Features of the ceiling design
Ceiling repair is a rather complicated, but at the same time creative task. From the huge variety of suspended and figured ceiling structures, it is necessary to choose the one that fits both the style of the room and its functional purpose. In a high-rise building with low ceilings, you need to think over the design well, so that later you don’t touch the chandelier with your head.
Coating material should be chosen in accordance with the purpose of the room. It is also important to take into account the factor that sometimes neighbors can flood the room from above. Let's figure out which ceiling is the most suitable in certain situations.
Special features
The choice of a ceiling for an apartment is a task that requires many factors to be considered. It is especially important to understand the desired end result or installation technology in order to assess your potential in advance:
- Materialof which the ceiling is made. The most common options here are PVC or PVC film. Such a ceiling will feel good in the bathroom or any other room with a high level of humidity. It can be easily washed, because it does not absorb moisture at all. Directly opposite in characteristics material - heat-resistant fabric. Moisture passes through the material in some places, so it is better to install such a ceiling in living rooms. But during the installation, the heating process and the heat press are not involved, so all work is carried out quickly, and the pungent odor, which usually disappears for a long time, does not remain.
- Texture surface of the ceiling material, which is glossy, matte or fabric. So, the glossy surface creates the effect of a mirror on the ceiling, but, for example, in the bedroom, not everyone wants to look at his reflection while lying in bed. That is why glossy stretch ceilings are mounted either in the bathroom, or in the premises of offices and fitness clubs.The matte version does not reflect anything, but it is more difficult to wash it, and it costs an order of magnitude more expensive than glossy, so it is better not to use it for the kitchen. Stretch shrinkable ceiling with visible fiber textured coating looks very stylish and expensive, but in case of leakage from above it will be irretrievably lost at a fairly high price and complicated installation.
- Type of fasteners will prompt the initial construction of the building. So, for PVC slats, you can choose one of two popular options - a gapless butt joint, or where a plastic rail will close the gap in the manner of a plinth at the edges. The latest technology is convenient because from an aesthetic point of view, everything looks beautiful, because all the joints are removed under the corner strips, and in case of leakage, the plates can be partially removed in a short time. The ceiling of the special fabric creates a spectacular and unique design, but is mounted on a very uncomfortable corona-free system. The latches there do not allow the ceiling to be dismantled, that is, if it is partially damaged, it will have to remove the entire cover once and for all.
- Must be considered temperature condition the room and the degree of ventilation, because it also depends on the type of ceiling material.For example, vinyl is very good for a bathroom or kitchen, because it does not absorb moisture at all, but it does not “breathe” either. In order not to smell the products from factory rubber, it is better to mount the vinyl ceiling only in well-ventilated rooms. PVC plates, which are afraid of low temperature, should not be fixed in poorly heated or not at all heated premises such as a temporary building or warehouse. The cost of PVC ceilings is quite small, and the strength of the rails is high, so we have to put up with this drawback.
- When choosing a ceiling, you should beware of materials-fakes of inadequate quality. It is necessary to know in advance that the correct vinyl is sold mainly in pieces of 3 meters, and the slats, cut into smaller parts, allegedly for the convenience of finishing slopes and other hard-to-reach places, are made without adhering to technological rules and norms of environmental reliability. The width of the fabric ceiling fabric and even more - about 5 meters. Many buyers want to save money and buy a smaller piece, because the fabric is already so expensive, and they don’t need that much material. It is better not to proceed from such a position, but to choose with a reserve a durable, solid and, most importantly, “breathing” workpiece.
- Pay attention to the description of the technological characteristics of the ceiling. For example, when choosing a fabric option, make sure that it is treated with a special polymer-based impregnation, which gives the material the properties of an antistatic that resists the physical effects of an aggressive environment - temperature drops, ultraviolet radiation.
- Explore the features of the house and its overlap to the selection and installation of the ceiling, so you do not have to regret about such repairs. If rodents are found in the summer house, then the suspended ceiling will serve as an additional passage between the rooms, so at night you will hear them running over their heads. Alternatively, you can choose the usual whitewash or wallpaper in this situation.
