Picking the Right Material for Your LED Strip Lights Project

LED strip lights, including RGB LED strip lights and LED strip lights for bedroom, offer a versatile lighting solution for countless applications from decorative accents in rooms to commercial signage. But these thin, flexible lights would be useless without their protective outer casing. Whether you’re considering LED cabinet lighting strips for your kitchen or waterproof LED strip lights for outdoor use, the casing material determines durability, lifespan, and lighting performance.

With options ranging from silicone to polycarbonate, selecting the right casing means considering factors like flexibility, weather resistance, light diffusion, and more. Let’s examine the most common LED strip light casing materials and their relative advantages and disadvantages.

Table of Contents

Silicone Casing for LED Strips

Silicone rubber offers an extremely flexible and weather-resistant casing choice suitable for both indoor and outdoor LED strip lights, making it ideal for LED strip lights outdoor and LED strip lights for car applications.

Pros of Silicone Casing

Withstands temperature extremes from -76°F to 390°F.
Provides excellent resistance to moisture, humidity, and continual water exposure.
Stays flexible at low temperatures unlike other rubber materials.
Allows bending strip lights around corners and irregular shapes.
Diffuses light effectively for soft, uniform lighting.

Cons of Silicone Casing

More expensive than PVC or other plastic casings.
Can yellow over time with UV exposure, affecting light color.
Less abrasion-resistant than harder plastics and prone to tearing.
Requires compatible silicone-safe adhesive tapes for mounting.

Overall, silicone is ideal for applications like outdoor landscape lighting where flexible, waterproof casing is a must. The high cost can be justified for challenging environments.

PVC Casing for Cost-Effective Durability

Polyvinyl chloride or PVC plastic offers a cost-effective LED strip casing balancing durability and light performance, especially for LED strip lights in room and LED strip lights for ceiling applications.

Pros of PVC Casing

Low cost and widely available.
Withstands temperatures from -13°F to 140°F.
Resists moisture well for indoor and outdoor use.
Harder and more rigid than silicone for abrasion resistance.
UV-resistant for outdoor use unlike other plastics.

Cons of PVC Casing

Not as flexible as silicone, can crack if overly bent.
Can become brittle in extreme cold temperatures.
Blocks side light emission and requires end-emitting strip design.
Can yellow gradually with age affecting light color.

For cost-sensitive applications where high flexibility isn’t required, properly rated PVC represents a reliable LED strip casing choice.

Polycarbonate Casing for Superior Clarity

Polycarbonate plastic provides an optically clear, ultra-durable casing option ideal for LED light strips for kitchen and LED strip lighting kits.

Pros of Polycarbonate Casing

Excellent light transmission and diffusion properties.
Withstands high impacts and abrasion without cracking.
Temperature ranges from -40°F to 250°F.
Resistant to chemicals, cleaning agents, and UV light.
Allows side-emitting LED strip light designs.
Can be optimized for high clarity or diffusion.

Cons of Polycarbonate Casing

One of the more expensive casing material options.
Not as flexible as silicone – suits straight LED strip runs.
Difficult to glue/adhere compared to other plastics.

For indoor LED strip lights where clarity and durability are vital, polycarbonate housings justify their higher cost. Optical quality is unmatched.

ABS Plastic Casing for General Use

ABS plastic is a common, affordable general-purpose casing choice for indoor LED strip lights for bedroom and LED strip lights with remote control.

Pros of ABS Plastic Casing

Low material cost makes it economical.
Strong and rigid but slightly flexible when thin.
Resists physical impacts better than other plastics.
Easier to glue and adhere than polycarbonate or silicone.

Cons of ABS Plastic Casing

Temperature ranges only from -22°F to 176°F.
Not UV-resistant, gets brittle, and fades with light exposure.
Can yellow slightly over time affect light color.
Doesn’t diffuse or transmit light as well as silicone or polycarbonate.

For indoor applications where LED strips won’t undergo temperature extremes or direct sun exposure, ABS plastic represents a cheap casing choice.

Acrylic Casing for Display Lighting

Acrylic plastic provides an economical way to add WiFi controlled LED strip lights or edge lighting for indoor displays and cabinets.

Pros of Acrylic Casing

Inexpensive and easy to fabricate into lighting fixtures.
Excellent optical clarity and light transmission.
UV-resistant with the proper additives.
Capable of dispersing light evenly with diffusion patterns.

Cons of Acrylic Casing

Softer and weaker than polycarbonate – scratches easily.
Brittle nature prone to cracking and crazing over time.
Limited temperature range from -40°F to 170°F.
Static buildup can attract dust ruining visual clarity.

For eye-catching retail displays and furniture lighting, acrylic casings help LED strips shine with crystal clarity at a budget-friendly cost.

Metal Casing for Heat Management

Extruded aluminum or other metals can provide rigid, thermally-conductive casings to help manage heat from powerful LED strip lights Alexa compatible.

Pros of Metal Casing

Aluminum quickly dissipates heat from high-output LEDs.
Provides electromagnetic interference and RF interference shielding.
Robust and protects LEDs from physical damage.
Allows creative shapes from extruded aluminum.

Cons of Metal Casing

Generally one of the more expensive casing options.
Heavy, making installation more difficult.
Can dent or bend if dropped or impacted.
Paint or powder coating is required for corrosion resistance outdoors.

For specialty commercial lighting pushing the limits of LED output in a slim form factor, metal casings help prevent overheating and extend strip lifespan.

