But is tension good needed at home? Manufacturers are silent about serious disadvantages. We'll tell you what you need to know before starting repairs.
1. Smell
At first, an unpleasant aroma will live with you. In the style of new shoes or jacket. It usually disappears after two to three days.
But there are not isolated cases when a chemical odor is persistent. This indicates low quality of the product. If you paid a lot, you were most likely scammed. Masters are cunning and often pass off cheap film as expensive.
2. Sagging
It often happens in large rooms. If the ceiling area is more than 20 square meters, choose a different finish. There is a good chance that PVC (polyvinyl chloride) will sag. The repair will have to be done again.
An alternative is a suspended ceiling in combination with plasterboard structures.
3. Seams
There are seamless options. They are expensive and look great. And there is a democratic option - with seams that stand out well on the glossy surface. Aesthetics are a big loser.
You don't like it when the joints are visible on the wallpaper, do you? Exactly.
4. Durability
It's a shame, but she's weak. A suspended ceiling in a nursery, where there are often fireworks displays of toys, is immediately a bad idea. You need to be careful with tall furniture.
By the way, fabric has higher reliability.
5. Collapse
This is a popular drawback of suspended ceilings. The bottom line is that with any draft, the film will be pulled towards the main ceiling. This is a mistake by the masters. A good specialist should equalize the pressure even at the installation stage.
6. Hygiene
Are you of the opinion that surfaces in the house should breathe? This will not happen with PVC.
Are you on guard for cleanliness? It is impossible to wash the film from grease or soot. The surface is thin and cannot be washed with special care. But you still have to go through with a damp cloth - dust settles on the PVC, and it is noticeable.
7. Tightness
“A very controversial point,” the producers will object. And they will do the right thing. On the one hand, a suspended ceiling protects against flooding. On the other hand, it will still have to be completely replaced. In the case of a regular ceiling, partial repairs can help.
There are cases when a person comes home and water has accumulated in his ceiling. Some people put a support so that the canvas does not tear out. By the way, it will not break out, but with such manipulations it will splash water - this is guaranteed.
What to do? Call the craftsmen who installed the ceiling. They will pump out the water and make a verdict on what to do next.
Opinion
Believe me, all these shortcomings can be prevented. But is there any point in being so concerned if suspended ceilings are no longer fashionable?
What do you think about suspended ceilings? It will be useful for both us and readers to know your experience.
Among the options for finishing ceilings, the most modern is considered to be a suspended ceiling.
The popularity of such designs is explained by a number of reasons, including:
- speed of installation work;
- absence of large amounts of dirt and dust;
- the opportunity to realize various design ideas, thanks to the variety of color and texture solutions.
The seemingly simple installation of PVC sheets is actually complex and has some nuances, so installing suspended ceilings with your own hands is not advisable - it should be done by specialists. Services provided by professionals are preferable, since installation is carried out by builders who have considerable experience in this field; they have special equipment and all the necessary tools at their disposal.
Creating a suspended ceiling structure yourself is quite possible if you have the desire and construction skills, but you cannot do without the help of installation specialists: taking measurements must be done correctly, otherwise troubles cannot be avoided. In addition, PVC sheets of certain sizes are produced on special machines in industrial conditions.
Building materials and fasteners
As the technology for installing suspended ceilings provides, when performing installation you must have at your disposal:
Profile for tensile structures
Manufacturing companies offer not only polyvinyl chloride baguettes for the installation of ceiling systems, but also those made of aluminum. They are usually produced 2.5 meters long, but if necessary they can be easily cut with a grinder.
Depending on the method of fixation, the profile is divided into the following types:
- wall-mounted – considered the most popular mount; it is mounted on walls. According to the installation method, this baguette resembles a guide profile used for the construction of suspended ceiling structures made of plasterboard;
- ceiling - it is attached to the base base and used when it is not possible to mount the profile to the walls;
- separation - is a connecting baguette, it is used to make suspended ceilings - the installation of which must be done in large rooms (from 60 “squares”). In this case, there is a high probability that the polyvinyl chloride sheet will sag under its own weight, so they are installed as separate ceiling systems.
