Within the framework of this publication, we will talk about stretch ceilings - their varieties, the advantages of shortcomings, and, of course, the features of the installation. It starts with the question: what is so special about these stretch ceilings, and because of what they are so popular.
Content
Stretch ceiling, what is it?
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This type of ceiling is a polyvinyl chloride cloth, which is stretched on the old ceiling. It is fixed using a special profile - we'll talk about it below. It seems that everything is clear and simple - the film was pulled on the ceiling, that's all. In fact, in the process of installing a stretch ceiling there are a lot of nuances unknown to beginners and amateurs in this matter. We will consider the most important of them, but first we will answer the question: why are stretch ceilings so popular in our time?
plus stretch ceiling
Stretch ceiling - the ability to get a perfectly flat surface. If you take a false ceiling from a gypsum board, for example, to "bring it to mind", you'll have to work hard: mount the plasterboard slabs according to the level, fill in the joints, fix the screws, then cover the entire surface with an even layer, wipe and dye . As a result, it is very difficult to obtain an ideal surface, and it is hardly a novice master to cope with such a task.
Another question is the canvas. There are simply no signs of finishing work on it. Someone can say that, for example, a designer cloth consists of welded pieces.
It's true, but you can see the seams, only looking closely, and then not always. In addition, there is a large selection of seamless stretch ceilings.
By itself, the installation of the canvas is not very troublesome and hard work. The preparation of the ceiling under the suspended ceilings is minimal, after the end of the work there is practically no debris. If, again, to refer to the example with the ceiling of plasterboard, which we described above, then no one will argue that after finishing the work, the premises will have to be cleared for a long time from construction debris and dust. At the same time, all the furniture has to be taken out of the room, since the dust from building mixtures is truly omnipresent, and polyethylene does not save it from it. Well, about how much time and effort takes away the process of installation, we already mentioned.
All these "horrors" in no way refer to stretch ceilings. During the installation a special frame is formed, which is installed under the ceiling along the perimeter of the room, after which the air in the room is heated to the required temperature, the panel is stretched and fastened to the frame.
The service life of stretch ceilings also applies to benefits - most manufacturers give a guarantee in 15 years. In addition, the producers claim that the canvas will work without problems for 25 and 30 years, practically without losing its original appearance. As for the suspended ceiling from gypsum board, then things are much worse - a guarantee for them only up to 15 years.
Another advantage of the stretch ceiling - it is not afraid of deformation of the building. This is an important point, since the new building inevitably shrinks, and there is a slight deformation in which cracks can form. The fabric is elastic, and can not crack. And, of course, the "classic of the genre" is the flooding by neighbors from above.
For drywall it is a disaster, and the canvas can withstand 50 liters of water, while stretching almost to the floor. Water can be drained and restored to the ceiling, however, only specialists should deal with this. The canvas will take its original form and there will be no traces of flooding. We also note the following: condensate is not collected on the surface of the stretch ceiling. This makes it possible to use the canvas in rooms with high humidity without problems, for example in bathrooms and kitchens.
The functionality of stretch ceilings is quite wide: they have good heat and sound insulation characteristics, they can be installed in different rooms - from the hallway to the bathroom. The ceiling fabric is fireproof, any lighting fixtures can be installed on the suspended ceiling - this can be both impressive sizes of a chandelier and a tiny dot light. Stretch ceiling - the best option for rooms with low ceiling, because almost "steals" free space. For example: at installation of a false ceiling it is taken away from 10 centimeters of space, then for a tension ceiling it is enough only 5.
So, above, we listed the main advantages of stretch ceilings, missing one of the most basic: stretch ceilings - it's very beautiful. Manufacturers produce films of different colors and shades (the color does not fade with time), as well as different textures. Canvas can imitate wood, metal, stone, etc. The surface is matte, or glossy, due to which experienced designers successfully use stretch ceilings to visually increase the space of the room.
One of the most beautiful ways to design a stretch ceiling is the so-called "starry sky". This effect can be achieved using light guides and a light generator, or by installing conventional light-emitting diodes on the ceiling.
The light guide is an element that conducts light.
It can be a metal tube, a transparent thread or a rod. Light guides are drawn to the desired points on the ceiling, and connected to a light generator. As for the LEDs, there is really nothing to explain here - they are simply fixed in the right places and connected to the power source. A more elegant effect can be achieved by attaching small glass lenses to the lighting elements (in expensive versions of the design use Swarovski rhinestones). The result is able to impress the most sophisticated aesthetes.
The use of LEDs has its pros and cons. For example, if you supply a label with a controller, you can create all sorts of special effects: flicker of "stars", their movement, etc. But light guides also have an advantage - they are absolutely not afraid of moisture, and they can be used in bathrooms.
disadvantages of stretch ceilings
They are not so many, but there are drawbacks. First of all, this, of course, is the price that "starts" from several tens and reaches several hundred dollars per square meter. Cloth stretch ceiling is very easy to damage a sharp object. Well, and, perhaps, the last - the complexity of installation and the need for special equipment.
Installation of stretch ceilings with their own hands
If, after everything you read above, you still have a desire to install a stretch ceiling with your own hands, then the following instruction will help you.
