You might be shopping for under cabinet lighting and are wondering if you can use LED strip lights. As compared to the traditional screw-in light bulb, the set-up and installation of an LED strip light are more challenging. You can find a wide array of LED strip lights available on the market. To help you get started, we have shared tips and information below that you can refer to.
Can you use LED strip lights under cabinets? You can use LED strip lights under cabinets. They provide adequate lighting for various applications. For instance, you can stick it along the bottom of our kitchen cabinets or the kitchen console table. The good thing about LED strip lights is that they are flexible, energy-efficient, and available in various colors and designs.
Installing under-cabinet LED strip lights is an ideal way to provide additional task lighting into the room. You can find a wide array of LED strip lights which include those that are color-changing RGB, RGBW, and tunable white. Moreover, they are waterproof and weatherproof which makes them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Why Choose LED Strip Lights for Your Cabinet?
LED strip lights are efficient, easy to install, and provide seamless layers of light that enhance the appearance of the room. You can choose from a wide array of brightness levels, colors, and tones. This makes it easier to customize the lighting design that you would like to add under your cabinets. Moreover, LED light strip lights to provide easy under cabinet lighting options. The lights do not have heat and are cool to the touch. They are waterproof which makes them ideal under the kitchen or bathroom cabinets.
Advantages of Under Cabinet Lighting
Under cabinet lighting are efficient, resourceful, and aesthetically pleasing. They effectively provide illumination and are commonly used in kitchen areas. Let us learn more about the advantages of under cabinet lighting below.
Resourceful
One of the benefits that you can get from under cabinet lighting is that it is resourceful. They can be installed directly under the cabinet which makes them an easy and cost-effective choice for additional lighting.
Efficient
Another benefit that you can get from under cabinet lighting is that they are efficient. They provide light to a specific area so there is not much-wasted light that spills across the room. It is an efficient alternative as compared to table or ceiling lamps.
Aesthetically Pleasing
Under cabinet lights are aesthetically pleasing. They can enhance the brightness as well as the ambiance of the room. Moreover, high-quality under cabinet lighting can increase the resale value of your home.
Why Choose LED Strip Lights for Under Cabinet Lighting?
LED strip lights are ideal options for under cabinet lighting because they are efficient and flexible. They can be cut to a customized size and they are also waterproof. These types of lights have many features which make them easy and convenient to use in various applications.
Can be Cut to a Customized Size
LED strip lights can be cut according to the size that you prefer. Cutting LED strips is easy because it comes with cut lines along the strips. Every cut point has a black line with copper solder pads on each side. These copper solder pads allow you to easily strip the piece after it is cut.
✅ Video – How to Cut LED Strip Lights and Extend
Geek Street shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to cut LED strip lights and how to extend them. In the video, the guide on how to cut and extend LED strip lights without damaging them is discussed. Check out the video for more tips and information.
Comes with Adhesive
LED strips lights also come with a 3M adhesive backing for easy and convenient mounting options. To install, peel the adhesive backing and stick it under the cabinet.
Waterproof Options
Another reason why you should choose LED strip lights is that it has waterproof options. This also means that they can be used outdoors. Waterproof LED strip lights are IP65 rated. They feature a silicone resin material that effectively protects the strip components against moisture and dust.
How to Install LED Strip Lights Under Cabinets
There are a few steps that you need to follow when installing LED strip lights under cabinets which include double-checking the lights, measuring and cutting the light strips, connecting the LED strips, testing, and installation. You do not need to have extensive knowledge in electronics or lighting to install an LED strip light. Below is the step-by-step instruction on how to install LED strip lights under cabinets.
#1. Inspect the Lights
The first thing that you need to do is to double-check the lights. Make sure to do this in a safe environment. If there is something wrong with the lights like a damaged diode, this can be easily repaired. Double-checking the lights will make sure that you have the right color, brightness, and intensity according to your lighting needs and preferences.
#2. Cut the Light Strips
Once you have double-checked the lights, the next step that you need to do is to measure and cut the light strips. To do this, measure the cabinet where you want to place the lights. Determine the exact length of the installation so that you can find out how much LED strip lighting you will need. Next, cut the strip lighting using a scissor.
#3. Power Connection
The next step that you need to do is to make a connection with the power supply. Check if you need to add a low voltage extension wire at the end of the first run of strip lights. Once you have cut the strip lights according to your measurement, strip an inch of the wire insulation. Do this for the extension and the strip light. Wrap them both together properly.
#4. Connect the LED Strips
Typically, you need two sets of strip lights. On the other hand, if you are using more than two LED strip lights, you should connect the cut sections of the LED strips. Use a strip-to-strip connector that is solderless to save time and for a more convenient installation process. If you have a connector, connect the first run of lights to the next until you have a continuous strip light.
#5. Testing
Before installation, make sure to test if the LED strip lights are working properly. Connect the strip lights to a power supply making sure that all the wires are properly connected. Furthermore, see to it that the diodes and the dimmer are working. In case the lights are not as bright as you want them to be, check the connectors. Make sure that the positive/negative alignments are securely connected
#6. Install
After making sure that the LED strip lights work, you can install them under the cabinets. Carefully place the strip lights and install them. Avoid tugging or pulling the strip lights. When installing, see to it that all of the diodes are level.
Where to Place LED Strip Lights Under Cabinets?
The best place to install LED strip lights is in the middle of the underside of the cabinet. Take note that the LED strips are designed to have a 120-degree beam angle. When you install them much closer to the wall, this can result in a loss of light and the top of the back wall will be over illuminated. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses what color of LED light is best for the kitchen. We have shared tips and information that you can refer to.
Can LED Strip Lights Catch Fire?
LED strip lights can catch fire but the possibility is minuscule. As compared to incandescent bulbs that emit excessive heat and can ignite a fire as it overheats, LED strip lights to emit light at a lower temperature so rest assured that they do not catch fire easily.
Can You Leave LED Strip Lights On All Night?
You can leave LED strip lights on all night. These types of lights are ideal for leaving on for many hours because they have low power usage and low heat output. We have also shared this article that discusses what the best color for under cabinet lighting is. Check out the article to learn more about the topic.
Can LED Strip Lights Overheat?
LED strip lights can overheat. This happens when they have limited options for heat dissipation and too much heat builds up in LED chips. Make sure to avoid overheating your LED strip lights by providing them with sufficient airflow.
How Long Can LED Strip Lights Last?
LED lights have a longer lifespan as compared to incandescent and fluorescent lights. They have an average lifespan of 50,000 hours, which means that LED strip lights can last for about 17 years. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, what are the lights under the cabinets called? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses if you can use LED strip lights under cabinets. We have found out that you can use LED strip lights under cabinets. They are a great option as compared to other types of under cabinet lighting because of their flexibility, efficiency, and easy installation. We have also shared their advantages. You can choose from a wide array of LED strip lights available on the market. Thank you for reading!