Flex Track Lighting: Seven Questions To Ask Before Buying

Perhaps you have seen flex track lighting, or monorail lighting as it is also called, and decided you want it.  There is no need to rush out to the lighting or home improvement store to get the first thing you see.  It is better to ask questions first. 

What Is Flex Track Lighting?

This is a kind of track lighting that can be bent ready-made or customized by the manufacturer, or it can be bent by the person who installs it.  The lighting track can be curved or even coiled according to what the homeowner wants.  The shape itself adds appeal. 

How Can Flex Track Lighting Be Used?

It is one of the best choices for task lighting.  In other words, it brightly lights up areas where you work.  It can be used as an accent light for pictures, sculptures, plants, or other interesting objects.  You can create ambient light with track lighting, and several flex tracks do the job nicely. 

How Much Focused Light Do You Need?

The kinds of fixtures you use will be determined by whether you need focused light directed on specific objects or not.  If you want to create ambience, you might want pendants rather that track heads.  This will also help you decide where to put the lights if you do get them. 

Does Your Room Look Too Cramped?

You can create the look of a much larger room if you use the proper flex tracks to aim lighting at a wall.  This is called wall washing or wall grazing.  Washing covers the entire wall, while grazing merely shows a hint of light on the wall.  Either way, you will feel like you have more elbow room. 

Will Your Track System Be the Only Lighting?

If you have other light, it makes a difference on how the light layering will go.  You might need different types of flex lighting, or fewer tracks.  If you assess your situation thoroughly, you might find that you want to switch some of your old lamps for more modern flex track lighting. 

Will Your System Accept Pendants?

Pendant lighting is very popular now, in part because of the artistic designer glass pendants that are available.  Some flex tracks will accept pendant lighting while others will not.  If you want them, do not neglect to ask about each particular track lighting system you consider. 

Will the Flex Track Lighting Go Well in My Home?

The answer to this question will almost always be yes.  Because of the curved designs of flex tracks, they can look either contemporary or hark back to a more romantic time.  However, there may actually be homes that are not suited to flex tracks for some reason.  If you are in doubt, talk to a trusted contractor or handyman. 

If you get the answers to all your questions, you should know which kinds of flex track lighting you want to get.  You may not want to get track lighting at all.  Either way, it is best to know before you spend your money.