How to Install Track Lighting | All About Lights | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House’s Scott Caron explains the difference between general and task kitchen lighting. He takes you through choosing, shopping, installation and provides the strategy for using both task and general in your kitchen.
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Time: 2 hours
Cost: $50-200
Skill Level: Easy
Tools List for Installing Track Lighting:
Screwdriver
Pliers
Wire stripper
Hacksaw
Ladder
Drill
Shopping List:
Lighting track sections
Power kits
L-turn kit
Toggle bolts(s)
Pendant light fixture
Track lighting fixtures
LED bulb
Steps:
1. Turn off power to working area at breaker box.
2. Remove the old fixture and expose electrical box
3. Install ‘floating feed’ to electrical box to supply power to the tracks
4. Measure and cut tracks to length with a hacksaw.
5. Put “L” connectors on before installing tracks.
6. Measure the track’s mounting-hole spacing and drill 3/8-inch holes in ceiling for toggle bolts
7. Thread toggle bolts through lighting tracks.
8. Fasten tracks to ceiling by tightening toggle bolts with a screwdriver
9. Add power to tracks by connecting the floating feed to the tracks.
10. Install track lighting fixtures to the track
11. Install pendant light to the track
12. Install LED bulb into pendant light
13. Turn power back on at breaker box.
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How to Install Track Lighting | All About Lights | Ask This Old House
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[@EsEf125]

Thank you. I moved into a condo with tracklights, and wanted to know how to slide and manipulate them. Very helpful

[@DagoRuiz]

Simple video. Well explained. Great work guys ✌😎

[@franklinchmara3039]

All your videos are very helpful and I learn a lot.

[@TheHeadlessHorseman]

Just tape a flashlight above the sink and dining area, problem solved

[@ericlogos9568]

The Headless Horseman just only cook in the daytime.

[@killawatt8243]

And for better effect strap a light to the dogs head ... that way you can always see what you drop

[@kingmiller1982]

Nailed it

[@johnnybussart4721]

Gorilla tape

[@tHojthOp]

Noice

[@dirtyhairy8884]

Outstanding job, Scott!

[@dand1363]

so that's how you get it on the track, lol. far easier than I realized based on the "instructions"

[@jaylu7971]

How much power we need to install the whole 1 switch?

[@rdubby1102]

Y'all should do how to braze

[@Homepros888]

Horrible. He should have add some under the cabinet light instead of that long track with five heads and upgrade the main ceiling light to something bigger or brighter.

[@ikecostner1]

Under cabinet lights are a very large job and track lighting would cost about 1/5th as much

[@MD-wq6on]

@@ikecostner1 I just did a 1952 house with led under cabinet lighting for $125.00. It took me two hours to do. No sweat and looks great; not a very big job at all.

[@ikecostner1]

@@MD-wq6on there’s a difference between hacking some under cabinet lights in and doing it correctly and code compliant fyi

[@bigscreenbird8198]

Looks terrible. Looks like an update from the 80's

[@islammustafaf5928]

bigscreen bird xsf

[@rudy6222]

Lmao. Yeah it does

[@Googaliemoogalie]

It's too much track lighting. One over the countertop maybe, but not everywhere all cross connected

[@bobburns718]

how would you use a system like this in a room with no electric on the ceiling? I can sacrifice a wall box to run the system but can I run a line to the first section of track or do I need to run a track up the wall?

[@chrisAnderson-fk6ue]

That looks awful 😖 😱

[@JPWick]

the ONLY place for track lighting these days is in a minimalist setup with TALL ceilings... flat white walls, black track offers great contrast... and, y'know, on a STRAIGHT ceiling! omfg, what an eyesore

[@edttt4491]

I would never want track lighting. That looks horrible.

[@r1ckastl3y86]

Will you shut up? Don't hate on the video just because you don't agree with it, ok?

[@stained6202]

Hypocrisy at it’s Finest...

[@r1ckastl3y86]

@@stained6202 yep. I hate hipocracy.

[@bobwickman658]

Track lightning is awesome, if you lived back in the 1990’s yuk. Ugly

[@eeterp32]

tune in next time for 'how to install brass fixtures and a seashell sink"

[@applesocks89]

Pennywise omg 😂😂

[@jrock865]

You'll float too!!!

[@DC-dc6ey]

Followed by vertical blinds and a popcorn ceiling.

[@bitterrotten]

How to install track lighting: You don't.

