A stretch ceiling is a system consisting of two main elements: a perimeter profile and a lightweight material that is stretched and inserted into a metal or PVC profile. Allows the use of all types of lighting fixtures, grilles and mounting points. They can have different shapes, be suspended on cables, installed from wall to wall or placed as ceiling panels. The unique system offers fantastic possibilities and freedom to add additional dimensions to design potential. Let's consider what types of suspended ceilings exist, their types, advantages, disadvantages, as well as photographs of completed objects.
Types of materials
Two types of tension fabrics are made - fabric and PVC-based. The first option is a synthetic fabric impregnated with polyurethane. The second is a thin film made of polyvinyl chloride. To make a choice, it is important to know what suspended ceilings are, not only in design, but also their advantages and disadvantages. Each of them finds the best conditions for operation.
Film PVC
The practicality of this type of finishing is noted, as well as quite positive properties. The foundation is durable and does not age under the influence of negative influences. A heat gun is used during installation. The room is heated to 65 - 70 °C, the film is stretched, which allows it to increase in size and be properly fixed in the profile. After the canvas has cooled, it stretches and becomes smooth.
Advantages:
- waterproof;
- affordable price;
- durability;
- protection from flooding by neighbors;
- easy care (wet wipe, detergent);
- variety of suspended ceilings by color (more than 150 shades);
- aesthetics.
Flaws:
- low vapor permeability;
- damaged by sharp objects;
- blade width up to 3 m, if necessary, welding of parts is required;
- when exposed to low temperatures, it collapses and cracks (not suitable for installation on balconies, cottages, or in unheated rooms);
- if installed incorrectly, the canvas may sag;
- Trust installation only to professionals.
Sometimes concerns arise regarding the environmental friendliness of PVC material. But manufacturers who monitor their reputation do not use low-quality products; they use only high-quality fabric. To be sure, it is better to check the product certificate.
Fabric
Fabric ceiling is a safe, environmentally friendly material. Has a surface that breathes. It acquires improved properties after treatment with special compounds. The use of a gun is not required, the installation process itself is quick. There is no risk of damaging interior items. Fastening is carried out on PVC or aluminum profile. The surface is similar to a regular ceiling painted with water-based paint, the texture is matte.
Advantages:
- resistance to damage;
- microporous structure allows breathing and optimal air exchange;
- presentable appearance, suitable for the Baroque style;
- resistance to sub-zero temperatures (up to – 50°C);
- the canvas is up to 5 m wide, creating a seamless design almost everywhere;
- high level of environmental friendliness.
Flaws:
- 2 times higher price compared to film analogues;
- low resistance to high humidity;
- does not protect against flooding;
- fabric care is more complex (dry cleaning only);
- Stretch ceilings are distinguished by the presence of a range of colors (about 20 shades).
Varieties by level
There are suture and seamless stretch ceilings, depending on the installation method and the selected material. So, until recently, PVC films were produced only with a roll width of up to 2 m, so all ceilings were suture - they consisted of several canvases, and the joint between them was glued. Those clients who did not welcome the presence of a joint chose fabric canvases.
Today, there are no difficulties in such a choice - manufacturers began to delight customers with PVC films produced in a width of 5 m.
As a result, the choice increasingly began to fall on film varieties of ceilings, since their brightness and richness of colors are more popular with adults and children.
Poisonous repairs: how to choose suspended ceilings without chemicals. Video:
Types of fabric textures
They come in: glossy, satin, matte, as well as translucent and textured. Their scope is also different. In the kitchen, gloss, matte PVC sheets are most often installed. Contaminants and dust are easily removed from the surface. They do not absorb foreign odors or soot. It is recommended to install them in the living room or bedroom. But it is important that the design fits into the style of the room.
Glossy
Glossy shine, high reflectivity - all this looks quite impressive, visually increases the space, creates a feeling of weightlessness and airiness. The glossy ceiling displays the decor of the room and provides a mirror effect, making the room visually higher. The texture is smooth, dirt is removed quickly and easily.
