LED lights for the bathroom

The desire for beauty and comfort makes it necessary to take a different look at the decoration of the bathroom. Negative feelings can be associated with the cramped nature of these rooms in most projects. Unattractive pipes, old-fashioned paint - it's time to get rid of them, as well as the tired whitewash and plaster on the ceiling. But not only new tiles will make the bathroom more cozy and pleasant to the heart of every owner. It is very important to approach the question of lighting rationally and thoroughly.

Proper lighting will make the room spacious and bright, make the interior play in a new way, give a sense of purity and inspiration. Among the many options, designers suggest stopping at the point of lighting fixtures with LED or LED-lamps, which will help to solve the most unusual problems.

The design of such a lamp (in other words, spot) is different from the usual understanding of the lamp. Electrical wires are connected to a semiconducting crystal that converts electricity into light. This radiation is amplified by a plastic box on top of the structure, it is also a lens that scatters or directs the rays. There is no vacuum or air between the plastic and the crystal; this sealed space contains silicone. There is a special metal base of copper or aluminum under the crystal and wires to reduce heat generation. This design saves from overheating and ignition. The diode wires are hidden in insulating tubes, making them even safer.

Choosing diodes is great fun for technicians, for ordinary people it can also be an exciting activity.

In any case, it is a very useful purchase, there are many explanations for that, such as:

• Economy. A spot consumes dozens of times less energy than a typical Ilyich bulb, which means you will have to pay less on the meter. The brightness of the lighting at the same time is much greater.
• Eco-friendliness. LED consists of safe components, no harmful radiation or radiation for humans and the environment.
• Versatility. Diodes are capable of solving a variety of problems: from shelf lighting and illumination of a beautiful panel to the main ceiling lighting. LEDs withstand all kinds of stresses and are well tolerant of mechanical impact and significant temperature fluctuations.
• Safety. This is a very important parameter for wet rooms. Own isolation of lamps, as well as additional protection measures depending on the type of diode and its class help to use LED without risk. And we are talking not only about electrical malfunctions (short circuit, fire, electric shock), but also about human vision. These lamps create favorable lighting for the eye, close to the sun, so the vision is less strained and perceives the "picture" more easily.
• Long service life. This is partly related to cost-effectiveness. An ordinary incandescent bulb can last 3,000 hours, but an LED bulb can last up to 50,000 hours, theoretically almost 6 years without interruption. All this time you don't need to change or touch it.
• Design variations. Diodes are used for a variety of purposes, for color decor, among others. Most people prefer to have a good basic lighting in the bathroom of a warm tone, there are also uncommon personalities who like extravagant things, and they do not choose the tone, but the colors. Let's say a variant of the shower stall in the style of high-tech, so that the water of a bluish or greenish hue reminiscent of vacation and warm tropical seas. Water in the hose and faucet will be the most common, but the dimmed main light and colored LED water light in the shower head and faucet will allow to achieve this effect. You can also change the level of illumination, which is very convenient.
• Product quality. Intensive operation of LED determines the requirements for the materials used in the creation of lamps. They are characterized by durability, low sensitivity to thermal effects, inertness to electrical and chemical reactions. Therefore, the equipment will be safe for families with small children and pets. Many designs with diode spotlights have a certain mobility or flexibility, which allows them to change the direction of light. At the same time, all parts are mechanically solid. Only such thoroughness makes it possible to use the diode for the entire duration of operation. Many manufacturers give a warranty of up to 5 years on their lamps. And this is a very powerful argument.
• Beauty. Most products with diodes at first sight does not cause delight, because most models differ in simplicity, minimalism in favor of functionality. Still, there are models where designers give free rein to imagination and reveal the spectacular nuances of light. Such beauty will cost more. Basically, the requirements for lighting in the bathroom is not fancy fixtures, so preference is given to universal models that fit perfectly into any style.

Of course, the high technology and safety of diodes are their strengths, from which the main disadvantages arise:

• Price. Lamps are very economical and durable, but their initial purchase and installation is more expensive than other lighting options. Although over the past 5 years, diodes have become more affordable and cheaper, and they can pay for themselves in just a couple of years completely, many are confused by the cost to spend on lighting at one time.
• The nuances of installation and replacement. LED lights differ from their counterparts by design, so you need to consider their interaction with the network. If there is no special filter in the kit, or you collect the "strip" on your own, you will have to buy it. On the one hand, it protects the expensive light from voltage fluctuations, but on the other hand, it significantly affects safety.
• "Fatigue". Over time, the efficiency of diodes can fall, their glow fades. It should be noted that in practice this does not happen often. Quality manufacturers are serious about this issue, so it is better to buy lamps from them. All the more so that in the case of breakage you will be provided with the necessary spare parts or will make a replacement under warranty.