Casing Considerations By Lighting Application

Beyond the general material characteristics, casing selection depends greatly on your unique lighting environment and usage.

Silicone casings allow creation colorful glows across outdoor spaces like gardens. ABS plastic illuminated displays engage customers in retail stores with eye-catching backlighting. Medical facilities rely on antimicrobial polycarbonate-encased LED strips for sterile illumination inside cabinets.

Consider factors like exposure to weather, frequent handling, optimal light diffusion, and heat levels when picking the ideal casing material for your specific LED strip lighting application.

Outdoor Landscape Lighting Casing

Outdoor landscape lighting must withstand the elements year-round. Look for casings with these ideal properties:

Waterproof – Prevents moisture damage from rain and snow.
UV-resistant – Won’t degrade or discolor from sun exposure.
Flexible – Allows bending strips along landscaping contours.
Low-temperature flexibility – Won’t crack in freezing winter temperatures.
Diffuses light – Blends LED hot spots into uniform illumination.

Silicone casing best fits these demands for durable outdoor LED strip lighting.

Cabinet and Furniture Lighting Casing

Adding LED strip lighting inside cabinets and furniture for displays requires a casing optimized for:

Abrasion-resistant – Stands up to frequent handling without scratching.
Heat tolerance – Deals with heat buildup from confined spaces and tight bends.
Optical clarity – Showcase contents without haze or light color distortion.
Low profile – Thin casing allows installation in tight spaces.

Acrylic or polycarbonate offers suitable clarity while remaining thin and smooth.

Architectural Cove and Accent Lighting Casing

For architectural LED lighting designs, key casing traits include:

Diffuses evenly – Produces uniform grazing and wash lighting.
Endures cleaning – Won’t degrade from harsh chemical cleaners.
Sustains bending – Allows tight curves around unique structures.
Colour consistency – Won’t shift or distort light output over decades.

Polycarbonate casings stand up to architectural demands for durable, transparent LED illumination.

Casing Installation Best Practices

Once you’ve selected the right casing material for your LED strip lighting application, follow these best practices for secure, successful installation:

Clean surfaces – Remove dirt, oil, and debris for maximum adhesive grip.
Pre-test adhesives – Verify adhesive tape or glue suits the casing material before mounting.
Avoid tension – Mount strips with gentle turns to prevent the casing from separating or tearing over time.
Limit exposure – Keep extra casing length trimmed close to LEDs and avoid direct sun exposure.
Check ratings – Verify casing and entire LED strip assembly meet electrical codes for intended use location.
Leave gaps – Allow space between strip runs and at edges for casing expansion and contraction.

Achieving Lasting LED Strip Lighting With Quality Casing

The casing is easy to overlook but choosing the right material can make or break your LED strip lighting project. Matching the casing characteristics to the demands of the lighting environment ensures reliable, long-lasting operation. Do your homework to pick the ideal casing. And follow best practices for mounting so your LED strips shine brilliantly for years to come. The casing choice ultimately determines if LED strip lighting realizes its full potential or leaves you in the dark.

Troubleshooting Common Casing Issues

Even with the right casing, LED strip lights can sometimes develop issues over time. Here are some common casing-related problems and potential solutions:

Yellowing of casing – Exposure to heat, UV light, and age can cause clear casings to take on a yellow tint. Switch to a more UV-resistant material like polycarbonate or silicone.

Casing cracking – Excessive bending, tension, or thermal cycling can split rigid casings like PVC or acrylic. Consider a more flexible silicone casing for tight bends.

Moisture clouding – Temperature swings combined with humidity seeping in can cause cloudiness. Ensure watertight sealants and end caps are used.

Casing separation – Improper adhesion during installation can allow the casing and LED strip to separate. Use high-bond tapes/glue compatible with casing material.

Brittleness – Low temperatures can make some plastics like PVC or ABS rigid and crack-prone. Pick casings designed for freezing temps.

Discoloration – Chemical cleaners, pollution, and contaminants may stain or spot the casing over time. Switch to a non-reactive material like silicone or polycarbonate.

With diligent troubleshooting and preventative measures during installation, most common casing problems can be avoided from the start.

Advances in LED Strip Casing Materials

Manufacturers continually refine LED strip casing materials to address limitations and expand capabilities. Some recent innovations include:

Improved acrylics – Offer better UV resistance, flexibility, and optical clarity than traditional acrylic. Ideal for premium backlit displays.

Silicone-acrylic blends – Combine the flexibility of silicone with the optical qualities of acrylic. Provide enhanced impact and scratch resistance.

Liquid silicone potting – Submerges LED strips in durable clear silicone for 360-degree protection. Makes highly flexible encapsulated strips.

Antimicrobial additives – Prevent microbial growth in silicone and plastic casings. Help strips meet stringent medical facility hygiene standards.

Thermally-conductive plastics – Special polymer mixes offer better heat dissipation than standard plastics. Ideal for high-power RGB and tunable white LEDs.

Nano-structured casings – Optically engineered surfaces eliminate hot spots and evenly diffuse high-intensity LED light. Enable uniform professional lighting.

As LED strip light popularity grows, so will casing material options that overcome traditional limitations. Expect continually improving durability, efficiency, and functionality.

Conclusion

The casing is one of the most critical yet overlooked components that makes LED strip lighting possible. Selecting the proper protective housing based on lighting goals and environment allows LEDs to shine reliably for years. With newer casing materials raising the bar for optical clarity, weather resistance, flexibility, and heat management, LED strip lights will continue growing in versatility and brilliance.