Extrusions are materials that have been formed to produce a specific cross-sectional profile. LED extrusions can be made from metal, such as aluminum, that has been heated and forced through a die to create a specified shape and profile.

These types of extrusions can then be used to attach LED lighting and provide an elegant and convenient means of placing lighting elements as well as having other advantages such as dissipating the heat that LED lighting produces.

Extrusions can be made in a wide variety of shapes and profiles and have been used to attach LED light tapes in cabinets, stairs, closets, floors and walls, among many other applications. Extrusions can be created specifically to fit the shape of the LED light and enable a designer to easily place LED lights exactly where they are required without the need of larger, more obtrusive, traditional light fixtures. Architects and lighting designers use extruded fixtures and enclosures to create specific design effects in finish and color that offer high structural integrity.

LED lighting is popular because it is highly energy efficient. It consumes only a quarter of the energy that is required by an incandescent bulb to provide a comparable level of lighting. In addition it provides a better quality of light and has lower maintenance costs because LED bulbs have a much longer life span.

The heat generated by LED lighting, however, is higher than traditional bulbs and thermal management can be a problem since it can affect the life span of the LED as well as the quality of light over time. While extrusions can be made from a wide range of metals, manufacturers have found that aluminium offers the best trade-off in terms of cost and heat dissipation to deal with this problem. While LED lighting mounting elements can also be made by die casting methods it has been found that extrusions are 50% more effective because they provide a higher level of conductivity.

Because extrusions can be created in a wide variety of shapes and profiles they can be used for mounting LED lights in a wide variety of applications including in interior design (stairs, bookcases, ceiling lighting and so on), advertising boards, exhibits and industrial lighting applications. The ability of extrusions to conduct heat away from the LED lighting and their versatility makes them the best choice for LED lighting applications.