Canvas and harpoon mount
To make the canvas, polyvinyl chloride film is used, which is in rolls, while glossy materials are produced in widths of 1.3, 1.5 and 1.8 meters, and matte products are produced in widths of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.7 meters. Segments of the required length of the same color or shade are pre-cut, and then they are combined on HDTV machines into a single web, as in the photo.
The seam after soldering turns out straight and thin, almost invisible (read: “Stretch ceilings - soldering, features of soldered canvases”). The fabric pattern is made smaller than the ceiling area by about 5-15%. This is necessary to obtain a high-quality result, since the material is stretched in order to obtain a perfectly flat surface.
When the device is performed, it involves attaching PVC film using the harpoon method. The harpoon is a rigid plastic plate with a special shape, which is secured by welding along the perimeter of the blade. This fastener is necessary to secure the film in the baguette.
Stretch ceiling is a beautiful, ultra-modern stretch ceiling finish that can last for several decades, delighting its owners. Installing a stretch ceiling may seem simple. After studying a large number of videos on the Internet on installing a stretch ceiling, you can take on this task yourself. However, the quality of installation depends not only on the skillful installation of the ceiling, but also on the quality of all components. Components for suspended ceilings are all the components of this complex structure:
- profiles,
- fastening elements (screws, dowels),
- platforms for chandeliers and lamps,
- decorative elements.
It is these elements that we will talk about in detail in this article.
Profiles for stretch ceilings
The main retaining element in the design of a stretch ceiling is profiles, they are also called baguettes, they are distinguished by the types and materials from which they are made. And it is made of aluminum or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Professional installers prefer PVC profiles, since they are more flexible and can be used to create ceilings of various shapes; in addition, when exposed to moisture or from time to time, stains may appear from the aluminum profile. PVC invisible profiles are used for the harpoon fastening system of the canvas; PVC profiles in the form of clothespins are necessary for installing a fabric stretch ceiling, and the canvas can be tucked into it more than once, and accordingly there are profiles for the glazing bead fastening system. In general, PVC baguettes have the following advantages:
In addition to this, profiles are:
- Wall-mounted - attached directly to the wall, the optimal distance by which the ceiling will have to be lowered with such fastening is 4-5 cm.
- Ceiling - attached to the ceiling when it is not possible to attach to the wall.
- Universal - can be mounted both on the wall and on the ceiling.
- Separating – fixed to the base ceiling and serves as a connection between two fabric panels.
- Corner – necessary for connecting straight profiles in corners.
Depending on the type of stretch ceiling structure, other types of profiles can be used. For example, a profile for mounting the backlight, which is necessary not only for reliable installation of the lamp, but also to ensure its connection to electrical communications. Also, in the manufacture of two and multi-level suspended ceilings, profiles are used for fastening suspended structures, which actually form the second and subsequent levels. For multi-level suspended ceilings, a reliable aluminum ceiling profile is used.
Fasteners
During the installation of a stretch ceiling, you will also need fastening elements, first of all, self-tapping screws and dowels. Dowels are used to secure screws or self-tapping screws in the wall. Depending on the material from which the walls are made (concrete, brick), as well as on the shape of the structure, self-tapping screws of various lengths can be used. Most often, to attach the profile to the wall, 5*51 mm self-tapping screws and 6*50 mm dowels are used, but some also use 6*40 mm dowel-nails.
Platforms and thermal rings
Platforms and thermal rings are necessary for installing spotlights in the ceiling. Usually a universal platform is used. It is a multi-stage plastic ring that provides the least contact with the tension fabric, which means it makes it more invisible. Several types of such platforms are made: D55-125, D60-110, D65-115, D125-155, D165-225, so you can mount lamps of various diameters from 55 to 225 mm. To do this, a ring of the required diameter is cut out on the platform with a knife, removing excess steps.