So, before you start working, we must specify the following:
• The material of the canvas. It can be PVC or a polyester based fabric.
• We buy lighting devices with a power of no more than 45 W. The stretch ceiling should not overheat, otherwise it will lose its elasticity.
tool for stretch ceilings
The main tools are as follows:
• A gas gun or a powerful fan heater.
• Rotary hammer and screwdriver.
• Laser or water level.
Additional tools:
• Roulette and ruler.
• Crocodiles or suspension brackets. Needed to hold the cloth in a suspended state. Depending on the area of the room will need from 4 to 10 pieces.
• Blades-spatulas. With their help, the canvas is set in a baguette.
• Paint stripping.
• Ladder-ladder.
• Stool - to trim the baguette at the desired angle.
• Folding Protractor
Consumables:
• Drill for a perforator, bits for a screwdriver, drill bits (if you need to use it).
• Plywood for mounting a chandelier or other high-light fixture.
• Stationery knife.
• Super glue, adhesive tape, sealant.
stretch ceilings, installation of baguettes
First of all, using the water or laser level, determine the lowest angle in the room. Having determined the desired angle, recede 2-3 centimeters for fastening the baguette (the distance depends on the curvature of the ceiling). Next, make a mark on the perimeter of the room, and they beat the line with a paint string. It will not hurt to measure the corners in the room with a folding protractor. This is necessary in order to know at what angle to cut the baguette - corners in residential buildings are not even.
So, the zero level is repulsed, the corners are measured, it is possible to attach the profile rake-baguette, but first it needs to be properly prepared. There are two options: if the rake is longer than the room, its edge is sawed at an angle equal to half the value of the corner of the room, that is, if the angle is 90, then saw at 45. When the rack is shorter than the room, one corner is sawed, as indicated above, and the second is exactly under 90 degrees (to well dock two pieces of baguette). After that, cut off the missing piece of baguette, one edge is cut in the same way, only in the opposite direction at the right angle, and the second is also exactly under 90 degrees. Two pieces of the profile are carefully glued, after that the finished rack is fixed to the wall with dowels and self-tapping screws. The same manipulations are carried out on all walls around the perimeter of the room.
installation of stretch ceilings, installation of linen
Then comes the turn of the cannon or the fan heater - with their help the air in the room is heated to 50-55 degrees, and only then can you unwrap the canvas.
Installation begins with the base angle of the canvas (it is marked by the manufacturer), then the opposite corner is fastened, and so all the corners. The sides are mounted from the corner to the center.
This type of mounting is only suitable for PVC sheets. For fabric ceilings, the order of work is different - first fix the sides, and only then the corners.
types of tension ceilings
Harpoon method. Used only for fixing PVC ceilings. Its name is due to the fastening element on the end of the film, which resembles a harpoon. The aluminum profile is used as a fastener.
Staggering method. Used a U-shaped profile and a wooden bezel, which clamped the canvas. This is the cheapest, but also the most unreliable method of fastening, since the glazing bead often pops up out of the groove with time.
Clip ceiling fastening. Used only during the installation of fabric ceilings "Clipso". Fastening element - plastic baguette. This method is suitable solely for fabric ceilings, as they do not stretch, unlike PVC sheets.
Installation of lamps and chandeliers
So, the canvas is installed in place, and now it is necessary to install lighting fixtures. And here we are faced with the question - how to make a hole in the stretch ceiling? In fact, everything is very simple - you only need a plastic ring of the right diameter, a good superglue, and a clerical knife. Of course, that the wiring and the bases for the lighting fixtures must be installed in advance.
A plastic ring is fastened in the right place, and the film is cut. That's all, you can install any lighting device. The whole process is presented in the following video:
Now let's look at some features of the selection and installation of lighting devices on the suspended ceiling. Most often in the house uses several types of lighting: the main and backlight. As the main source, any ceiling light type can be used: raster, luminescent, LED, etc. As a backlight, small spotlights and LED stripes are used. Any type of luminaire is used with a tension ceiling. The only condition is limiting the power of the lamps (incandescent - 60 W, halogen - up to 36 W.)
luminaire mounting options
Regardless of the type of light fixture mounted on the suspended ceiling, it must meet a number of requirements: the base should not be heated, the lamps must necessarily be placed inside the ceiling, downwards or to the side. If possible, too complex lighting designs should be avoided. It is highly desirable to use energy-saving lamps.
Lighting devices can be fixed to the ceiling in one of the following ways:
To the hook. For sure, this method is known if not for everyone, then for most homeowners - this method was the most common long before the appearance of stretch ceilings. The chandelier is simply hung on an anchor or hook, screwed to the ceiling.
The hook must be of sufficient length and be above the level of the blade.
Mounting on the mounting plate. In this version, the lamp is attached to the so-called mounting plate, which comes complete with a lamp or a chandelier. For the strips in advance, prepare a wooden base of the required height. It is attached to the black ceiling by screws and dowels. The holes for the dowel are made with a perforator or a drill.
Finally I would like to note that, although installing a stretch ceiling with your own hands is a feasible task, but if you are not confident in your abilities, it's better to contact specialists. You can get acquainted with the editing technology from the following videos:
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