Modern Track Lights

What's New in Track Lighting

Track lighting has come a long way from the industrial-style lights of the 1970s and 1980s. Today's track light comes in dozens finishes, shapes, and sizes. Among the latest developments in track lighting are:

• Curved track – Track lighting now comes in "S"-shaped sections and "half-moon"–shaped sections that are flexible. No longer do you have to use the straight line shape.
• Smaller Sections – Track lighting comes in smaller sections – four feet as well as the traditional eight-foot lengths.
• Suspended tracks – Another newer development in track lighting are tracks that are suspended from a center box, rather than snug against the ceiling – a sort of track-meets-chandelier approach.
• Color – As well as the traditional white, black, and chrome, shades and heads now come in bright colors, such as yellow, red, blue, and green – perfect for a bright craft room or kitchen.
• Low Voltage, Energy-Efficient Heads – New are low-voltage halogen lamps and heads that can be changed for your existing heads. These new fixtures are more cost- and energy-efficient to use.

How to Use Track Lighting

Track lights add extra lighting for work areas, such as a kitchen, craft room, or over a billiard table. Track lights are versatile and an ideal solution for those hard to fit, unsymmetrical spaces. Avoid using these lights in rooms with low ceilings, as the heads hang down below the track and may not leave enough clearance.

Track lights are also a good source of light for showcasing art work and collectibles. Usually, the heads may be adjusted or rotated separately.

Track lights usually come in pre-measured sections, generally four or eight feet long, and may be straight or curvilinear. The heads usually come in small, large, and mini sizes.

Where to Find Modern Track Lights

Modern track lights may be found at a number of retail outlets. Look for track lighting at the following:

• Home Improvement Retailers – "Big box" retailers, such as Home Depot and Lowe's carry a good selection of track lights, many of which are attractively priced.
• Lighting Specialty Stores – Local lighting stores are a good source for higher-end, decorative track lights. Some stores carry a good selection in stock, but many will have to special order the items for you.
• Online Retailers – Online home improvement and lighting retailers, such as Lighting Universe carry a vast selection of track lights, many with free ground shipping.
• eBay – Yes, eBay. A growing number of lighting retailers have set up shop on eBay. It's a good place to find good prices on new (but often discontinued) lighting items, including track lights.

Even general online retailers, such as Amazon.com and Overstock.com, have sections that sell track lighting.

Keep in mind when purchasing track lights: be sure to buy all the parts from the same manufacturer, as parts are not interchangeable.

Installing Track Lights

Modern track lights are relatively easy to install, especially when remodeling rooms that already have a light box from a ceiling fixture. If it's a new room or there is no existing light fixture, you'll need to call a licensed electrician. He'll need to run the wires and install an electrical box before you can hang the track lights.

Once you have an electrical box, you'll need to connect the new power source and hang the tracks. There is a good step-by-step illustrated guide on the Lighting Universe Web site.