LB30 Polystyrene HI WOOD: Compact Profile for Recessed Lighting

Polystyrene moldingideal solution for rooms with low ceilings or where discreet decorative lighting is required. Made from high-density impact-resistant polystyrene, the profile features a special G-shaped construction with an internal ledge for mounting LED strips, allowing for a soft diffused light effect along the ceiling or wall perimeter.wall molding polystyreneIdeal solution for rooms with low ceilings or where discreet decorative lighting is required. Made from high-density impact-resistant polystyrene, the profile features a special G-shaped construction with an internal ledge for mounting LED strips, creating a soft diffused light effect around the ceiling or walls.

Technical characteristics and structural features

Model LB30 is a compact profile for recessed lighting with optimized dimensions. The height of the product is 30 mm — this is the minimum size among Hi Wood recessed lighting profiles, allowing placement of an LED strip and creating the necessary gap for light diffusion. The depth of the LED strip ledge is 15 mm, sufficient for installing standard LED strips 8–12 mm wide and ensuring reliable concealment of the light source from direct view. The standard profile length of 2000 mm simplifies calculations and minimizes the number of joints during installation.

The profile’s construction is carefully engineered by Hi Wood engineers for optimal light distribution. The G-shaped form with a 30 mm vertical wall creates the necessary distance between the LED strip and the ceiling surface, ensuring even light diffusion without visible points from individual LEDs. The 15 mm wide horizontal ledge serves as a mounting platform for the LED strip and prevents material transparency, which is especially important when using powerful strips. Thanks to its compact dimensions, the profile is virtually invisible and blends seamlessly with the wall, leaving only a soft glow visible.

The material used is high-density polystyrene (durable polymer, plant polymer) — a modern thermoplastic polymer with a density of 600–650 kg/m³, which is 1.5 times higher than that of ordinary expanded polystyrene. The manufacturing technology includes extrusion of the melted polymer through a forming head, followed by cooling and sizing. As a result, the product has an ideally smooth surface, precise geometric parameters, and a uniform structure without voids or bubbles. The weight of one profile is approximately 0.25–0.30 kg, which does not create significant load on walls and simplifies installation.

Unique properties of high-density polystyrene

Polystyrene impact-resistant wall moldingHi Wood model LB30 demonstrates outstanding operational characteristics, making it the optimal choice for concealed lighting systems. Absolute moisture resistance allows using the profile in rooms with high humidity — bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, pools, saunas. The material does not absorb water, swell, deform, or lose strength even with prolonged contact with moisture. This is especially important for lighting systems where electrical equipment is present and stable geometric parameters are required.

Impact-resistant polystyrene wall moldingIt has high resistance to ultraviolet radiation — the material does not yellow over time, does not fade under sunlight exposure, and retains its pristine white color throughout its service life, which exceeds 10–15 years. This is critically important for recessed lighting profiles installed near windows, where constant UV exposure may cause yellowing and loss of aesthetics in less quality materials.

Temperature stability allows the profile to operate safely in a range from -40 to +70°C without changes in physical properties or geometry. This is important when working with LED strips, which emit heat during operation. High-density polystyrene withstands local heating from LED strips up to 50–60°C without deformation, softening, or emitting odors. The material does not support combustion and belongs to fire resistance class G2, providing additional safety for electrical lighting systems.

Mechanical strength of the dural polymer is 3–4 times higher than that of ordinary expanded polystyrene. The material is resistant to impacts and pressure, does not crumble during processing and cutting, and does not form chips at the ends. The surface is coated with a high-density protective layer that protects against scratches and damage. Antistatic properties prevent dust accumulation, which is critically important for lighting systems — dusty surfaces reduce lighting efficiency and may create shadows. Biological inertness prevents the appearance of mold, fungi, and bacteria even in humid environments.

Advantages of compact size

polystyrene molding on the wallLB30 with a height of only 30 mm is the most compact profile in the Hi Wood recessed lighting lineup, offering unique application possibilities. In rooms with low ceilings of 2.4–2.5 meters, where standard recessed lighting profiles of 70–120 mm height appear bulky and visually reduce the ceiling height, the compact LB30 is virtually invisible and does not consume precious centimeters. The profile can be installed just 5–8 cm from the ceiling, creating a floating surface effect without visual weight.