[@eddiew2325]

Bitter Rotten hey dude maybe you should install track

[@DC-dc6ey]

These videos are so dated lol

[@r1ckastl3y86]

@@eddiew2325 I agree, you should install track lights because you can customize them

[@pauley714]

Ha ha ha

[@IntegraDIY]

recessed lights would've been much more clean looking and modern.. they make low profile lights too, which won't be an issue to the flooring above. I would be annoyed after a while looking at those power tracks. This is good for an extremely out dated kitchen and doing stuff easy on a budget. But this kitchen needed a better setup.

[@fd3871]

Completely agree, although I think there reasoning was less about the height between the ceiling and the subfloor of the 2nd floor and more about having to cut holes in drywall to snake wires. That being said, would have been worth the extra effort. Track lighting is dead and shouldn't be resurected.

[@r1ckastl3y86]

Hey, have you thought that maybe people have their own tastes? I disagree 100 percent with this comment

[@matthewphelan9288]

the issue is that there is a finished floor above that kitchen

[@matthewphelan9288]

some ppl have 2 floor houses and have track lights but they were installed before the upper level was installed

[@demagab]

Looks good, but I don't like having 120V exposed that way. I'd definitely go for a low-voltage track lighting set up.

[@NahGonLie]

Looks horrible. Sorry, you guys bombed on this one.

[@jgroenveld1268]

Great for when you're on a budget but in this application I would of tried to fish two wires from the original location, one for the task lighting above the kitchen area and another to the dining area to minimise the need for connecting tracks between the two areas.

[@juliof970]

Academy Awards for everyone. Best actors.

[@Altenarian]

I don't know why everyone is complaining, it's obviously an outdated kitchen, and installing recessed lights would have required putting tons of holes in the ceiling and drilling through the floor joists, who knows what's in the air space, it would've been too much trouble imo. It's cheap and they need a new ceiling anyway, probably just a temp solution.

[@Mrmudbone_gaming]

Ton of holes? Not even. With 4 recessed lights he would have been good.

[@yaosio]

I've been in the lighting business for 47 years and can say he did this wrong. He should have used cheese based lighting, much better than track lighting.

[@thomasfoyle2669]

Is this before Vin Diesel made it big in the movies? Or is light fitting just a side gig he's kept going?! Maybe this was his breakthrough role 😅

[@briancnc]

Lighting a kitchen like its 1995! It would have been just as easy to retrofit recessed lighting and fish a few cables as install this.

[@WayneTesta4444]

briancnc I guess you didn't listen there was a bedroom above they would have had to remove the floor to run wires why go through all that when this was a simple easy solution.

[@IntegraDIY]

Wayne Testa definitely not, they make low profile recessed lights. They're no more than a few inches deep, and are very affordable

[@cup_and_cone]

Considering the water damage marks on the ceiling, they could have done whatever lighting they wanted after the plumber has to open the drywall to inspect.

[@briancnc]

You don't need access above, that's my point. I could take the feed that's there, cut all of my holes, fish my jumper cables from one junction point and install LED recessed fixtures. No need to access from above, and the electrical load would be far less for a greater output of lumens.

[@cup_and_cone]

briancnc - If it was I-Joist then you'd have to drill each web and fish through, and your holes/recessed location would have to be inbetween each joist for access. Looking at the kitchen, I think the "best" (read: easiest) install for their application would have been a 4ft flush mount in the existing location. It would have given them all the lighting they need for cooking and would more than illuminate the dining area, although a completely separate switch and light is what the table needs.

[@trinitywave]

thank you for this video. It was helpful to learn about track lighting. Love and light. hehe.

[@iswish_41]

My grandmother who is 80 loves this.

[@robertsonplantwalls]

Just completely skip over cleaning up the hole to the housing. It's just magic people all you need is a screw driver

[@cup_and_cone]

Excellent! They now have spot accent lighting pretending to be a main lighting source....so they have all kinds of shadows and unlit areas everywhere! Brilliant! Also, hope the plumber came after to checkout those water damage marks on the ceiling.

[@symbioticvenom6456]

the roof?

[@micro7vista]

"Fantastic..."

[@RonaldRegan314]

At least you don't feel alone on acount of all the shadows.

[@Dredpath1]

If I saw Scott at the home center, I'd grab a pen and paper immediately! 😂

[@rypdx]

This light fixture is literally from the 1970’s what sarcasm the guy has 😂😂

[@circleinforthecube5170]

man feel free to disagree but track lighting and vertical blinds and wood paneling are way better looking than ugly modern stuff

[@r1ckastl3y86]

I agree 100 percent. I hate modern stuff. Long live older stuff!

[@bamabama7938]

Looks tacky

[@edkienzler406]

What's with the "sounds good"script on every show?

[@david6chevy]

I like track lighting. The can lights make a room look like the waiting room at a doctors office to me.

[@r1ckastl3y86]

Same here, man.

[@ERjamers]

Very easy to follow. Very helpful. Thank you!

