One of the economical ways to decorate the ceiling of any room is to use ceiling panels. The most popular type today are PVC plastic panels. They are presented in construction stores in a wide range, allowing any client to choose the right option. PVC panels are quite lightweight, easy to install, they look very aesthetically pleasing, and they will cost quite inexpensively for the average resident.
Features of plastic PVC panels
Plastic ceiling panels are not difficult to install, they do not require special construction qualifications and skills. With a careful approach and accuracy, you can cope with the ceiling lining alone. However, before buying the material, special attention should be paid to its quality, since it is it that determines the reliability and long-term durability of the entire panel ceiling structure. Poor materials will appear even at the time of installation of the panels. When choosing a material, it is necessary to carefully consider its surface: it should be smooth, without flaws, and the drawing should be printed very clearly, without blurry edges.
Panel Types
There are two types of panels: wall and ceiling. Wall mounted heavier and denser. The ceiling panel, on the contrary, is very light, but also more fragile. It must be handled very carefully and carefully, since the slightest pressure with a hand or a construction tool can dent and ruin the surface of the product. That is why, starting installation work with PVC panels, due care should be taken.
Ceiling panel: types
Plastic panels come in a wide variety of types. There are many options for width, color, texture, and size. The panels are reminiscent of various types of wood, marble slabs, as well as a number of other popular finishing materials. The ceiling panel can be glossy, and also have a shiny (due to specialized varnish) or matte finish.
Operational properties
The main advantage of PVC panels is their resistance to moisture and ease of maintenance. Due to this, they are actively used for bathrooms, toilets, corridors and kitchen facilities. Many people prefer to use ceiling panels for balconies and verandas. There are also elite types of panels designed for living rooms, bedrooms and other living rooms.
The ceiling lined with plastic PVC panels can hide any flaws or surface defects. Under this design, it is quite easy to conduct engineering communications (pipes, wires, electrical wiring). It is very easy to mount lighting elements in the panel (for example, small lamps). Panels can create the appearance of a set (for example, individual wooden boards) or a monolithic smooth surface.
Calculation of the required number of panels
To begin with, you should determine the total surface area of the ceiling of the room (multiply the length by width). The resulting number should first be divided by the area of the panel. The manufacturers and specialists in the field of installation advise multiplying the figure obtained for the second time by a factor of 1.15-1.19. This additional material is most often spent on trimmed panels.
To calculate the number of additional mounting elements (for example, a profile), you will have to draw a room diagram taking into account the scale of all parameters and draw several parallel along either side of the ceiling. Such lines will become the markup for installing the profile. The most correct will be to place the profiles at a distance of 0.5-0.6 m. That is, you need to calculate the required number of lines of the mounting profile, draw them every fifty or sixty centimeters. The ceiling panel will be supported by the mounting profile and stand tighter. A profile of rigid materials should be used around the perimeter of the ceiling, and softer profile materials will be suitable for transverse structures.
Additional accessories for installing panels
To install the panels, in addition to the mounting profile, you will also need a number of other materials. For example, to fix the mounting profile, you will need several dozen special screws with large caps. It is necessary to install one self-tapping screw for every half a meter of the plastic panel. After finishing the ceiling sheathing, many prefer to give it an aesthetic appearance with the appropriate color skirting board. In order to calculate the required number of skirting boards, it is necessary to calculate the perimeter of the ceiling and, in accordance with the obtained values, purchase the appropriate product.
Ceiling panels with accessories necessary for installation can be purchased at specialized building stores.