Insight
Outdoor LED Weatherproofing: IP Ratings, Salt Air, and Sun Exposure
Published February 1, 2026
Why an IP65/IP68 rated screen matters for poolside, oceanfront, and patio installations.
The single most-asked question about outdoor LED: 'Will it survive?' The honest answer is — yes, if it's specced correctly. Here's how to read the spec sheet.
Reading IP ratings
IP65 means complete protection from dust + protection from water jets from any direction. IP68 adds full submersion protection. Outdoor LED needs IP65 minimum on the front face; IP65–68 on the rear enclosure.
Salt air
Salt accelerates corrosion of every metal surface. Beach and bluff installs require marine-grade stainless mounting hardware, conformal-coated PCBs, and ideally DMS-class encapsulation.
Sun exposure
UV degrades cheap encapsulation. Quality GOB/COB modules use UV-stable epoxies rated for 100,000 hours of direct exposure. Cheap modules yellow within 18 months.
Heat
LED panels generate heat; a passively-cooled outdoor enclosure relies on convection. We design 4-inch standoff from the mounting surface for airflow on every install.