7 tips for hiding wires in an apartment

The modern home is literally crowded with electrical appliances. They make our life easier and more comfortable, but at the same time a huge number of wires carries a mortal danger for children and pets, in addition, a ball of wires causes difficulties in cleaning, interferes and spoils the visual appearance of the room.

Of course, the best option to hide all the wires is to determine all points of electrical appliances before the repair, calculate wiring diagrams and hide them in the walls or behind drywall. But this is not always appropriate, therefore, we consider simpler, cheaper and quite effective methods for solving this issue.

1. Decorative box

The easiest way to hide the wires in a decorative box, which is also called cable channel. Such a channel is closed, meets fire safety standards and can fit into any interior. Today, there is a huge variety of cable channels made of various materials (plastic, metal and metal plastic), and various configurations.

Despite all their advantages, there are some limitations - This is a considerable cost and installation that requires certain skills.

Due to the huge variety of forms and types of this design, it is impossible to follow a single installation algorithm. In each case there will be subtleties. But you can give some general recommendations.

Determining the size of the cable channel

When choosing a cable channel, the first thing you need to decide with his dimensions. To do this, it is enough to estimate the volume of wires that need to be hidden, and determine the size from the calculation that when laying, the wires should lie freely.

The volume of the cable channel’s space filled with wires is the standard value that is prescribed in the equipment installation rules and amounts to 1/3 of the box volume. This is necessary for ease of installation and operation of the cable channel.

Varieties of cable channels

Boxes for wires have a huge variety of types, the main criterion for their classification is the location of the cable channel on the surface. The configuration and method of fastening depend on this condition.

Depending on the location of the wire, the cable channels are:

• wall mounted;
• floor;
• baseboards;
• angular;
• outboard.

To determine the type of box needed, you need to choose a location that should be convenient, safe and aesthetically pleasing. Most often, skirting or ceiling boxes are installed, as they are less noticeable and easily fit into any interior.

Let us consider in more detail what characteristics each type of such box has.

Skirting Boxes

Most demanded, as they are installed instead skirting boards, do not interfere underfoot and are not noticeable in any interior. In addition, there are any accessories for skirting cable channels (corners, turns, tees), which allows you to lay the wires as you like.

In the manufacture of skirting cable channels use materials resistant to mechanical damage and fire. This affects the cost of boxes, which is their main drawback.

Parapet systems

The word "parapet" in the title already speaks for itself.Such channels are located at a height of 80 to 100 cm from the floor, and in their structure resemble baseboards, only wider and not so deep.

As well as for skirting boards, for parapets, fittings are made for more convenient installation: lining, adapters, corners, plugs.

The parapet system is very visible on the walls, so it has become more widespread in public areas (hospitals, offices, etc.). In residential apartments, they apply only if appropriate by style decision or at the insistence of the owner.

Mini cable channel

Such a system is a U-shaped tray, which is closed with a tight or flexible lid with a lock. Depending on the size, the cross section of such boxes can be rectangular or square. The size range is very wide.

For a small number of thin wires, solid cast mini channels are used. In such a system, instead of a removable cover, one of the sides of the channel opens, which is also locked. The dimensions of the solid channel in height and width do not exceed 20-25 mm.

Accessories in mini-channels are presented in a more expensive segment. For budget mini-channels, accessories are not produced. In order to connect several such systems at an angle, a part of the sidewall is gently cut.

Mini channels can be attached to the surface as screws and dowels, and double-sided tape. This is very convenient when you need to hold wires on furniture.

Floor cable systems

The main features of the floor system are the rounded shape of the channel (so as not to cling to it with your feet) and more durable material. Such channels are made, as a rule, of aluminum and its alloys, as well as of durable plastic.

It is very convenient to use the floor cable channel in the case when the wire should pass through the doorway. In this case, the floor channel is laid in the doorway, which greatly simplifies and reduces the wired path.

Very often, such a system is used in offices where workplaces are far from walls and baseboards.

Corner Cable Channel

Channels of this format are very convenient to install in order to conduct wires in the corner. It is a triangular box, which is closed by a lid on the lock. The corner channel cover can be plain and transparent. This is very convenient, in order to provide additional illumination by laying in the boxes led strip.

Track length and number of channel segments

In order to determine the number of segments of the cable channel, it is necessary to consider the rational arrangement of the wires, measure the entire length of their route and divide by the size of one segment, the standard length of which is 2 m. It should be noted that the designer cable channels have non-standard sizes. Therefore, it is necessary to refine the parameters in order to correctly calculate the number of channel sectors.

It should also be borne in mind that during installation, some part of the channel segments may break, so you should always take with a margin of at least one section (2 m).

Hardware

When choosing a cable channel, be sure to pay attention to whether there are accessories (plugs, joints, corners, tees) and wiring accessories (sockets, switchesjunction boxes). They will greatly facilitate the installation of the box and its operation.

