Lighting on the ceiling is a fashionable and original way to organize lighting in the room. There are many options to do this on different types of grounds. In this article, we consider the most popular types of lighting products for ceilings, especially their installation.
Backlight selection
Which backlight to choose depends on many circumstances. For stretch linens, LED or neon lights are best suited, for plasterboard ceilings - spot lights. You can combine the types of lighting, this is also allowed.
The backlight should be thought out even at the stage of planning the design of the ceiling. So it will be easier to arrange a place for equipment and a wire system. When installing the backlight, you need to take into account its characteristics, the amount of radiated energy in the form of heat. The materials used to make the ceiling must be compatible with your lighting system. If the composition of the materials will contain harmful components, then when heated by lighting elements, they may evaporate from the surface.
If you decide to carry out all types of work yourself, then you should select the backlight, the installation of which will not cause problems. If knowledge in the field of connecting electrical equipment is not enough, then entrust this to a knowledgeable specialist. For example, an improperly selected power supply for an LED strip, in the best case, can reduce its service life by several times, in the worst case, a complete failure of the entire system may occur immediately after connecting the circuit to the power outlet.
Gypsum plasterboard ceiling
Drywall is a versatile material with which you can erect various designs. Their shape can be diverse, and not just straightforward. Above in the photo is a plasterboard ceiling with backlight, made using different levels and types of lighting. You can use spot lighting or LED. Choose the lamps of the desired shade of light.
There are two types of gypsum board ceiling lights:
- Open. These are spotlights that are mounted in pre-made holes in a drywall plate. The wires and the inside of the lamps are hidden on the inside of the drywall plate.
- Hidden. Such light sources are hidden on the shelf of the lower level box, and only the scattered glow is visible. In this case, you can use the LED strip, only in this way the radiation will be uniform. For the construction of the box, you can use the metal profile.
Luminous stretch ceiling
With proper installation and selection of lighting elements, you can completely abandon other lighting devices.
In the photo - a stretch ceiling with backlight, imitating a large window. Bright light allows you to get rid of bulky chandeliers and other structures. For some types of interiors, this is very important. Rooms in the style of minimalism, for example, in the absence of small design elements look even more spacious.
With the help of special matter and lighting, you can make a stretch ceiling that will simulate the sky with stars and the moon. In the afternoon, the ceiling changes color to bright blue. This effect can be achieved by using a special LED backlight for the ceiling and a timer that will automatically switch the type of lighting at a certain time.
Most often, for the organization of a stretch ceiling, a PVC cloth is used, which has a 50 percent transparency level.
Illumination for single and double level ceilings
With backlighting you can fantasize and experiment. If the ceiling is single-level, then the backlight is mounted around the perimeter or inside the box. LED strip or other lighting elements can be located under a stretch ceiling. In this case, the light will be diffused and soft. If you decide to mount the tape, then it is better to place it in special boxes that scatter light and hide the unsightly appearance of the tape itself. In a two-level stretch ceiling with backlight, the first layer can be covered with PVC film, and the second can be made using drywall.
If your ceiling is multi-level, then you can hide the lighting elements on the shelf of the lower level. The lamps themselves will not be visible, but their glow will be scattered across the surface of the ceiling. You will get lighting effects that will emphasize the bends of the second level. It looks very impressive, but such lighting is not basic, since the level of light will not be enough to illuminate a large room in the dark.
Spotlight mounting
For spotlights, it is necessary to make holes of the desired diameter in the surface of the drywall. The lamp is installed in the hole and fixed with a special ring, which is included. Wires are laid inside the box.
All work on connecting the spotlight is carried out only with a complete de-energization of the wiring, since the circuit is powered from 220 V.
Choosing LED Lighting Equipment
The most convenient option is the use of an LED strip, which is easily mounted. The tape itself is represented by a flexible board with LEDs and resistors located on it. The reverse side of the tape has an adhesive surface. There are tapes with a protective silicone layer, which protects all elements located on the board from moisture.
The LED strip should emit a sufficient amount of light, so you should approach its choice with responsibility. The larger the LED, the more power it has, therefore, its brightness will be higher. Determine how powerful LEDs can be by marking, which is applied to the tape itself.
If you select the power supply yourself, then you need to calculate the power that the entire tape will have. You can find out the consumption of LEDs from the following table.
Multiply the result from the table by the number of meters of tape. To the result we add 20%.
Most LED tapes are designed for 12 V, but there are tapes that should work with 24 V or 220 V power supplies. Be sure to check this information. The manufacturer must write this parameter on the tape.
Cornices for LED strip
Eaves for hidden lighting is a very interesting novelty that allows you to hide LED elements. At the same time, they are an element of room decor.
The inner surface of the cornice is covered with reflective foil, which allows you to direct all the emitted light. On the inner surface of the cornice there is a special recess in which the LED strip is mounted. The cornice itself is attached to a wall or ceiling, it depends on the model and the desired direction of the glow.
