Track lighting is a remarkably versatile and adaptable lighting option for your home, but it’s also what many people call ‘practical’, which means it’s certainly not very fun or sexy. According to some, it even makes you feel like you’ve stepped back into the 1980s (which can be seen as a good thing, depending on who you are).
On the other hand, track lighting is enjoying a resurgence due to its versatility and simplicity. So what do you need to know about this essential lighting element?
An overview of the history of track lighting
Lightolier – now a branch of Signify (née Philips) – introduced track lighting in the early 1960s, developed by Anthony C. Donato. Recognising the potential of track lighting, other designers and companies adopted Donato’s concept and built on it. In the 1970s, track lighting was updated and improved several times, with different types of track and lamps available.
This variety of products, combined with the versatility of its design, made track lighting a mainstay of interior design, and made it the lighting of choice in the 1980s. The trend continued into the 1990s and 2000s and is now making a strong comeback.
The benefits of track lighting
Track lighting has a negative reputation due to its meteoric rise to popularity. People quickly tire of seeing something everywhere, but track lighting has stood the test of time thanks to its adaptable and changeable nature – it can be easily updated to reflect current trends and give a more modern look that suits your style.
Let’s take a closer look at some of its best features:
- Installation is simple.
- Customisable: track lighting can be adjusted to suit the layout and length of any room.
- Efficient in terms of energy consumption
- Economical in terms of costs
- Simple to adjust, it offers long-term flexibility that other types of lighting can’t match, including: Ability to add and remove lighting fixtures as required – as long as the total wattage does not exceed the maximum track wattage. You can change the heads to reflect a change of style in your home, update the look of your track lighting system, or better suit your needs, as long as they are compatible (which usually means they are made by the same manufacturer). Depending on changes in furniture, artwork, room design or fantasy, lamps can be easily adjusted to suit the lighting.
Or use track lighting?
Track lighting is useful in many areas of the home because it’s so adaptable, but it’s particularly effective in the following cases:
kitchens, entrance halls and living rooms
art galleries
home offices.
It’s ideal for: Due to the adjustable directional lighting and range of bulb models available, it’s ideal for:
displaying works of art
Collections, awards and antiques are highlighted.
Lighting workstations
Creating an overall atmosphere, especially when used in conjunction with task lighting and accent lights.
Track lighting components
To design your lighting system, you’ll need to choose from a few distinct components:
1. The head
2. The track
3. The bulb
1. The head (also known as a luminaire or lamp)
The head of the track lighting system is the moving element that contains the bulb. They are available in a variety of styles, including:
Gimbal with round back pinhole
The best way to start your search for the ideal track lighting system is to determine the head design you want. While there are some exceptions, heads aren’t universally interchangeable from manufacturer to manufacturer and track type to track type, so start by looking for a track and brand that offers the most head types you prefer. If you decide to change the look later, this will give you the most freedom.
Here are some tips to remember:
Personal choice, lighting requirements and what you light all influence the distance between heads. If you’re not sure, start with a foot space between each fixture and gradually increase. If you change your mind or want to add lamps, you can always change them later.
The maximum number of heads that can be used on a single track is determined by the wattage each track can handle. As LED luminaires are more energy efficient and therefore consume less energy, a single track can accommodate a greater number of heads.
You can mix and match different types of heads to suit different types of work or create distinct zones and moods in the room, as long as they are all compatible with the track (for example, a J head can be coupled to a J track but not an H track).
2. Tracks
The track is the ceiling or wall mounted component of a track lighting system. They are available in a wide range of colours and finishes, making it easy to choose the right look for your home.
The track is connected to a power supply that runs the length of the track. The inside of the track has a copper strip that carries electricity to both sides, allowing you to add lights where you want them along the track.
You should call in an electrician if you’re unsure about the installation or if you want to install more complex or bespoke track lighting systems, such as those that need to be cut to size or spliced together.
You will need the following to install your track system:
A diagram of how your track lighting system will be installed. Consult a lighting designer or electrician if the project is more complicated than a simple straight track.
Depending on the layout you have chosen, the correct number of track sections. Single circuit rail sections are supplied in two inch increments and can be cut and linked together using connectors.
Power source. Depending on the style and layout of your track lighting, you’ll need to choose a power supply.
Follow the connectors to get the layout you want. There are a variety of track connectors to help you achieve the look you want. For example, if you want a 90° angle in the mix, left and right feed connectors are used to feed the rail.
3. Use of bulbs
While most varieties of track lighting use reflector, dichroic or GU10 bulbs, the type of bulb you can use depends on the type of head(s) you choose, so check before you buy.
If your track light has pendant heads, you may want to look for something that will offer visual interest, especially if the pendants are bare bulb pendants. Because of their attractive appearance and unusual design, carbon filament or Edison bulbs are a popular choice for visible bulbs:
Conclusion
For good reason, track lighting has been around for a long time. Its simple installation, endless configuration choices and wide range of lamp designs and track finishes make it easy to integrate into the aesthetics of any home.