LED strip lights are an excellent hack for home decoration. But some people face difficulties installing them because it has multiple installation options. Hanging the LED strip lights on walls also seems tricky.

How to do it? Or, what is the exact process to get the job done? These two questions often come to mind when sticking the LED strips on the wall. Don’t worry. I have come up with a lucid guideline to help with the cause.

In addition, a list of things one should avoid while performing the steps is present in this article. Besides, I have also attached some tips to follow so that anyone can smoothly complete the steps.

8 Steps To Hang LED Strip Lights On The Wall: Risk-Free Procedure

There will be many ideas to hang the LED strip lights on the wall. But don’t just go for any of them without scrutinizing. Below are the eight steps to complete the job without any risks.

Step 1: Check The LEDs

Getting a new reel or pack of LEDs is always exciting. Out of excitement, people almost always forget to test new LEDs. This enthusiasm may fade away when someone checks how the installation is at the last stage and finds out the installation was unsuccessful.

It is not the right way. Plus, all of the work will go in vain. For this reason, always check the new LEDs before proceeding with the installation. In this way, it will be mistake-proof and a smooth experience.

Step 2: Measure The Installation Area

After checking the LEDs, measure the installation area. Get a measurement tape and measure the area you want to cover with the LEDs. Things are not complete here. When anyone wants to create a specific design or make a particular shape, the measurement of corners may also be necessary.

In that case, measure the corners. Write down the strip length to cover the installation area, including the corners.

Step 3: Cut The LEDs

After measuring the installation area, cutting the LEDs is now on the menu. Beware of not making any mistakes in this stage. Doing so can make the entire installation process go in vain. Search for the copper dot pair in the strip.

The rule of thumb is to cut the strip from the middle of this copper dot pair. After cutting the LED strip successfully and to the exact length, it is time to connect them. It won’t be necessary when the strip reel isn’t cut, and there is no break in the straight line. Proceed with the next steps.

Step 4: Clean The Installation Area

Next, clean the installation area. Try to use a cleaner that is not too rough. A cleaning solution mixed with water and a dishwasher is an ideal choice in this situation. Or a vinegar solution is also worth giving a try.

Soak a dry cloth or clean rag with this solution. Gently wipe the area with this solution. After applying the solution, wash the installation area of the wall with clean water.

Step 5: Apply A Suitable Adhesive To The Wall

This step is necessary for two reasons. First, the adhesive that comes with the strip pack by default may not be strong enough. Second, putting an extra amount of adhesive makes it more likely to be a permanent solution. But don’t get any adhesive without analyzing the options.

It would be best to get the one specially made for sticking LEDs. By doing so, the firmness of the installation will be confirmed.

Step 6: Stick The Lights

After completing step 5, it is time to do the real thing. You can do it in two ways. The first way is the traditional or typical way. Start peeling off the plastic cover of the strip and start sticking it to the wall with the other hand. Continue doing so until a junction and a connector clip is necessary.

The second way is to connect all the strip pieces or prepare the exact length of the strip for installation. Then mount one end to the roof of your room with screws or adhesive, leaving that end an option to connect to the power source. It is the way to go when someone wants to hang the LEDs from the roof.

Step 7: Connect The LEDs

When sticking the LEDs over, connect them to a power source. In case of using a power supply, ensure the use of a power adapter or a transformer. Choose the power supply after calculating the voltage necessary for the LEDs.

Connecting the LEDs is not a complex thing to do. It is as simple as plug-and-play! So, this should not be a problem.

Step 8: Test The Installation

Now it is time to check how successful the installation is. When everything goes smoothly, there should not be an issue. Turn on the switch or the controller if there is any. The LEDs should immediately turn on and make your room an elegant place.

However, in some cases, the LEDs may not turn on. It can happen due to a series of reasons. Try to find where the problem is and get it fixed. If doing this seems complicated, hire or consult with a professional.

Things You Should Avoid When Hanging LED Strip Lights

Hanging the LED strips on a wall is not a very difficult process to complete. But making mistakes or doing something wrong can make the whole thing a waste of time. To hang the LEDs properly, you must avoid the following five things-

Hanging The LEDs In A Wrong Area

The location of the lights is a crucial factor in the installation. It is obvious to make sure they are hanging in a place that will allow them to illuminate your space well. In addition, also ensure people walking by the house can see them.

Another thing is, without enough preparation, choosing the wrong area is very typical while installing LEDs. In that case, the strip length may be shorter or bigger than necessary. Take time to do the preparatory steps well. Doing so will make it possible to reduce the mistakes to the minimum.

Buying Bad LEDs

LEDs are a fantastic alternative to incandescent lights, but make sure to buy the right ones. Buying cheap LEDs can be expensive in the long run because they’ll burn out sooner and are more difficult to replace.

That is why buying a premium or value-for-money pack of LED is the perfect choice in this situation. The operations and output will be easy and smooth with suitable LEDs.

Going For A Cheap Adhesive

The adhesive on the LED strips is essential when buying them, especially when hanging the lights yourself. If the bond is too soft, it won’t stick properly on the surface of your wall or ceiling and won’t last long enough.

It will damage the walls or ceiling and make installation even harder if it’s too hard. Go for an adhesive that is neither too hard nor too soft. Getting an adhesive especially made for LEDs will be a perfect choice.

Buying The Wrong Power Supply

This mistake is because people think it will be easy to do this job since they are just connecting a few wires. However, people need to consider some things, like how many volts per foot is necessary?

