In all houses with more than 1 floor, there is a staircase. Often it is located in a dimly lit place. Climbing it in the dark will not be safe. Step lighting solves this problem. There are many ideas for additional lighting that fits perfectly into the interior. About the types of backlight and its installation is described in the article.
Benefits
Designers offer different options for lighting steps:
- The use of long chandeliers illuminating several spans. In this case, they are installed in a house with a small number of storeys. It will be difficult to remove dust from such lamps.
- Side lighting is often used by placing a sconce on the wall or installing a floor lamp. But extra items interfere with climbing and descending.
The best choice would be a step light that illuminates the stairs. Compared to other light sources, it:
- Universal. This lighting is ideal for stairs of different widths and differentmaterials.
- Easy to install. During the creation of the backlight, no cabling is required. The light source is placed on the steps.
- Has a practical use. Illumination of steps helps to clearly indicate their beginning and end. This prevents falls and injury.
- Allows you to visually enlarge the space if you select point light sources.
Thanks to this lighting, it will be possible to emphasize the design of the room. It will be much more comfortable. But first you need to determine what type of lighting is ideal for the room. It is important to consider not only the aesthetic factor, but also safety and durability. A suitable light source will be original and reliable.
Varieties of light sources
When choosing the illumination of the steps of the stairs, it is necessary to take into account the color scheme, the type of stairs, the material. To create the backlight, LED strips, neon bulbs, spotlights are used. Some owners choose more than one option, but use several. In this case, it is necessary that each source has its own function so that there is no overload of the situation.
Illumination of the steps of the stairs is able to fill the entire space. And it can only be along the line of motion or dimly flicker. Differences in light sources are associated with the installation method. Stair lighting can be external, built into the railing or steps. All options look original, but you should choose the most suitable look for your room.
Lamp fixtures
Backlightshould please without causing trouble. To do this, you should know which lamps are used and what are their features:
- Neon. They emit soft light without creating shadows. Lighting ensures safety at any time of the day. Neon lamps last a long time. But they have a minus, which is important to consider if children live at home. The material is fragile, so the lamps need protection.
- Halogen. With them, a uniform saturated light is emitted. These lamps get very hot. It is important that they do not come into contact with other surfaces in order to prevent problems. Power surges noticeably shorten lamp life.
- LED. Stair lights of this type are a popular source of light. They have a long service life, a wide choice, the availability of design ideas. Compared to halogen lamps, they almost do not heat up. There is a staircase lighting on the steps with a motion sensor. This is smart lighting that looks great and is considered practical. With stair lighting on steps with a sensor, energy consumption is reduced, as the bulbs turn on when someone moves up the stairs. They are also convenient because you do not need to look for switches in the dark. Step lighting with motion sensor is easy to install.
- Surface LED-lamps. Great for a private home. They have a sufficient dispersion angle.
Lighting is chosen based on the interior decoration of the house. The main thing is that the light is soft, does not blind the eyes and does not create bright shadows. This will help harmonizeadd additional lighting to the interior.
Spiral stairs
They usually install LED backlight. The steps of the stairs with it also look attractive. Thanks to the flexible material, the steps of the original shape, different sizes are illuminated.
A small strip will be enough to add light to highlight steps or railings. Original LED strips placed on the wall adjacent to the stairs.
Transparent steps
Some houses have transparent stairs. Their steps are made of glass or acrylic. LED lighting looks original. The lower part is equipped with a material that scatters light. Optionally, the handrails can be equipped with end lighting. All this provides the effect of inner glow. For better organicity, the tape is combined with the fasteners of the steps.
Metal and wooden stairs
When choosing fixtures to illuminate steps, you need to consider whether or not there are risers. If they are absent, then LED strips are used by installing them inside the steps. When there are risers, it is better not to choose this lighting. LED strips can be replaced with solid or spot lighting.
Concrete and brick stairs
The use of LEDs on them is problematic. During installation, masking profiles are used, kinks and transitions of the tape are created. You should first calculate where the streams of light will fall.
Usually, in the areas where such stairs are located, lighting elements deteriorate with constant movement. Better choosezigzag illumination. It is on the side wall, copying the profile of the stairs.
Choice
When choosing lighting fixtures for stair steps, it is important to consider some nuances:
- If the stairs are lingering, it is better to install diffused light, and otherwise - point.