In minimalist interiors, where clean lines and absence of decorative excesses are valued, the compact LB30 profile fits perfectly into the concept of restrained design. Its small height makes it virtually invisible during the day, while the activated backlighting at night creates an effect of glowing from within without a visible light source. In modern styles such as high-tech, minimalism, Scandinavian, and contemporary, such a solution appears especially organic and technologically advanced.

Material savings and reduced structural weight — another advantage of the compact profile. For the same perimeter length, the LB30 profile weighs 40–50% less than standard recessed lighting profiles, reducing wall load and allowing for less adhesive during installation. Transporting and storing compact profiles is also more convenient. In budget-constrained situations, choosing a compact profile allows saving money without sacrificing the functionality of the lighting system.

Applications of concealed lighting

buy polystyrene moldingLB30 models are suitable for implementing various decorative lighting scenarios. Ceiling perimeter lighting — the most popular application. The profile is mounted on the wall 5–10 cm from the ceiling, and the LED strip is placed inside, directed upward. The reflected light from the ceiling creates a floating ceiling effect, visually increasing room height and providing soft diffused lighting without harsh shadows or glare.

Decorative zoning of space is achieved by installing lighting above specific functional zones. In a studio apartment, a light contour can mark the boundary between the kitchen and living area; in a bedroom — to highlight a sleeping or wardrobe zone; in a child’s room — to separate play and study areas. Changing brightness and color of the backlighting in different zones enhances the visual separation of a single space into distinct functional areas.

Accent lighting of architectural elements uses the compact LB30 profile to illuminate niches, bay windows, columns, arches, decorative protrusions. The profile can be installed along the contour of a multi-level ceiling, highlighting each level with a light contour. Backlighting of gypsum board structures, floating shelves, and podiums creates a levitation effect and adds a futuristic touch to the interior. In bedrooms, backlighting of the headboard is popular, creating soft, intimate lighting for evening hours.

Functional lighting of work areas is achieved by installing the profile under wall-mounted kitchen cabinets, under shelves in an office or workshop, in wardrobes and wardrobe cabinets. Concealed lighting ensures even illumination of the work surface without shadows, does not cause glare, and allows precise visibility of details. In bathrooms, backlighting of mirrors, shower cabins, and cosmetic niches makes the space functional and creates a spa atmosphere. Corridors and staircases equipped with low-brightness night lighting ensure safe movement during nighttime.

Choosing LED strip and electronics

For effective operation of a concealed lighting system based on the LB30 profile, it is necessary to properly select the LED strip and auxiliary equipment. LED strips differ by several key parameters: voltage (12V — most common for home systems, 24V — for long runs without brightness drop, 220V — for professional use), power (from 2.4 to 48 W per meter determines brightness), LED density (30, 60, 120 or 240 LEDs per meter affects light uniformity), color temperature (warm white 2700–3000K for residential spaces, neutral 4000K for kitchens and bathrooms, cool 6000K for offices, RGB multi-color for creative solutions).

For general room lighting, it is recommended to use a strip with power of 14–20 W/m and LED density of 120–240 LEDs/m. Such a strip will provide bright, even light without visible points and create illumination of 150–200 lux per square meter, which corresponds to norms for residential spaces. For decorative lighting, a strip of 9.6–14 W/m with density of 60–120 LEDs per meter is sufficient. Night lighting is achieved with low-power strips of 2.4–4.8 W/m.

The degree of water protection is indicated by the IP rating: IP20 — for dry rooms (living room, bedroom, office), IP65 — for humid rooms (bathroom, kitchen, balcony), IP67–68 — for outdoors and rooms with direct water contact. The standard LED strip width of 8–10 mm fits perfectly with the 15 mm wide ledge of the LB30 profile. Quality strips have a 3M self-adhesive layer on the back for easy mounting.

