Epäsuoravalo.fi
Aluminium profile for indirect light
Why a profile is essential and which profile type suits which structure.
Why is an aluminium profile essential?
An LED strip without a profile overheats. The aluminium profile acts as a heat sink — it conducts heat away from the strip and keeps it below 60 °C. An overheated strip lasts 5 000–10 000 hours instead of 50 000 hours.
Its second job: controlling the light. A profile mounted at 45° directs the light up to the ceiling. The diffuser of a straight profile evens out a dotted strip into a smooth band of light.
Profile types
Here are a few example profiles for different indirect structures. There are many profile types, and it is important to remember that an indirect-light structure made of plastic or plaster alone is not enough for an LED strip. Always use aluminium for a neat and durable result.
| Profile type | Placement | Space required | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45° corner profile | Inside a bulkhead | 60–150 mm | Light cove, dropped ceiling |
| EPÄSUORA MATALA Z | At the wall-ceiling junction | 22 mm | Integrated installation in a low ceiling |
| Wall profile IP44 | On the wall | 50 mm | Retrofit, bathroom |
| Recessed 45 SLIM | Recessed into a surface | 25 mm | Furniture, shelves |
| EDGE profile | Plasterboard edge | 30 mm | Dropped ceiling edge |
| LED neon / flex | Curves, shapes | — | Special shapes |
Profiles → LedStore
Frequently asked questions
Which aluminium profile for indirect light?
The choice starts from the structure: a plaster-in profile for a plasterboard bulkhead, a recessed one for the ceiling surface, a surface profile for a finished surface and a corner profile for the wall-ceiling junction. The second deciding dimension is the strip width – a 10 mm strip does not fit an 8 mm groove.
Is an aluminium profile always needed?
A strip over 10 W/m needs one for cooling. Below that a profile is still recommended, because it gives a straight line, protects the strip and makes the result look finished. Tape alone will not hold a strip for years.
How slim can an aluminium profile be?
The slimmest surface profile is 9 mm high and the slimmest plaster-in profile leaves the light surface 7.5 mm from the finished ceiling. Slim profiles do, however, need a COB strip, because SMD would show dots this close to the diffuser.
How is an aluminium profile fixed?
A plaster-in profile is screwed to the framing before plasterboarding, a recessed one is held in the ceiling surface with spring clips, a surface profile is screwed or glued to the finished surface. Tape alone is not enough for any of them.
Can an aluminium profile be bent?
A straight profile cannot. There are dedicated bent profiles for curved structures, or a sideways-bending strip is used without a profile — then cooling has to be solved another way.