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Now there are 3 kinds of waterproof material for LED strip lights in the market: silicon glue, PU glue and epoxy resin glue. What is the difference between these 3 kinds of LED strips? Which waterproof material for strip lights is better? In this guide, we compare them in detail so you can make the right choice for your project.
1. Why Waterproofing Matters for LED Strips
Many LED strip installations are exposed to moisture. Kitchen splash zones, bathroom mirrors, outdoor signs, garden paths and pool areas all need protection against humidity and water. Without proper waterproofing, moisture can reach the PCB and cause short circuits, dimming or a complete failure.
Waterproofing is done by covering the strip with a protective material. The choice of material decides how well the strip resists water, how long it lasts, how it handles heat and even how it behaves in cold weather. That is why the material matters just as much as the LED chips themselves.
To see where waterproof strips are commonly used, read our guide to LED strip lights in displays and light boxes.
Lightstec pro tip: Match the waterproof level to the environment: IP20 for dry indoor spots, IP65 for outdoor signs and wet areas, IP67 for places that may be briefly submerged.
2. Epoxy Resin Glue LED Strips
Epoxy resin glue is a very low price material. It saves cost, so epoxy resin glue is used in many products, just like waterproof wall washers and underwater lamps. It is also used in some low-request LED strip lights, because some markets need very low price items.
But epoxy resin glue for LED strip lights has some problems:
- ✗Poor heat dissipation – the strip cannot run for a long time normally, and problems often appear within about 1 year.
- ✗Easy to turn yellow – normally within 6 months, which reduces brightness and looks bad.
- ✗Poor weather ability – if the temperature is below 0℃, the epoxy strip becomes very hard and cannot bend, so it cannot be used in winter in some northern areas.
Lightstec pro tip: Epoxy strips may look attractive on price, but factor in the risk of yellowing and early failure. For outdoor or long-life projects, they are rarely the economical choice in the long run.
3. PU Glue LED Strips
PU glue is better than epoxy resin glue. PU glue does not turn yellow easily, and it performs better than epoxy at low temperatures. The price is a little higher than epoxy glue.
However, PU is not environmental protection. Sometimes workers feel not good with PU during production, and it is not good for people’s health. If you care about sustainability and safety in the production process, PU may not be your first choice.
Lightstec pro tip: PU sits between epoxy and silicon in both price and performance. It is a reasonable mid-range option, but it still cannot match silicon on health and environmental standards.
4. Silicon Glue LED Strips
All Lightstec LED strip lights use silicon glue for waterproofing, including IP55 waterproof LED strip lights, IP65 silicon tube waterproof LED strip lights and IP67 silicon glue waterproof LED strip lights.
Silicon glue is an environmental protection material. It does not turn yellow easily. It can be used in an environment temperature from -20℃ to 50℃, and it is good for heat dissipation. Today, high quality waterproof LED strips are all using silicon glue.
Because silicon is soft and flexible, the strip keeps its bendability even in cold weather, making it suitable for tight corners and outdoor installations. Its good heat transfer also helps the LEDs run cooler and last longer.
Lightstec pro tip: For any project where the strip will face moisture, cold or long operating hours, choose silicon-glue waterproofing — it is the safest long-term investment.
5. Waterproof Materials Comparison
Here is a quick summary of how the three waterproof materials compare:
| Feature | Epoxy Resin Glue | PU Glue | Silicon Glue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Lowest | Medium | Higher |
| Yellowing | Within ~6 months | Not easy | Not easy |
| Heat dissipation | Poor | Good | Excellent |
| Low temperature | Hard below 0℃ | Good | -20℃ ~ 50℃ |
| Environment friendly | Fair | Poor | Excellent |
| Lifespan | Short (~1 year) | Medium | Long |
6. Conclusion & Recommendation
From the comparison above, we know that silicon glue is the best glue for LED strip light waterproofing. It combines environmental protection, good heat dissipation, wide temperature tolerance and long life in one solution.
For quality and reliability, Lightstec offers high quality silicon waterproof LED strip lights. You can check some of them in our product range below, and our team is happy to help you choose the right waterproof level for your application.
When you plan your lighting project, also remember to choose the right power supply so your waterproof strips run safely and steadily.
Lightstec pro tip: Never judge waterproof strips by price alone. Look at the waterproof material, the IP rating and the manufacturer’s quality control — these decide how long your lighting really lasts.
Waterproof LED Strip FAQs
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Lightstec is a quality LED strip light manufacturer in China. All our strips use silicon waterproofing, and we welcome clients all over the world.
About Author
JerryHu
Founder of Lightstec.Engineering degree.More than 13 years working experience in led lighting business.Familiar with producing led lighting products.This blog share you knowledge and solution in led lighting.Welcome sourcing led lights from China.
Learn More Professional Led Classes Which Less People Tell You Before You Make Mistake.
We have met at the HK Led Lighting Fair.
I am interested in your products.
Please send me your skype id so we can discuss the products in detail.
You can also add me on Yash.doshi21
Hi Yash, i will send you our catalog via [email protected]
I’m Al-Asiri from Saudi Arabia I have a Foundation and I work in electric lighting trade wholesale and retail and I’m interested in all the colorful lighting , I was very impressed your production after download your catalogue and I want to deal with you If your prices is right for me .
Please sent me price for following sets.
Non-waterproof SMD5050 DC12/24V 30led/m yellow PCB width:10mm 5m/roll
waterproof SMD5050 DC12/24V 30led/m yellow PCB width:10mm 5m/roll
Non-waterproof SMD5050 DC12/24V 60led/m yellow PCB width:10mm 5m/roll
waterproof SMD5050 DC12/24V 60led/m yellow PCB width:10mm 5m/roll
Non-waterproof SMD3528 DCV 30led/m yellow PCB width:8mm 5m/roll
waterproof SMD3528 DC12/24V 30led/m yellow PCB width:8mm 5m/roll
Non-waterproof SMD3528 DC12/24V 60led/m yellow PCB width:8mm 5m/roll
waterproof SMD3528 DC12/24V 60led/m yellow PCB width:8mm 5m/roll
Hi Al-asira,Welcome sample order.
For this sample order, our sales team will contact with you for details.
Let’s check your mail. Thanks.
we need led strip light in quantity regularly, can you please provide your skype id so we can discuss further.
Hi Karan,Welcome.
And I will send you catalog and price by mail
I have used epoxy led strip light before,price is cheap,of course as you saide,the color will change few months.And easy damage.some client need cheap products.But I would like the silicon product.quality is ok. Hope your price is ok…
Hi Boy,we just share our experience.we give quality products to our client.We don’t want because of quality to loss client.And of course,our factory price is ok. I will send you . you can check.
I am using DC12V led strip light and DC24V led strip light big quantity every month. Send me your price.
Hi Sir,you are good business. Our sales man will contact with you!
We have use epoxy glue led stirp light few years before.It is easy damage.
Now we are using silicon led strip light.It is very good quality.No problem
Hi Betty,You are professional.Hope our good quality led strip light can win your clients.
Hallo Jerry
ich habe eine reine neugier Frage… müssen LED strips wasserdicht sein um diese in Epoxidharz zu versenken?
Danke vorab und viele Grüße
Toby
send your request to our sales mail.