Box fixing options

Cable channels are mounted on self-tapping screws or on double-sided tape. Both methods are universal, but there are some recommendations.

Fastening with screws

This type of fastener is durable, reliable and is used for any surfaces. The exception is drywall and foam block. For these materials there are their fasteners.

For plastic products, it is necessary to select dowels and screws with a large-diameter cap so that they do not damage the material of the box body.In the event that there are no such screws, during installation, you can put a wide washer under their hat.

The number of attachment points depends on the surface. The main requirement is a tight fit of the box. Therefore, if it is perfectly even, three points of contact will suffice: along the edges of the section and one in the middle. The more irregularities, the more contact points are necessary so that the tray does not move away from the surface.

Installation of the cable channel using self-tapping screws is as follows:

1. Cable channels are applied to the wall and the required number of connection points is determined.
2. Attachment points on the tray are marked.
3. On the channel in the required places, holes are drilled with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the screws.
4. The tray is applied to the wall and pencil marks the places where you need to make holes.
5. Holes are drilled, then plastic plugs are installed in them, into which screws are then screwed.

In order not to spoil the surface, you can use double-sided tape for installation.

Double-sided tape mount

Adhesive tape is used when the surface is fairly flat and dustless, otherwise it will peel off and will not provide good fixation. In order for it to grip well, it is recommended to degrease the surface with alcohol before installation.

Choosing adhesive tape is on a foam basis. Then the requirements for a smooth surface will be slightly lower due to the fact that such a base will compensate for small irregularities.

Cable channel quality

In order to choose a high-quality box for wires, first of all, you need to pay attention to the quality of the plastic casting and the lock. Make sure that the walls of the box are not too thin, and the whole structure holds its shape well.

A channel quality indicator is a well-closing lock. But it should open relatively easily with your hands, without additional devices. Locks are of two types: single and double. The first type of lock is always easier to open, but if you have to lay a large number of wires, it may not withstand the load.

A double lock is more reliable, but it opens much more difficult. However, at higher temperatures it will be easier to handle. Most often, preference is given to locks of the second type, since they are more reliable.

To check the quality of the cable channel, just open and close the lock several times. The box should keep its shape and not crack. In this case, the quality is good.

The advantages of cable channels are undeniable. They are reliable, easy to install, wire replacement is very easy to carry out, various wires can be laid by current strength, for this there are necessary partitions inside the channel. The only drawback is the high cost.

2. Shoe box

Everyone is familiar with the situation when a huge number of charges are connected to one extension cord. In this case, an ordinary shoe box is very convenient in which an extension cord is placed and the required number of holes for wires is made. Thus, the wires will be protected from dust and will be in perfect order, while maintaining an aesthetic appearance.

Such a device is also manufactured in industrial conditions. It is a plastic box with a rubberized bottom, at the bottom of which there is an extension cord, on top there are holes for outputting wires, and inside there are several holders for winding strongly long wires on them. This protection can be placed on the floor or mounted on the wall.

3. Hide the wires at the table

A great option if you need to tidy up the computer wires. For this method, stock up with screws and ordinary stationery clips. In order not to spoil the surface of the desktop, the screws should be at least 1/4 less than its thickness. To begin with, we choose the attachment point of the extension cord. It should be located in the place of accessibility of all necessary wires. Then we fix it at the bottom of the countertop.To do this, it is very convenient to use a wide textile adhesive tape. It is screwed to the countertop with screws, and then an extension cord is attached to it.

After that, several holders are screwed to the countertop. Then we include the wires in the extension cord and collect them with binders in several places. To ensure that the wires do not hang, use special cable channels. They can be purchased at any building materials store. Thus, we bring the workplace in full order. Immediately becomes much cleaner and more accurate.

4. Staples and ties

If there are not so many wires, it is much more advisable to attach them with a construction stapler or ties to the table leg or to other surfaces. For thick cables use special brackets.

5. Organization of wire storage

To ensure that wires that are not used constantly are in order, not lost, you can organize an organizer for their storage. To do this, select the box that is necessary in size, divide it with cardboard partitions for each wire and sign the cells.

As cells you can use:

• bushings for toilet paper;
• plastic glasses;
• ordinary stationery clips;

A great idea for storing wires is fabric envelopes and pockets.

6. Wires as decor

The modern interior allows external wiring. And from the wire you can lay out an interesting sketch or decorate it, for example, by planting a bird on it. Of course, one should be careful with such methods if there are children or pets in the house.

7. Decorative items from building stores

In construction stores, especially in the garden department, there are a huge number of decorative elements that can not be used for their intended purpose. For example, a small decorative fence will perfectly close the cable running along the floor along the wall and will act as an unusual element of the room’s interior.

As you can see, to hide the wires is not a big deal and significant investment. It can be even very interesting and will help to bring some zest to your interior. Do this for the sake of the health of your loved ones and the creation of comfort and coziness in the house.