Important! For the D55-125 platform, the extra steps are cut in a circle, placing the knife horizontally, and all other platforms need to be cut vertically, as if squeezing them out.
A very important element when installing lamps is the thermal ring. It serves as protection against heat from light bulbs. To more reliably prevent the fabric from rupture and overheating, it is better to use double thermal insulating rings. The rings are produced with a diameter from 20 to 112 mm and are made of heat-resistant German plastic.
It should also be said that when decorating lighting in a room with a suspended ceiling, in addition to spotlights, chandeliers are used. Mounts for chandeliers are installed before the canvas is directly stretched. To do this, use a special hook or butterfly mount. You will learn how to secure a chandelier in detail from other articles.
Decorative elements
During the installation of a stretch ceiling, a technological gap may form between the canvas and the wall, which can be closed using special inserts (plugs). Despite the fact that this is a decorative element, it is of great importance for the entire structure, forming a perfectly smooth, even surface. The plug is inserted into the profile and snaps into place; it can be changed several times without damaging the canvas. Plugs are made from various materials; they come in a variety of colors, textures, and there are even decorative elements with different images. There are several types of inserts:
Decorative cords and plinths can be used as decorative elements. The cord is a fairly simple element, but at the same time very beautiful. It differs from the plug only in that it is mounted differently. It must be placed along the crack and pressed into it using a non-sharp tool. It is also easy to dismantle.
As for the ceiling plinth, it is not attached to the ceiling, but glued to the wall. To do this, choose a plinth with a wide part for gluing. In this case, LED lighting can be placed between the baseboard and the canvas, stepping back from the canvas only a couple of centimeters. This design approach will highlight the beauty of the entire structure.
Attention! Do not glue the plinth to the tension fabric under any circumstances, otherwise the fabric will be irrevocably damaged.
To summarize, I would like to note that choosing components for a stretch ceiling is not at all difficult, the main thing is to know what to choose. It also happens that the company that produces suspended ceilings also produces branded components that are of high quality. However, their cost is also quite high.
Whether you install a suspended ceiling yourself or have it done by professionals, you should know what you are paying your money for, what additional elements are included in the cost estimate and why. But saving on components is also not reasonable; only high-quality materials and professional work will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the ceiling for decades.
A stretch ceiling saves your time, your money and even your living space - because when installing it, less height is lost than when choosing suspended structures.
The most important thing is not to confuse suspended ceilings with suspended ceilings. Suspended structures are a rigid frame into which various modules are installed - slabs, panels, cassettes, and suspended ceilings are a vinyl film fixed with a baguette. Both designs are suitable for rooms of any height; they completely hide various defects in the base ceiling, as well as electrical wiring, ventilation pipes, etc.
feel the difference
Stretch ceilings have undeniable advantages:
- Externally, they are most similar to a traditional plastered (or painted) ceiling, if you compare vinyl film with metal panels, and even more so with mineral fiber slabs.
- If the entire surface of the suspended structure consists of separate segments, then stretch ceilings, although they have seams, are completely invisible. The number of seams directly depends on the width of the room, since the film is produced in a standard size (roll height 1.6–2.2 m).
- When installing a stretch ceiling, less height is lost - from 11 mm to 6 cm, while suspended ceiling systems “eat up” 4–15 cm.
- Other positive aspects include fire and water resistance. The canvas is not only not afraid of moisture, but also reliably protects the room from leaks: its square meter can withstand up to 100 liters of water. Well, after the water is removed and the base ceiling is dried, the film (of course, not without the help of specialists) takes on the same appearance as before the accident. Any other ceiling will undoubtedly require partial or even complete repair.
