LED Neon Flex

What are Neon Strip Lights?

Neon strip lights (otherwise called neon flex light) are flexible LED strips that imitate the appearance of traditional neon signs without the buzzing sound, heat, and safety hazards that come with neon glass breaking. Instead of gases, neon strip lights utilise LED technology, which makes them more efficient, durable, and have a broader range of colours and customisation.

LED neon strip lights offer a dynamic and versatile lighting solution, combining the classic aesthetic of traditional neon lights with modern efficiency and longevity of LED technology.

They’re a modern take on a classic look—and if you want a deep dive into how they work, how to install them, and where to use them, you can read everything you need to know in our definitive guide to neon strip lights.

Where to Use Your Neon Strip Lights

Since they’re made with the same flexibility and versatility as classic LED strips, the application of neon strip lights has gone beyond bright signs and spanned a wide range of settings from residential, commercial, and architectural installations.

Residential applications: Neon strip lights are commonly used for accent lighting in living rooms, kitchens, or bedrooms. Home theatres and game rooms are also popular installation locations where neon strips are used to create visually stunning effects on the walls and ceilings.

Commercial application: Branding and storefront signage are the primary uses of neon strips in commercial settings. They are also used to enhance the ambience of store interiors, help create an inviting atmosphere, and highlight products to attract customers.

Architectural application: Installed on the exterior walls of high-rise buildings to highlight architectural features and enhance building facades.

Landscape lighting: Used to highlight landscape elements like pathways, bushes, benches, wall accents, deck levels, and other outdoor features.

Why use LED Neon Flex?

Using LED neon flex comes with several key benefits that include energy efficiency, durability, longevity, safety, customisability, and flexibility.

• Energy Efficiency: Using the modern version of neon lights means consuming significantly less energy than traditional neon tubes, which can save you money.
• Durability and Safety: Traditional neon tubes can break easily and potentially injure occupants and passersby. The gases and chemicals from traditional neon lights are also toxic. Neon flex is safer since it’s made with flexible and shatterproof materials (usually silicone).
• Cost-Effective Lighting: LED lights are low-maintenance fixtures and can last between 20,000 and 50,000 hours, which means less replacement costs.
• Design Versatility: Their high flexibility allows neon strips to be bent and shaped into intricate designs and patterns you can’t achieve with traditional neon.
• Seamless Installation: Since LED neon strip lights are lightweight and flexible, straightforward mounting reduces labour cost. Mounting correctly doesn’t require complex and extensive installation processes.

Can You Cut Neon Strip Lights?

Yes. But only cut at designated cutting locations marked by a line or scissor icon you can find throughout the strip. Cutting in other areas can jeopardise the circuitry and damage the whole strip. Take note that the cutting points of a 12V are different from those of a 24V. So, always check the cutting marks before committing to cut the strip.

Simple Lighting offers bespoke cutting services for our wide selection of LED neon strip lights. Simply let us know the strip length you need for the project, and we’ll cut it for you. Then, all you have to do is install it. It’s free, convenient, and cost-effective.

How to Connect Neon Strip Lights

After you’ve cut your neon strips into the correct length, you can proceed to connect them before finally installing them on your desired surface. For a single strip run, the power supply is all you need to connect to your strip. For a multiple-strip setup, you can solder the strips together or use connectors (for solderless connections).

You can find different types of connectors, but the usual ones you’ll see are I, L, and T-shaped connectors, typically used for manoeuvring around corners and uneven surfaces.

End caps and caps with holes are used to cover the end of a strip and the soldered end where the power supply is connected.

Installing Neon LED Strip

When it comes to integration, our Neon Flex strips will not give you any trouble. Treat it as a standard strip light installation. To help you with the process, here's a general guideline:

1. Prepare the necessary materials and tools. To ensure a fluid process, gather everything you need in advance. This includes the Neon LED strip, accessories, power supply, and basic tools like scissors, wire stripper, screwdriver, clips and hooks. You may also need lighting accessories for the strip lights if you choose a more complex installation.
2. Cut to Size. If the strip is too long, trim it to the length you need. To do this, check the back of the neon strip and locate the cutting marks. Ensure that you only cut within those markings to avoid ruining the internal parts. If you are not precise, you may damage the circuit board. Anyway, we at Simple Lighting offer a free tailor-cutting service, so you can skip this step!
3. Link the Pin and Cord. Once you see the exposed wires after cutting, position a power pin over them. Push it until it is completely connected. The female end of your power cord should be attached to the end of the exposed power pin. Then, put an end cap on the other side to seal the cable.
4. Waterproofing and Securing. To guarantee no moisture can enter the neon strip light, apply silicone sealant and heat shrink tubing to the connection joints. Just note that while this secures a longer-lasting installation, future adjustments may be challenging.
5. Shaping and Mounting. Now, the exciting part—shaping and mounting! Bend your lights to the design you want. If you plan to install outdoors, secure a safe spot for your power supply. Before mounting and securing, experiment with the shapes and outlines. The possibilities are endless with this lighting solution, so make sure to take advantage of it!

Keep in mind that the procedure above is a general guideline only. It's still critical to read and follow the mounting guidelines for the model you'll use!

How to create LED Neon Signs?

Creating a neon sign is easier than you think. All you need is a neon flex, a solid design, and a bit of creativity and effort! Here are a few tips that can help you get started:

• Tip #1: Prepare and finalise a design. This can be your name, your favourite word or, if you want more challenge, your favourite quote. For businesses, it can be your company/store name/logo, display sign, or your best-selling product. Make a stencil, which you can use as a guide once you start shaping the strips.
• Tip #2: Load up on knowledge. Research different installation methods and review the product's manufacturing instructions. That way, you can get advice from the pros and have a good understanding of the product you're using.
• Tip #3: Be creative. With its exceptional flexibility, the neon LED strip can make your lighting dreams come true. Just make sure that you have the right strip for the job. Some neon flex strips bend vertically, while some bend horizontally.
• Tip #4: Get help when necessary. While the neon strip is DIY-friendly, you might encounter issues that you cannot handle alone. It's better to be safe than sorry, so calling an electrician is the answer when you start getting lost.

How to Order Neon LED Lights

Ordering neon LED strips is easy with Simple Lighting! On this page, you'll see our growing selection of LED neon strip lights, including all the necessary details so you can make an informed decision. When you're done assessing, all you have to do is click on the product you want to purchase, add it to your cart, and hit check out. It's as simple as ABC!

If you think we only offer an easy checkout and speedy delivery, well, there's more! We also have a FREE bespoke cutting service for this premium range. As a bonus, we'll also solder cables at the ends of the strips and waterproof to further simplify the installation process! That way, when your order arrives, you don't have to measure, cut and solder. You can skip these tedious tasks and jump to the fun part!

Please call 0333 443 2465 or email support@simplelighting.co.uk so we can make the necessary arrangements.