- The lighting at the spiral staircase should clearly highlight the steps.
- When choosing the type of lighting, other light sources must be taken into account.
- White light is desirable for steel stairs as it enhances the metallic sheen.
- For a wooden staircase, the best choice would be yellow light, which harmonizes perfectly with the natural color of the wood.
After choosing a light source, you should decide on the control. The best solution would be motion sensors. With them, the time to search for the switch is reduced, and electricity is saved. There are sensors with automatic illumination of some fixtures.
Spot lighting
It has been used for a while now, but it has already become popular. Spot lighting can be installed on different stairs. An important rule is that you don't need a lot of light. Many small light bulbs are fixed at some distance from each other. The main thing is that they fit into the interior.
Wall spot lighting
Lamps are mounted on the wall adjacent to the stairs, and it is desirable to do this before facing the latter. This is due to the fact that the eyelinerhave to hide. If you start installing fixtures after the repair is completed, then it will need to be done again.
To finish the wall in this case, it is better to choose drywall, on which different lamps can be fixed. With the use of this material there will be no problems in the design of the room. Drywall perfectly levels the walls and also holds decorative details.
If spot lighting is selected on the steps, then you need to make holes of the right size. But the wires will not be so easy. If this is missed, then it will be necessary to dismantle part of the structure, lay the cable, and then return everything to its place.
If the backlight is installed with the installation of stairs, then often choose 2 light sources at the edges. But you can choose the option when they are in the center. Another backlight can be placed on the risers. An original solution would be to choose different colors when illuminating steps and railings. In this case, you need to skillfully combine shades.
Installation
LED lighting is in high demand. It is used for their homes. First, steps are measured, the backlight is set when available:
- adhesive LED strip;
- aluminum frame or rail;
- self-tapping screws;
- drill;
- stabilizer and connector.
Before work, wires must be laid, a voltage stabilizer is connected to them. Installation is carried out according to the following instructions:
- You will need an aluminum profile, which is cut into elements of the desired size.
- Susing self-tapping screws, the profile is fixed to the bottom of the steps.
- The frame and steps must be degreased with a special solution, alcohol or acetone.
- It is necessary to prepare the LED strip: the required length is cut off. It is important not to damage the LEDs themselves.
- From the edge of the tape, which is closer to the wall, attach the connector.
- 2 wires are connected to this element.
- The protective film is removed from the tape and fixed in the rail on the adhesive composition.
- The wires should be hidden under the stairs, decorated in the wall.
- The wires are connected to the stabilizer and voltage is applied.
Connection of lamps is carried out as follows:
- Using a perforator, holes are made in the wall for lamps, sensors and channels for laying wires.
- Cement mortar needs to be prepared.
- Wires should be wrapped in a plastic waterproof sheath.
- Socket boxes, covers for lamps are installed in the holes.
- Then you need to install and secure the lamp clips.
- The holes must be sealed with cement.
- This is how lights and motion sensors are fixed.
Installation must be carried out in compliance with safety regulations. If there are no skills, then it is better to entrust this work to specialists.
Auto backlight
Performing automatic lighting is easy if you have any idea about the sensors and the functioning of the closed circuit. Using the Arduino microcontroller, allwill be able to do it flawlessly. This requires patience, experience and time, as well as the purchase of wires and tools. It is possible to choose a ready-made solution and purchase the necessary equipment, then the installation cost will be noticeably higher, especially if the work is performed by a specialist.
The following actions are allowed during lighting setup:
- Setting the desired turn-on speed.
- Setting the turn-on time.
- Organization of simultaneous illumination of all steps when a person approaches.
- Setting the switching mode alternately.
- Activate standby mode.
The automatic backlight set consists of:
- Controller.
- Movement sensor.
- Set of wires.
The device can be placed in different places convenient for operation. Usually 2 motion sensors are located at the extreme steps, which react to a moving object. As he approaches, the lamps turn on, illuminating the entire staircase. And when there is no movement, the light goes out.
This lighting can be on stairs inside and outside. During installation, it is required to take into account temperature fluctuations, changes in humidity. Automation is more suitable for the home, which reduces the risk of breakage of appliances. For long stairs, it is desirable to alternately adjust the illumination of several steps.
Homeowners will definitely like the presence of such light. This is necessary not only for safety, so as not to fall while moving up the stairs, but also forinterior beauty. Such lighting makes the room more comfortable.
