.

So don’t let the added cost of coving or the hard work of installing a drop down ceiling put you off adding LED strips!

Any LED strip lighting is better than none!

You can always add these features later, or not at all!

last words

There you have it, a complete guide to taking your first steps in installing an LED strip light setup. Check out more LED projects.

What kind of light projection are you aiming for?

Do you have a drop ceiling or are you considering a coving?

Installing LED Flex Strips: Mounting Techniques

LEDs are longer lasting, more energy efficient and brighter than incandescent bulbs, says the US Department of Energy. While this translates to great savings as a business investment, using the correct mounting technique when installing LED flex strips is key to reducing installation time. Before you begin the installation, take a moment to learn about these four key assembly techniques.

Use the 3M self-adhesive backing to attach LED flex strips to non-porous smooth surfaces

High-lumen flex LED strips can be easily mounted with the self-adhesive backing. Simply remove the 3M adhesive backed protective cover and then attach the LED flex strips like a piece of tape. This quick and easy attachment method is designed for use on smooth, non-porous surfaces such as wood or painted surfaces. Rough or porous surfaces result in less spatial sticking of LED strips and the surface.

LED strip mounting clips are another option

The installation of LED flex strips with 3M backing fails prematurely on rough surfaces or surfaces that are permeable to liquids and vapours. However, mounting clips for LED strips are another mounting option. Screw the mounting clip along the length where the strip will be placed. Most mounting clips have a slot for inserting the strip through the clip. Use multiple clips per foot of length to hold your strip in place. Unfortunately, mounting clips don’t necessarily work when mounting LED strips under cabinets or bars.

A LED strip mounting channel achieves a professional mounting appearance on porous surfaces

If mounting clips would result in LED flex strips being draped between the clips, such as For example, in ceiling or other downward facing surface mounting applications, a LED strip mounting channel is the first choice. Mounting rails are available in preset lengths. First install the mounting channel with screws in the pre-drilled holes. Attach the LED strip to the mounting channel using the 3M adhesive backing. Of course, a mounting channel is also an option if you mount LED flex strips on any other flat surface.

A good quality glue can be used to mount LED strips when other methods fail

Sometimes it is not possible to drill holes for mounting techniques that require a clip or channel to be screwed to the surface. For example, it is difficult to screw a track or clip onto concrete or stucco surfaces. In these cases a good quality adhesive can be used to bond the strip to the material.

For example, a business owner wants to mount an LED strip on a concrete wall, but screw mounting techniques are not an option. To mount the LEDs, apply a strip of adhesion promoter, e.g. B. Liquid Nails Heavy Duty, on the concrete surface.

Make sure the line of glue is thick enough to create a smooth, flat surface for attaching the LED strip. Remove the backing from the 3M tape. Apply the LED strip along the length of the primer.

The use of an adhesion promoter ensures maximum contact between the LED strip and the surface.

Save time by choosing the mounting method that’s right for your application

When installing LED flex strips, business owners should take the time to determine which mounting technique is most appropriate. This reduces delays and prevents having to reinstall flex strips using an alternative mounting technique in the near future. If you’re still unsure which mounting technique is best for your application, MX LightForce can help. Visit MX LightForce.com or call 1 (800) 624-0863 today to speak to a representative.