Installing LED strips outdoors is a reasonable idea. LED strip lights are energy-efficient, durable, versatile, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, safe, and easy to use. They can provide functional lighting and enhance the aesthetics of your outdoor spaces. This list of advantages (that could actually be much longer) shows that it’s worth using such lights in various ways – they have many uses. However, you need to know how to install them first. What should you pay attention to? Let us guide you through the process of LED strip light installation!
How to install LED strip lights step by step?
We have divided the installation process into several steps: planning installation, choosing LED strips, buying necessary stuff, preparing, mounting, and installing LED strips and then connecting them to the power supply, testing LED strip lights, and securing wiring and weatherproofing. For details, read the text below!
1. Plan your installation carefully
The first thing you need to do is plan everything precisely. Determine where exactly you want to install LED strip lights. Consider installing them under railings along the edges of your deck or patio. You can use them to illuminate flower beds, garden paths or landscaping features. Installing LED tape along pathways and walkways is also a great idea. Lighting up outdoor staircases gives a sense of safety and prevents accidents. In turn, illuminated swimming pools, pounds, and fountains look fantastic and eye-catching.
Think twice about the areas in which you want to install LED strip lighting. Then, measure the required length. What’s more, you need to make sure that the power source is suitable for outdoor use. During this stage, you also need to plan the route of the LED tape and the power supply’s placement.
2. Choose the right outdoor LED light strip
Be sure to buy the proper LED strip lights. There are different types of strips: non-weatherproof, weatherproof, and waterproof. You should automatically turn the first option down, as non-weatherproof can only be used indoors. The two other choices are okay: weatherproof LED lights are suitable for outdoor use, while waterproof LED strips can even be used to illuminate outdoor pools as well as gardens, decks, patios, and pathways.
Not without significance is the appropriate ingress protection rating. The IP rating describes the degree of protection against solids and liquids. It shows how much an LED light can handle before complications arise. If you want to install LED strip lights outdoors, you cannot use lights with an IP rating of less than 65.
3. Buy all the necessary materials
There are a few things you need to equip yourself with before moving on to installation. Waterproof LED strip lights with the desired, appropriate length are one thing. However, you won’t successfully install LEDs without an appropriate transformer or power supply. You will also need adhesive tape or mounting clips (unless you have LED strips with adhesive backing), as well as cable clips or cable ties. Optionally, you might need outdoor-rated extension cords, silicone sealant for additional waterproofing, and a waterproof junction box, if it’s required. A ladder or scaffold may come in handy as well.
4. Prepare your outdoor LED light strips
By preparing your LED strips, we mean ensuring that they’re free of any damage, defects, or manufacturing issues. You have to make sure that the chosen LED strip matches your specifications – brightness and colour. Also, check where exactly your strip can be safely cut, and then cut the strip to the desired length. Remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions! You might need to link multiple strip lights, so be prepared and have the appropriate extensions and connectors.
5. Mount your outdoor LED tapes
Another step of the process is mounting your LED strips. Depending on the LED strip type and the surface, you can either use mounting clips (suitable for textured or uneven surfaces) or adhesive backing (working well on smooth surfaces). If using adhesive backing, be sure to clean the installation surface carefully and thoroughly to ensure good adhesion. Get rid of dust, dirt, debris, or grease. Then, let the surface dry completely.
6. Install LED strip lights
Now it’s time for the most important stage of the process. If you use LED strips with adhesive backing, start with peeling off the protective covering. Try not to touch the adhesive. Then, attach the LED tape to the clean mounting surface evenly, with no wrinkles or air bubbles. Press the strip down onto the surface gently – it will ensure a strong bold.
Don’t forget to pay attention to the LED strips’ ends because they can be prone to lifting. Additional adhesive or mounting clips may be useful. The last thing to do is to allow proper bonding time. If you decide to use mounting clips instead of adhesive backing, you ought to attach them to the mounting surface and then snap the outdoor LED strip into the clips.
7. Connect the LED strip lights to the power supply
If you’re wondering how to connect LED strip lights to the mains power supply, we are eager to explain: before you begin, make sure that the power supply is unplugged. Expose the copper wires at the ends of both the power supply and the LED strip. Then, connect the positive wire from the strip to the positive output of the power supply, and analogously do the same with the negative wire and output. Wire connectors can make it easier.
Then, wrap each connector with electrical tape for security reasons. You may need to use screws to secure the power supply in place, just to make sure it’s stable. While connecting the LED strips to the power supply, always remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You also need to make sure that your power supply is plugged into a GFCI outlet. If not, install it or use a GFCI extension cord.
8. Test the lights
Before you seal or conceal any wiring, you ought to plug in the power supply and test the LED strips to make sure that they work correctly. This is a crucial step, as it helps to ensure that LEDs work properly. The LED strips should light up once the power supply is turned on. Check if all LEDs function correctly and emit light. If your LED strip lights have many lighting modes or dimming options – test them too.
Thanks to testing, you can notice things like flickering, dead LED segments, or uneven lighting and implement corrective action. After testing, remember to turn the power supply off and unplug it from the electrical outlet.
9. Secure wiring and weatherproofing
The ninth step is optional; however, we decided that it’s worth mentioning about securing wiring and weatherproofing. To do it, you need to use outdoor cable ties or cable clips to secure the wiring along the installation path. You can consider using a waterproof junction box to protect wiring and connections. You may also want to add an extra layer of weatherproofing by applying a bead of outdoor-grade silicone sealant around connections. After going through all the steps, and making sure that you are satisfied with the installation, you can finally enjoy your LED strip lights!
Summary
Installing LED lighting is easier than you might think. It’s just nine simple steps to install your LED strip lights outdoors. The most important stage is planning everything carefully, as at this stage you determine what kind of LED strips you need in which location. The rest is easy – with our guide, you already know how to prepare, mount, and install your LED strip lights and what to do with them later. Don’t wait, install LED strip lights asap and make your garden, patio, terrace (or whatever you want outside) even more beautiful!
Alsi read: Why To Choose Mirror with Led Strip Light
