Lighting 101: Types of Track Lighting
Get your home’s lighting on the right track.
If you’re in the market for new ceiling light fixtures, track lighting is perfect for areas with specific tasks or for highlighting artwork and unique architectural elements in your home. Keep reading to discover the different types of track lighting and how to choose the best fixture for your home.
What Is Track Lighting?
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Track lighting is a type of ceiling light that uses a track or rail to connect individual light fixtures. The individual lights can be placed anywhere along the track and pointed in almost any direction to create a customizable look. These light fixtures are common above kitchen islands, in hallways or galleries, or along the edges of large rooms to create dimensional lighting.
Track lighting fixtures allow you to position up to 10 individual lights along a track or rail, so you can customize your room’s lighting to your preferences. The positioning of the lights isn’t the only thing you can customize – there are several types of lighting tracks and head styles to choose from as well. Read on for an overview of track lighting elements so you can choose the right option for your home.
When choosing a track lighting system, there are four main track shapes to choose from. Key considerations, such as how tall your ceiling is or how you want to use the track lighting, will help you pick the right type of track lighting for your home.
Fixed Track: The lightbulb heads on fixed track lighting can’t be moved along the track, but they can still be angled to direct light where you want it. The light track or bar hangs from a ceiling standoff and is available straight or curved.
Swing Arm Track: Swing arm track lighting fixtures are equipped with one or more fixed track lighting “arms” that swivel on a joint. Like fixed track lighting fixtures, the lights cannot be moved along the track, but with their swinging arms and angling capabilities, they have a full range of motion.
Standard Track: Also called linear tracks, standard track lighting fixtures include a straight strip of track and a set of lights that can slide along the track as desired. They mount directly on the ceiling and are one of the easiest track lighting fixtures to install.
Monorail Track: The signature feature of a monorail track lighting fixture is the flexibility of its track. Not only do its lightbulb heads slide along a track, but the track itself can also be curved and shaped to look however you want. Monorail tracks, like fixed and swing arm tracks, hang from a single ceiling mount.
Tip!
To maximize the lighting capabilities of your track lighting fixture, make sure to space the lights at least 1’ apart.
If you’ve got the perfect track in mind and are looking to equip it with some lights, look no further.
Heads: Heads are the most common type of track lighting. Track lighting heads resemble spotlights and can be angled to highlight specific areas. Because of the way they focus light, track lighting heads are optimal for illuminating wall art or personal workstations. They are best for living room track lighting fixtures because they can be focused on seating arrangements, which creates an ambient conversation space. Track lighting heads come in a wide variety of materials, colors, and styles, so you’re sure to find a set that will match your track and your room design.
Pendants: Elegant and stylish, pendant lights hang down from a cord to illuminate the area below them. Though pendant lights can’t be positioned like heads, their bulbs are typically surrounded by a glass or metal shade that can add a decorative element to your space. They are one of the best types of track lighting options for a kitchen island or kitchen table.
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All track lighting falls into one of three types: H, J, or L, named after their manufacturers – Halo, Juno, and Lightolier. These track types differ in wiring rather than track shape. While all three function similarly, their components are not interchangeable. To ensure compatibility when purchasing, replacing, or repairing your light fixture, identify your track type by counting the wires. Here’s how determine the design:
H-Track: H-track elements have three wires, making them the easiest to identify.
J-Track: J-track lights have two wires and the contact points inside the track are spaced 1" apart.
L-Track: Like J-tracks, L-tracks have two wires. The difference is that the contact points inside the track are spaced 5/8" apart.
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Like most types of ceiling lights, track lighting needs to be wired into the electrical system of your home so that you can use a light switch to turn the lights on and off. Track lighting can operate using either line-voltage systems or low-voltage systems. Since the two types function similarly, consider the initial cost of installation compared to the long-term cost of operation as you’re making your decision.
Line-Voltage Systems: Line-voltage systems use the standard electrical wires to connect to the electrical current of your home, which provides 120 volts. These systems often have larger bulbs than low-voltage systems and don't require a transformer to be installed, which makes line-voltage systems easier and less expensive to install.
Low-Voltage Systems: Low-voltage systems feature a small transformer that lowers the required voltage to 12 or 24 volts. The lower voltage systems use smaller bulbs and less energy. These low-voltage systems allow you to use a wider variety of light fixtures and often last longer than line voltage systems. It's important to not mix voltage – don't pair a 12-volt fixture with a 24-volt system, and vice versa. Though low-voltage systems typically cost more to install, they tend to be more cost-effective over time.
Tip!
Check out our guide How to Install a Ceiling Light to find tips on installing track lighting.
5. Decide on Additional Features
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Dimmable: Dimmable track lighting fixtures allow the brightness to be adjusted to accommodate all ambiences.
Two Circuit: Standard track lighting fixtures operate on a single circuit system, which means that every light is controlled by the same switch. Two-circuit systems can be set up so that some lights correspond to one switch and others correspond to a different switch, so you can control different sections of your track lights separately.
LED-Integrated: LED-integrated track lighting contains LED lights built into the fixture, rather than using separate screw-in lightbulbs. The integrated LED lights last for a longer time and offer more control over the brightness than incandescent bulbs.
LED-Compatible: This feature allows you to use LED bulbs in an existing track lighting fixture.
Sloped Ceiling–Adaptable: These track lighting systems have anchor hardware designed to be compatible with sloped ceilings.
Tip!
If you're planning on adding track lighting to spaces that are prone to moisture or humidity, make sure to choose fixtures that are rated for damp locations.
