Coffered ceilings in the interior of the premises are not the invention of modern designers. They were used by the builders of Hellas, Ancient Rome, the Renaissance, went a long evolutionary path and today have occupied a certain niche in the original solutions of modern interiors.
Despite the fact that the decoration of the rooms by the caissons has now lost the original function of facilitating the overlap, it has revived and performs an exclusively decorative role. Unlike the architecture of antiquity, caissons are not made in the depths of the overlapping structures, but are created artificially by bulkheads from a wide variety of materials. It should be recognized that the use of such a technique for decorating ceilings is in demand by both homeowners and designers.
What is the coffered ceiling?
The word "caisson" is borrowed from the French language. It translates as “box”. Externally, the caissons can be different, but, as a rule, we are talking about a surface that is divided into equal sections by wooden false beams and jumpers between them. Such designs look original in rooms with high ceilings, adding to them aristocracy and elegance.
Coffered ceilings made of solid wood look very expensive, have a long service life, although the price of such a coating and its installation will be considerable. This design, which is also called lacunar, with various recesses, cells and beams. It has a large number of angles, which does not interfere with the use of round shapes.
The ceiling design in the living room, for example, can be represented by various configurations of beams, profiled transitions to the walls, stucco elements and painting on the ceiling.
New design
Today, this ceiling design is back in fashion. In addition to a spectacular appearance, such caisson structures have many useful properties:
- solve the issue of sound insulation;
- hide elements of engineering communications;
- mask surface defects;
- improve acoustics.
Previously, such designs were framed by intricate carvings or stucco molding. I must say that some types of such decor are still used in the design of the ceiling in the living room, study, dining room. More often, simple, smooth beams are used. This in no way worsens their appearance, but allows you to harmoniously fit into the interior.
The main advantage of coffered ceilings, which was appreciated both during their invention and today, is their ability to give the design of the room a strict conciseness. Caissons look best in high rooms. If the ceiling height is less than 2.5 meters, then such a coating is better not to use. The interior style of the room should be considered. For example, in most modern styles, such ceilings look inappropriate.
Types of caisson ceilings
Today, the following types of such structures are most often used:
- MDF ceilings. This option is affordable and at the same time well imitating a natural coating of wood. With proper installation of coffered ceilings, MDF panels produce interesting and original designs. In addition to low cost, such coatings are easy to install. unlike wooden structures, for example. The disadvantages include poor resistance to moisture, increased combustibility and low strength with mechanical damage.
- Plasterboard ceilings. Another option that can be attributed to the budget. Most often it is used in rooms with high ceilings and large windows, decorated in a classic style. Quite often, drywall constructions are equipped with additional lighting.
- Polyurethane ceilings. Their distinctive features are light weight and high cost. The advantages of designs include symmetry of parts, low flammability, wide color gamut and resistance to moisture. Depending on the manufacturing quality of the elements, the installation of a polyurethane ceiling can be very simple or rather complicated. Polyurethane ceiling caissons, which exactly match the size of your ceiling, can simplify the task.
- Cardboard ceilings. Cardboard is a popular material for such ceilings. Beams assembled from it are mounted using wood glue. On mounted beams, you can stick a film that simulates the texture of wood.
- And finally, the classic version - coffered ceilings made of wood. Such designs have excellent decorative properties - natural wood looks spectacular and creates a special atmosphere in the room. Environmentally friendly material is absolutely safe, and therefore it can be used in the house without fear. Most often, such coffered ceilings are made of oak, ash, and walnut. Sometimes rarer and more expensive breeds are used. Such designs hide any imperfections in the ceiling surface, as well as communications. The disadvantages of coffered wooden ceilings include their high cost, which depends on the selected material and the complexity of installation.
You can achieve a visual effect at a lower price. To do this, you should purchase less expensive wooden elements, which are then treated with a special coating - stain.
What is stain
This is an amazing material that helps to quickly and efficiently transform the interior. The wood stain can make the wood color more saturated, it emphasizes its unique pattern. The color scheme of wood stains for wood is very wide, so you can not only focus on the texture of the wood, but also radically change its color.
Types of stain
Depending on the material, which became the basis of the composition, several types of stains are distinguished:
- Water. This composition is economical, does not require special skills in the process, is inexpensive. The product is non-toxic and has no unpleasant odors. It is for these reasons that it is most often used for internal work. The surface dries a little over 12 hours.
- Alcohol stain. A feature of this composition is its quick drying. Therefore, it is often used for wood processing on the street. When working indoors, you should take care of good ventilation.
- Oil stain. The basis of this composition is linseed oil. She gets divorced by white spirit. Such a stain allows you to give a variety of shades to wooden surfaces. The composition is applied easily, penetrating deep into the wood, and well protects it from moisture.
- Wax stains. Eco-friendly and safe compounds, which leads to their high cost. They are used not only for painting wooden surfaces, but also for the restoration of wooden coatings.
- Gels are the thickest kind of stain. They are suitable for softwood processing. For application, special tampons are used. Most often, gels are used to work on the street.
- Acrylic stains. The basis of these compounds is an acrylic dispersion. Available in the form of emulsions that are easy to apply to the surface. Treated wood does not fade when exposed to sunlight and maintains color saturation for a long time.
- Beitz is a special kind of stain. They are based on dyes and pigments, organic solvents. Such compositions dry quickly and give a burn-resistant, even shade.
Today, the color scheme of wood stains is presented in retail chains in numerous shades (from white to black), which will allow you to create an original and elegant interior.
Preparatory phase: design tips
As a rule, the manufacture of coffered ceilings is trusted by professionals. This is understandable: the wooden structure must be fitted very accurately, and there are many details in it, so for an amateur, such work can be too complicated. Although experts do not recommend the use of such structures in rooms with low ceilings, some owners of such rooms dream of the ceiling in question. Designers in this case recommend choosing the thinnest panels in light shades.