[@vince6829]

Thanks for sharing

[@tjesse]

Step 1: Find a track system in a dumpster. Step 2: Call This Old House to document the install so the only other person in the world interested learns how to also demonstrate their bad taste to their friends and family.

[@juliof970]

they probably convinced him to take that track lighting for the show.

[@robb0995]

So... we’re just not going to talk about that water damage or the massive coloration gap where the old fixture was? Ooooook. So long as the homeowner’s delicate aesthetic sensibilities aren’t offended by the ‘80s style cans! Lol. Truly one of the worst Ask TOH segments I’ve ever seen.

[@mahendranmoorthy6079]

Simple, clear and easy to understand

[@jono0007]

Track lighting is very functional, I think it'd look better if the track itself was recessed

[@fd3871]

Jonathan Sanders or better yet: No track at all and do it properly

[@r1ckastl3y86]

@@fd3871 how is track lighting an improper way to put in lighting? I need an answer.

[@fd3871]

@@r1ckastl3y86 not improper per-se, just a very very outdated way of doing things. If it is your house, and you have the knowledge, it is better to put in can lights or smaller spotlights (they make them in various sizes and beam patterns). Esp. if you are going to sell your house - track lighting just dates everything to the 90s imo.

[@r1ckastl3y86]

@@fd3871 good point. If you live in an older house like I do, track lighting is very fitting for it.

[@wdnspoon]

@@r1ckastl3y86 Lots of good modern uses for tracks. New pots are ultra thin with LEDs, hence their popularity, but there are many applications where you can't recess and a track looks great. eg a condo with a concrete ceiling, or side-mounting it on a joist on an exposed wood ceiling.

[@VCGConstruction]

Very cool solution!

[@eeterp32]

yeah, 30 years ago

[@jrock865]

ya if you're blind maybe

[@r1ckastl3y86]

@@eeterp32 shut up

[@r1ckastl3y86]

@@jrock865 you're wrong

[@jrock865]

@@r1ckastl3y86 very compelling argument. What next "you don't know what you're talking about." Even though I've dealt with this kind of stuff in the field for 22 years lol.

[@CommuneRecords]

Thank you very helpful. I like the music actually! What is it?

[@Kiamoko]

I'm going to install like 6 strips! I have 2 lights and not enough 😭, house doesn't get any sunlight in

[@rebycfa5673]

The guy with the red shirt sounds like the electrician broke into his house and forced him at gun point to install par16 flood lights

[@gsent56]

Lol, I'm trying to get rid of the track lights in my house. I cant stand the shadows from it

[@david32459]

Awesome job 👍🏾

[@HazardousPanic]

Thumbs up. Forgot about the retractable collar and then turning them.

[@sebastiandamian4936]

1:52 hmm... don't you use Wago's in the USA?

[@DarkRaptor99]

Some electricians do, but many don't because wire nuts are cheap compared to Wago's. Wire nuts are fine code wise in most cities still.

[@heroknaderi]

I enjoyed it

[@fishydubsfishing6516]

Suppose your a shorty how do you reach the light

[@chrisrichard298]

Is this the same kitchen where Tommy opened up the wall to the living room?

[@--JohnDoe]

Looks hokey the guy didn't even want track lighting.

[@albertmontoya6413]

I would knock down the wall with the big opening

[@keytothegate68]

This is OK as a demonstration on how to do it, but I think a central light fixture located on the ceiling provides better light coverage. He now has shaded areas all over the kitchen due to spot light coverage . Better to leave the central light on and add more lights

[@noahschwadron3596]

Great video. Thanks fellas.

[@nicholasd7731]

Must be rich to get all the lighting

[@frankgarrett8207]

why tha fuk did they blur the prices? Fukin ashamed of 'em

[@gatewaysolo104]

how much do you pay for track lighting at Duncan construction?

[@Kirby7601]

1:16 did scott got mad right there?

[@girishsookun62]

Put more electrical work sir.......

[@skreech01]

He looks like Johnny Sins

[@LUXURYHOMESINTHELUXURIOUSWORLD]

good Thank you.

[@Omiefury]

what brand of the track lighting was used? Where to buy?

[@matthewphelan9288]

u can buy any brand of tack lights that have the right voltage at the local home improvement store u buy the tracks but the lights you have to buy sine heads depending on how much light heads u want

[@gavrilrock3211]

GREAT VIDEO!

[@cnwtrains]

This would work perfect in my train room what brand would be the best for track lighting???

[@KSLTech4]

I've replaced the track lights in my kitchen with "Hampton Bay" (Home Depot Brand) track lights. They've been working well for two years, and there is a lot of choices for different types of fixtures. I highly recommend them.