- finally, a tensile structure refers to materials that are produced to order for a specific room, which excludes its purchase in a construction supermarket. On the one hand, this can be considered a disadvantage, since from the moment of payment to the start of installation you have to wait 3-20 working days. On the other hand, an individual approach to manufacturing makes it possible to take into account all the features of the room (non-rectangular and even curvilinear configuration) at the production stage and, as a result, eliminate the rather costly stage associated with fitting it “to fit”. All that remains is to carry out not too complicated installation, and by the hands of professionals.
- By the way, it is also not necessary to remove furniture from the room - it is enough to move it to the center of the room, and after 4-6 hours - this is the time it usually takes to install a stretch ceiling - return it to its original place.
Cosmetic surgery
Settlement is an annoying addition to an apartment in a newly built building. You can, of course, first do a quick renovation, wait five to seven years, and then start full-scale interior decoration. But there is another way out - follow your own plan, simply install a suspended ceiling in all rooms. Of course, it will not be possible to get rid of cracks in base ceilings and their junctions with walls in this way. However, all defects will be securely hidden behind vinyl film.Products and prices
Thermal expansion
A change in the geometric dimensions of a stretch ceiling with a significant increase in room temperature (say, in hot summer) is quite a common occurrence. After all, the technology of its installation is based on this property of vinyl film. However, the ceiling increases in size slightly, so its sagging will be completely unnoticeable.Depending on the area of the room, the cost of a stretch ceiling varies between 900–2100 rubles/m². The smaller the room, the more expensive a square meter of finished coating will be. In addition, its cost is influenced by the degree of gloss of the film (matte, satin, glossy) and its color (more than 150 shades). The most economical and at the same time the most popular is white matte or satin fabric. A little more expensive - about 20% - is a colored matte, satin or glossy film. Even more expensive (30–35%) is a square meter of ceiling with a suede, leather, metal or marble texture. And the most expensive are the so-called artistic canvases. Their square meter costs approximately 4500–5600 rubles.
Many companies that include the production and installation of suspended ceilings in their list of services offer to calculate the approximate cost of the finished canvas of the required area and configuration directly on their website. The online calculator, of course, gives some error, but in general it helps you get your bearings. We recommend that you take into account that any additional work associated with the production or installation of the ceiling will be calculated and paid for separately. As an example of such technological operations, we will give the manufacture of holes for built-in or pendant lamps, edging of pipes, the passage of curved surfaces and corners in the amount of more than four, vertical bends of the canvas, etc. Separately, the costs do not seem too large, but the total cost can be quite impressive. However, these amounts seem quite reasonable when you consider the problems we will be spared for the next ten years. This is exactly the guarantee that all manufacturers without exception provide. At the same time, according to representatives of companies, the actual service life of suspended ceilings is much longer. Time will tell how much exactly, because just over 12 years have passed since the installation of the first suspended ceilings.
Caring attitude
Caring for a suspended ceiling is as easy as shelling pears; just wipe it regularly with a damp cloth or sponge. If desired, you can use a neutral detergent. The main thing is to avoid direct contact of the blade with sharp objects. And champagne corks cannot cause any harm to him.Installation of suspended ceilings is rightfully considered one of the most progressive and modern methods of finishing ceilings, firstly, due to the speed of installation of suspended structures, and secondly, from a design point of view. However, the seemingly simple PVC ceiling system is actually very labor-intensive and difficult to install yourself.
In this regard, most customers prefer to use the services of professionals who have sufficient experience and specialized installation equipment and tools.
Installing a stretch ceiling with your own hands is, of course, possible if you really want to, but, one way or another, calling specialists is necessary: only they can take qualified measurements and produce PVC sheets with the required parameters in accordance with them (see). Read on to find out what the technology of installing suspended ceilings is.
Construction materials and fasteners used during installation
To install suspended ceiling structures you will need the following materials:
- PVC profile (baguette) intended for installing suspended ceilings;
- a canvas made of polyvinyl chloride film (PVC) - it is connected by soldering from the required number of pieces of material and edged around the perimeter with a harpoon;
- stripping - a decorative element that will cover the gap formed between the wall and the suspended ceiling;
- self-tapping screws and dowels - will be needed for attaching profiles to walls or ceiling bases.
