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Indirect light outdoors – facade, terrace and garden
Outdoor IP requirements, frost resistance and profiles: facade, terrace canopy, steps and garden structures.
Outdoors the requirements are different
Outdoors the strip is exposed to water, UV radiation and temperature swings, which in a Nordic climate easily reach 60 degrees over a year. An indoor IP20 strip fails during the first winter. Three requirements are absolute: IP65 or better, a UV-resistant coating and a frost-resistant driver.
IP65 withstands splashes and rain. IP67 also withstands brief immersion, which is needed if the strip is close to the ground, under snow at eaves height or in a terrace floor structure. The price difference is small.
| IP rating, minimum | IP65 |
| IP rating, ground level and snow | IP67 |
| Driver | IP67, frost-resistant |
| Operating temperature | −20…+50 °C |
| Strip coating | UV-resistant silicone |
| Driver location | Indoors or in an IP67 enclosure |
Four outdoor applications
1. Facade – under the eaves
Strip under the eaves line lighting the wall surface from top to bottom. It emphasises the facade material and makes the building recognisable after dark. The eaves protect the strip from direct rain, but IP65 is still needed. Feeds from drivers to every corner. 7.2 W for mood, 14.4 W for general light.
2. Terrace canopy and pergola
A strip installed on the inside or edge of the canopy beams gives indirect general light on the terrace. The light reflects down from the canopy, so it does not dazzle anyone seated. Combine with a motion sensor or timer.
3. Outdoor steps and paths
Step-edge lighting is a safety issue outdoors: a wet or icy step must be visible. Profile at the front edge of the step, IP67 because snow collects on the step. 3-7.2 W/m is enough – too much light dazzles in the dark.
4. Garden structures
Retaining walls, planters, the top edge of a fence and railings. Strip under the edge of the structure, light down along the surface. This is decorative lighting, so 3 W/m and a warm 2700 K are quite enough.
Outdoor products → LedStore
Outdoor products → LedStore
Frequently asked questions
Can an LED strip be installed outdoors?
Yes, with an IP65 strip in a protective profile. What decides it is not the strip but the joints and end caps – water always gets in at a joint. Use proper IP65 connectors.
Which IP rating for outdoor lighting?
IP65 in a covered area such as under the terrace eaves, IP67 in an unprotected location. IP68 for installations in the ground or in water.
Can an LED strip withstand winter and frost?
Yes. Cold does not harm LEDs; if anything it improves their efficiency. The problem is moisture and freezing in the joints – which is why sealing decides it, not temperature.
How is a facade lit indirectly?
Strip under the eaves or behind a facade feature so that the light washes the wall surface. The texture of the material stands out when the light comes at a shallow angle.
Does outdoor lighting disturb the neighbours?
It can if the light points upward or onto the neighbour’s plot. Indirect light is better than accent light here, because it does not create a glaring point source. Always aim the light at your own surface.
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Epäsuora valo ulkona
Julkisivu, terassin katos, portaat ja pihan rakenteet – IP65-nauha ja säänkestävä profiili.
Kuvat: LedStore.fi toteutetuista kohteista.