Designing an apartment with suspended ceilings is a quick and convenient option for decorating the ceiling. Not to mention the fact that such a design looks very presentable and beautiful. But on how to choose stretch ceilings, which will not be very “biting”, they will fit perfectly into the design of the apartment and last a long time, we will consider further.
Content:
- What is a stretch ceiling and what are the advantages of a stretch design
- PVC or fabric stretch ceilings: which material to choose
- Which stretch ceiling to choose by invoice
- How to choose a manufacturer of suspended ceilings
- The conditions for the manufacture and installation of the ceiling is also important
What is a stretch ceiling and what are the advantages of a stretch design
First, find out what this design is all about. Its main part is a canvas made of strong or not quite durable material, which is tightly stretched on a pre-mounted frame. The finished smooth canvas has a uniform, neat surface that looks very nice. And you can stretch this canvas so that the ceiling becomes curly and multi-level. Or combine different textures and colors - the space for a fantasy flight is huge. The palette of products consists of more than a hundred colors, and the textures are diverse.
- More about this in the material: What are the types of suspended ceilings.
Installation of stretch PVC ceiling.
Photo: www.nouvel.ru
And here are a few more obvious advantages of suspended ceilings:
- It is very good that this type of ceiling can be mounted not only during the repair. It is possible to do this at any time if you want to refresh the design of the room.
- Another plus - this design is mounted almost instantly. Hours 2 or 3, no more - this is if an even canvas is stretched. In the case of a multi-level web, it will take about 5-6 hours.
- Stretch PVC ceiling is able to withstand the considerable weight of water, accidentally spilled from the neighbors. And then it just needs to be pulled a second time, and there will be no trace of leakage.
- Such ceilings will serve you for more than a dozen years, without requiring special care, except for periodic wiping.
- You can hide under a tightly stretched canvas and wires, and other communications, and not very beautiful original surface of the ceiling.
PVC or fabric stretch ceilings: which material to choose
Film: economical, water resistant, durable
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC, vinyl) ceilings are also called film ceilings. The maximum width of the used film for such a ceiling is 3 meters (the equipment no longer allows it). If you need a wider ceiling, then weld (using the HDTV machine) another strip. A small neat seam is formed, which does not spoil the appearance of the ceiling - after all, this seam is practically invisible. And the texture of the film can be not only classic glossy, but also suede, for example, or satin. So there is plenty to choose from for film ceilings, making the design of your home interesting and original.
The main advantage of vinyl ceilings is their absolute waterproofness. And they are much cheaper than fabric designs, being no less high-quality. Is that the strength of the film is slightly lower than that of the fabric. Therefore, such a ceiling can be very easily damaged with any sharp objects. In addition, PVC ceilings are very much afraid of negative temperatures and crack when exposed to them. This means that their use on an unheated balcony or loggia is absolutely excluded. If they are not tested in this way for strength, then they will be able to please the hosts for a long time with their original appearance.
PVC film for suspended ceilings.
Photo: potoloksale.ru
Fabric: expensive, stylish, durable
This beautiful stretch ceiling, perfect for a bedroom or living room, will not cost very cheap. But he, in contrast to the film, is able to "breathe". Even if his panel blocks the ventilation hole in the surface of the base, the air will perfectly find its way through the fabric. As a matter of fact, this is not even a fabric, but a special mesh impregnated with polymers on both sides.
The width of the ceiling fabric is greater than that of the film - it can reach five meters. And therefore, usually there are no seams on fabric ceilings. For any shape of the room, even the most complex and bizarre, you can easily cut the canvas.
Due to polymer impregnation, fabric ceilings are antistatic and more durable than vinyl products. Do not pierce the canvas of such a ceiling with a sharp object, unlike the film.
Fabric ceilings can be stained (using acrylic paints), washed, vacuum cleaned. And they are not afraid of frost.
Textures of fabric stretch ceilings of various manufacturers.
Which stretch ceiling to choose by invoice
The main types of textures (for both fabric and PVC products):
- Glossy surface;
- Satin surface;
- Matte coating.
Well, the choice will depend primarily on which side you approach the acquisition of the ceiling. If you want cheaper, an opaque snow-white ceiling will suit you perfectly. Smooth, beautiful, noble, perfectly suited to any design, it will not make you go for too much expense. However, to create a luxurious interior, it is preferable to choose another option - for example, satin or varnish texture. Or, say, the textures of the Marble, Shine, Suede, Moire, Fantasy, or Style series.
The choice of texture will also vary depending on the room in which you plan to use the ceiling.
#1. In a living room, to visually increase the volume of a small room, you can use glossy film. When a lot of natural light enters the room, a satin finish is ideal.
#2. For the kitchen ceiling it’s better to choose a surface that is easy to care for. But how - after all, greasy plaque on the ceiling will have to be periodically wiped off. In this case, the glossy surface is exactly what you need. On it and the soot will not linger for a long time, and wiping it will not be difficult.
#3. In the sleeping room A calm matte ceiling of delicate colors will look great. Pastel colors go well with one of the types of matte textures.
#4. In the bathroom and toilet the shiny lacquered ceiling will blend well with the tiled finish. And even more interesting in this case is the texture “marbled”. Especially if the tile also has a similar design.