When the LEDs are bright and need more power, buy a power supply of more volts per foot. When the situation is the opposite, and less voltage is required, buy less volt per foot. Buying an incompatible power supply can make the whole thing go wrong.

Connecting The LEDs Without Checking The Electrical System

A common mistake people make when hanging LED strips is connecting them to the power source without checking whether it is safe or not. Many people would install their lights and connect them to their power source without realizing that this is an unsafe practice.

When hanging strip lights in the home or office, check if these lights are safe for use. Otherwise, a fire hazard may happen without notice.

5 Tips To Follow For Hanging LED Strip Lights On Wall

As hanging or installing is not easy, some pro tips will make it easier. To make the whole process easy and smooth, I have summed up the following five tips-

Tip 1: Add Brackets

Add brackets for mounting these LED strips on the wall is crucial, especially when the adhesive is not good enough. If the manufacturer offers no clips or brackets, buy them from a nearby home improvement store or online shop.

Tip 2: Use A Connector Clip

A connector clip is mandatory to adjust the connection of the strips where it is not in a straight line and take turns. The connector clip will make things easier in this situation by connecting two parts of strips in opposite directions. Other than that, there is no fruitful method to tackle the problem.

Tip 3: Use Tape

The built-in or aftermarket adhesive is not the only way to hang LED strips on the wall. There are many alternatives to do this. Using tape is an excellent alternative to glue or even screws. Use high-quality double-sided tape to secure the LED strip lights to the wall.

Get a wide tape and ensure enough space to place a small block of wood on top of the tape. Place this block on top of the LED strip light and secure it with screws. It will provide additional support for your LED strip lights and improve their appearance.

Tip 4: Use Screws To Mount The LEDs On The Wall

The LED strip lights are designed to be easy to install and can be easily mounted on the wall with the help of screws. However, use screws only if you want to mount the stripes on a flat surface.

When you want to hang the LED strip lights on a wall that has an angle, use anchors or screws. Another thing is when the adhesive is enough to support the LEDs. There is no need to use the screws. They are also an alternative to glue.

Tip 5: Use LED Splitter

When there are multiple LED light strips, it is best to use an LED splitter to connect each strip to one power source. A splitter is available in most stores and is also quite affordable.

Also, make sure that each strip has its switch so that turning it on or off separately from the others is possible. For example, if there are two different colors for your LED strips, then it would be wise to have separate switches for each color.

How Do You Hang LED Lights On A Painted Wall?

Following the usual method to hang the LED lights will be enough. Get a reel of strips. Then, clean the installation area or the painted wall. After that, remove the plastic backing and apply the ribbon to the wall. Lastly, connect the strips to a suitable power source.

Paint is not a big enemy of strip lights. However, the adhesive may get off the wall if the paint is recent and shiny. In that case, clean the surface area with a little more care. That will be enough to secure both the paint and the LEDs.

How Do You Stick LED Strip Lights On The Wall Without Damaging The Paint?

LED strips with default or aftermarket adhesive will be good enough for this purpose. Besides, the tape is also an excellent option to stick the strip lights without damaging the paint safely. Install the strips using either a premium adhesive or a standard double-sided tape.

Typically, people think that the paint comes off due to the strips’ adhesive. However, that is not true. The paint comes off mainly because of fragile paint. In some sporadic cases, the adhesive can damage the paint. But that can only happen when the adhesive is a cheap one.

Can You Use Hot Glue To Hang LED Light Strips On The Wall?

Using hot glue to hang light strips on the wall is OK. Hot glue is an adhesive that can attach things to other things. People use it in home decorating projects such as hanging Christmas lights on the ceiling.

The main difference between hot and regular white glue is its higher melting point. Therefore, it will not melt when it is on the surface of something. For this reason, the LEDs will stay there for long before they lose their stickiness.

Do LED Strip Lights Use A Lot Of Electricity?

LED lights consume less than one-third of the electricity of regular incandescent bulbs. The amount of power consumed by light depends on its brightness, color temperature, and quality.

Strip bulbs are the ideal solution if you are looking for a low-cost way to add lighting to the home or office space. Because LEDs enjoy their long life spans and low operating costs compared to traditional lamps or torches.

Do LED Lights Attract Bugs?

LED lights attract bugs. But the ratio of this attraction is meager compared to the regular lights. LEDs attract fewer bugs mainly because of two reasons. The first one is that they don’t produce high heat. Secondly, the wavelength of the LEDs is not suitable for most bugs.

Because of the long wavelength of the LEDs, they are not much of a target for the bugs. So, after the installation, anyone can rest assured of this issue. However, if any bug problem emerges, contact an expert or try some DIY methods to get rid of the problem.

How Long Do LED Strip Lights Last?

LED strip bulbs last around 20000 to 50000 hours. It would be best to replace light strips every 2-5 years, depending on the usage and how often they are exposed to heat or cold temperatures. A bad environment can make the LEDs lose their life comparatively faster.

That is why you must ensure that the area where the LEDs are installed gets the necessary cleaning and maintenance. Otherwise, getting a long life from the LEDs won’t be possible.

Final Verdict:

LED strip lights can change the entire vibe of a room or house. But before getting this benefit, learning how to hang LED strip bulbs on walls is crucial. It is not a new thing. But hanging the LED strips on the wall genuinely is crucial as not doing it right can lead to a series of problems.

You may find out the whole installation is not working when something in the process goes wrong. I have tried to explain the installation process easily. I also stated the things to avoid and gave some tips for smooth installation.

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