Track Lighting Decor Application

Track lighting can be used to solve many of your home decor problems. Track systems are an attractive alternative to ceiling clutter when many points of light are needed. There is an enormous selection for track fixture heads styles and designs to choose from.

It has the flexibility that can utilize areas economically and attractively. Achieving dramatic spot illumination along the perimeters of your room. Standard track has a simple and reliable installation. With numerous combinations and mounting options that enable them to perform beyond expectations, solving a limitless array of challenges.

By coloring the walls with illumination not only opens up the area, it emphasizies focal points to add visual interest. You can use it not only to highlight pictures or wall hangings, but to give your rooms an ambient illumination by using layering techniques.

Track can be used to center a chandelier over your table or other areas where more illumination is needed. Over islands you can hang a series of pendants and/or track fixtures by using one power source. You can still add additional track fixtures giving more illumination to the area or focal points. Chandeliers up to 25 pounds can be hung on a suspension loop, which provides hot wiring to the fixture powered from the track.

When using for general illumination be careful not to create shadows on walls and ceilings. By focusing on collectibles along the perimeters of a room you can contribute to the general illumination of the area. Uniform illumination of walls makes hallways feel wider and will call attention to wall hangings or objects of interest. By focusing on an object at the end of a long hallway will give a feeling of destination.

When illuminating flat art work and pictures use a 30 degree angle eliminating glare from bouncing into viewers eyes and prevent casting shadows from anyone standing between the track head and picture. To bring out artwork and photos do not place them near a table or floor with a shade. The shade tends to give a soft yellow glow. Instead by using track to accent, that will enhance and brighten with a crisp white illumination.

By hanging pictures two to three inches higher than eye level, you will draw the eye upward, then using indirect illumination to illuminate the ceiling it will help to enlarge the room.

To prevent creating unnatural and unpleasent facial shadows avoid placing track fixtures directly down over a persons head. Illuminating from a diffused source such as wall sconces or lamps can fill in and compliment the area to reduce glare.

Track fixtures should be placed on either side of the task to minimize ceiling reflections and glare. On countertops place the track between the cabinet face and the front edge of the counter to avoid having the person standing in their own shadows. Where ever you place track be sure to check for clearances of cabinets, doors or furniture.

It's not wise to use standard A incandescent bulbs in your track fixtures. The light and heat will get trapped inside, over heating the sockets and creating an early replacement of socket and/or fixture. Using standard A incandescent bulb will also produce irregular round beam shapes and create shadows. Instead use indoor reflector or halogen PAR bulbs. Be sure to check track fixtures for recommendations for type and maximum wattages.

Track fixtures can be dropped to help create a unique consistent illumination. Use for rotating and highlighting, maximizing the light for greater potential by intergrating one or more fixtures.

It is important to consider track from a standpoint of illumination, design, and light beam. Illuminating an object must be a minimum of three times brighter than its surrounding area for the object to be perceived as being illuminated. Five to one is generally preferred and contrasts of twenty to one for a more dramatic effects.

Perimeter lighting creates focal points and helps establish visual ambience. This greatly influences the over all perception of the space. Wall wash with combinations of spotlights to create the optimum visual impact and energy efficiency.

Low voltage fixtures are widely used to create a dramatic accent illumination. Low voltage bulbs are available in a wide variety of precise beam patterns from pinspots to floods. By combining lens accessories one can aquire an endless range of exacting effects. The pinspot source and white light characteristics of low voltage bulbs gives color and dimension to objects with exceptional clarity. With their tiny filaments low voltage bulbs are excellent choices for small scale applications. They are less obtrusive and intergrate into great home design options. Low voltage bulbs produce lower heat levels and more usable accent lighting per wattage of energy as compared to the line voltage styles.

Being miniature in size they can be placed closer to objects being illuminated, using less wattage to create the desired effect. They have a double reflector coating that allows infrared energy to pass out the back of the bulb. This projects a more visible light forward and reduces the heat projection on objects.

Dimming is another great way to add drama to the area. Using dimmers whenever possible increases life of your bulbs. Design your systems to insulate the bulbs as much as possible from the effects of shock and vibration, which will also save the life of your bulbs.

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