For most projects, install AS Hanging wall tracks level and horizontal. This keeps the system within its rated capacity, lets hooks and hangers move smoothly, and delivers the clean, gallery look customers expect.
Recommended approaches
- Standard walls: Mount the rail flush to the ceiling or level on the wall. Use a level or laser to keep the track straight end to end.
- Stairwells or vaulted ceilings: You have two good options.
- Keep the track level at the top and vary the drop with stainless steel cables, nylon cords, or rods to align art with the stair line.
- If you need the track to follow an angle, use compatible rails with the proper angled accessories so the cord stays put and does not slide. This setup is typically limited to moderate slopes and light loads, so always check component ratings.
Why horizontal is preferred
- Load performance: Weight is distributed evenly across fasteners when the rail is level.
- Ease of adjustment: Hooks and panels slide left and right predictably for spacing and alignment.
- Aesthetics: A straight rail disappears into the architecture, letting the picture hanging system present art cleanly.
Pro tips
- Use two vertical supports for wider or heavier frames to reduce swing on stair runs.
- Add frame bumpers or stabilizers to keep artwork flush if the installation is in a high traffic area.
- When following a slope, confirm the track type, hook style, and cord or cable choice match the use case and weight.
Install tracks horizontally for best performance and the most professional result. In stairwells or angled spaces, either keep the rail level and adjust drop lengths, or use compatible angled accessories on approved rails for light displays, verifying all component ratings before you proceed.