You’re our first priority.
Every time.
Vermontpressbureau.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Track lighting is a type of indirect illumination, typically installed in offices and other commercial spaces. Track lights are mounted to the ceiling or wall and are often encased in decorative metal housings that can be positioned anywhere along the track. They can be used individually or combined with other types of lamps for an even broader range of light effects.
The track lighting system comes with a metal surface that is mounted to the ceiling or wall, known as the track. The track is connected to a power source and can be extended however long you need it to be. There are numerous options available types of tracking lighting.
Halogen Track Lights
Halogen track lights are the most commonly used type of track lighting. These fixtures have an incandescent bulb with a halogen capsule, which provides higher lumen output than standard bulbs at a lower wattage. This allows for more lumens per watt than other bulb options.
Halogen track lights can be installed in wall or ceiling tracks and are typically used in commercial applications that require high-quality lighting with a longer life span.
Like other track lights, halogen models are available in a variety of styles and finishes to complement the surrounding décor.
LED Track Lights
LED track lights operate on small, low-voltage DC units. This is great for people who have to track the amount of energy their lighting uses carefully. LED lights are known for using up to eighty percent less electricity than other types of bulbs.
One major drawback to LED track lighting is that the light they produce tends toward a blue-green spectrum. This is not true of all LED lights, but it's a good idea to sample them before you buy if that's an important feature for your space.
LED lighting is typically used in residential settings, but they are also gaining popularity for commercial spaces. They are ideal for areas with a lot of moisture, because LEDs don't create any heat.
Floodlights
A floodlight track light has the ability to produce broad area illumination as well as narrow spot lighting. They are typically mounted near the ceiling and aimed down onto a targeted area.
Floodlights are often used in kitchens or dining areas, where they can be aimed at the area where food preparation takes place. This type of track lighting is also great for illuminating large, open floor plans.
Floodlights are often used in combination with uplights, which is a track light that is mounted on the ceiling above and pointed down at an angle. Uplights usually use linear lighting modules that offer directional illumination.
Fluorescent Track Lights
Fluorescent track lights are the least expensive type of lighting on the market. These fixtures have a long life span and T5 fluorescent bulbs, which produce more light per watt than other types of bulbs.
Fluorescent track lights are often used in offices or warehouses that need low-cost, high-quality lighting for a wide variety of purposes.
The biggest disadvantage of these fixtures is that they emit a large amount of heat. They are also one of the noisiest types of lights available, making them unsuitable for homes with kids or pets.
Fluorescent track lights come in a variety of sizes. Some are designed to sit on the floor while others can be mounted on a wall.
Because fluorescent track lights contain fluorescent bulbs, the light they produce is very white. These bulbs are also ideal for highlighting items that need to be seen clearly because the light produced by these fixtures does not distort colors like incandescent bulbs can.
Because of the additional parts required, fluorescent track lights often cost more than other types of lighting fixtures. In order to make most out of your investment, make sure to choose the right type of fixture.
Low-voltage Track Lights
Low-voltage track lights have a lamp that plugs into the wall and then has a wire coming out of it that is connected to an LED or fluorescent tube. The tubes can be suspended from the ceiling, placed on the floor, or attached directly to the wall. This type of lighting is often used in basements or other areas that will be repainted frequently.
Low-voltage track lights are often placed along a wall. The positioning of the fixture is used to spotlight an area or display certain items.
Low-voltage track lights are easy to install, but they do not provide much flexibility in terms of positioning the tube. They can only be positioned vertically or horizontally.
OLED Track Lights
OLED track lights have a very long life span, and they produce virtually no heat. These are the most expensive type of track lighting systems on the market, but they're also known for their high-quality lighting.
Since OLED track lights produce no heat and are both energy efficient and longer lasting than other lamps, these fixtures can be used in places where they are exposed to the elements and will not be repainted regularly.
OLED track lights are designed to be attached directly to the wall. They also come in both a fluorescent and LED design.
One disadvantage of OLED track lights is that the light they produce has a blue tint. This makes them ideal for highlighting certain items but not so great for general illumination.
Since OLED track lights do not need to be cleaned often, you should also consider how easy it will be to replace parts when they start to wear out.
HID Track Lights
The HID type of track lighting is the most common. They feature two bulbs: one that produces a blue light, and another that produces the white light. This creates a pleasant combination of warm color temperatures to illuminate your space while still providing ample illumination.
Like most other types of track lighting, there are HID track lights that have fluorescent and LED bulbs.
When it comes to HID track lighting, there are two wattage options: 35 watts or 50 watts. The higher-wattage lights typically last longer, and they also produce more lumens (light). Therefore, if you want a brighter light in your space, these fixtures might be a suitable choice.
HID track lights use high-intensity discharge lamps to produce a very bright light. These lights are typically used for retail lighting, stage lighting, or any other place where you need a lot of light over a wide area.
Because they require high amounts of energy and are not as energy efficient as LED or fluorescent bulbs, they come with a high initial cost. However, they are among the most durable and longest-lasting track lights around.
Linear Track Lights
A linear track light system is composed of individual fixtures arranged in a line. These systems are used in warehouse or office spaces, or anywhere where long stretches of uninterrupted lighting are needed.