Profile for suspended ceiling systems
Manufacturers offer to purchase not only polyvinyl chloride baguette, but also aluminum (see). The classification of the profile depending on the method of fastening is as follows::
- wall-mounted – the most popular type of baguette; it is fixed on the walls and, in terms of its installation method, resembles the fastening of a guide profile when constructing suspended plasterboard ceilings;
- ceiling - fixed to the ceiling and used in cases where it is not possible to install the profile on the walls;
- separation - a connecting baguette used when it is necessary to install a ceiling in large areas (60 m2 or more); in this case, the likelihood of the PVC sheet sagging under its own weight is quite high, so suspended ceilings are installed in the form of separate installation groups.
Advice! As a rule, a profile for suspended ceilings is produced in a length of 2.50 m, but during installation it can be sawed with a grinder into pieces of the required length.
Installation of a stretch ceiling involves the initial installation of a baguette to the walls or ceiling around the perimeter of the room, as well as further fastening and tensioning of the PVC film (see).
PVC sheet and harpoon system
The canvas is made, as already mentioned, from rolls of PVC film. Rolls of glossy textured film are available in widths of 1.3, 1.5 and 1.8 m; mat width is 1.5, 2.0 and 2.7 m. The required number of segments of the same color is prepared, which are then connected by soldering.
The connection points are thin and straight, after installation they are almost invisible. The fabric pattern is made with a smaller area relative to the ceiling by 5-15%, which is necessary to stretch the film and obtain a high-quality result - a perfectly flat ceiling (see).
A harpoon is a flexible but rigid PVC plate of a special shape, attached by welding along the perimeter of the canvas and used to fix it in the baguette. The harpoon has a higher density than the canvas itself, and is quite simply inserted into profiles. The installation of suspended ceilings involves reliable fastening of the harpoon in baguettes; it occurs without any effort. This fastener is named so because of its similarity with the design of a well-known fishing tool.
Experts call the harpoon fastening system one of the strongest and most reliable: it can handle not only the load generated by the weight of the stretch ceiling, but also additional impacts. For example, it can withstand a significant amount of water in the event of flooding of your apartment by neighbors above.
Installation of a stretch ceiling
Installation of suspended ceilings is carried out in this order:
- Markings are applied to the walls - a horizontal line along which the profile will be attached.
Advice! Markings on the walls before installing the baguette should be applied using a building level. This will ensure perfectly even lines and a high-quality final result.
- The baguette is installed using self-tapping screws along the markings.
- The PVC sheet is suspended from the rough ceiling using hooks.
- The room where the installation is carried out is heated to a temperature of 50-60 0 C, for which a heat gun is used.
- After a certain time, the film acquires elasticity and softness, and becomes easily stretchable. This means that it is time to attach the canvas to the baguette. The PVC sheet is stretched and the harpoon system is inserted into the profile using a construction spatula. After the harpoon cools, it straightens inside the baguette, forming a strong connection.
- The room is cooled to room temperature, after which the film is compressed and stretched. During this process, the canvas is finally straightened, and the surface of the ceiling becomes smooth and beautiful.
- The final stage is the installation of the decorative strip. It “hides” the gaps between the molding and the walls. The strip is fixed to the profile using specially designed teeth located on both fastening elements. The decorative element is made from the same material as the harpoon and is purchased together with it.
The installation of suspended ceiling structures is presented in a video on the relevant topic presented on our portal.
This is exactly what the installation of suspended ceilings looks like. Despite the complexity of self-installation, now you know its technology, and this will help you monitor and evaluate the work of invited specialists. Choose suspended ceilings for your home, and it will be a model of style and beauty not only for you, but also for your friends and acquaintances.