top rail hanging system

Elevating Interior Design: Pros and Cons of Top Rail Hanging Systems for Home Decor

It can be frustrating for homeowners to re-arrange or add pictures to walls in their homes in the traditional way. They must screw in hooks on the exact correct spots where the pictures must hang and screw out the hooks that will not be used again. Usually, this method results in damaged walls with holes the homeowner has to repair. Often the pictures also hang unevenly.

screw in hooks

Nowadays, many homeowners incorporate top rail hanging systems in their homes. Especially homeowners who move their artworks around every few weeks, use this easier and less time-consuming way of rearranging,

We’ll briefly discuss the most popular hanging systems for homes, and have a look at the pros and cons.

Popular hanging systems

Click rail

A professional mounts the system once only against the ceiling. It becomes nearly invisible if the rail is the same colour as the wall.

Top rail

This system can be installed in a room with a drop ceiling because you install the rail next to the side strip of the drop ceiling. It becomes invisible as it “disappears” into the ceiling.

top rail hanging system

Shadow line

Installers usually mount this rail during the home’s construction. The ceiling rests on the rail, making it invisible except for a thin shadow line.

What is a top rail hanging system?

Simply put, it is a track which a professional (or the DIY homeowner) screws horizontally on the wall below the ceiling. The track has a grooved slot where wires are slid into which drop vertically where the pictures must hang. By sliding lockable hooks up and down the vertical wire, and/or using threaded hooks, the installer can position the picture exactly where it should be. The homeowner can easily rearrange the pictures, take away some of them, or add new pictures by just re-adjusting the wires.

Positive and negative aspects

The homeowner has positive and negative aspects to consider when the installation of a hanging system is considered.

Pros

Homeowners can re-arranged their picture walls fast

For homeowners who frequently rearrange their walls it is important to complete the whole changing process as fast as possible and, if possible, without help from other people. They don’t want to waste time on repairing holes in walls left by the screw-in hooks of previous picture arrangements.

It prevents wall damage

Because you install a top rail system only once, there are no marks or holes in the walls when you rearrange your art wall in your home. This is especially important for renters who don’t want to spend money on repairing holes in the walls caused by their personal pictures when they move house.

It enhances your décor

By using picture hanging rails, homeowners create their own professional-looking picture wall “exhibitions”. These professionally compiled displays enhance a home’s interior.

shadow line ceiling

Cons of top rail hanging systems

There are also negative aspects homeowners should take into consideration when they want to install top rail hanging systems in their homes. The most important factors that may influence a homeowner’s decision are the following:

  1. In comparison with the relatively low expense when you hang pictures in the traditional way with screw-in hooks, the initial installation cost of a top rail systems is high. However, over time the homeowner saves money because with hanging systems there are no expenses when the pictures on the walls are re-arranged, while screw-in hooks usually leave holes to be repaired in the walls when the picture wall is changed. The reparation of the holes often includes repainting of the wall.

  2. With a top rail hanging system the hanging cables are always visible. This can be distracting in small spaces typical of picture walls in homes.

  3. Sometimes, top rail systems don’t easily accommodate multiple items in a vertical column.

  4. Depending on the type of top rail hanging system in the home, it may be difficult to hang tight groups of pictures as, for example, a grouping of photos of all the family members.

  5. You may need full-length floor guides to provide enough support.

Conclusion

Although top rail hanging systems for home décor have some cons, most homeowners who frequently change the position of the pictures and artwork in their homes, find that a top rail system saves them time and makes the rearranging of pictures very easy.

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