Thursday 14 December, 2017 |

Installing Flexible LED Strips

by Aaron

Flexible LED strips are extremely popular in home lighting applications. LED strip lights applications continue to grow because of their ease of use. The low-profile design, flexibility, efficiency and adhesive backing make them a no-brainer for many DIYers looking to put LEDs in their home. Like any other product, the whole is only as good as the parts. A common failure for these strips is that their adhesive backing fails on some surfaces or tends to give way over time. Luckily, here at LedStripCabinet.com we have taken feedback and found additional ways to mount these LED strips. Use some of these methods in installing LED strips to enjoy for years to come!

LED Strips that simply will not stick!

The self-adhesive on the back of the led strip lights typically needs a smooth surface in order to stick securely. Rough surfaces or too many grooves will limit the contact between the surface and the 3M tape backing. Less contact means less of a bond, leading to the flex strips falling or drooping in places.

The LED tape backing also does not bond well with certain finishes. If the surface has a glossy or oily surface, the strip likely will slide around too much or not stick at all. In these types of situations, it will be necessary to find other mounting options for the strip lights.

The environment around the strip also affects the peel-and-stick backing. Very hot climates will lead to failure in the adhesive material. It may be working at first, but after one extremely hot day, the tape will fail as the surface temperature rises. Humidity and moisture in the air also have a negative effect on the strips causing them to lose their bonding ability.

Mounting Methods for LED Strips

LED strips falling down and losing their adhesive backing can be a real pain to deal with. Luckily there are a few alternative methods that can save a lot of time and headaches.

LED Strip Mounting Clips

LED flex strip mounting bracketsThis is a simple, cheap solution for installing LED strips that does not rely on double sided tape. These small clips use a one screw design to screw into surfaces and clip over the LED strip, holding it in place. These clips are just $1.95 for a pack of 15 which should be plenty of clips for a reel of flex strips (roughly 1 clip per foot).

The brackets work great in applications where the lights are facing downward as in under cabinet lighting. This simple step of installing LED strip light fasteners will save from worrying about falling strips in the future.

Installing Flexible LED Strips

LED Strips that simply will not stick!

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