There is another kind of cornices that have a transparent light-scattering surface. This surface is made of polycarbonate. The cornice itself can be curved or straight, so you can easily make any composition that will repeat the linear bends of a multi-level ceiling.
LED Strip Mounting
As mentioned earlier, there is nothing complicated in installing an LED strip . Before starting work, carefully inspect the flexible board: there should be places with cut lines on it. It is on these marks that you can trim the tape if there is a lot of length.
If it turns out that the length is not enough and you need to attach another part of the tape, then you have to use a soldering iron. Take small wiring and solder the two pieces of tape, connecting them according to the polarity that is indicated on the board.
After the entire tape is ready, connect it to the power supply. Be sure to check the circuit for functionality before installation. Remove the paper strip and attach the tape to the desired location. You can additionally use better double-sided tape to keep the tape tighter.
If the LED backlight turns on the controller, and switching is carried out from the control panel, then do not forget to take the IR element out of reach, otherwise the panel will simply not work.
Original backlight
A luminous ceiling does not have to be familiar to us of all shapes. Using drywall and LED strip, you can create whole works of art. To organize 3D-space, as a rule, a PVC film is used, on which a three-dimensional drawing is applied. LED lighting is installed under the film. For a room made in high-tech style, you can use a geometric 3D-pattern. Visually, such a ceiling can significantly expand the space.
The soaring plasterboard ceiling with lighting is an example of an unusual and original organization of space. The frame is made of a metal profile. Plasterboard slabs are attached to it. All joints are carefully filled and leveled with putty, and then leveled with sanding paper. If desired, the design can be painted in a room suitable for the design of the room. This floating plate is attached to the ceiling with special hooks and suspensions. An LED strip is installed around the perimeter of the plate. When you connect the backlight, an illusion will appear that the ceiling is floating in the air.
Using drywall, you can perform the most unexpected and original design options for the ceiling space. And the LED strip will create accents along the edge of the bends. You can install the RBG tape, which can glow with all the colors of the rainbow, as well as create effects of color transitions.
Starry sky on the ceiling
A mysterious and bewitching night sky with stars and a moon on the ceiling is a design that is suitable for any room. Especially like this illusion for young children.
To organize such a ceiling, you will need a metal profile. Plasterboard plates are installed on the frame. When this design is ready, you can proceed with the installation of the film on which the drawing will be applied. It is better to use PVC film. The drawing you need can be ordered from a company specializing in this. They will make a layout according to the size of the ceiling, which will be exactly with the pattern that you choose.
The effect of flickering stars is achieved by using the backlight. Unpainted parts of the film will transmit light. LED strip or spotlights are mounted on a drywall surface. It is better to use powerful LEDs with a cool white glow.
Stained glass luminous ceilings
The bends on the ceiling perfectly complement the classic-style interior.
In the photo - a soaring stretched ceiling with backlight, made using a PVC film with a printed pattern that simulates stained glass. Such designs can be of various forms:
- dome;
- round;
- in the form of a lampshade;
- rectangular;
- polygonal;
- asymmetric.
A suspended version of a stained-glass structure is a more complex way of organizing a ceiling. The frame of the structure is erected from a metal profile and suspended on special suspensions. Stained glass elements are usually made of polycarbonate. They are installed in the niches of the frame.
You can make a stained-glass window using PVC stretch film. Such an option can be performed by a person who has even the smallest amount of knowledge in this area. In this case, it is also necessary to prepare the frame, on which the film or web will be stretched.
Lighting equipment is mounted inside the frame so that the light from the lamp falls vertically down. You can install several types of LED strips, which will differ in the color of the glow.
Neon lights
This type of lighting is represented by closed glass tubes, the inner surface of which is covered with a powder - phosphor. Inside the tube there is gas - neon, and at the ends of the tubes there are electrodes to which voltage is applied.
In the photo - a ceiling with illumination from neon tubes of different glow colors.
Neon lights look very aesthetically pleasing, the glow is very bright and smooth. Such illumination does not emit extraneous noise, and such lamps will serve 10-15 years. This is undoubtedly a big plus, but there are also disadvantages. Installation of neon lighting is a complex process that only a professional can perform. The flasks are made of glass, which means they are very fragile and can crack under mechanical stress. As soon as the tightness of the bulb is broken, the gas will escape and the lighting will become unusable. You will not be able to make such a backlight yourself; you will have to contact an organization specializing in the production of this equipment.
Neon lights are mounted either in niches made of drywall, or in special skirting boards for lighting. To connect a neon lamp, a step-up transformer is required. For 5-7 meters, one transformer is enough.
Finally
When choosing a lighting for the ceiling, rely on your abilities. Not all lighting options can be done with your own hands. The ceiling should fit into the overall design of the room, complementing it with its shape and glow. Remember the rules of fire safety: lighting elements should not be very hot.