Almost constant humidity in a small room - the main difficulty in most bathrooms. And since dampness and electricity are a dangerous combination, there are requirements for electrical appliances and lamps in particular to make their use as safe as possible. Spotlights, by virtue of their design, are as suitable as possible. But even for them, lighting in the bathroom is a serious task.

When choosing lamps and fixtures in bathrooms, you need to pay attention to:

• Design. The body of the lamp, the lens, the base, the more so the wires should be well hidden, they should not come into contact with water and steam. Even if you are planning a ceiling light, remember that water splashes can reach so high. Take into account the critical scenario, because that's exactly what no one plans for (forgot to switch water from shower to faucet, water overflowed, neighbors flooded, etc.). It is good if the fixture is sealed or has a rubberized insulating tape at the joints of the parts.
• Voltage. Within the bathroom, it is better to use lamps operating at low voltage (up to 24V). Special transformers or filters are needed to compensate and adapt the mains voltage.
• The electricity itself. Place sockets and similar transformers should be as far away from water as possible, in some cases - even outside the bathroom.

For example, a LED lamp marked IP21 can be used in a humid room and withstands vertical exposure to rare drops of water. The further away from the shower stall or sink such a device is, the better. Often these marks are used: IP23 (well withstand humidity and rare splashes), IP44 means resistance to frequent splashes, IP45 distinguishes lamps that can withstand water jets in all directions, IP67 diodes are used for water lightening and can be installed in the wettest places (the bathtub, sink, shower head itself). Marking IPx8 LEDs are in demand for lighting deep industrial or artificial objects (deeper than 1m), so for home use look for them does not make sense.

In fact, according to their purpose, type of lighting and location on the surface LED-lamps are divided into several groups. Sellers sometimes sin by offering a more expensive model to the average person, taking advantage of its incomplete awareness. However, for applications in an apartment or private home, the requirements for devices are usually lower, and the price is less.

According to the purpose there are:

• outdoor,
• industrial;
• Household diode lights.

Street lighting means illumination of buildings, sidewalk and road at night. They have medium power, high-quality equipment and high resistance to temperature and mechanical effects, including water. Industrial lamps are characterized by high performance, brightness. They are installed in large warehouses, offices, where good lighting is required everywhere. They withstand physical impact, dust, but little protection from water. Household diodes are offered to ordinary consumers for a variety of home design needs. They can illuminate and decorate any corner, but are less powerful, in some places even sparing, compared to industrial ones.

Diodes can be placed outside the luminaire or hidden under the plafond. It depends on the purpose of use, lamp power, location. Also diode lighting is found in the form of recessed (mortise) designs or overhead. The first option involves the preparation of the surface and the use of a kind of screen, behind which the electrical wires will be hidden (ceiling lighting, multilevel ceilings). The second option is found in the idea of compact lighting systems, where the wires are hidden in a neat case (chandeliers, sconces). In this case, no additional surface preparation is required, the lamp can be installed immediately in the lamp, and it can be attached to any (including concrete surface) if necessary.

For household needs, stores offer options for using diodes in the form of LED lamps, which look similar to incandescent bulbs. This allows their use in existing conditions, adapts to any room design. There are also LED strip, they are used to decorate certain areas, art objects, a kind of highlight of the house. For example, ribbons can highlight a flower garden or an aquarium, a niche or a shelf with dishes. They do not create a full-fledged lighting, but quite claim to be an intimate or romantic lighting scenario. Still, manufacturers offer a very powerful LED-tapes, and using them competently, you can create high-quality basic lighting.

Understanding the purpose of the room and the lighting in it will significantly help when choosing lamps. Decide for yourself such moments:

• How much do you plan to change your bathroom? How much money are you willing to shell out for it?
• What role do you want light to play in the bathroom? Do you need to add or highlight any areas (a mirror, a shelf)?
• Do the lights you choose match the overall style of the bathroom?

Because of the small size of the room, large ceiling chandeliers in the bathroom look ridiculous, but small lamps, with neat shades, on the contrary, easily fit into any design. There is another danger of large diode lamps: the quality often leaves much to be desired, because they are made in China by little-known companies. For bathroom, such a purchase can be not only questionable, but also dangerous, because the tightness of such products does not always correspond to the norms. But simple lighting outlets from major manufacturers are not only suitable for any interior, but also very practical and reliable.

