The production of stretch ceilings has been presented on the modern market for a long time, and every year they are increasingly gaining popularity. This is not at all surprising. Indeed, in addition to wide design capabilities, they are distinguished by durability and reliability. Today we will help you figure out which material for suspended ceilings is best suited specifically for your room.
Features of the design of suspended ceilings
Stretch ceilings - this is a whole structure, which consists of a certain canvas and anchorages. The latter is represented by a plastic or metal profile. With it, the canvas for the stretch ceiling is placed at a certain distance from the base.
Such designs allow you to quickly smooth out absolutely any surface and create a new smooth one. Also, with their help, you can realize a wide variety of design solutions. Among the other advantages of suspended ceilings, the following are also distinguished:
- they allow you to hide the various communications laid on top;
- their installation will be much cheaper than installing drywall;
- installation is carried out in a short time without construction debris (even if the ceiling has several levels, then installation takes on average from two to six hours);
- it is not necessary to prepare a base ceiling before installation, and this minimizes not only time, but also material costs;
- the ceiling can be installed after other repairs;
- the service life, depending on the type, varies from 20 to 50 years.
The main disadvantage of suspended ceilings is that they do not "eat" the height of the room.
Modern materials for a stretch ceiling are presented in three types:
- from polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
- tissue;
- from fiberglass.
Consider each view in more detail.
PVC stretch ceilings
PVC is a material for suspended ceilings, which first appeared in France in the sixties. During this time, the technology of its manufacture was improved, respectively, the quality of the product itself improved. By the way, this kind is also called film.
Film for suspended ceilings is available in sizes from 1300 to 3200 mm. If this value is not enough, then several pieces are welded together. The seam is neat, small and almost invisible. Installation is carried out using heat guns that heat the room to 60-70 degrees.
PVC stretch ceiling can be of the following types:
- depending on the texture: glossy (visible reflections, lacquer texture and gloss) or matte (no reflections visible, the ceiling is perfectly flat);
- depending on the type of fastening: with a plastic insert (the technological gap covers the glazing bead) or gapless fastening (there is no gap between the flow and the wall, the joint is perfect).
The advantages of PVC material
- PVC film for suspended ceilings has a very wide color palette (more than 130 shades).
- The material takes a variety of forms.
- Wide range of permissible web width.
- It is possible to select the type of surface.
- Excellent value for money and quality.
- The surface is perfectly flat and has high moisture resistance.
- Such material is suitable for a stretch ceiling in any room.
- Coverage covers all communications.
- The material is highly resistant to fire.
- PVC ceilings do not absorb odors and dust, have a high level of thermal insulation.
- Such ceilings minimize the height of the room.
- Stretch ceiling made of PVC is very simple and easy to clean, does not require painting.
- The material can withstand loads up to 100 kg per square meter.
- If necessary, PVC ceilings can be dismantled and reinstalled.
- A wide variety of lighting systems can be built into the ceiling, as well as hoods, fire safety sensors, and so on.
Disadvantages of stretch ceilings made of PVC material
- This is not the best material for use in rooms with air temperatures below +5 degrees.
- In the first hours after installation, an unpleasant odor emanates from such a ceiling.
- Such a ceiling is very delicate and is easily damaged by mechanical stress.
- There is a barely noticeable seam when welding several canvases.
- If the weld is poor-quality, then there is a high risk that the welding line will diverge.
- The pattern of the material is done in production, so accurate measurements are necessary.
- When choosing a manufacturer, it is necessary to carefully study the availability of quality and safety certificates, since cheap and low-quality fabrics not only exhale an unpleasant odor for a long time, but are also unsafe for health.
Tension ceilings
In the manufacture of such ceilings, a special polyester mesh fabric is used, which is impregnated on both or only one side with polymers. The fabric web for the stretch ceiling is released directly from the roll, that is, installation occurs without preliminary cutting of the material.
The texture is very similar to ordinary fabric, fibers are visible. Roll width - 4000 mm. Due to this size, a seamless ceiling can be made. But if the width is not enough, then the canvas is interconnected using a special profile.
