Types of Tracks for Suspended Ceilings - DIY Repair

Types and Standard Sizes of Tracks:

Visible Track No. 1

Used for attaching the fabric of a suspended ceiling to walls and any vertical surfaces. Fastening spacing is 80-100 cm. The visible part is semi-matte, white, with a width of 26 mm. When using such tracks, fabrics with visible hooks are installed, and masking tape is not required. The minimum ceiling height loss is 3 cm. When installing fabrics on visible tracks, angular and straight spatulas, angular and straight tensioners are used. Track material is PVC plastic. The length of the supplied track is 3 linear meters.

Photo 1 – Visible Track No. 1

Photo 2 – Visible Track No. 1

Visible Track No. 2

Used for attaching the fabric of a suspended ceiling to walls and any vertical surfaces. Just like invisible tracks, they allow connecting the fabric to main structures so that all wall irregularities are repeated and thus remain invisible to the naked eye. Requires fastening spacing from 7 to 15 cm. Track material is PVC 2b and 2z – only primary PVC raw material. Standard track length is 2.5 linear meters. There are 4 types of invisible tracks: 2a weight – 210 g, 2b weight – 210 g, 2t weight – 180 g, 2z weight – 230 g.

Photo 3 – Visible Track No. 2

Photo 4 – Visible Track No. 2

Visible Track No. 3

Used for attaching suspended ceiling fabrics to load-bearing ceilings and any horizontal surfaces. Fastening spacing is 20-30 cm. Minimum ceiling height loss is 2 cm. The gap between the wall and ceiling is closed with masking tape. When installing fabrics on ceiling tracks, straight spatulas are used. Track material is aluminum. The length of the supplied track is 2.5 linear meters.

Photo 5 – Visible Track No. 3

Photo 6 – Visible Track No. 3

Universal Track No. 4

Used for attaching suspended ceiling fabrics to any vertical and horizontal surfaces, with high rigidity, allowing attachment to walls or ceilings with spacing up to 50 cm. Minimum ceiling height loss is 3 cm. The gap between the wall and ceiling is closed with masking tape. When installing fabrics on universal tracks, straight spatulas are used. Track material is aluminum. The length of the supplied track is 2.5 linear meters.

Photo 7 – Universal Track No. 4

Photo 8 – Perforated Universal Track No. 4

Track features step perforation every 15 cm. Supplied in 2.5 meter lengths.

Wall Track No. 5

Used for attaching suspended ceiling fabrics to walls and any vertical surfaces. Has sufficient rigidity, does not reflect small wall irregularities, requires fastening spacing of 15-20 cm. Minimum ceiling height loss is 3.5 cm. The gap between the wall and ceiling is closed with masking tape. When installing fabrics on wall tracks, straight spatulas are used. Track material is aluminum. The length of the supplied track is 2.5 linear meters.

Photo 9 – Wall Track No. 5

Photo 10 – Perforated Wall Track No. 5

Track features step perforation every 15 cm. Supplied in 2.5 meter lengths.

Photo 11 – Wall Track No. 5

Separator Track No. 6

Used for joining two suspended ceiling fabrics, when passing around columns or covering large areas. Minimum ceiling height loss is 2 cm. The gap between the fabrics is closed with masking tape No. 15. When installing fabrics on separator tracks, straight spatulas are used. Track material is aluminum. The length of the supplied track is 2.5 linear meters.

Photo 12 – Separator Track No. 6

Photo 13 – Separator Track No. 6

Separator Track No. 18

Photo 14 – Separator Track No. 18

Photo 15 – Separator Track No. 18

Double Track No. 9

Used for creating light volumetric structures based on suspended ceilings, as well as installing suspended ceilings with a star sky effect. Allows simultaneous installation of two suspended ceiling fabrics. When installing fabrics, angular and straight spatulas, angular and straight tensioners are used. Track material is aluminum. The length of the supplied track is 2.5 linear meters.

Photo 16 – Double Track No. 9

Photo 17 – Double Track No. 9

Angular Track No. 8 RV

Structural Track No. 16 RV/RN: Used to speed up installation of curved spatial structures. The set includes:

angular track No. 8 RV/RN;
structural track No. 16 RV/RN.

These tracks are supplied in 1 meter lengths. Minimum bend radius is 700 mm, maximum is 5000 mm. Curved structures can have internal (RV) or external (RN) bends.

Photo 18 – Angular Track No. 8 RV

Photo 19 – Angular Track No. 8 RV

Angular Track No. 8 N

Used for angular joining of suspended ceiling fabrics and installation of multi-level curved suspended ceilings. Features cuts on the back side for easier uniform bending on site. Cut spacing is 15 mm. The length of the supplied track is 2.5 linear meters.

