Shape Your Track Light Ceiling to Match Your Home’s Style
Shape Your Track Light Ceiling to Match Your Home’s Style
Track lights sit close to the ceiling out of the way but offer more directional lighting than a traditional ceiling fixture. They come in many different shapes and sizes to suit the design of a room.
Shut off power to switch-equipped outlets at the service panel before performing electrical wiring. Check that the grooves on each track light base that house the polarity lines that carry electricity line up with those on the track.
Flexibility
You can shape your track light ceiling to highlight or frame a specific painting, establish a track light ceiling reading nook or create an inviting gathering space for family and friends. Unlike ceiling fans, recessed lighting or other options that offer limited flexibility in positioning, a track light is hardwired to the power supply and can be moved at the flick of a switch.
Most people think of a strip of lights that move independently along a metal track when they imagine a track light ceiling, and this is accurate for some systems. But there are other types of track lighting that can provide more design variety.
One example is monorail track lighting. While it isn’t the conventional fixture choice for most track lighting, a monorail system features flexible rails that can be adjusted into curved or circular shapes, providing more creative freedom.
Some of these variations also come with various adapters to help you get the most functionality out of your track light. For instance, some track heads can be fitted with an accessory called a framing projector. These accessories enable you to direct the track head beam in a square or rectangular area that fits the shape and size of your artwork, allowing you to more fully illuminate your piece without washing it with general room light. Other lens accessories, like frosted, clear and spread lenses, give you further control over the way your art is lit.
Aesthetics
The aesthetics of a home’s lighting play an important role in determining its overall appearance and creating the desired ambiance. Whether homeowners want their homes to look bright and airy or warm and cozy, the right type of lighting will make a difference. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from that are sure to complement any style. One option that is gaining popularity among homeowners is track lighting.
Unlike traditional ceiling lights, which can be clunky and bulky, track lighting is sleek and elegant in appearance. The fixtures are made of high-quality materials and come in a range of finishes. They can be mounted on walls, sloped ceilings, or even installed as recessed lighting. Most importantly, they are easily customizable. This means that homeowners can change the heads on their tracks to point in different directions, thereby creating unique moods in their rooms.
Aside from its flexibility, track lighting can also help highlight artwork. By positioning the fixtures correctly, you can light your paintings so that they appear three times brighter than the rest of the room. Moreover, by using a cooler color temperature bulb, you can create an effect that mimics natural daylight and makes the colors of your paintings stand out.
Another great feature of track lighting is that you can add or subtract light fixtures as needed — provided they are compatible with the system and stay under the maximum wattage limit. You can also add beam elongating and spread lens accessories to further customize the functionality of your track lighting.
Energy Efficiency
As an alternative to more traditional lighting methods, such as recessed or drop ceiling lights, track lighting offers powerful and flexible options that can be adjusted to fit your personal preferences. Track lights are also extremely energy efficient and help to lower your electric bills. They utilize LED light bulbs, which generate less heat and convert more electrical energy into visible light. They also last much longer than standard incandescent or halogen bulbs.
Unlike traditional lamps, which connect to sockets, track lighting fixtures connect to electrified tracks. Each fixture has a metal base that led recessed downlight contacts designated grooves on the electrified track and is powered by that circuit. This method of connecting lights eliminates the need to run electrical wiring from each individual light position and makes rewiring a room much easier.
A common choice is a straight track system that can be secured to ceilings with screws or lengthwise across beams and joists. Another option is a monorail, which has physically flexible rails that can be curved in “L” or “T” patterns and suspended from the ceiling by standoffs. There are also two-circuit monorail systems that allow track lights to be connected to separate circuits, which allows you to create a more individualized lighting plan.
You can even create a customized look by painting the track itself in the color of your choosing. For example, you might choose a white or gray paint to match your interior design, or you could use a bold color to add a pop of color to your space.
Maintenance
Most people mount track lighting in the ceiling, but it can also be mounted on a wall depending on the weight of the system and manufacturer instructions. During installation, it is important to plan the layout and direction of the lights, and to use a level or laser to ensure that the tracks are properly aligned. A lighting professional can assist with this process if needed. It is also important to choose the right type of light bulbs, as this will affect the color temperature and brightness of the light.
When working with electricity, it is important to follow all safety precautions and to have a qualified electrician do the wiring for you. The wiring for a track light is the same as that of any other fixture, but it is important to use the same brand and model of track and parts to avoid mismatched connections and electrical problems.
If you notice that a track light isn’t working, turn off the power at the circuit breaker, remove the cover from the junction box and inspect the wiring terminal. If the connector isn’t firmly attached, gently pry the contact arm from the fixture can to expose the wires and re-twist the connection. If the socket isn’t working, replace it with a new one. Regular cleaning of ceiling track lights, canister lights and sconces with a feather or polywool duster helps keep them looking their best.