Hanging pictures is a great way to add that unique touch to your home or office. It makes it more welcoming and perhaps even impresses your visitors.
But there are cases where hanging pictures doesn’t have a merely decorative purpose. Then the traditional hanging method (picture against the wall) might not be the optimal solution.
If using the walls isn’t the right way to go, which other option remains?
Right. Your ceiling!
How to hang from the ceiling: Artiteq’s Top Rail hanging system
Artiteq’s Top Rail hanging system is an incredibly flexible solution that is surprisingly easy to use and install. The final result is fantastic; it provides an almost invisible hanging system. All it takes is the rail itself, which can be ordered in different finishes or even painted, the appropriate fastener kit, and of course the hanging wires and hooks that suit your needs.
Et voila! You have undamaged, clean walls and can quickly and easily hang paintings, posters, photographs, or wall sculptures by clicking in the Twister hanging cords wherever you like.
This is what the Top Rail looks like:
Figure 1:How to hang prints from your ceiling.
Case studies
At Hang Logic, we have had several ‘unconventional’ enquiries over the last few years, a few of which are so unique that we decided to describe them here in this article.
How to display products from the windows of your shop
Last year we got an enquiry from Hassell https://www.hassellstudio.com/#0, an international architecture firm. They asked, "Could you install a picture hanging rail on our window architrave so that we can hang prints of our projects from it?" Pedestrians passing by their window could then admire their projects – great advertising.
We used Artiteq's Top Rail, a rail you can attach to a concrete ceiling, a wooden side strip of a recessed ceiling, the top of the interior casing of a cupboard, or in Hassell’s case, to the window architrave.
To hang Hassel's prints from the top rail, we used 1 mm twister hanging wires along with the 1 mm Artiteq micro-grip hook. These hanging wires are the thinnest on the market. The Perlon Twisters (transparent Nylon 6) we used for this installation are almost invisible.
Here's a photo:
Figure 2: Artiteq uses the Top Rail as a product display hanging system.
How to hang pictures away from the wall
Last year we installed a picture hanging system at King Living https://www.kingliving.com.au/, an Australian furniture design business.
They wanted one of their pictures to hang a short distance away from the wall so it would cast interesting shadows. We installed an Artiteq top rail to the underside of their curtain box (aka pelmet, box valance, or cornice valance).
Figure 3: The Artiteq Top Rail picture hanging track allows you to create incredible shadow effects.
Another request we received for a top rail:
“We want 10 x 6metres (approx.) rails to be fixed to a concrete ceiling in our community facility. I have attached a very simple floor plan (ground floor) with the area marked out for the ceiling fixed rails.”
We knew this would be a tough job. Drilling into 60 linear meters of concrete ceiling requires close to superhuman strength and stamina. After completing that job, you are eligible to join the superheroes league.
Difficult walls
Stone walls, tiles, or even concrete are all stylish materials that can give your space an unusual look and make it very distinctive and personal. However, it might be another story when you want to hang pictures on such walls. These materials certainly do not allow for an ‘easy drill’.
Well, sometimes the easy way is just above your head. Literally. In this case, the owner didn’t feel brave enough to try a drill into this magnificent stone wall (rightfully). Firstly, he didn’t want to wreck it with horrid holes, and secondly it can be quite tough to do.
However, a nice timber beam was available and perfectly suited the job.
Here’s a close-up view:
Figure 4: The Artiteq Top Rail hanging system is perfectly suited to hang framed art on a heritage stone wall
This client chose to use stainless steel Twister hanging wires and 2 mm silver ratchet hooks, which looked good against her magnificent stone wall.
Figure 5: Art gallery hanging system for your home.
Now you might be wondering: how many pictures can hang from the tracking? The weight limit is 20kg per linear meter of rail. A 1-meter wide picture is rarely heavier than 5kg so unless you have heavy frames with glass or heavy mirrors you should be fine.
Another example of a ‘difficult wall’ is a tiled wall. If you try to drill into such walls you risk cracking the tiles. Bates Smart Architects (https://www.batessmart.com) is an architectural firm with studios in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1853 it is one of Australia's oldest architectural firms and has been responsible for numerous landmark buildings. Their newest stunning creation is the Adina Apartment Hotel Grand development on Constitution Avenue, ACT[1]. [1] (https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6035895/first-look-at-the-adina-apartment-hotel-grand-development-on-constitution-avenue/)
Their Team contacted us wondering which technical solution would best allow them to hang a wire-frame artwork, without directly attaching it to the wall. The wall was covered in marble tiles, which could break if drilled. Once again, the Artiteq Top rails allowed them to overcome the issue, as shown in the picture.
Figure 6:Tiled wall with gallery style picture hanging system – Adina Apartment Hotel, Constitution Avenue, Canberra
More ideas: hanging musical instruments and separating areas
You certainly can. A client wanted to display musical instruments in his windows and throughout key areas of his store. He had used up all floor display areas and was looking for a solution to display the instruments at any level (low, mid, and high). The instrument hanging system needed to be extremely versatile.
Thanks to the ArtiTeq Top Rail he was able to hang unusually shaped objects (violins, saxophones, trumpets, and trombones).
Figure 7: The Artiteq Top Rail can hang surprising objects
The top rail can come in handy even for gyms. What a great idea to use these photographs as space dividers!
Figure 8: Use the Artiteq Top Rail as a room divider
The title of this article is: can I hang pictures from my ceiling? Our answer is yes, you can hang pictures from your ceiling, but don’t limit yourself to pictures, get creative and hang more (but don’t hang yourself).
