How do you cover LED strips on the ceiling?

Installing LED strip lights on your ceiling can provide beautiful, functional lighting for any room in your home. However, you may want to cover the LED strips for aesthetic or practical reasons. Covering LED strips allows you to diffuse and soften the light, protect the LEDs, and conceal the strip itself. There are a few simple ways to cover ceiling-mounted LED strips effectively.

Should You Cover LED Strip Lights on the Ceiling?

There are pros and cons to covering LED strip lights on your ceiling:

Pros:

– Creates a more diffuse, soft glow from the LEDs
– Conceals the strip and electronics for a cleaner look
– Protects the LED strip and wiring from damage, dust, moisture
– Allows you to paint or wallpaper over the installed strips
– Lets you change the color or appearance as needed

Cons:

– Reduces overall light brightness somewhat
– Makes accessing the strips for maintenance difficult
– Can trap heat if not ventilated properly

For most applications, the benefits of covering LED strips outweigh the drawbacks. The easiest way to install ceiling LED strips is to first mount them directly to the surface, test them, and then cover them.

Materials Needed for Covering Ceiling LED Strips

To cover LED strip lights on your ceiling, you will need:

– LED strip lights
– LED strip mounting clips or adhesive
– Wire, drivers, and other strip lighting accessories
– Covering material: acrylic sheets, plastic channel, aluminum profile, wood molding
– Screws, glue, double-sided tape to affix covers
– Paint, wallpaper, or other decorative materials

The covering material you choose will depend on your budget, ceiling type, and desired appearance. Hard opaque covers like molding or acrylic block the light completely, while translucent options like plastic channels diffuse it subtly.

Acrylic Sheets

Acrylic sheets are an excellent cover option for ceiling LED strips. Opt for acrylic that is:

– At least 1/8” thick
– Frosted or diffused to soften light
– Large enough to cover the LED strip area
– Easy to cut to length with a saw or blade

Acrylic has a clean, modern look and disperses the light evenly. It can be adhered with silicone or screwed into the ceiling.

Plastic Channel

Plastic U-channel covers are an inexpensive way to cover and diffuse LED strip lights. The channels have a slit along one side that allows the strip to slide inside. They come in several sizes to accommodate different strip widths.

Aluminum Profile

Aluminum profiles or channels provide a streamlined, professional cover for LED strips. They have an internal chamber to house the strip and are made from thin aluminum in different shapes and finishes (white, silver, etc). Corner pieces connect straight sections seamlessly.

Wood Molding

Wood trim or molding makes a classic LED strip cover. Stain grade solid wood molding looks great as a integrated part of ceiling paneling or beams. Paint or finish the molding to match your décor. Leave a channel inside for the lights.

How to Cover Ceiling LED Strips

Covering LED strip lights properly protects them and creates a finished look. Here are the basic steps:

1. Plan layout and install strips

Map where you want the lights and install the strips and wiring according to the manufacturer instructions. Test to ensure they work before covering.

2. Select and cut cover material

Choose your cover material and cut it to the needed lengths per your ceiling’s dimensions.

3. Affix covers

Attach the cover pieces with the preferred method—screws, construction adhesive, double-sided tape, silicone, etc. The cover should fully conceal the strip.

4. Finish as needed

For molding and trim, fill any gaps with wood putty. Prime and paint the covers to match your ceiling. Wallpaper over acrylic sheets for a different look.

5. Consider end caps and corners

Use matching end caps to cover strip ends or mitered trim pieces on outside corners for a professional finish.

Tips for Covering Ceiling LED Strips

– Leave a small gap between the strip and cover for ventilation
– Use wide covers or multiple strips for larger areas to prevent shadows
– Mount rigid covers securely so they don’t sag or warp over time
– Use moisture-resistant materials like acrylic in bathrooms or other damp locations
– Test lights periodically and replace strips through cover slits as needed

Best Materials for Covering Ceiling LED Strips

When selecting a cover material for your ceiling LED strips, consider brightness, appearance, cost, and ease of installation. Here are some top options:

Acrylic Sheets

Acrylic provides the best light diffusion with an elegant appearance. It has high light transmittance to maintain brightness. Acrylic comes in various textures and finishes. It can be custom cut to size and installed with adhesive, screws, or brackets. Acrylic is affordable, easy to work with, and durable.

