An aluminium channel is the difference between LED tape that looks like a professional install and LED tape that looks like LED tape. It also happens to be what keeps the strip alive.
Why the channel is not optional
- Heat. Aluminium pulls heat away from the LEDs. Heat is the main cause of early dimming, so tape in a channel outlasts tape stuck to a surface by years.
- Diffusion. The frosted cover turns a row of visible dots into one continuous line of light.
- Protection. The strip is shielded from dust, knocks and cleaning.
- Finish. A clean extrusion reads as architecture. Bare tape reads as a temporary fix.
Profile shapes
| Profile | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Surface mount | Under cabinets, on shelves, inside coves |
| Recessed | Routed into a ceiling, wall or worktop for a flush line |
| Corner 45° | Inside corners — aims light out at an angle |
| Deep / high-output | Powerful strips that need more airflow |
| Step and nosing | Stair edges and deck boards |
Diffuser options
- Frosted — hides the dots, costs you a little output. The usual choice.
- Opal — more diffusion again, for shallow channels or when the strip is close to the eye.
- Clear — maximum output, dots visible. Only where the channel is hidden from view.
Check the internal width
Measure your tape before ordering. Most strips are 8mm or 10mm wide, and a channel cut for 8mm will not take a 10mm strip. Order a couple of end caps and mounting clips per length while you are at it — they are easy to forget and awkward to source later.
Related
See also LED strip lights and LED drivers and power supplies.