Methods for masking wires in the wall without stripping

Органайзер под столом Периферия

The most reliable way of placing home wiring is considered to be laying in grooves. This is a difficult and time-consuming option, which is usually used for initial finishing or renovation. Home craftsmen more often use options for masking electrical wiring that do not require wall chipping.

What is gating and what are its disadvantages?

A groove is a channel or recess made in the walls specifically for laying wires. This method allows you to make the wiring completely invisible to the eye. At the same time, gating has several serious drawbacks. Cons of chipping:

  • Damage to plaster. Craftsmen rarely manage to create even channels. But even with a well-done work, it is necessary to restore the finishing layer of plaster. If you gouge the walls after the repair, then you have to spoil the finish – after it you need to completely change the wallpaper, or even the coating on the ceilings, as it happens that the gouges pass along the ceiling.
  • A lot of dust. When knocking out channels in the walls, construction dust is intensively formed, which spreads throughout the house. If the chasing is not carried out during the initial arrangement of the premises, then after it you have to make repairs again – to update the walls and ceiling.
  • Noise. The slitting is done with a perforator, which creates a loud noise that annoys neighbors even if the work is carried out during the hours permitted by law.
  • Lack of access. The wiring is hidden thoroughly, there is no free access to it. If the wires are laid in grooves, then the replacement of the wiring is possible only by laying a new wire and disconnecting the old one (from both ends).

An alternative to guttering that tightly hides the wiring is open ways of laying cables.

What to consider when choosing a wire masking?

When choosing a method of laying (masking) electrical wires, take into account their technical features and length. Please note the following restrictions:

  • it is unacceptable to lay cables along walls and along the ceiling with a great stretch;
  • it is important that there is no heavy load on the plug near the equipment, otherwise the connector may break;
  • it is forbidden to work with wires without insulation, during operation, the cable may be damaged, and its insulation is broken;
  • areas with chips, cuts and cracks must be insulated with electrical tape, or the damaged section of the cable must be replaced with a new one.

When choosing a cable laying option, consider the following points:

  • The total length and number of wires. If we are talking about one or two wires, then you can grind grooves for them or buy cable channels. If there are a lot of wires, it is easier to hide them behind drywall panels.
  • Arrangement of wires. If the routing is arranged over the ceiling, a longer wire will be required than when routing across the floor.
  • Distance to outlets. If the equipment to which the wire needs to be connected is near the outlets, it is recommended to mask it.
  • Security. If there are children or pets in the home, the wires must be arranged so that any contact with them, unintentional or deliberate, is excluded. The cable should be placed in an inaccessible place – for example, in a wall or in a special box.

Options for routing wires without gating

Often, new appliances are hooked up, leaving the wires lying on the floor or hanging from the walls. It looks ugly, spoils the interior, moreover, it creates the danger of falling equipment or a person who can stumble over the scattered wires. If a major overhaul is done in the house, then all the wires are laid in the walls – in the grooves. If the house is wooden, the wires are usually hidden in protective corrugated sleeves. You can place wires on one of the “edges” of the room – on the walls, on the floor or ceiling. Let’s take a closer look at these options.

Floor

It happens that the wiring needs to be thrown across the floor. This is easier to do than on the walls. If the gasket is carried out after repair, naturally no one wants to groove the grooves in the cement screed. We need to look for more affordable ways of styling. The best option for laying wires on the floor without guttering:

  • In special skirting boards with holes. A wide range of similar products is presented in hardware stores. The wires are laid in the plinth by removing the removable element. After laying, the “latch” is returned to its place.
  • Under the laminate. To implement this option, the slats are partially removed, under which the cable will be passed – to the very construction logs. The wire is laid in a corrugated pipe. If necessary, space is cut through the wood for the intersections of the wires.

wires under the skirting boards

Ceiling

The choice of installation on the ceiling depends on the type of ceiling covering. In residential premises and offices, they are often installed with stretch ceilings. They “eat up” the extra space, but allow you to spread up the top as required by the electrical supply scheme. There are no obstacles on the ceiling for cables and they can be laid there along the shortest path, this allows:

  • reduce costs;
  • to reduce the time of work execution;
  • reduce the total loop resistance;
  • provide a higher level of fire safety;
  • if necessary, it is easy to replace the wires.

According to fire safety requirements, cables must be covered with corrugated pipes. The same should be done with wiring laid behind stretch ceilings, in niches or plasterboard structures. It is recommended to connect all wires in one line – this will simplify future repair work. If the ceilings are concrete, you cannot do without chipping.
Ceiling wires

Walls

The cable on the wall can be laid in a decorative box – this option is especially good for large-diameter wires, since it will not work to hide them in the wall without repair. Other options for laying wires on the walls:

  • hide in door trims;
  • cover with baguettes or moldings;
  • lay on the slopes of windows.

Please note that the last three options are only suitable for low-current wires (Internet, telephone, etc.). High voltage wires must be laid in accordance with fire safety regulations.