Aluminum Profile

Aluminum profile delivers a modern, seamless look. It offers direct illumination through transparent end caps while hiding the strip. Screw-based aluminum profiles enable tool-less installation. Aluminum is sleek, lightweight, and effective at managing heat. It’s simple to clean and available in multiple finishes.

Plastic Channel

For a budget-friendly cover, plastic channels get the job done. The flexible PVC or silicone material softly diffuses light. Plastic channels have pre-applied adhesive for quick mounting. They come in varied sizes and can be cut with basic tools. Overall, plastic channels offer great bang for your buck.

Wood Molding

For a classic, built-in look, wood molding integrates beautifully with surrounding wood elements. Stained wood trim gives off warmth and ambiance with subtle light diffusion. It’s a high quality, decorative touch for LED strip lights. Match the wood tone and profile style to your décor.

Drywall Channel

Purpose-made drywall channels provide direct illumination and easy installation. The aluminum channel mounts to the ceiling and the frosted lens snaps in to cover LEDs. Drywall channels blend in discreetly and offer maintenance access. This clever system works well for new construction.

How Much Light Shines Through Different Cover Materials?

The amount of light transmitted through a cover material depends on its opacity and texture. Highly translucent acrylic and plastic transmit over 90% of light. Transparent or frosted acrylic blocks 10-30% of light. Semi-opaque materials like fabric can reduce brightness by 50% or more.

Here is a comparison of light transmission for common LED strip cover materials:

Cover Material	Light Transmission
Clear acrylic	90%
Frosted acrylic	70-80%
Opal acrylic	60-70%
Clear polycarbonate	87%
Clear PVC	80-90%
Translucent fabric	40-60%
Semi-opaque plastic	60-80%
White acrylic	60-70%
Wood	15-25%
Aluminum profile	90%

As you can see, acrylic, polycarbonate, and PVC transmit the most light. Wood and opaque plastics block more light, creating accent-style illumination. Consider both the appearance you want and adequate light levels when selecting an LED strip cover.

How to Soften Harsh LED Lighting

The bright, focused light of LED strips can be glaring and harsh in some settings. Here are some tips to soften intense LED lighting:

Use Frosted or Diffuser Covers

Covers made of frosted, opal, or translucent acrylic, plastic, or polycarbonate help diffuse the light. They maintain brightness while eliminating glare and hotspots. This makes the lighting more pleasing and natural.

Add Fabric Cover Layers

For a more dramatic diffusion, add layers of sheer fabric over the lights. Use lightweight cotton, mesh, gauze, linen, or similar textiles. The more layers, the softer the illumination. White fabric blocks less light than colored material.

Install Lights Along Edges

Positioning strip lights along borders, cornices, and edges aims the light obliquely onto surfaces to avoid a harsh direct view. It creates pleasant perimeter grazing and uplighting.

Shine Lights on the Ceiling

Angling strips upward to hit the ceiling before reflecting downward effectively softens the light quality. The ceiling surface becomes a large ambient reflector.

Use Warmer Color Temperatures

Cool blue-toned white lighting above 5000K can seem harsh. Opt for 3000K-3500K LEDs for warmer, more inviting light. Amber and yellow-toned strips also provide gentle illumination.

Dim Lights

Simply turning down the brightness dims the light intensity for a smoother ambiance. Install dimmable LEDs and controls to adjust as needed.