Photo 20 – Angular Track No. 8 N

Photo 21 – Angular Track No. 8 N

Structural Track No. 16N

Used for creating multi-level curved spatial structures. Features cuts for easier installation on site. Cut spacing is 15 mm. Track material is aluminum. The length of the supplied track is 2.0 linear meters.

Photo 22 – Structural Track No. 16N

Photo 23 – Structural Track No. 16N

Wall Track for Seamless Ceilings No. 19. Used for attaching fabric suspended ceilings (Clipso, Descor) and wall draping. Material: Rigid non-plasticized PVC. Color: White.

Photo 24 – Wall Track for Seamless Ceilings No. 19

Photo 25 – Wall Track for Seamless Ceilings No. 19

Photo 26 – Ceiling Track for Seamless Ceilings No. 20

Photo 27 – Ceiling Track for Seamless Ceilings No. 20

Materials Used for Track Manufacturing

Aluminum Track

Photo 28 – Aluminum Track

Plastic Track

Photo 29 – Plastic Track

Polyurethane Track

Photo 30 – Polyurethane Track

PVC Track (made from rigid PVC, made from rigid PVC for seamless ceilings).

What Types of Track Are Available?

Narrow Track

The ceiling must be placed across the entire area, and the track is glued along the entire perimeter between the ceiling and wall.

Photo 31 – Narrow Track

Wide Decorative Track

Elegant and highlights the sophistication of the interior.

Photo 32 – Wide Track

Flat Track

This track is glued directly to the wall just under the suspended ceiling.

Photo 33 – Flat Track

Recessed Lighting for Suspended Ceilings. This solution looks very impressive. Different colored lighting can be used.

Photo 34 – Recessed Lighting

Special Cases of Track Use.

For example, this can be used to highlight a ceiling panel protruding above the ceiling or create ceiling borders surrounding such a panel.

Photo 35 – Ceiling Panel

Track Installation

Installing the track is a very important task, as it determines the strength of the entire structure. It can be installed by professionals or, if the suspended ceiling is simple, it can be done oneself. You can buy tracks for suspended ceilings by visiting the manufacturer's website or any construction superstore.

Trim for Suspended Ceilings

Installing ceiling trim is done after fully installing the suspended ceiling. It is important to check the strength of the structure. Ceiling trim is a decorative element, so it perfectly completes the intended interior design, whether classic or modern. Decorative ceiling trim deserves attention for its variety of designs. It is made from light materials such as foam or polyurethane, making it very lightweight and usually not causing installation problems (trim is glued to the surface). Photo of ceiling trim:

Photo 36 – Decorative Trim

You can also buy ceiling trim in any construction store or order it online. Depending on the manufacturer, material used, and design, the price varies. The cost of ceiling trim ranges from 0.30 to 3.80 u.e. per meter.

Tracks for Suspended Ceilings Many people think that a suspended ceiling and ceiling track are incompatible. But that is not the case. The main requirement is that such a track has pre-prepared mounting points. Tracks for suspended ceilings come in two types: visible and hidden.

Visible Tracks

For these, a special platform must be created for mounting the track structure. A special wooden block is attached to the base. After installing special rings in the mounting points, holes are drilled in them, after which the track is mounted to the suspended ceiling.

Hidden Tracks

This way, window openings can be decorated in an original manner. For mounting such tracks, a special niche is created for the track. The main feature of hidden tracks is that only neatly hanging curtains and nothing else are visible above the window.

Sheer Curtains on Suspended Ceilings – also an original solution. They can be installed either on a specially prepared base or on additional mounting brackets directly to the ceiling.

Photo 37 – Sheer Curtains on Suspended Ceiling

$ Cost

Track costs can vary depending on material and manufacturer pricing. Buying tracks for suspended ceilings in bulk can save significantly. Approximate price for PVC tracks for suspended ceilings (prices in u.e. per meter):

length up to 500m – 0.52 u.e.;
length from 500m to 1000m – 0.49 u.e.;
length from 1000m to 5000m – 0.46 u.e.;
length from 5000m to 10000m – 0.40 u.e.;
length from 10000m – contractual;

Price varies depending on the type of track mounting:

A regular ceiling track is inexpensive – around 9 u.e., but its installation will cost approximately 45-65 u.e.;
Aluminum profiled track for curtains on a suspended ceiling costs from 20 to 95 u.e. If the future structure is simple, it may not be necessary to spend more;
Installing a hidden track will cost homeowners approximately 65 u.e.