Custom linear lighting · Flexible & cove
Flexible linear and cove lighting for curves, coves and perimeters
Bendable linear products and LED tape in profiles follow curved architecture and hide in coves to wash ceilings and walls with indirect light.
Short answer
Flexible (bendable) linear lighting is a low-voltage LED product that bends to follow curves, used where rigid extrusions cannot go. Cove lighting hides a linear source in a ledge or recess so only the lit ceiling or wall is seen. For both, plan the geometry (set-back and height so the source is hidden and the light spreads evenly), the low-voltage layout (run lengths per feed and driver location, because voltage drop limits length), and dimming compatibility.
Key takeaways
- In a cove, nobody should see the source from a normal viewing position.
- Low-voltage runs are limited by voltage drop; 48V allows longer runs than 24V.
- Remote drivers need accessible locations and correctly sized secondary wiring.
Cove geometry
| Dimension | What it controls |
|---|---|
| Height of the lip above the source | Hides the source from normal viewing positions |
| Distance from source to ceiling | How far the light spreads before it hits the ceiling |
| Distance from the wall | Evenness of the wash and hot spots near the source |
| Source angle | Aiming light across the ceiling rather than into the lip |
Check the design with a section drawing: draw a sight line from the farthest likely eye position to the lip. If the line sees the source, raise the lip or move the source back. A mock-up is worth doing on premium projects.
Rigid, flexible or tape in profile?
| Product | Use it for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid extruded linear | Straight coves, long runs, highest output | No curves |
| Flexible linear (neon-style) | Curves, radiused coves, signage-like lines | Lower output; bend radius limits |
| LED tape in aluminum profile | Tight spaces, millwork, shelves | Heat and voltage drop limit output and length |
Power and dimming
Most flexible and tape products are constant-voltage 24V or 48V. Plan the driver location, the secondary wire gauge and length, and the dimming method (0-10V or DALI to the driver, or phase dimming where the driver supports it) before the millwork is built.
Related
- Guide · Low-voltage systems 24V vs 48V linear lighting 48V linear lighting carries the same power at half the current of 24V, so voltage drop in volts halves and, as a share of supply voltage, falls to a quarter. That means longer runs and fewer feeds. Worked voltage-drop example and when 24V is still the better choice. →
- Guide · Drivers How to size an LED driver for linear lighting Size an LED driver in three steps. Work out the connected load from length and watts per foot, add headroom so the driver runs at about 80% of its rating, and split long runs into zones. Worked examples for 24V and integral drivers. →
- Custom linear lighting · Wall wash & grazing Linear wall wash and wall grazing lighting Linear wall wash and wall grazing lighting explained, with the difference between them, set-back and optic selection, and custom linear products supplied across Canada. →
- Linear lighting · Budget What drives the cost of custom linear lighting The factors that set the price of custom and architectural linear lighting on commercial projects: profile and optic, output and colour quality, run layout and corners, drivers and dimming, controls, finishes, certification, and lead time. Where value engineering works, and where it backfires. →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cove and perimeter lighting?
Cove lighting is an indirect detail that lights a ceiling or wall from a hidden ledge. Perimeter lighting is any linear detail around the edge of a room, which can be a cove, a recessed slot or a wall-wash line.
How far can flexible LED run from one feed?
It depends on the product’s voltage and wattage per foot; manufacturers publish a maximum run per feed. As a rule, 48V products run further than 24V products of the same wattage. See 24V vs 48V linear lighting.
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