The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Picture Rail Hanging System

Why a Picture Rail Hanging System Still Reigns Supreme

When it comes to mounting artwork, signage, or framed décor without damaging walls, a picture rail hanging system remains the smartest solution.

It’s the go-to choice for galleries, museums, schools, and more recently, modern homes and commercial interiors.

Why? Because once installed, it becomes a permanent, flexible display infrastructure that allows you to change, move, or rotate content without drilling another hole again.

But with a wide range of options available, how do you choose the right system for your needs?

Let's walk through the four key factors: discreetness, strength, convenience, and versatility—and how AS Hanging Systems excels in every category.

1. Discreetness: Open vs. Closed Face Track

The visual profile of your picture rail matters—especially in spaces where minimalism or historic charm is a focus. AS Hanging offers both closed-face and open-face tracks to fit your design intent:

Click Rail Track : A discreet, closed-face option that hides all fasteners. Available in finishes that blend into any wall. Best used when visual minimalism is the priority.

Classic Wall Track & Contempo^® Track : Open-face tracks that show fasteners but offer easier access and greater strength. When installed above eye level or lighting lines, the visual impact is minimal.

TIP: Mount tracks above the lighting wash or at ceiling height for maximum discretion. Choose a finish that blends with your wall or trim color to reduce visual footprint.

2. Strength: Know Your Load Needs

Different tracks offer different load-bearing capabilities, and it's important to align those with what you’re displaying:

Classic Wall Track: Carries up to 50 lb/ft (74 kg/m). Ideal for heavy frames, wood-mounted pieces, or art in public spaces.

Click Rail Track : Supports up to 20 lb/ft (30 kg/m). Excellent for lighter framed art or photography in residential settings.

Contempo^® Track : Handles up to 12.5 lb/ft (18 kg/m) but is the only track in the market designed to work on curved walls, including serpentine or concave walls.

Don’t underestimate the importance of strength. Planning for heavier displays in the future is a smart long-term move.

3. Convenience: Think About Day-to-Day Use

If you're running a gallery, staging a retail window, or updating classroom visuals frequently, ease of access becomes key. Here's where rods vs. cables come into play:

Rods (used with Classic Wall Track and Contempo Track) offer the fastest, tool-free adjustments. You can remove and reposition them while standing on the ground—no ladders needed.

Cables (compatible with all tracks) are more discreet and flexible, perfect for lower-traffic applications.

Open-face tracks make inserting or repositioning rods and cables easier, offering a real time-saver in busy environments.

4. Versatility: Prepare for Evolving Needs

The more flexible your hanging system, the more long-term value you’ll get. At AS Hanging Systems, both the Classic Wall Track and Contempo^® Track work with either cables or rods, offering unparalleled display options. The Contempo^® Track even adapts to curved walls, making it a unique option no other vendor can match.

✔ Perfect for framed artwork, canvas, signs, shelves, and even transparent acrylic panels.
✔ Ideal for galleries, lobbies, schools, conference rooms, and upscale homes.
✔ Compatible with accessories like hooks, clamps, and display pockets.

Click Rail Track – Ultra-low profile, closed-face system

Classic Wall Track – Our strongest and most used open-face solution

Contempo® Track – The only track that follows curved and complex surfaces.