Various ways of disguise

There are a large number of ways of laying and masking wires, which differ from each other in terms of labor intensity, aesthetics, safety and other features. The only thing that unites them is that they do not require gouging of grooves in the walls (chipping).

Corrugated hose

This rigid pipe not only protects the wires from various types of damage, but has a number of other advantages.
Corrugated hoseAdvantages of corrugated pipes:

  • flexibility – the product is easy to fit in rooms of different configurations;
  • protect wires from electromagnetic effects of various emitters;
  • protect the room from the induced electromagnetic field arising from the passage of alternating current through the wires.

A big drawback of corrugated hoses is the low aesthetics of this product. It is more suitable for technical rooms and looks extremely unnatural in living rooms. In the latter case, you have to resort to additional decoration – if the sleeve is stretched out in a conspicuous place. The corrugated pipe does not hold its shape well, therefore it will be located parallel to the floor surface, provided it is fixed on the ceiling or on the floor. Usually corrugated hoses are used when it is necessary to collect all cables in one bundle. This format is rarely used in residential premises.

Flat cable

A flat cable, which is quite simply attached to the wall, and then it is sealed with a thin layer of plaster, allows you to do without chasing.
Flat cableIn order to avoid mistakes during the work, it is recommended to sketch out a small diagram in advance – how exactly the wires will pass, where the sockets and switches will be located. The flat cable is attached to the wall using:

  • metal ties;
  • plastic dowels-clamps;
  • quick-drying plaster;
  • plastic mounting pads.

A drill is usually used to prepare the place for the fittings. When the cable is fixed, plaster is applied to the wall – 10 mm thick.

Cable channel

These are plastic boxes, mainly of rectangular cross-section, in which electrical cords are laid. One of the easiest, most convenient, reliable and safest ways to lay cables after finishing.
Cable channelCable ducts are especially often installed in the kitchen, after repairs have been made, and later this or that equipment was purchased, for example, a washing machine, air conditioner, lighting fixtures. Features of such channels:

  • you can find products of a suitable color – manufacturers produce different options;
  • easily replaced and supplemented with new branches;
  • made of non-combustible materials;
  • reliably protect electrical wiring or other wires from mechanical damage and sunlight.

It is quite difficult to choose the right color cable ducts for interiors decorated in ECO, Empire, Baroque styles. But in any case, laying in a channel is better than wires dangling along the walls. For the manufacture of duct boxes, not only plastic can be used, but also metal – galvanized steel or anodized aluminum. Possible cross-section of the box:

  • U-shaped;
  • W-shaped;
  • triangular;
  • semicircular.

Boxes to walls or floors are made using self-tapping screws, dowels, iron brackets or anchors. In addition to the solid versions, there are also flexible rubber or wire counterparts, as well as transparent channels.

Disguise in furniture

Furniture offers great opportunities for masking wires. Behind its vast surfaces, you can hide as many wires as you like.
Furniture disguiseHow to hide cables behind furniture:

  • fix on the back of the cabinet;
  • hide behind the table leg;
  • secure under the countertop;
  • hide behind a mirror, curtain, vase, large and dense plant.

Use special holders for fixing. You can use reusable plastic Velcro clips. If you are worried about ruining the surface of your furniture, use regular masking tape. The wires can be masked by attaching them to the back of a tabletop or cabinet.
The wires are hiddenApply one of the following methods:

  • On self-tapping screws. Fasteners are taken, the length of which does not exceed the thickness of the tabletop. Usually self-tapping screws 3.5×16 mm are used.
  • On double-sided tape. This is not the most reliable option, but it makes it easy to model and adjust the styling pattern.

If you do not want to perforate furniture, it is recommended to use perforated screens.

Camouflage covers

You can make a cover for masking wires with your own hands. It manages to hide several cables at once. The cover is made of polyethylene bags cut into long strips. A sleeve is crocheted out of them, into which the wires are threaded. For an extension cord with charges, knit / sew a bag of a suitable size. Some stores also sell plastic covers in the form of trees, pipes, sparkling snakes. In such structures, unlike cable channels, there are no protective properties; they simply cover the wires that spoil the aesthetics of the interior. To add decorative effect to the wires, you can also purchase a spiral braid – flexible and aesthetic. It can hide either one wire or a whole bundle of them.
Camouflage covers

Beads and colorful duct tape

With the help of beads and electrical tape, the wire can be transformed into a stylish interior detail. And it doesn’t even need to be lifted off the floor. It is enough to decorate it with a beautiful decor.
 Multicolored duct tapeSuitable wire decor:

  • large beads;
  • colored electrical tape;
  • textured twine;
  • bright threads, etc.

If the wire is thin enough, you can put large beads on it. This technique is often used by designers when creating ethnic motives. The main thing is to choose the right color of the beads. It should be in harmony with the overall color scheme of the interior.
Decorating with beadsDecorating with beads will not only give the wire a presentable look, but also prevent it from fraying. Thanks to the beads, the friction of the wire with the floor will be reduced, so it will last longer.