Power supply is selected based on the total power of all connected strips with a 20–30% reserve. For example, for 15 meters of 14 W/m strip, the total power is 210 W, so a 250–280 W power supply is needed. Power supplies come in open type (for installation in ventilated technical rooms) and sealed type in protective housing (for humid rooms). A dimmer allows adjusting brightness from 0 to 100%, creating the desired atmosphere. An RGB controller allows selecting color and programming lighting scenes. A remote control or integration with a smart home system ensures convenient lighting control.

Professional installation of the LB30 profile

SolutionBuy polystyrene molding for wallOrganizing backlighting requires understanding the technology of proper installation. Installation of the LB30 profile has its own features, related to compact dimensions and the need for precise positioning for optimal light distribution. The preparatory stage includes developing a backlighting layout scheme, calculating required materials, preparing tools and electrical components.

Surface preparation of walls is critically important for quality installation. The surface must be flat (no more than 3–5 mm deviation per meter of length), clean, dry, and strong. Significant unevenness is leveled with putty and sanded. Loose areas are reinforced with deep-penetration primer. All electrical work (wiring, installation of distribution boxes, switches) must be completed before beginning the profile installation.

The distance from the ceiling depends on the desired lighting effect. For the compact LB30 profile, the optimal distance is 5-8 cm from the ceiling to create a medium-width light strip. Installing closer than 5 cm may reveal individual LEDs, especially on textured or stretch ceilings. At distances over 10-12 cm, the light strip becomes wider but brightness decreases. For smooth matte ceilings, installation can be closer; for textured or glossy ceilings, install farther for better diffusion.

Marking is done using a laser level, which projects a perfectly horizontal line around the entire perimeter of the room. Along this line, a reference mark is drawn using a pencil or chalk line. Marks are made at corners for future joints. It is important to note that the profile has a G-shaped form, and marking is done along the bottom edge of the vertical wall section that will be attached to the wall.

Cutting the profile is done using a fine-toothed hacksaw for metal, an electric jigsaw with a plastic blade, or a circular saw. For straight cuts, any of these tools can be used with perpendicularity control. For corner joints, a miter box is mandatory to achieve an accurate 45-degree angled cut. When cutting, it is important to consider the profile's orientation and cutting direction to ensure correct fitting at corners.

The mounting adhesive must be designed for polystyrene — universal polymer adhesives like liquid nails without solvents. Adhesives such as Moment Montazh Superstrong, Titan Wild, and Quelyd Mastifix have proven effective. The adhesive is applied in dots or dashed lines to the back of the profile with a 10-15 cm spacing. After applying the adhesive, the profile is pressed against the wall along the marked line and held for 30-60 seconds. To ensure secure fixation during drying, painter’s tape is used.

Features of cutting and corner joints

Questionhow to cut polystyrene moldingThe LB30 profile has a G-shaped form with thin walls, requiring careful handling. For straight cuts, a fine-toothed hacksaw with 1 mm teeth is best, ensuring a clean cut without vibrations or deformation. An electric jigsaw requires low speed and a high-quality plastic blade with fine teeth.

How to cut polystyrene moldingFor creating corner joints? A professional miter box with a workpiece clamping feature is the optimal choice. When installing the profile into the miter box, it must be correctly oriented: the vertical wall should be flush against the side of the miter box, and the horizontal flange should rest on the base. For interior room corners, the right profile is cut at 45° with the saw moving left to right, and the left profile right to left. For exterior corners, the cutting direction is mirrored.

After cutting, all ends are sanded with fine-grit sandpaper (180-240 grit) to remove burrs and achieve a smooth surface. This ensures tight fitting of parts at corner joints without gaps. When joining corner elements, a small amount of adhesive is applied to the ends, parts are aligned, and secured with painter’s tape until drying. Small gaps in joints are filled with white acrylic sealant, which is sanded after drying.

LED Strip Installation

After installing the profile and the adhesive has fully dried (24 hours), the LED strip is installed. Before starting, the strip is tested by connecting it to the power supply to check functionality. Quality LED strips have an adhesive layer on the back with a protective film. However, for high-power strips, it is recommended to use an aluminum profile 10-12 mm wide, which serves as a heat sink to extend LED lifespan.