Linear track lights are energy efficient, and they produce very consistent illumination along their entire length. Linear systems often come with endcaps that can be adjusted using a remote control.
Linear track lighting is often used behind retail showcases where it might be subject to damage. The fixtures on these lines are more durable than others and can withstand a higher amount of pressure.
Linear track lights are often suspended directly above showcases in order to display merchandise. In this situation, the light is used as both illumination and advertisement for the products below it.
Circular Track Lights
A circular track light system is composed of individual fixtures arranged in a circle. Circular systems are used primarily for highlighting artwork in museums and art galleries. They can also be found as accent lighting in retail spaces or other areas where highly focused illumination is needed over a smaller area.
These lights are not very energy efficient, but their brightness makes up for it. However, they do produce a lot of heat, so they're often used as accent lighting or as supplemental lighting to larger systems.
Circular track lights are typically suspended from the ceiling. They are also found in residential applications as well, where they can be used to highlight a piece of art, create an interesting lighting pattern on the ceiling, or provide ample illumination for reading at night.
Ceiling-Mounted Track Lights
A ceiling-mounted track light system is composed of individual fixtures which mount directly to the ceiling. These systems can be arranged in a line, circle, or any other arrangement you choose. Ceiling-mounted track lights are used primarily for illuminating retail spaces or showcasing artwork.
Because they do not take up any floor space and typically have a very long life-span, they're often good options when trying to illuminate large areas at an affordable price. This is one of the main reasons they are often used in retail spaces.
Ceiling-mounted track lights are also a very popular choice for highlighting artwork in galleries or museums. This type of lighting avoids glare, which makes it easier to see the details on a painting (for example).
Flush-Mounted Track Lights
A flush-mounted track light system is composed of individual fixtures which are mounted to a surface such as the wall, ceiling or floor. These systems can be used anywhere that lighting needs to be highly focused in one direction, rather than dispersed over an area.
Because these lights can be placed in places with limited space, they can be used as task lighting or accent lighting without changing the way a room looks. They are also popular for highlighting artwork, plants, and other decorative pieces.
These types of track lights are often found in kitchens and bathrooms, where they can be mounted to the underside or side of cabinets. They can also be used to highlight artwork on ceiling-mounted doors.
FAQS
What is the difference between linear and circular track lighting?
Linear track lights are longer, while circular systems provide more focused (and therefore brighter) light. They also differ in terms of their construction; because a linear system contains multiple fixtures that run parallel to one another, it must have some sort of support mechanism in order for them to be spaced evenly.
What is the difference between ceiling- and flush-mounted track lights?
Ceiling-mounted track lights are suspended directly from the ceiling. They can be arranged in a line, circle, or any other arrangement you choose. Flush mounted systems do not take up any floor space and typically have a very long life-span. This makes them very popular when trying to illuminate large areas, but they can be difficult to place near windows and doors because of their protruding fixtures.
Are track lights energy efficient?
Track lighting systems are generally not the most energy efficient option since installation is more costly than surface-mounted options like recessed lighting and pendant lights. However, they do produce a lot of light while using relatively little energy; this is one of the reasons track lighting systems are often utilized in retail spaces where electricity costs can be high.
What kind of bulb is used with track lighting?
Track lighting systems typically take standard E26 halogen bulbs or CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps). Although LEDs are not compatible with track lighting systems because they produce too much heat, there are 12 volt LED bulbs that are designed for surface-mounted track lights.
If you have a track lighting system in your retail space, be sure to keep the bulbs clean and well-maintained. Not only will this save you money in the long run, it will also reduce your carbon footprint.
What does 'linear' mean when used with track lighting?
The term 'linear' describes how track lighting systems are arranged with respect to one another. Linear track lighting means that the bulbs are parallel to each other, rather than perpendicular or overlapping each other (as in a 'circular' system). This is what makes the difference between linear and circular track lights.
The name becomes more important when you want to replace a lightbulb; each system will work with common E26 halogen bulbs, but you'll want to make sure the replacement bulb is compatible with your system. Halogen bulbs are also known as incandescent lights and they use a filament that glows white-hot when electricity is run through it.
What is under cabinet track lighting?
A type of flush-mount track lighting system, the under cabinet system typically consists of a series of bulbs mounted to a flat surface with very small fixtures that give off bright light without glaring. This is most often used to illuminate jewelry in retail spaces or for security reasons because it makes it harder for burglars to hide in the shadows.
Are track lighting kits easy to install?
Yes, absolutely; you will typically need basic hand tools and a power drill when installing track lighting systems. If you're uncertain about your wiring abilities, you can always hire an electrician to do the work for you. This installation kit comes with everything you need except the light bulbs.
What is track lighting used for?
Track lighting was originally designed for use in retail spaces where energy efficiency is crucial and people are walking around all day. Some designers are also using it for lighting outdoor bars and patios because it can help keep the mood of the party going without drawing a lot of attention to itself.
You can also use track lighting for home design projects and you may find that this type of light source is perfect for illuminating a long hallway or space with many doors; in fact, most track lights are designed for installation in hallways or retail spaces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many different track lighting types and sizes that you can use. The choice of the type, style or size depends on what you want. Lighting is an important element to make a room look brighter and attractive for your eyes.
It is important to know the different track lighting types for your room and also easy to install it at home.