[@manuelnovas6927]

perfect

[@KirkandRA]

Scott comes back in 2024 and replaces them with recessed lights 😂

[@clydebalcom8252]

I like that system.

[@lleonardylie5856]

Q

[@nikkolaus]

gaudy as hell !!

[@denniskintanar7971]

6631

[@chewycornell]

//?//////?////

[@gantmj]

Step one: Get into a time machine, and travel back to a time before people came to their senses on the fact that track lighting looks terrible.

[@r1ckastl3y86]

It does not look horrible so stop hating and let people have their own tastes!

[@electricaf365]

I’m glad track lighting is a thing of the past

[@MilkmanCR]

Ugly looking. I would recommend under counter LED instead

[@crosslink1493]

The new lighting system makes the kitchen darker than the old one! Why not some under-counter task lighting and use the existing ceiling connection to put in a few of those newer thin recessed LED lights (check where the ceiling beams are first with a scanner). I'd only use track lighting if I needed something for the short term, like if I was planning to remodel in the near future.

[@danielweinstein7189]

Man I hate the look of track light. So many more options could have done. We have lights under our cabinets that are flush and seemless. So much better looking.

[@rexfizzle]

Oh Jesus, track lighting. Kick me in the face so hard I land back in the 80's

[@jakeflane2218]

Looks weird for a kitchen

[@notagamer6]

Good video but wrong area to add track lighting, itd be cool in a studio

[@Mrmudbone_gaming]

Not only is it "this old house" but also "this old lighting fixtures". Recessed lights would have been much better. Do your work right or don't do it at all.

[@r1ckastl3y86]

How is putting up track lighting not doing your job right? Please explain. Some people don't like modern looks. Stop complaining. I like the old look honestly because it is just cool to me so do not judge me. Let people have their own opinions!!!!

[@calorox101]

First time i disagree on the "improvement"

[@livinandlearnin]

Looks ridiculous

[@aidenbelt8989]

Looks like the vegetable section in Kroger

[@Fkidd702]

He does not know what 360 means 😂 he said 360 this way and 360 that way

[@poolahpot]

Sorry, but thumbs down on this guys!

[@venividivici4253]

Track lighting is still a thing?

[@cmw00263]

The home owner is the one who picks out the lights

[@jrock865]

the home owner had no idea what was going on

[@cmw00263]

The home owner picks out the lights

[@jrock865]

ya and he still had no idea what was going on lol.

[@cmw00263]

Maybe you should stop being rude ok.

[@jrock865]

not being rude at all just stating the obvious.

[@rolfsinkgraven]

Wow "old" house again wit a old vid, yawn...........

[@lovdeepgahunia1692]

What size drill bit did you use to put in the toggle bolt ?

[@gangisspawn1]

Whatever size toggle bolt you have................................. *sigh*

[@bryangyorgak7981]

This is not new this was on tv years ago

[@tonyd9455]

1980 called. They want their light back!

[@r1ckastl3y86]

I called. I want you to stop hating!

[@maliki1991]

Really awful, the wiring system is exposed and the light fixtures are so outdated. They only modern thing here is the LED

[@r1ckastl3y86]

Lots of people hate LED's. Why do you think that people have to make everything modern? Explain.

[@honestcomments6060]

1980's are calling the show and they want itheir lights back. Nice under cabined LED stip lights would have made such an improvement and a nicer, stronger light bulb in a 3 bulb dinette chandelier would have had the same result. This is HORRIBLE!

[@r1ckastl3y86]

This is not an honest comment, Honest Comments

[@honestcomments6060]

@@r1ckastl3y86 You know more about my opinion than I know myself. Do not be a moron.

[@r1ckastl3y86]

@@honestcomments6060 it's a joke.

[@honestcomments6060]

@@r1ckastl3y86 No it wasn't

[@khgriffi]

That looks terrible lol. looks like someone is pointing flashlights at the cabinets

[@aerontudor6542]

this was disgusting to watch.... i mean that house was decent looking, but now it got slapped back in time... no no... track lighting should be kept only at whatever malls clothing stores are still opened... To the homeowner please just take them off and redo it... lol JULLISON LED 12 Packs 6 Inch Recessed Low Profile Slim Panel Light with Junction Box, IC Rated Air Tight, 120VAC, 12W, 800 Lumens, 4000K Cool White, CRI80+, Dimmable, Damp, ETL + Energy Star

[@r1ckastl3y86]

Nobody cares about recessed lights unless you are crazy and want to make your house look bland and boring

[@TheNaughtyBarberess]

Do you have options to put on additional bulbs along the tracks?

[@poeticthoughts06]

yikes. this is bad