#5. In the office the ceiling is best made plain. Well, which stretch ceiling is better to choose - glossy or matte? Consult a designer. The main thing is that the ceiling fits in well with the overall design style, without creating a dissonance with furniture, wall and floor finishes.
We select the ceiling for a specific interior
Matte texture - this can be said to be a classic. Any style of interior will be unobtrusively emphasized by such a cozy and calm ceiling. It is not striking, but only serves as a background for any bright decoration items. For example, for curtains or fine furniture. Optimal for opaque stretch ceilings are country style, ethnic style and classic style.
Elegant glossy textures will be good for interiors in the spirit of minimalism or high-tech. They are great for living rooms where the whole family gathers. The glossy surface reflects the original furniture and interior decoration of the room, allowing them to repeat on the ceiling. Moreover, the reflection may be crisp and clear, and may be slightly blurry, smoky. It depends on the type of invoice. By the way, multiple reflections are able to give an extra volume to a room, making it a kind of “Looking Glass”.
And in which case is it worth buying satin? If it seems to you that gloss is too pompous, and a dull ceiling is too shabby, choose this option. The delicate iridescent silk satin ceiling with its structure resembles fabric. It just looks gorgeous in a room decorated in an oriental style: with an abundance of draping fabrics and silk pillows. However, satin is also not bad for classic interiors.
See also:
- Glossy Stretch Ceilings Reviews.
- Satin Stretch Ceilings Reviews.
- Visitors reviews about fabric stretch ceilings.
How to choose a manufacturer of suspended ceilings
Sometimes, looking at two very similar ceilings, you just wonder. It seems that the textures are the same, and the canvas material is identical, but the prices differ significantly. Well, most likely, the brand determines the difference. After all, tension structures are sold in two types: domestic and foreign production. And the second type, respectively, is more expensive. Therefore, not everyone can afford an imported stretch ceiling.
Ceilings from France are an example of quality and style. After all, it is documented that the first such designs were invented by the French. However, they still say that the first samples were made in Switzerland. Unfortunately, they did not have time to patent them. However, it is possible to glance in more ancient times - in Ancient Egypt, for example. And it turns out that there were also very similar designs. But why be wise - France, so France. Moreover, the French stretch ceilings that are currently being produced are simply magnificent. They are chic, durable, environmentally friendly. That's just very expensive.
In Germany, they also make excellent tensile structures. They are very beautiful, durable and reliable. And they also have many colors and textures, which is very pleasing to consumers.
The Italians distinguished themselves: they produce ceilings, which practically do not need to be looked after. Well, the quality of these products is not worse than that of ceilings originally from Germany.
It happens that repair tools do not allow you to choose any of the above options. Well then, take the alternative. Economy class is domestic paintings. By the way, outwardly, the ceiling of Russian production does not look worse than the imported one. If you don’t tell anyone about its origin, they won’t notice it. That's just such a design will last a little less than the ceilings from Germany, France or Italy. Alas - you have to choose between low price and durability.
Separately, it is worth mentioning about Chinese manufacturers. Everything is not so clear here, because there are Chinese-made canvases with quite acceptable quality and vice versa, those that are dangerous in environmental terms. Many complain of a very strong smell coming from Chinese-made paintings. In high-quality paintings, this smell should disappear within 1 to 3 days. If a stable odor lasts for 1 to 2 weeks, then it is worth considering the environmental friendliness of the material.
If, after a month of using the ceiling, the smell does not disappear, then most likely you have a low-grade fabric that can harm your health. It is often very difficult to guess what exactly they are installing for you, so here the experience of friends, acquaintances and relatives who have already ordered a ceiling in a particular company and can judge its quality can come to your aid.
The conditions for the manufacture and installation of the ceiling is also important
When answering the question of how to choose the right stretch ceiling, you need to take into account all the nuances listed above. But not only them. The quality of the entire tensile structure depends on another factor. Specifically - from where it will be made. There are two options:
- The ceiling is manufactured under production conditions.
- The ceiling, which is adjusted directly on the spot.
And if you are aggressively offered the second option, then you should not always agree. Because extra time will be spent on fitting, and garbage from these works will remain in the room.Well, you can’t get the right quality, unfortunately.
It is better if you bring a fully prepared, packed and calculated (according to a special program) ceiling. In this case, you need to ask the seller if he has the technical specifications for production and an ISO certificate. It is unlikely that anyone would want to “admire” the ceiling of dubious quality with a rough convex seam in their apartment. But to obtain a beautiful seam that will be barely noticeable, you need excellent raw materials and high-precision equipment. Therefore, require documents. Look at the quality of accessories (ceiling rails). They must be neatly made and strong enough.
As for the installation, there are also some peculiarities here. They must be taken into account at each stage of work. It’s great if the ready-made, calculated and packaged ceiling is brought to your home and installed quickly. Hours in two - three, no more. This is an ideal option. But do not forget to pay attention to which fastener system is used - wedge-shaped or harpoon. This will be important when changing the blade. If, for example, neighbors flood you or the vinyl film is accidentally torn. And it happens that nothing extreme happened - just want to change the color of the ceiling. For example, when the old got tired.
Wedge-shaped system of fastening of a stretch ceiling.
Harpoon system for fixing the stretch ceiling.
To easily and easily change the canvas, only the harpoon mounting system is suitable. Because the wedge-shaped system not only does not allow to do this, but also does not help to retain water spilled from careless neighbors.