When making a coffered ceiling made of wood, adhere to the general rule: the larger the room, the more beams you will need for decoration. Do not equip such constructions in rooms with poor lighting and dark furniture, as you risk getting oppressive and unpleasant surroundings.
How to get started
First draw a sketch and determine the composition of the future ceiling. It is necessary to take into account the height and interior of the room. To calculate how much material you need for a coffered ceiling made of wood, you need to build a drawing, noting the location of the plates on it.
Going to the store for materials, take it with you. Please note that the wallpaper should be correctly selected to the ceiling. It can be very simple canvases or wallpaper with a picture. Experts consider light wallpaper a win-win option. Now you need to choose the blanks that your coffered ceiling will consist of. The easiest way is to purchase individual modules, which will become the caissons that are glued to the ceiling. The caisson pitch varies from 80 to 100 centimeters.
To create a coffered ceiling made of wood in large halls or living rooms, as a rule, oak, pine and other natural wood are used, in other living quarters you can use a particleboard (chipboard). This material is much easier to use and handle.
If the material is additionally upholstered with natural veneer from spruce, oak or beech, it will acquire a bright texture and a very attractive look. In addition to light wallpaper and wood, you need to work with high-quality glue for wood, glue paint, saw, nails, a ruler and a square.
Fake beams
A coffered ceiling is impossible without the main part - support beams having a complex box-like structure: they are fixed to the ceiling, creating an ornament in accordance with the sketch.
Such elements are made from different types of wood: cedar, spruce, larch, pine. With the help of wooden beams, you can not only create a unique design, but also hide the wires, as well as the defects of the floors. As a rule, preference is given to coniferous species, since hardwood material is much more expensive. If you wish, you can also order oak elements - they differ in strength, durability, quality, but also at a higher price.
In addition to natural wood, false beams are made from other materials. Moreover, a good imitation of natural beams on the ceiling sometimes outperforms solid wood in practicality and aesthetics. The most popular types of false beams include: made of drywall, polystyrene, polyurethane. Often used sheets of chipboard and fiberboard. Metal beams that imitate the color and texture of wood are much less commonly used.
Surface preparation
In order to ensure greater reliability of the fixation of materials, the surface should be primed. If the primer is absorbed too much, then after drying, coat the surface with a second layer. Experts recommend gluing wallpaper under coffered ceilings. Pick canvas with a fine texture.
Grid layout
To perform this work, you will need colored chalk, a square and a tape measure for marking the grid, along which beams will be installed on the ceiling. The guideline for you should be a sketch made before the start of installation.
Measure the length of the sides of the room, divide each value in half to find the center of the room. Mark this place with chalk and connect the opposite sides of the room with a line. Now you need to decide in which direction the main beams will be. Mark the position of their ends with chalk on opposite walls and draw lines along the ceiling, connecting these points.
Mark the location of the main and transverse beams. In addition, their width should be noted in order to know the exact size of the butt joints and panels. The size of the panels, their shape and quantity is up to you.
Beam Installation
This is a very important point in the installation of a caisson ceiling made of wood, since the general appearance of the ceiling depends on how carefully this work is performed. As we have already said, beams can be hollow, in which case it is easy to hide electrical wiring, pipes and other utilities in them. If you use solid wood beams, it is recommended that you make a gutter in them for laying wires.
If you work without helpers, make a T-shaped support (wooden ceiling minus beam) from wooden slats. It will hold one end of the beam when you work with the other. Install beams around the perimeter of the room, with the longest of them being installed first. In a square or irregularly shaped room, start by installing a perpendicular to the support element - to achieve a strong connection.
Using a pneumatic nailer, nail the beam with nails at a distance of no more than 30 cm. The opposite perimeter beam is also fixed. Now you need to measure the distance on each side of the room between the beams and prepare the material for the transverse sides. They are also fixed on the ceiling. After the perimeter is formed, the main longitudinal elements are installed according to the marking.
Measure the distance between the main beams and then cut the transverse to the desired size. They are installed similarly on marked positions. It is necessary to strengthen the design. To do this, hold the nailer at an angle of 45 degrees near the junction of the main and transverse beams and hammer the nail into the transverse beam at an angle.
Ceiling plinth
If the shape of the caisson and its real depth is formed by the height and placement of the beam profile, then the visual depth and the border of the caisson are formed using the ceiling plinth. At one of the caissons, measure the internal dimensions of all its sides. If there is a gap between the beam and the ceiling caused by the unevenness of the ceiling, consider this height in the size of the baseboard.
Cut the ceiling baseboard to the required length. Cut a 45 ° angle on each side. One by one, install the slats, pre-lubricated with wood glue, and fix at the beams.
In some cases, each box from the baseboard is easier to assemble separately, and then completely install in the caisson. In this case, glue is used to collect the baseboard. Check that it fits well and glue the baseboard. Fasten it to the beams with nails in each corner of the box.
Ceiling decoration
The final stage in the installation of a coffered ceiling made of wood, which allows to give the surface a finished look, as well as to hide irregularities, if any. Fill all the cracks and joints between the beams, ceiling panels and baseboard with latex sealant. Coat the nail heads with wood putty and putty knife.
Decorative elements
The coffered ceiling looks more interesting if functional and decorative elements are added to it:
- Spotlights. If you want the ceiling to look below the height of the beams, consider installing spotlights. They reduce height and create a special atmosphere. This option is suitable for spacious rooms with high ceilings.
- Medallions. If you plan to use a ceiling chandelier, prepare a locket in this place. He will emphasize the features of the lamp and focuses on it.