Adhesive ceilings are square or rectangular panels (slabs). The material for the manufacture of tile sheets is polystyrene foam or polyurethane, the surface of which imitates stucco decoration, natural stone or different types of wood. The panels are designed for installation on any surface, including brick, concrete and drywall. Due to its light weight and compact size, the material in question is easy to install and transport.
Calculation of ceiling tiles
Adhesive ceilings are quite easy to install. To avoid unnecessary waste, you must first perform the calculation of the required materials. This process begins with measurements of the room, taking into account the number of whole panels placed in width and length. The resulting numbers are multiplied, added one tile at a time to mask large slots and one panel to the smaller gaps, if any. The final result will be the required number of sheets required for the arrangement of the premises.
It is advisable to purchase tiles with a margin (approximately 10%). This is due to the possible deformation of the material during transportation and processing. If several sheets are cut incorrectly, the remaining part will be enough for pasting.
Types of panels
Glue ceilings according to technological parameters are divided into three types: injection, stamped and extruded. The first version of the tile is made of polystyrene by crimping under high temperature. Such technology makes it possible to obtain material with a beautiful appearance, and a wide range of patterns, reliefs and colors allows you to mount the product in any room, including rooms with high humidity.
The thickness of the panels varies from 9 to 14 millimeters, they are packed in compact blocks of 8 pieces, 500 x 500 mm in size. This approach greatly simplifies the calculation and installation of products. One package is designed to process two square meters of surface.
The stamped ceiling tile for adhesive ceilings (photo below) is made of polystyrene. This economical and high-quality material is pressed on special equipment under thermal influence. The thickness of the sheets are from 6 to 8 millimeters.
The extruded version is made from parts of polystyrene, laminated with a film. The smooth part of the panels is in the same tone or with the application of textures of different planes. The material is resistant to various influences; it is restored after light pressure by hand, does not require special care, and is durable. Additional convenience during installation is provided due to the slightly curved edge.
Features
Expanded polystyrene tiles for adhesive ceilings can be laminated or not. In the first case, it is covered with a white or color thin protective film. The surface is made with imitation of gypsum relief or woodcarving. Laminated panels are more resistant to moisture, dust and soot. Experts advise installing such products in kitchens and bathrooms. Unlaminated variations - smooth tiles with a grainy white tinted texture. After installing such products, they must be painted with acrylic paint of the desired shade.
Selection recommendations
When choosing adhesive tiles for the ceiling, you must pay attention to the surface of the panel. The material should not be porous, but moderately grainy. The sharper the structure, the better the finished design will be.
In addition, you should check the dimensions of the sheets in the package, comparing the reference sizes and indicators from different lots. They must be identical. Even a small error will cause a defect in the decoration of the room. It is also necessary to consider the corners of the panels. Too rounded edges will not allow for a perfect fit. If the material is made with technological disruptions, it becomes brittle. To check this parameter, take a corner of the sheet and shake it lightly. As a result of such manipulation, it should not break.
Adhesive compounds
For fastening the panels often use adhesive such as "Moment Installation" or special mastics. For example, the composition "Ekonaset Extra" is applied to the back of the tile, after which it is left for a couple of minutes to enhance adhesion. Then the element is gently pressed against the ceiling, held for a couple of minutes for a secure fit. The panels are fixed in a similar way when using Dragon glue.
The characteristics of the Brosex mastic for adhesive ceilings are optimally suited for finishing rough surfaces. The composition is made on the basis of styrene-acrylic. Additional fixing of the material is not required, just put the mastic using the dotted method in a checkerboard pattern. Universal glue "Titan" is made on a polymer basis, is characterized by increased resistance to various natural factors. The SW series is not afraid of frost, which is great for decorating country houses and other rarely heated buildings.
How to make an adhesive ceiling?
Before you begin the process, you need to clean the surface of the early layers of decoration and pollution. If necessary, the ceiling is leveled with putty. If the area is sheathed with chipboard or plywood, it is treated with a primer.
The adhesive composition is applied exclusively to the tile, the ceiling part itself is not necessary to process, since the load of the product will be small due to the low weight. It is impossible to make a completely seamless ceiling from the materials in question, but it is quite possible to bring the joints to a neat condition. If you use panels with patterns and wavy edges, the seams will be almost invisible.
Expanded polystyrene adhesive ceilings are mounted starting from the center of the room. First you need to measure the diagonals, followed by marking. The first panel is fixed clearly in the center of the room. A similar method is used if it is planned to stitch the surface with tiles of two shades. You should not be too zealous in the process itself, because the panels can become deformed due to excessive pressing.
Installation Nuances
In some cases, starting the installation of the structure in question from the center is irrational in economic terms. If the room is small, it is better to finish from one of the wall corners located opposite the entrance to the room.
Mastic or glue on the tile is applied pointwise: in the central part and at the corners of the panel. After the product "lies down" for several minutes, it is mounted on the ceiling. Excess composition is removed with a dry rag or cloth. The panel in places of gluing hold 2-3 minutes. It is worth noting that even a difference of several millimeters can cause certain difficulties when combining a pattern. Before mounting the panel, it must be attached to the already fixed elements and cut off excess with a clerical knife. It is better to cut the product on a sheet of corrugated cardboard under a ruler of metal. If there are bumps on the ceiling surface, small gaps will remain in any case. You can mask them with acrylic sealant.
Ceiling plinth
When performing work, it must be borne in mind that the gaps between the edge of the tile and the wall should be no more than the thickness of the plinth. Ceiling fillets are usually made of polystyrene or polyurethane, have a different texture and colors. Elements are glued around the entire perimeter of the treated surface.
Large, visible seams can be hidden with a small strip of panel. When installing skirting boards, difficulties often arise when joining corners. Therefore, it is recommended to use a miter box for cutting fillets. The element is placed in it and, after tight pressing, is cut off. Plinths can be installed both before painting or wallpapering, and after. The first option is preferable, since it allows you to remove the cracks between the wall and the baseboard using putty. But in the second case, at the finishing stage of finishing it is easier to remove small defects when wallpapering.
Cornices, sockets and other household accessories, similar to stucco molding, are mainly used for decorating large rooms. Additional decorative details can be in white color or with a color pattern. Plain products should be painted with acrylic paint because they turn yellow under the influence of the sun.
How to care?
The design of adhesive ceilings (photo below) is better and better during operation, if you follow a few simple rules:
- Wipe the panels regularly with a damp cloth from dust as they become dirty.
- Traces of fat should be removed using alcohol-based formulations.
- It is not recommended to use solvents for processing tiles.
- Laminated panels are maintained with a warm soapy solution.
- Do not leave polyurethane or polystyrene tiles near open flames. Despite the protective coating, such materials are subject to melting.
Adhesive ceilings have a number of obvious advantages. They are easy to install and maintain, presented on the market in a wide range, do not differ in high cost. The right choice and competent installation of panels will radically change the interior of the room for the better.