The technology of creating suspended ceilings has been used by craftsmen for several years. With the optimization and improvement of consumables, it was noticeably simplified, without losing its advantages. Owners of houses and apartments can still expect to receive an original aesthetic effect while maintaining technical and structural advantages. How to stretch this type of ceiling? The operation consists of several stages - of course, delicate and requiring certain knowledge. However, an ordinary home foreman familiar with a typical set of construction tools can handle the installation technique.
What is a stretch ceiling?
Such ceilings are formed by two main components - the supporting structure and fabric. As for the supporting elements, in the simplest solutions it can be a regular profile frame. In fact, these are metal strips on which the fabric is subsequently fixed. The canvas, in turn, is stretched and fixed at the prepared mounting points. More complex designs use plastic baguettes. These are almost ready-made supporting structures that need only to be fixed. They are specially tailored to the size of a particular room.
How to stretch ceilings of a multilevel type? This solution is not often used in ordinary apartments, but it can also be implemented on their own. For this, a two-stage frame is created - from the same profile elements or baguette. The first level is attached directly to the ceiling or wall surface, and the second is already on the installed frame of the first level.
Types of fabrics used
Several classifications of paintings used in the design of a stretch ceiling are used. For the consumer, differences in surface texture are especially pronounced - glossy, matte or satin. The first option is distinguished by the fact that the coating gives a reflection and mirrors the atmosphere of the room, and the second two have a rough surface without glare. The question of how much the ceiling is stretched depends to a large extent on the fabric material, but on average, the work is done in 1-2 days.
More common is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. Due to its practicality, work is faster. However, an alternative solution in the form of polyester fabrics gives more advantages in practice. In particular, it is a lighter and thinner material that is processed with special compounds. Due to the secondary processing of coatings, it is able to withstand high temperatures and high levels of humidity.
Features of seamless ceilings
In terms of aesthetic and decorative value, seamless canvases are the most advantageous. These are fabrics that are made of polyester yarn, forming a knitted weave. Also, to obtain a completely monolithic surface, the fabric is impregnated with a polymer mixture, and then squeezed and calendered. This is done in the factory, but in the future you can stretch such a fabric yourself.
How to stretch ceilings with a seamless surface? At the time of commencement of work, rolls should be prepared with an individual fit to size. Installation is carried out using the mounting profile - by tempering with a pre-calculated molding. In terms of texture and texture characteristics, woven fabrics have practically no drawbacks against the background of film analogues. The variety of colors is just as wide and allows you to individualize any room.
Preparation for work
In the process of preparatory work, the contractor is required to fulfill several points. First of all, measurements are taken of the area that should be framed with a stretch canvas. Next, the material is purchased in accordance with the requirements - the supporting structure is selected, as well as the canvas. After that, they begin to prepare the tool and supplies.
Here it is worthwhile to consider in more detail the technical side of how ceilings are stretched and what devices will help with this. Installation is carried out by a power tool - the main one will be an electric drill / driver. With its help, you can create holes in the walls into which the supporting profiles will be integrated. You will also need a manual screwdriver, pliers, a level and a pencil with a ruler. In addition, a spatula and heating equipment will be required to work with the fabric, which will melt the fabric structure.
Profile Installation
Bearing mechanical fixation is carried out using hardware, planks and angles. The choice of installation scheme is determined by the configuration of the room. Mounting can be done to the ceiling and to the walls. It is important that the attachment points are reliable. Preliminarily, it is necessary to evaluate how strong the surface is and allows installation operations. Holes are drilled in the designated places - either dowels with anchors or installation strips are fixed in them.
The question of how to properly stretch the ceiling will be largely determined by the type of fastening and the frame itself. In some cases, the web is attached in nodes adjacent to the zones of fixation of the profile itself. Experts still recommend separating the technical sections of the mount. The best option is the basic fastening of the strap on the hardware and a separate installation of the canvas.
Web fixing
First of all, fixing points are outlined with a painting cord and a hydraulic level on the base ceiling. After that, the fabric in the package is heated by a heat gun and straightened. Using special clamping clips, the canvas is fixed to the profile structure or to the baguette. Using a spatula, one of the corners is fastened using a harpoon joint in the frame. Further, according to the diagonal pattern, the canvas is heated to 70 degrees and stretched over the entire area.
How to stretch the ceiling yourself without a special tool? Alone, this operation is extremely difficult to implement - except by using basting clamps. If there is no third-party assistance, it is advisable to initially use rolls with a polyester fabric. It is more malleable in terms of stretching and allows for an elastic surface. At the final stage, you must bring the harpoon into the groove of a baguette or profile element.
Installation of fixtures
To begin with, it should be noted that the stretch ceiling makes it possible to lay communications in the subceiling niche, which is formed by the frame. LED spotlights are installed in the suspended ceiling system. More massive devices to implement in such niches is undesirable. In addition, a base with cartridges must be previously created, which will provide mechanical fastening of the device. Here it is necessary to return to the question of how stretch ceilings are stretched at the stage of fixing profiles. In them special sockets with connection to cable wiring should be prepared. Further, the integrated luminaires are framed by a special edging, on which the canvas is superimposed.
What are the benefits of suspended ceilings?
It is practical in care and simply beautiful coverings which also possess physical endurance. For example, during a flood from above, they are able to withstand large volumes of water. As for mechanical damage, polyvinyl chloride is more justified in this respect - it is not afraid of accidental impacts and stitching effects, although experimenting with such manipulations is not worth it.
The only drawback is the tightness, due to which the canvas does not let air through. Hence the question - is it possible to stretch the ceiling so that it provides a ventilation effect? Unfortunately, in stone and panel houses this is not possible. Concrete walls and ceilings alone do not allow this possibility. However, in wooden buildings, it is advisable to use aerated fabric, which through the wood will also provide optimal regulation of the microclimate.
Conclusion
The installation of stretch linens is performed without special equipment, and their quality will depend only on the skill of the performer. How to stretch the stretch ceiling with your own hands so that it lasts as long as possible? To do this, first of all, you need to use high-quality materials. This applies to baguettes with profiles, and the fabric itself. The quality of the fastening and the configuration of the connecting nodes also matter. They should be rationally dispersed throughout the area so that there are no "empty" zones. As a rule, large gaps between the attachment points and become in the future weak points of the entire structure.