Shadow line Ceilings: How to Choose Your Integrated Picture Hanging System

One of the mostly asked questions from our client is: “How do you think the picture rails will look in my house?”

The answer is not an easy one. Each of us have a personal idea of what “looks good”, and what does not. At Hang Logic, we try our best to understand the concept each customer has in mind, and how suggest a suitable product that will match their expectations.

However, the question above poses a very good point. Whether you are a home or office owner, an architect, or a builder, you are likely to be concerned about what the final look of your project will be: “will my clients like the look of that? Will my partner like it? What if they don’t…”.  These are questions that are probably buzzing around your head whilst you are considering your options. The good news is that an easy answer exists – simply hide the rail!

There is a way to make your picture hanging rail completely invisible using the integrated (or built-in) picture hanging system by Artiteq.

The correct integrated picture hanging system will provide a seamless look and create a cohesive design that feels complete. Once the system is installed, all you will see is a thin (4mm) gap at the junction between your wall and ceiling, with absolutely no rail in sight.

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Size Matters.

There are several different sizes of integrated picture hanging systems available, so it’s important that you choose one that suits your needs. If you plan to hang heavy pieces of art, you should opt for a heavy-duty integrated picture hanging system.

Artiteq Art Strip is a perfect example, this system features an aluminium profile integrated in a timber beam. The timber beam becomes parts of your building’s frame, so that a loadbearing capacity of 50Kg/m can be achieved. That means that, on each metre of rail, you can hang pictures, sculptures, or even mirrors and plants whose weight can be up to 50Kg, which is quite remarkable if you think about it!

However, if you plan to hang standard pieces of artwork, you can opt for an integrated picture hanging system with a lower loadbearing capacity, such as 20Kg/m, which suits the wider majority of the applications.

The Right Wall or Ceiling Material Is Key.

If you’re looking for a new ceiling design, consider using shadow lines. These lines are created by placing two different sized panels next to each other. When viewed from above, the line creates a visual illusion that makes the room appear larger than it really is. The great news is that Artiteq produces picture rails able to replicate this effect perfectly. Compared to a classic shadowline panelling system, with Artiteq Shadowline Rails you get:

• The beautiful shadowline effect
• The option to hang pictures flexibly and easily, without damaging your walls
• A picture hanging rail which is completely invisible.

Before having your system installed, you should investigate what materials your walls and ceilings are made of. If you are a private homeowner, you can find out by yourself or ask your builder or architect.

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Why should you check this? Because there are scenarios where fixing your Shadowline rail to the ceiling may be easier than doing that on walls or vice versa. For example:

• You may have stone or tiled walls: in order to attach your picture rail to the wall, you will need to drill onto them. Drilling into these materials can be very hard, time-consuming, or risky as these materials tend to crack easily. However, if you have a timber framed roof, you can select a rail that is ceiling-attachable, such as the Artiteq Shadowline Drywall.
• In other cases, it is easier to install the rails to the walls instead, the right product for you would be the Artiteq Shadowline Masonry, which can be easily installed on masonry or concrete walls. A wall fixture is typically easier to install than a ceiling because it requires less framing.
• Did you know that you can install your picture rail just behind the cornice? The right product to do it is the Artiteq Deco Rail.

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You Need to Know Which Type of System Works Best For You.

No matter which system you choose, you will certainly enjoy all the benefits offered by the Artiteq system, you’ll be able to hang pictures without having to plan too much about where to hang them initially. If you were to use traditional wall-hooks, planning would be crucial, because if you get the location wrong then you will have to remove the hook and repair the hole on the wall. With Artiteq, this is no longer necessary. Just hang your art wherever and adjust things at a later time, all you have to do is slide the droppers across the rail and adjust the hooks at the correct height along the droppers. You can do this unlimited time, without causing any damage to your walls.

These rails are designed to be installed directly onto the wall or ceiling surface, creating a seamless appearance between the two surfaces. You can choose from a variety of mounting options, allowing you to customize your room to fit your style.

Be Sure to Ask for a Professional Installer.

If you choose to install your own integrated picture hanging system, make sure to ask for professional help. A professional installer will ensure that the installation goes smoothly and correctly. They will also provide you with tips and tricks to keep your new system looking its best.

If you want to hang pictures without having to worry about whether or not the wall is level, then you should consider installing a shadow line ceiling system. These systems are designed to be installed onto a timber framed roof, so that the rail is solidly attached to the roof ceiling joists. That way, it won’t matter if your walls are wobbly or of a rough finish (e.g. stone walls) because you are securing your hanging rail to the ceiling instead.

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Don’t Forget to Look at Options for Hooks and Hangers

You should also take into account how much space you have available when deciding what type of integrated picture hanging system to purchase.

As we saw before, deciding where to hang your pictures is not a big problem as the flexibility of the system will allow you to change the positioning at any time. In addition to considering the size of your room, you should think about how heavy your artwork will be, how many items you planning to hang, and what sort of style appeals to you the most.

For example, if you are planning to hang heavy artworks (say between 10 – 20 kg of weight), you should probably opt for steel wire droppers. These hangers have unlimited lifespan, excellent loadbearing capacity, and are able to provide a pleasant “gallery-look”.

If you are after something more discrete and are looking to hang lighter pieces of art, then the Perlon droppers are the best choice for you. Perlon is the commercial name for heavy-duty transparent Nylon.  This material offers great loadbearing capacity combined with a very discrete look.

When choosing a picture hanger, consider what type of wall surface you want to hang your art on. If you plan to use a shadow line ceiling, you’ll need to choose a hanger that’s compatible with the style of your room. For example, if you’re using a wood-panelled wall, a metal-looking hanger, like the Auto Grip Hook, will look the best. Ratchet Hooks are easy to use and won’t damage the wall.

Ready to start?

Are you looking to learn more about improving the beauty and efficiency of your house, by including the sleek Shadowline rails in your workspace, art gallery, etc.?

Whether you seek something simple to keep your walls tidy and pristine or comprehensive systems to create an impressive art display, we are just a phone call or an email away.

Contact us today by calling us on 0432 924 305 or emailing us at team@hanglogic.com.au for a FREE consultation. Or, if you prefer to work things out

yourself, browse through the frequently asked questions on our webpage.