- Before going to the store better carefully study reviews about specific manufacturers. Also on the site is to ask the seller to show documents proving that this product is certified.
Of course, in a market where the price tag will be much lower, you can not wait for any documents. As a result, substandard repairs in half a year will make you pay twice.
Types of designs
Flat
The simplest type of construction is a flat ceiling, whose support goes clearly down and is evenly distributed along the walls.The larger the room, the more powerful the ceiling surface must be in order to hold the vaults, so it is not recommended to string the top-level frames from above. In this situation, fit the finish under the usual whitewashing or plaster, maximum, wallpaper or fabric cloth.
In large dance halls or storage rooms, additional columns are often installed in the middle of the room to unload the walls. For such a design, flexible and well-cutting materials can be offered, duplicating the shape of the columns. In addition, all coatings should be weightless, but at the same time obscure joints in the areas of installation of supports. Only in this case, the load on the fracture will not be so sensitive, especially in a house with several floors.
Vaulted
Fashionable alternative to columns and other struts, helping to maintain the overlap of a large room. Initially, this type of construction was very popular in the Middle Ages in the construction of Gothic cathedrals. This design assumes its own struts called buttress, adjacent to the walls and not occupying a separate space.
If an ordinary flat ceiling rests on a wall break, then here the entire load also goes down, but it is distributed along the horizontal axis. The main composition does not become heavy with such binding elements as cement or polymer glue. The whole vault is laid out exclusively of bricks in the form of an arch or a semicircle in such a way that each brick under the influence of gravity clings to the other, as if being a wall strut.
First, a temporary support like a column is placed in the center of the structure, and after the installation is completed, it is removed. Ideally, at this point, the brickwork should remain intact.
The main thing when installing a vaulted ceiling is to correctly calculate the area of each separate section of the arch, so that the center falls exactly in the middle of the semicircle. The load now comes from the effect of compressing the surface of the ceiling, so the walls must be strong enough, preferably at least two of the four bearing ones. Adding support-buttresses will ease the pressure on the walls, but in modern design solutions this element is optional. If such supports are used now, then, rather, as a decor.
It is unlikely that anyone will dare to build a vaulted ceiling in apartments, but in a large country house or art space such finds are not uncommon. Vaults can be left in the form of coarse and untreated brickwork, or whitewash, it all depends on the overall design of the room.
The main advantage of such a ceiling structure is the ability to create the effect of a smooth and oiled transition from walls to ceiling. This optical illusion visually creates an atmosphere of lightness, ceiling height and an overall increase in space.
Multilevel
It gives one hundred percent fantasy to roam, because depending on the complexity of the design, you can change the character of the whole room. At first it is better to think over everything at the stage of a sketch or a drawing. It is possible that individual elements of your project will have to be given to manufacture in a specialized workshop, because there are structures that can be installed for several days.
The easiest option for self-production - the so-called curb or any other shaped rail around the perimeter of the ceiling. This method does not require special skills or equipment, but is already considered a full-fledged two-level ceiling, embodied the designer talent of the owner.
You can try to combine in one or several dimensions both individual figure elements, and several frameworks to combine whole planes overlapping each other. If you decorate each level with built-in illumination of different shades and directions of the beam, then you can create an atmosphere of a starry sky or a night disco. Of course, it will be expensive to cost such pleasure, and it is difficult to dismantle it, but there is a unique opportunity to realize your design project.
Without resorting to the separation of individual parts of the room with furniture or partitions, a multi-level ceiling can also successfully carry out zoning of the room, while leaving a maximum of free space.