Matte
The look is simple, laconic, reminiscent of a painted matte surface that does not reflect light, softly scattering it, and there are no reflections. Installed in a room with a classic style, it does not attract much attention, the texture is ordinary. Dust is quickly removed from the surface, and it is not very noticeable.
Satin
Soft, calm shine, unique reflection of light. An ideal option for creating a cozy interior. A weak texture that imitates fabric, something between a matte and glossy ceiling. Satin adds elegance to the room. If a colored canvas is used, the shade changes depending on the viewing angle.
Combined
They differ from others in the method of fastening individual parts. Film sheets are soldered on a special machine, and fabric sheets are stitched. The junction is not visible, it just transitions from one color to another. Looks as if paint has been applied to the surface. To further highlight the distinctions, different textures can be used to connect.
What sizes are there?
Size table.
| Dimensions | Fabric | PVC film | ||
| Satin | Gloss | Matte | ||
| Length | up to 100 meters. | up to 10 meters. | up to 10 meters | up to 10 meters. |
| Width | from 2.1 to 5.15 meters. | up to 3 meters. | from 1.3 to 2 meters. | from 4 to 5 meters. |
Color options
Fabric fabrics are not so diverse in color collections; the shades are faded. PVC has bright, rich colors and a glossy texture. Satin, matte canvases have mostly pastel colors. But satin contains an unusual pearlescent color, a “chameleon” effect. The ceiling can be with a pattern or photo printing. It produces a different effect on each type of material. On gloss they look clear and bright, on fabric they look like a fresco.
Photo printing
The drawing is transferred to film using special equipment. The paints that are used are not harmful to health, they contain dyes that do not have a negative effect, and the design on the coating holds up well. It can be wiped and washed with special detergents. It is resistant to fading and abrasion. The glossy canvas looks rich and bright. On a matte surface, images are natural and clear. The satin texture is elegant and emphasizes the interior design.
Color
How to choose the color of a stretch ceiling
The wide color range of stretch ceilings allows you to implement a wide variety of design ideas. The appearance of the material has a serious psychological impact on household members.
White color is traditional for ceiling cladding. It visually increases the height of the room, does not put pressure on the psyche, and is suitable for interiors made in various styles. White, as well as discreet pastel colors, are appropriate in living rooms, corridors, bedrooms, kitchens and other rooms. If you want to diversify the appearance of a light matte ceiling, you can apply elegant photo printing.
Bright orange, blue, purple, green canvases are well suited for children's rooms, filling them with an atmosphere of joy and energy. Rich colors can be chosen for the kitchen and bathroom.
It is better to decorate the bedroom in calm, romantic colors: beige, blue, pink.
The business style of the office will be emphasized by a brown ceiling, but it should not be very dark and not cause a depressing mood.
Psychologists attribute many qualities to the color red. On the one hand, it is the color of love and energy, on the other, it imparts aggression. In the interior of apartments it is used in the form of small inserts.
Glossy dark purple, steel, black ceilings will add originality to rooms with great height. Dark canvases are often used to create a “starry sky” effect.
Multi-level designs often combine textures and colors, creating a stylistic effect in contrast.
Stretch ceiling design
There are different types of structures that differ in installation method and design. Regardless of the details, a suspended ceiling is a product that is beneficial from a constructive point of view, bringing many different ideas to life. They do not cause problems during operation. There are no limits to your imagination regarding installation; any idea can come true. The list of suspended ceilings by color, shape, texture, number of levels is unlimited.
Single-level
A single-level design is a budget option. It creates a smooth surface suitable for small spaces that do not contain designer frills. The frame is fixed at the same height level, then the canvas is stretched over the entire area. The work takes no more than 3 hours, it all depends on the size of the room. If the width is not enough, then the parts are connected with an invisible seam. If there are niches or projections, then the shape of the ceiling will accurately follow them. A good option for rooms with low ceilings.
Advantages:
- simple, quick installation;
- there is no reduction in ceiling height;
- absence of dirt, dust;
- reasonable price of the material.