How to Maintain Even Lighting

The goal when covering LED strip lights is to maintain as consistent and even lighting across the space as possible. Here are some tips:

– Use translucent diffusion materials that spread light widely from the entire strip
– Overlap light from multiple strips and stagger layouts to avoid dim spots
– Space parallel runs of covered strips 6-12 inches apart for even wash of light
– Use wide covers like 5-6 inch aluminum channels rather than narrow strips
– Keep consistent distance between covered strips and the ceiling
– Use opaque end caps on profiles to avoid intense light leaks
– Install extra strips to graze walls or shine on the ceiling for added fill light
– Follow manufacturer recommendations for maximum run lengths
– Power the strips from both ends if they are especially long
– Use a light meter or your eye to check for and eliminate shadows

Testing the finished lighting effect and making adjustments is key. The goal is for the lighting to look perfectly seamless and consistent, even though it is coming from concealed LED strips.

Choosing Finish Materials to Go Over LED Strip Light Covers

The finish material you apply over concealed LED strip covers can integrate the lighting into your décor seamlessly:

Paint

Painting over acrylic, plastic, or wood LED covers allows them to disappear into the ceiling. Match the color to your ceiling for the most concealed look. Neutral white or off-white are common. Matte or eggshell finishes minimize light disruption.

Wallpaper

For a different aesthetic, apply wallpaper over the cover area. Choose paper styles like grasscloth, metallic, stone, or patterns. This neatly integrates the lighting into a wallpapered ceiling design.

Wood Veneer

Real wood veneers like oak or walnut can adhere to wood or plastic light covers. The wood grain pattern helps the lighting blend in. Match veneer sheets to wood ceilings or beams.

Textured Plaster

Covering LED housings with Venetian plaster, clay, concrete, or textured finishes conceal the lights in an organic, sculptural way. The texture catches and diffuses the light emission.

Tile

In bathrooms or kitchens, tile over acrylic light panels. Small mosaic tiles work best to break up the light. Use natural stone, glass, or ceramic tiles to tie in with the room design.

Get creative with different finishes to make concealed strip lights truly disappear into your ceiling. Consider finish textures, sheen, and style as part of an integrated look.

Creative Ways to Cover Ceiling LED Strips

Beyond basic covers, there are endless creative possibilities for covering LED strip lights on ceilings:

Fabric Swaths

For a soft, cozy look, wrap strip lights in sections of draped fabric like cotton, lace, burlap, or upholstery material. Gather and hang multiple swaths at different heights.

Vinyl Records

For retro charm, secure used vinyl records in sleeves over lights. Stagger the records of different sizes for interest. The vinyl subtly fractures the glow.

Rope Cover

Interweave jute, sisal, or nylon rope lengthwise over the strip area in organic patterns to diffuse the light through intricate shadows.

Plants

Use live plants like ivy, ferns, or grasses as covers by training and tying them to grow on trellises over the lights. The light filters softly through leaves.

Picture Frames

Affix frames with glass or acrylic “pictures” to build a faux art installation that conceals lights. Print artwork or patterns on rice paper or acetate inside.

Paper Shades

For a modern look, construct geometric paper or plastic shades to mount over each light section. The shades become architectural light fixtures.

Found Objects

Get creative with found items like marbles, stones, twigs, origami shapes, plastic pieces, buttons, coins, Lego bricks, bookmarks, or dominos. Affix them in patterns over lights. Found object covers create unique shadows and light diffusion. Arrange objects inside glass frames or clear acrylic boxes over lights for a neater look.

The possibilities are endless for innovative LED strip light covers on your ceiling. Let your imagination run wild!

Conclusion

Covering LED strip lighting on ceilings and walls can make the illumination look more integrated and finished. Acrylic panels, aluminum profiles, plastic channels, wood trim, and drywall ledges all conceal strip lights effectively. Opaque covers block the intense light, while translucent materials diffuse it softly. Paint, wallpaper, tile, or wood finishes over the covers allows them to disappear seamlessly into your décor. Get creative with unexpected materials like fabric, ropes, plants, collectibles, and more. With smart planning and innovative covers, you can install LED strip lighting that both highlights and blends beautifully into any interior space.