Benefits of Cloth Ceiling
- It has higher strength in comparison with a PVC sheet.
- This material is resistant to temperatures below five degrees Celsius.
- The fabric ceiling withstands more severe mechanical stresses than PVC structures.
- Fabric material for a stretch ceiling is highly soundproof.
disadvantages
- Fabric ceilings have a poor color palette.
- Paint can only be done after installation.
- The original design can be given only with the help of photo printing.
- Such ceilings are not able to completely retain moisture in the event of flooding.
- Cleaning the dirt from the fabric ceiling is not an easy task and takes a lot of time.
- Fabric ceilings cannot be mounted a second time.
- Such ceilings are characterized by high cost.
Fiberglass Ceilings
Fiberglass is a new material. For a stretch ceiling, it began to be used recently. Therefore, a guarantee for such designs gives a small - about five years. For other types, the warranty period is about ten years. Also, not all companies are engaged in the installation of fiberglass ceilings.
The stretch of the web is done similarly to the fabric look, that is, without heating. Painting and drawing is carried out after installation. The material is highly waterproof and soundproof, it is very durable and more environmentally friendly in comparison with a stretch ceiling made of PVC.
Types of stretch ceiling by design
Regardless of what material the stretch ceilings are made of, they can be presented in the following design:
- Starry sky: fiber optics and Swarovski crystals are installed in the ceiling. Thanks to this, the effect of the starry sky is achieved.
- Illuminated ceiling: LED strip is laid behind the ceiling. Helps create additional lighting.
- Two-level ceiling: a combination of glossy and matte canvases at different levels. It will help to zone the room.
- Stretch ceiling ZD: on the ceiling, various three-dimensional shapes, arcs, waves, arches or flowers are created.
- Photo printing on the ceiling: the ability to print any image on a matte or glossy finish.
Stretch Ceiling Guide
- First you need to consider all existing types of materials for suspended ceilings and get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Decide on the design of the ceiling and the color scheme of the material.
- Determine the maximum budget allocated for repairs in general and separately for the installation of the ceiling.
- Choose reliable specialists who will be engaged in the installation of the ceiling.
Color choice
The white ceiling is universal. But sometimes you want to create an unusual interior design that will not only please with color, but also perform some function (for example, visually increase the room). Moreover, the material for the stretch ceiling is characterized by a wide color palette. Here are some suggestions to help you choose the right one:
- If you are the owner of low base ceilings, then experiment with color is not worth it. It is better to opt for light shades: white, beige, pastel, blue. They visually enlarge the space and fill it with air.
- For high ceilings feel free to choose the dark colors of the stretch material.
- Light shades are suitable for any style of interior.
- Bright and contrasting colors of suspended ceilings should not be chosen for living rooms. Such colors cause only concern, and not the atmosphere of comfort and tranquility.
- For the bathroom and children's room, it is good to choose turquoise tones.
- The unique color in the interior will bring photo printing on a stretch ceiling.
- The bedroom will look great in the style of "Starry Sky". This will help create an atmosphere of relaxation.
Room Selection Criteria
For the bathroom, it is worth choosing a PVC material with a glossy texture. This is due to the fact that usually the bathroom does not differ in large area, but is characterized by increased humidity and temperature changes. Also, a glossy stretch ceiling made of PVC will be an excellent solution for the kitchen.
In the living room, any kind of stretch ceiling looks equally good. Therefore, it all depends on your aesthetic preferences. But remember that the glossy stretch ceiling has the ability to visually increase the room, and the matte look will look very good if a lot of daylight enters the room.
In the bedroom, usually choose matte PVC ceilings or fabric. They are the best suited to the atmosphere of comfort, tranquility and relaxation.
As you can see, each type of stretch ceiling has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is impossible to highlight the best material for suspended ceilings. It all depends on the room where the installation of the ceiling will take place, personal preferences of the customer, his design decision and financial capabilities.