Flaws:
- simple look.
Two-level
The design consists of two different levels, creating color combinations on the surface. Various effective combinations highlight the interior and highlight certain accents. Most often they are installed in living rooms, halls or kitchen-living rooms. Two-level ceilings look beautiful if the ceiling is high, the first floor is combined with the second, or in a commercial play area.
Advantages:
- visual division of the room into zones;
- combination of different shades, textures;
- high installation speed;
- numerous design possibilities;
- unlimited color range.
Flaws:
- creating difficulties in care;
- visual decrease in height;
- requirements for room parameters;
- the price is higher than similar ones.
Multi-level
They allow you to create a structure with an unusual design that copes with the visual zoning of the room and places accents. Several levels allow you to hide air ducts and other communications. The tension of the canvas occurs at different heights. Aluminum and plastic baguette can be used. The first method of fastening is reliable, the second is universal, as it can be combined with any type of harpoon. The surface combines different colors and textures: matte with smooth, translucent with opaque. Lighting options can also be combined: perimeter lighting, chandeliers, built-in spotlights.
Advantages:
- visual change, room division;
- creating unusual shapes;
- the ability to install additional lighting, highlighting the transition between tiers, making it noticeable and expressive.
Flaws:
- difficult care;
- high price;
- room height requirements.
Cornice
Which cornice to choose. Installation Rules
When installing a suspended ceiling in a house, one should not forget about other interior details. An invariable design element is curtain rods. They are made from various materials. Structurally, cornices are divided into wall and ceiling. The latter look more presentable. The difficulty is that the thin fabric is not designed for hanging heavy structures. However, there are 2 ways to solve this problem. The cornice can be fixed in an open or hidden way
Outdoor installation
Before installing the canvas on the ceiling, a wooden beam is mounted at the same level with the guide profiles. It is better to choose hardwood. Before installation, the timber must be treated with an antiseptic. After stretching the ceiling, the cornice is attached to the beam through the film. Holes for self-tapping screws should be burned so that the molten edges prevent further tearing of the fabric.
Hidden installation
With hidden installation, the cornice is attached to the ceiling above the level of the suspended ceiling. A beam or corner is installed next to it for mounting the guide molding. The operation should be performed before taking measurements. The design with curtains falling from the ceiling looks impressive, harmoniously combined with both matte and glossy canvases.
Types of backlight
Traditional incandescent lamps are not suitable for suspended ceilings, as they get very hot. The best option is soft, evenly distributed lighting with adjustable brightness.
Combined with tension fabrics:
- LED lamps;
- fluorescent lamps;
- LED strips;
- pendants in the form of chandeliers;
- overhead, point models;
- halogen lamps.
Lighting devices can crash into the canvas and be below the level. You can combine different options in one room.
Lighting as decor
The idea that ceiling lighting is a banal source of missing light at night has long been a thing of the past. More and more often it is used as an additional decoration of the room. This is especially true for suspended ceilings.
There are many unusual ways to illuminate a room, at the same time giving it an original look.
Let's take a closer look at a few of the most popular options, shall we?
floating ceiling
This is another name for suspended ceilings. “Floating ceiling”, thanks to the LED lighting placed around the perimeter, visually increases the height and size of the room and creates the effect of a ceiling covering suspended from the walls, floating in the air. Pleasant and slightly dim lighting, as well as a floating effect, can expand the space of the room and make it more comfortable and modern. This type of ceiling inherits all the advantages inherent in other suspended ceiling designs: long service life, safety, hiding various defects on the main ceiling, reliable protection from flooding by neighbors on the floor, the ability to hide communications, convenience and non-selectivity in maintenance.
Starry sky
The stretch ceiling “Starry Sky” is the creation of a romantic atmosphere, the embodiment of a fairy tale into reality. The fiber optic lighting system on the ceiling allows you to apply all kinds of patterns. A professionally installed ceiling looks great and does not lose its ideal appearance for many years, bringing real aesthetic pleasure.
Options:
- A simple and beautiful solution is a ceiling with a graphic image printed on it.
