A common question we get is how to put up LED lights without damaging walls.
Generally, the answer we give is that it depends on the wall material, the method of attachment, and the weight of your LED light.
Additionally, it depends on the wall finish, whether it is paint or wallpaper.
Given that your wall is suitable, the next step shall be to know the best LEDs for wall hanging.
Worry not if you’ve been having such questions and wondering how to mount LED lights on your wall.
We’ve got all the answers you need. Today’s article delves into the world of wall LED lights and how you can make the best out of them.
Let’s get going.
What Are the Best LED Lights for Wall Hanging
Light can improve mood, set a scene, as well as provide illumination across a room. Wall LEDs play this role well, meaning you can use them for tasks, mood, or accent lighting.
Moreover, you can choose various temperatures like cool light for task applications as it improves focus.
On the other hand, warm light creates a calm feeling that is good for relaxing and unwinding. Here, we are looking at the best-LED lights for wall hanging. They include:
LED Strip Lights
LED strip lights are the most common wall-hanging lights for two reasons. First, they are lightweight, meaning installation is easy and won’t damage your wall paint.
Second, they don’t require wiring connections to the power outlet as they have built-in cables.
Additionally, they offer tons of customization, including color, temperature, and dimming capability.
LED Wall Sconces
Wall sconces are mounting features that traditionally hold torches or candles but currently hold various electricity-powered light sources.
Common types include spotlight sconces, semi-flush mount wall lights, flush mount wall lights, and picture lights, among others.
Additionally, installing LED wall sconces varies significantly with the manufacturer.
Therefore, when the LEDs require additional wiring connection, it’s advisable hiring a technician.
LED Wall Art Panels
LED wall art panels are versatile light sources that you can assemble to match the shape you desire.
Moreover, you can mix triangle, mini-triangle, and hexagon shapes in your LED art panel.
Generally, the shapes determine the panel you will create after assembly.
LED Picture Lights
(A girl hanging a frame on a gray wall)
Picture lights suit applications that focus light on a particular art or photograph to improve visual appeal.
If you have a photograph that needs illumination, you are better off installing LED picture lights above or below it.
Typically, LEDs are better due to their durability, longevity, and energy efficiency.
LED Rope Lights
You can also opt for LED rope lights which are flexible circuit boards with LEDs encased in plastic tubing.
Generally, they are easy to install, and you can arrange them in many shapes to outline specific areas of your wall.
Moreover, they are popular for accent lighting indoors and outdoors.
How to Prepare Your Wall For Attaching LED Lights
(A painter cleans a wall)
How you prepare your wall before attaching LED lights depends on its material, method of attachment, and your LED light.
If you are attaching LED lights using adhesives, it’s better to do so on a smooth finished wall.
The reason is that LED lights require an optimum surface for adhesion so as not to fall due to weight.
In other words, the LED lights will attach to a greater area when the surface is smoother than rough.
Secondly, when your attachment method is screws and nails, it’s better to do so on a wooden or plastic wall.
Nails and screws won’t penetrate metal surfaces without a drill. Additionally, they ruin glass and tile walls meaning you must use adhesives for such surfaces.
Generally, the best way to prepare any wall is to clean it to ensure no debris. It’s more so if you attach your LED lights to the wall using adhesives.
Also, ensure the wall is dry and non-porous for the best results.
Do LED Strip Lights Ruin Wood?
(A wood wall with a brown texture)
Installing LED strip lights on wood is safe as the attaching materials won’t damage the surface.
However, you must be careful with the adhesives or mounting clips if they may lower your wall’s quality.
Most people contemplate putting LED strip lights on wood for the reason that they may ruin the wooden surface.
Some hardwood varieties are expensive, meaning homeowners want to keep them in excellent condition.
In such cases, always ensure the installation surface is smooth and well-finished.
The reason is that adhesives don’t stick well to rough surfaces; hence your LED strip installation won’t last long on them.
Additionally, here are the do’s and don’ts when mounting LED strip lights on wood:
Do’s
- Know the type of wood before installing your LED strip lights. Some wood varieties splinter when you drill through or hammer in some nails.
- Use the correct adhesive that doesn’t damage sections of the wood that are in contact with it.
- Clean the wood surface using the right cleaning agent before mounting your LED lights.
Don’ts
- Avoid mounting LED strip lights on uneven, rough, or unfinished surfaces
- Don’t mount your LED strip lights on dirty wood surfaces
- Avoid mounting your LED on the wood surface with paint or stains
FAQs
Do LED lights damage walls?
LED lights don’t damage walls when you install them correctly or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Generally, some light sources, such as incandescent lamps, produce a lot of heat which may ruin some wall surfaces or wallpapers.
You are safe with LEDs since they produce a fraction of the heat while converting the remaining wattage to light.
However, some LEDs may have adhesives that may ruin your wall.
For instance, if you use permanent glue such as super glue, expect it to damage your wall paint or paper.
Moreover, using nails and screws to attach the lights to your wall will somewhat damage it.
What is the principal disadvantage of LED lights?
The principal disadvantage of LED lights is that they have a higher upfront cost than traditional light sources.
For instance, incandescent bulbs cost less than a dollar, whereas most LED lights cost more.
However, the advantages of LED lights over traditional light sources outweigh the initial upfront cost.
With LEDs, you will pay fewer electricity bills as they are energy efficient, converting close to 90 percent of incoming wattage to light.
Additionally, LEDs last more than 60,000 hours. In contrast, incandescent lights last an average of 1,000 hours.
In other words, one LED light source may outlast more than 60 incandescent lamps.
How do you stick LED strip lights on the wall without falling?
There are several methods to stick your LED strip lights to the wall. However, each method suits certain surfaces and not others.
For instance, screws may suit wood and plastic walls and be unsuitable for glass, tiles, and metallic walls.
Moreover, adhesives are suitable for smooth surfaces and may not work on unfinished surfaces.
For rough surfaces, you are better off using screws, nails, or mounting clips to attach your LED lights to a wall.
Conclusion
LED lights are growing in popularity across many settings, both indoors and outdoors.
Moreover, people are finding other applications of the lights beside task, mood, and accent lighting.
Across many homes, you will find LED lights of various types and shapes hanging on the wall improving the room’s visual appeal.
At other times, they may hang to illuminate a picture on the wall or highlight art. Regardless, LED lights are here to stay; we must make the most of them.