Installations on the wall

The wires can not be hidden anywhere, but on the contrary, they can be displayed, turning them into an independent art object. To create a “panel” you need an empty wall. One should be monochromatic, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve the desired decorative effect. Show creativity and imagination – create an unusual pattern from wires. To get a stylish installation, you need to carefully think over the contour of the drawing, otherwise the wire on the wall will look tasteless and wretched. Recommended installation options:

  • abstract images;
  • geometric figures;
  • silhouettes of houses, etc.

Installations on the wallSuch installations are inorganic in classic interiors, this solution is suitable for modern design – high-tech, loft, etc. styles. The
Decor with red wirewire is bent at a certain angle and fixed on the wall. They should be reliable, but inconspicuous. Before “drawing” a picture from wires, it is first drawn on paper – this simplifies the installation process.

Vinyl Stickers

Wall installations will look even more interesting when decorated with vinyl decals. They can decorate even a very small piece of wire. Stickers are easy and simple to stick. To keep them well, they should be applied on even and clean surfaces. There are no traces after the stickers. You can “draw” a tree with a wire, and vinyl stickers will be its leaves, flowers, the plinth will go down as the soil. Or you can make a separate branch from the wire, planting vinyl birds on it. Garlands of LEDs, colorful ribbons, feathers, etc. will help to enhance the effect.
Vinyl Stickers

Decorative holders

It happens that the room does not have a free wall to create an installation of wires, then they can be decorated with decorative holders. Structurally, they are conventional clamps and securely hold the cable.
Decorative holdersThey differ from ordinary clips only externally – they have an interesting design and various decorative elements may be present – leaves, bird figures, etc. The condition for fixing – the hole of the clips must fit the size of the cable. The holders can be replaced with decorative strips or ties – they will present the most discreet cable stretched along the wall in a favorable light. So, a cover that imitates a metal pipe will look harmonious in a loft-style living room.

Organizer

If a lot of wires are concentrated at one point, they can be put in a plastic box – an organizer. This will eliminate clutter, shorten cleaning time, and increase safety.
OrganizerThere is no need to look for any “suitable boxes”, organizers for wires and all kinds of electrical equipment can be bought in the store. These are stylish boxes made of plastic with ventilation holes and silicone legs. A variety of elements are laid inside the organizer:

  • wires;
  • network filter;
  • Charger;
  • router.

But if you wish, you can make a similar organizer on your own. For this purpose, an old shoebox or wooden bread bin will do. It is enough to make holes in them and arrange them to your liking.
Organizer under the tableA kind of organizer can be made from a cardboard shoe box. To do this, it is enough to cut out the side holes in it – for the passage of wires. Such a product is suitable for an extension cord to which many wires are connected.
From the boxAnother solution is to buy a cabinet with a built-in cable niche. Or you can allocate a whole box for wires. There you can place an extension cord and gadget chargers. This will remove cable clutter and tidy up your workplace.

Art object

Draw a simple pencil drawing on the wall. And lay the cable along the drawn outlines. This will allow you to get a picture of the wires, suitable for the design of the apartment.
Art object

Disguise behind flowers

The cable is attached to the wall with some kind of clamps. Preferably discreet, transparent. And along the lines of the wiring, hinged flower stands are installed. Ampelous plants are planted in them – hanging and climbing. If you do not want to deal with flowers, you can replace them with artificial counterparts.
Disguise behind flowers

Masking wires from lamps

Indoor spot lighting is now becoming popular. At the same time, long wires stretch from the hanging lamps, which spoil the aesthetics of the room. The cords are hidden behind special panels that can be purchased in any building area. Manufacturers offer products of various shapes and colors – you can choose them for the interior of the room.
Behind special panels

Safety – how to hide wires from a child?

Free wires are a constant source of danger for young children. To prevent accidents, manufacturers offer a variety of protective elements – they exclude the child’s contact with conductive parts of the wiring. There are manufacturers who offer whole series of safety elements:

  • clamps that are difficult to break;
  • boxes – wooden, plastic, cardboard;
  • case bags for extension boxes.

All items that pose a danger to children are placed in boxes that are placed in places inaccessible to them.

Useful Tips

Laying and masking wires in an open way takes much less time and effort than installation with punching strobes. But here, too, there are a number of points that you should pay attention to when laying cables without stripping. Tips from experts:

  • Label all wires in advance. In order not to get confused when performing camouflage work. This will subsequently help you quickly and correctly find the right cable.
  • Separate wiring – low-power and power, from each other. Do not bundle together.
  • Place the wires from the Internet and antennas separately from all others. So that there is no stray interference and the signal quality does not deteriorate.
  • Strive to keep the cable as short as possible. And a minimum of connections – this makes them safer, reduces the risk of injury.
  • It happens that the braid of the cables hidden in one way or another gets worn out. In case of an unfortunate location. Therefore, wires in high-risk areas should be checked as often as possible.

Video about the installation of a cable channel for protecting wires:
There are dozens of masking methods that allow you to beautifully and safely lay wires for various purposes, including electrical cables. When choosing a method of installation, focus not only on the aesthetic result, but also on the convenience, safety and technical features of the wires.

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