- Using optical fiber, the technology assumes that the stars are obtained as small luminous points (0.75–1 mm in diameter).
- Fiber optics and artistic printing combine elements of the two previous options. This is photo printing and fiber-optic threads throughout the ceiling.
Installation of stretch ceiling
Initially, the design of the future structure is approved. The exact dimensions are then taken using a laser level. In production, the fabric is cut using these data. Mortgages are made for lighting fixtures. The profile is attached to the wall using self-tapping screws, dowels and a hammer drill.
The film is stretched and heated with a special heat gun (if the film is PVC). First, the canvas is attached to the corners, and then alternately tucked around the perimeter. Holes are cut in the places where the lamps will be mounted, the edges of the cut are limited by a special plastic ring, which is glued directly to the canvas. After installing the lighting, the ceiling is ready!
Choosing a contractor - pitfalls along the way
Many may shrug their shoulders in surprise at what problems may arise when hiring performers. Look, in various advertisements there are dozens of companies offering their services. Don’t be lazy and call a dozen. But not everything is so simple here.
In France, with its population of just over 65 million, only about 20 companies install suspended ceilings. In Russia, in a city with a population of about 300 thousand people, there are much more of them. It is very difficult to exist in conditions of fierce competition.
Therefore, competing installers use various marketing tactics, which are not always conscientious, bordering on deception. Therefore, in the Russian Federation, more than anywhere else, it is important to know how to choose a stretch ceiling installation company that performs work quickly, efficiently and without overpayments from the customer?
Let's look at all the advertising tricks in detail.
1. In advertising, as well as in telephone conversations, the very low cost of the canvas is indicated: from 90 rubles/m2. The main task here is very simple - to convince the customer to call a surveyor to their home. During measurements of the premises, a representative of the company will very convincingly explain why you can’t install cheap film.
Practice shows that this trick almost always works. The most interesting thing in this situation is the following: the company has such a canvas, but it does not intend to install it, even if the customer insists. Under various pretexts, the installer will most likely avoid the order.
In order not to fall into a similar situation, we will present the cost of high-quality canvas from European and Chinese manufacturers. Average quality canvas from European companies costs:
- PVC film - 300-500 rub./m2;
- polyester (synthetic fabric) - from 600 rub./m2 to 6,000-7,000 rub./m2;
- PVC with photo printing - 800-2,000 rubles/m2.
Chinese products from well-known companies (MSD, HALEAD) are 20-30% cheaper.
Conclusion: if in an advertisement or during a telephone conversation there is talk about the low cost of film or fabric for the ceiling, it is better to call another company.
2. The price indicates only the cost of installation of the canvas. Upon completion of the work, it suddenly turns out that you need to pay extra for the baguettes and their fastening to the wall. This is a hidden deception of the customer. Unfortunately, it is impossible to prove the fact of fraud in court - formally the executor of the rights. It is the customer’s fault that he did not fully understand all the conditions for installing the suspended ceiling.
For your information: the price of a linear meter of a metal molding is from 180 rubles, a rubber insert is from 120 rubles/m, the cost of fixing the molding to the wall is from 120 rubles/m. The minimum price for turnkey work is from 700 rubles/m2.
Yes, we shouldn’t forget about lighting. It is also not included in the price.
3. When installing a stretch ceiling in 2 rooms, it is proposed to install the canvas in the third room for free. The key word here is canvas. You will have to pay for the work. And the cost of film is only 12-15% of the price structure.
4. If among the offered types of tension material there are no Chinese-made products, it is better to refrain from cooperating with such a company. Here the probability that all the material is from a Chinese manufacturer tends to 100%.
5. It is not advisable to enter into contracts for the installation of films of Russian brands - they do not exist in nature (do not seriously consider IVNIIPIK products as a brand). Some companies register their own trademarks and sell Chinese stretch ceilings under their brand. The authenticity of the material can only be confirmed by quality certificates ISO9001 and ISO14001, and not of Russian origin.
6. Last and most important: never make an advance payment.