The aluminum profile is mounted on the inner flange of the molding using double-sided tape or special clips. The profile ensures even LED strip installation, prevents sagging, and protects against mechanical damage. A diffusing screen made of matte plastic can be installed inside the profile to make the light more uniform and hide individual LEDs. The strip installation begins at the power supply connection point, the protective film is gradually peeled off in 30-40 cm sections, and the strip is carefully pressed against the surface.

When passing through corners, the strip must not be bent at sharp angles — this damages the conductive traces. At corners, the strip is cut at specially marked locations (usually every 5-10 cm, there is a scissors mark) and connected using corner connectors or soldering. Soldering provides a more reliable connection: use a 25-40 W soldering iron, solder POS-61, and flux. Soldered joints are insulated with heat-shrink tubing. Connection to the power supply must follow polarity: red wire to positive, black to negative.

Final finishing and painting

Polystyrene moldingThe LB30 profile can be used in white or painted to match wall color. All joints between profiles are filled with white acrylic sealant, excess is wiped off with a damp cloth. After drying, joints are sanded with fine sandpaper until smooth. Before painting, it is important to protect the inner cavity of the profile with the installed LED strip from paint — the strip is covered with painter’s tape or paper.

Only water-based paints — acrylic, latex, or emulsion — are used for painting: solvent-based paints damage polystyrene. The surface is primed with acrylic primer to improve adhesion. Painting is done in two to three coats with a brush or roller, with intermediate drying of 4-6 hours. The outer surface of the profile is usually painted to match the wall color to blend in and remain unnoticed. The inner part can be left white for better light reflection.

Operation and Maintenance of the System

The hidden lighting system based on the LB30 profile requires minimal maintenance. LED strips from quality manufacturers have a lifespan of 30-50,000 hours (10-15 years at 8 hours of daily operation). To ensure longevity, ventilation must be provided — the power supply must be placed in a well-ventilated area and not covered with dense materials. When using high-power strips, aluminum radiator profiles must be used.

Cleaning the profile from dust is done with a soft dry cloth or anti-static wipes every 2-3 months. Dirt is removed with a slightly damp cloth and mild detergent. Abrasives and solvents must not be used. The inner cavity with the LED strip must also be periodically cleaned from dust to maintain lighting brightness. In case of malfunction, check power supply, connection integrity, and power supply condition.

Lighting Design and Scenarios

The LB30 profile allows implementing various lighting scenarios. Bright main lighting with maximum-power white strips is used during the day and active hours. Evening mode involves reducing brightness to 50-70% and switching to warm color temperature to create a cozy atmosphere. Night mode at 5-10% brightness serves as orientation lighting. RGB lighting creates festive mood with dynamic color changes.

Color therapy uses different colors to create a specific psycho-emotional state. Blue calms and relaxes, green harmonizes and reduces eye fatigue, yellow energizes and improves mood, red activates energy. Combined scenarios with independent lighting control in different zones allow creating bright lighting in work areas and dim lighting in relaxation zones.

Economic Efficiency

The compact LB30 profile is the most cost-effective solution for organizing hidden lighting. The profile’s cost is lower than standard cornices due to reduced material usage. Installation is simplified due to its lightweight and compact size. LED lighting consumes 8-10 times less electricity than traditional lamps. LED lifespan of 30-50,000 hours means the system will operate for 10-20 years without replacing light sources, which significantly recoups initial investment.

Partnership with Hi Wood

Hi Wood, a company from South Korea, is a recognized leader in producing high-density polystyrene profiles. Over 20 years of experience, advanced technologies, and automated lines ensure unparalleled quality. Stavros is the official Hi Wood distributor in Russia, offering a full product range with authenticity guarantee. Direct deliveries ensure competitive pricing. Technical support helps select appropriate products and calculate material quantities.

The LB30 Polystyrene Hi Wood Molding is the optimal solution for creating a compact hidden lighting system, combining minimal dimensions, functionality, and affordable pricing. Special construction ensures secure LED strip placement and even light diffusion. Impact-resistant polystyrene guarantees longevity and stable parameters. Easy installation allows self-implementation of projects. Universal application makes the profile suitable for any room. Choosing Hi Wood products from Stavros ensures guaranteed quality and professional support for creating a unique lighting design.