They differ in the color of the metal used in the body. Pay attention to the fact that the color of such metal combined with the overall style and suitable for your color type (warm/cool). Usually the bodies and metal rims of such fixtures are made in neutral shades: glossy or matte, copper and gold, often chrome. And this is very practical, because they go well with any interior.

Many designers recommend making a suspended ceiling with built-in diode lamps. This is a very good move: equip the room with a reliable and beautiful ceiling, which will last a long time and neatly hide the system for diode lighting. Installation of recessed lamps is better to be carried out simultaneously with the installation of the ceiling.

Surface-mounted lights are somewhat easier to install. They can be attached to any surface, including concrete, and they do not require such serious surface preparation. For a small number of lamps (up to 3) this solution may be more advantageous.

Buying diodes is a long-term purchase, so give preference to market leaders (Philips, Osram, Ecola, Cree, etc.) They give a long warranty on their products (up to 5 years), for this period of time the investment will be fully paid off.

Interior specialists and craftsmen when decorating rooms like to work with diode tapes. Individual LED lights and light panels composed of them can also bring a highlight to the style of the room. With an unlimited budget and a spacious room, you can get a unique interior. Most fellow citizens are still limited in funds and room size, especially when it comes to the bathroom.

The right lighting option will help to make the room visually larger, brighter, and if you use diodes for zoning lighting or highlighting certain places, the mirror, the light will have additional useful functionality, and the bathroom will be surprisingly beautiful and ornate.

For example, illuminated mirror is always appropriate: this solution will be to the taste of both men and women. Comfortable light will make any angle successful, so it will be convenient to apply makeup or shave. You can make such lighting optional, turn on separately from the ceiling lighting.

Bathtub - comfort zone, in addition the mood can make the design of the area on the border of the bath and wall or podium for Jacuzzi (shower stall). To do this, use built-in designs or diode strips. For discerning owners with unconventional tastes offer illumination of the water. Such options are better to discuss with the designer, because they require a more careful approach to installation.

There are "experts" who believe that when working with LED, the most difficult thing is the installation. This statement is not always true, as a rule, this opinion is artificially supported by those who know very little about the device and capabilities of LEDs. Or on the contrary increases the cost of its maintenance. The complexity of installation directly depends on the type of spotlight and its application.

Beautiful and spectacular lighting is not so difficult to install. Measure the required length, up to 15 meters, 1 transformer and 1 controller will be enough, with a larger one, an additional current converter will be needed. After cutting, you need to connect the soldering iron sections, strictly observing the polarity (+ and -).

When working with a tape of several colors, then the controller is connected to the circuit, and then - the diode tape. The scheme of such illumination must be planned in advance because of the strict polarity, and also because the tape can not be bent so as not to break the integrity of the circuit.

Silicone coating fully protects against moisture, but cannot protect against mechanical damage. The tape can be glued using its adhesive backing. To make the diodes hold up better, you must first clean the surface, removing any dirt and grease, the metal surface is additionally insulated. You can use a simple switch, or you can connect to a special regulator - rheostat or even a remote control. Thus you can not just turn on the light, and set the desired brightness of the lighting.

Such work can be done almost on any surface. Self-tapping screws or special fasteners "molly", resembling dowel nails, are used. The choice of mounting depends only on the material to which the lamp is attached. Self-tapping screws are screwed in immediately, and for "molly" first prepare a hole, which will then insert the fastener. This option is quite durable, but does not imply work with suspended structures.

Suspended ceiling with recessed lighting is possible only with prior preparation (embedding larger than the hole for mounting). It should be remembered that the overhead light has its own height, and the suspended structures "steal" a few centimeters, which for the bathroom can be significant. Therefore, this combination of lamp and ceiling is rarely used.

Such lamps are different in that the main part of the diode with wires will be hidden, the upper lens-plaphonchik will slightly protrude above the rest of the surface. The initial phase of the work is carried out before installing the hanging structure (placement of wires, base). According to the same scheme make holes in the cloth, through them the lamps are connected to the cable. Spotlights for recessed lighting on the body are equipped with feet, which are pressed to the body of the diode, until it sits in the socket. The released tabs hold the lamp firmly in the ring on the tab.

If it is problematic to perform any of the operations yourself, it is easier and safer to ask for professional services, rather than being presumptuous. Specialists pay attention to both the polarity and the tightness of connections, protection from moisture, additionally hidden in plastic tubes.

Working with electricity requires certain knowledge and experience, the bathroom is not the place for such experiments and first experiences. The approach must be thorough. But more experienced craftsmen can probably cope on their own. But to show their imagination and originality will be able to anyone, conceiving an interesting lighting and pleasant colored lighting. Create your own mood, and professionals will be happy to help you implement your plans!