Covering a fluorescent light can be a great way to add an aesthetically pleasing look to your space. It also serves as a way to reduce the amount of brightness in a room, making it easier on the eyes and better for productivity or relaxation. With just a few simple supplies, you can easily cover any fluorescent lighting fixture, creating a unique look for any room.
Covering fluorescent lights offers many advantages. First, it can save you money on energy costs as covering the light can help to reduce glare and create a more efficient lighting system. The covers also provide a softer, more diffused light that is generally more pleasing to the eye than direct fluorescent light. In this blog post, You will learn how to cover fluorescent lights in detail.
Materials You Will Need
- A measuring tape
- Scissors
- Fabric of your choice
- Staple gun and staples
- Cardboard or thin plywood (optional)
- Pencil or pen
- Masking tape
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Ruler or straight edge (optional)
- Grommets, hooks, clips, or other hardware (optional)
Step-by-step Instructions for How to Cover Fluorescent Lights
Step 1: Inspect the Light Fixture
Before you begin, take a few moments to inspect your fluorescent light fixture. Look for signs of wear and tear that may need to be addressed before continuing, such as fraying wires, loose components, or other issues.
Step 2: Prepare the Covering Material
To cover fluorescent lights with fabric, use lightweight materials designed to cover lighting fixtures, such as cotton, linen, or light muslin. Select the material in the appropriate color and size that is suitable for your light fixture.
Step 3: Measure Your Light Fixture
Measure the length and width of your fluorescent light fixture to determine how much covering fabric you need. Be sure to leave an extra inch of fabric on each side to ensure a snug fit when the fabric is draped over the light fixture.
Step 4: Cut the Fabric to Size
After you have measured your fluorescent light fixture, cut the covering fabric to size using a pair of scissors. Leave an extra inch of fabric on each side for a snug fit. Attach a few Velcro strips to the sides of the light fixture to secure the fabric in place. Make sure the Velcro is securely attached and won’t collapse when you pull on the fabric.
Step 5: Drape Fabric over Light Fixture
Carefully drape the covering fabric over your fluorescent light fixture. Be sure to line up all edges and corners to be even. Secure the fabric with pins at each corner while you secure the Velcro strips.
Step 6: Attach Velcro Strips
Pull the fabric taut and attach the Velcro strips to your fluorescent light fixture’s sides, ensuring each strip is securely fastened. Once the Velcro strips are in place, trim away any excess fabric from the sides of your light fixture.
Step 7: Test Lights
Finally, turn on your fluorescent lights to ensure everything is working properly before enjoying your newly covered light fixture.
This guide has helped teach you to cover fluorescent lights. Check out our other helpful tutorials for more home improvement tips and tricks.
Tips for How to Cover Fluorescent Lights
- Ensure the material you choose to cover the fluorescent light does not contain heavy, flammable materials like plastics, cloth or paper.
- The material used for covering should be thick enough and able to provide insulation against electric shocks.
- Before covering a fluorescent light, turn it off and cool down completely to avoid accidents.
- Ensure you install the covering properly to avoid any light leakage or heat build-up leading to fire hazards.
- If the fluorescent lights are old, consult a professional electrician before attempting to cover them up.
- Ensure that the length of the fabric used is sufficient enough to cover all sides of the fluorescent light completely.
- Regularly inspect the fabric or material used for covering to ensure it is not damaged or worn out. If required, replace the cover with a new one as soon as possible.
These tips are essential to remember when covering fluorescent lights, as they can help you avoid any potential accidents or mishaps during the process.
How Can You Avoid Shadows Caused by Uneven Lighting When Covering Your Fluorescent Lights?
When covering fluorescent lights, it is important to ensure that the light fixture is even and that all bulbs are of equal brightness. This will help you avoid shadows created when the lighting is uneven. Using white fabric or material to cover the light will also help reduce any potential shadows. Choose fabrics or materials in different colors if you want to add more color and vibrancy to the lighting. However, it is advisable to test the covers beforehand to ensure that shadows are not created due to uneven light fixtures.
You can also experiment with placing fluorescent bulbs and reflectors to spread the light evenly across all sides. Furthermore, if you want additional lighting, you can add light bulbs with a higher wattage or use LED bulbs instead. This will help reduce shadows caused by uneven lighting when covering your fluorescent lights.
How Often Should You Replace or Clean the Cover for Your Fluorescent Lights?
It is important to regularly inspect and replace or clean the cover of your fluorescent lights often. This is important as any dirt, dust, or debris can cause the light to flicker, vibrate, or even short circuit in some cases. To keep the covers in good condition for a longer period and eliminate any dust build-up, the covers should be cleaned at least once every 3-4 months.
If you have started to notice a decrease in brightness or if the light is flickering continuously, it is time to inspect and clean your fluorescent covers. Additionally, if you have noticed any wear and tear on the fabric or material used to cover your lights, replace them to avoid potential hazards. Lastly, if you have decided to change the cover for your fluorescent lights, ensure that the new one is the same length and width as the old one to ensure proper lighting.
What Other Benefits Does Covering Your Fluorescent Lights Offer?
Covering your fluorescent lights not only helps you reduce any shadows caused by uneven lighting but can also act as a great way to add more color and vibrancy to your space. Covering the lights will also help protect them from dust and other debris, which can cause potential hazards like flickering or even short-circuiting in some cases.
Finally, covering your fluorescent lights also helps you reduce the noise in your space. The fabric or material used for covering can act as an effective sound absorber and help in reducing both low-frequency and high-frequency sounds that may be present in your space. Covering your fluorescent lights is a great way to add more vibrancy to the room while at the same time protecting from dust and noise.
Is It Possible to Use DIY Methods to Cover a Fluorescent Light?
Yes, it is possible to use DIY methods to cover a fluorescent light. One of the easiest ways to do this is using fabric or materials like cardboard, poster board, and paper. You can use these materials to make simple covers for your fluorescent lights that are aesthetic and functional. You can also add some color to the coverage using colored paper or fabric.
If you want a more permanent and sturdy solution, use wooden frames to make custom covers that fit your fluorescent lights. You will need tools like saws and power drills to create the frame structure; however, they are easily available at most hardware stores. With these DIY methods, it is possible to cover your fluorescent lights in an inexpensive, functional, and aesthetic way.
Are There Any Health Risks Associated With Covering a Fluorescent Light?
Covering a fluorescent light does not pose any health risks, provided that you use suitable and safe materials for the covering. However, if you are using materials that are flammable or have insulating properties, then it is important to make sure they are properly installed and maintained. It is also important to ensure the bulbs used in the lighting fixture have the correct wattage, as this can help reduce any fire hazards due to light leakage or heat build-up.
Additionally, ensure that the covering is properly secured and does not move or shift over time. Finally, if you are using old fluorescent lights, it is important to consult an electrician before covering them up to check for any potential safety risks. Following these guidelines makes it possible to cover a fluorescent light safely and securely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, covering fluorescent lights is a great way to update the look of any room while providing additional lighting. It can be done in just a few simple steps, and you can choose from many options on the market. You can find covers with patterns, shades, mirrors, fabric, and more that will fit any room’s needs and style. With a little creativity and effort, you can make a dramatic change to any space with the help of fluorescent light covers. Reading this post has helped you learn how to cover fluorescent lights. Make sure the safety precautions are carried out in the order listed.