LED profiles or extrusions are an aluminium housing for concealing LED strip lights. Profiles create neat and professional installations by reducing spotting, softening the light and acting as a heat sink to extend the life of your LEDs. They also protect the strip from knocks, dust and spills and give you a stylish finished look.
Below are seven practical reasons to use LED profiles and a full guide to the profile types we offer.
1. A Constant Line of Light
Many LED strips can show individual LED points when viewed directly. Fitting the strip into a deep LED profile with a diffuser spreads the light and creates a continuous beam. To estimate the minimum profile depth in millimetres divide 1000 by the LEDs per metre. For example 1000 divided by 60 LEDs per metre equals about 16.6 mm depth.
Profiles let you run long straight runs or join sections to create shapes and linear features that replace older fluorescent tubes with a cleaner, more energy efficient solution.
2. Reduced Glare
A profile with a diffuser softens the output and reduces glare. This is especially useful with high output tape where glare can be uncomfortable or reduce visibility. Choosing the right diffuser and profile depth will give a comfortable and even wash of light.
3. Strength and Protection
LED strips are small circuit boards with exposed LEDs and components. A profile with an opaque or clear diffuser protects the circuit from accidental knocks, cleaning or spill damage and keeps the installation looking tidy. This is particularly useful in high traffic areas such as reception spaces, children rooms or commercial venues.
4. Acts as a Heat Sink
Aluminium profiles absorb and disperse heat from LED tape which helps maintain performance and longevity. High power LED tapes benefit most from being mounted into profiles. In certain materials like medium density fibreboard a profile between the strip and the surface will prevent heat build up that could reduce strip life.
5. More Creative Possibilities
Profiles come in many shapes and sizes so you can achieve focused beams, wide washes, hidden ambience or robust walk over luminaires. Profiles can be painted or powder coated to match interiors and are supplied with end caps, fixing clips and diffusers for a complete setup.
6. Secure Installation
LED extrusions have to be manually fixed into place. All of our strips can be mounted using fixing clips or screwing directly into the surface. Our recessed profiles are designed to be plastered into the wall for extra security.
Profiles can be surfaced mounted almost anywhere, whether on ceilings, walls, floors and anywhere in between.
They ensure a clean, smooth and reliable surface for the LED strip to be stuck down onto. This eliminates the risk of the adhesive failing and causing them to drop down or fall off completely. It gives you peace of mind that your mounted LED strips will stay in place and looking as intended for many years.
7. Impressive and Professional Finish
A fitted diffuser gives a sleek, professional look compared to an exposed LED strip. Even where the profile is hidden the result is a cleaner, more pleasing beam of light. When presentation matters profiles are a simple upgrade that delivers consistent results.
Our full range of LED profiles and where to use them
Below we list each profile type with a short description and typical applications so you can choose the right one for your project.
Knowledgeable trained staff
Specialists in house to advise and specify the more advanced solutions. Speak to an LED expert today on 01260 540014
Terms and Conditions apply: E&OE - Prices and promotional offers are subject to change without notice. All are subject to availability.
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