The combination of different materials and techniques in the design of a double ceiling will give the interior new paint. The most common option here - drywall, which is easily cut and bends, but it is quite strong. You can try one level sheathed gypsum boards, and the other to make tension, for example, using vinyl, PVC film or textiles. The complexity from a technical point of view is the installation in the same plane of the ceiling at once several frames.But this is how an interesting combination of the glossy surface of the tension part and matte GCR slats is obtained
Many are frightened by the high final cost of a multi-level ceiling, but with a competent calculation you can buy several types of materials at a price similar to the one that is paid for covering the entire ceiling with gypsum cardboard only. Of the undoubted advantages of multi-level structures, it is possible to distinguish the expansion of space and an increase in the volume of the room, albeit a purely visual one.
Despite the widespread belief that suspended ceilings only eat up the space, certain shades and highlights from the mirror glossy surface of vinyl can achieve the opposite effect even in cubic levels with a low ceiling.
A more accurate appearance gives the ceiling the opportunity to remove all unnecessary prying eyes, extra lighting fixtures, and sometimes even air conditioning, heating and ventilation outlets into the frames. In the nursery, you can create whole worlds on the ceiling in the form of a luminous moon and sun, or a green meadow. On separate panels paste or draw flowers or favorite heroes from animated films.
Materials
Reiki
The most common among middle-class buyers is a suspended type of ceiling. It is easy to install, and the abundance of various materials for this design allows you to find an option for every taste and budget.
Rack system is often chosen for self-installation of the ceiling. In addition, the original surface should not be perfectly smooth, without previous paintwork or plaster layers. Quite voluminous, compared to the same wallpaper, the slats calmly interlock with almost any base. They represent thin steel or aluminum plates in a layer of varnish, performing protective and shockproof functions.
For small rooms of apartment buildings or offices, suspended suspended ceilings will come in handy, because this material is easy to cut to any length and shape.
From the positive qualities of ceiling slats, their longevity can be distinguished., resistance to high humidity conditions, ease of installation, environmental friendliness and fire resistance, as well as a variety of color shades. The few drawbacks of the rack system consist in its instability to deformations during terrestrial vibrations and vibrations.Even after mounting, the space between the slats and the ceiling itself is practically impossible to reach - this is inconvenient when flooded from above or the need to hide the wires installed after repair of the backlight and other equipment.
PVC
Ceilings made of plastic PVC panels or even lining most often in premises not for year-round living, but in country houses or technical buildings. They can be easily mounted in poorly and irregularly heated premises, because even if the panels are frozen, they will not absorb moisture, because, in fact, they are waterproof. Also the advantages of these panel coatings, in addition to low prices, are ease of installation and the ability to reject corrosive odors.therefore it is possible to sheathe the ceiling with clapboard, for example, in an open kitchen with a stove or a brazier.
Due to the wide color choice, even from a cheap material, it is possible to make a single ensemble with a suitable interior so that its quality is not so conspicuous. The only thing that can be disturbing is the flammability of PVC, when caustic substances are released during a fire.Also the strong mechanical effects of the above panels can not withstand, however, as the excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. With all this, even faded panels will still retain all their best qualities, for example, strength and lack of susceptibility to deformation.
What can be embarrassing in a stretch ceiling made of PVC is the difficulty in self-assembly without professional training and the relative high cost of the material compared to the same drywall.
Rarely found in the decoration of the so-called cluster ceilings, consisting of separate square panels - tapes. They can be seen mainly in offices or commercial premises, and not in apartments. That's because they are quite expensive, they don’t hold sound insulation at all, and due to the frame construction they reduce the height of the already not too high ceilings in high-rise buildings. For what they love to mount in offices, so it is for resistance to high humidity, easy and quick installation in large spaces, as well as environmental safety.
Drywall
The favorite method of finishing the ceiling for Russians is a hemmed version of drywall panels. With relative cheapness, this material allows to embody design ideas with multi-level spaces. It is not so difficult to mount, but thanks to the frame system inside you can hide all unwanted to view items such as electrical wiring or air conditioning. In addition, drywall is absolutely safe in terms of ecology and fire hazard.
GKL boards can be easily mounted on any, even poorly processed and uneven surface. The ceiling after an unsuccessful repair will again become ideally smooth under a plasterboard coating. In addition to wires, you can lay a layer of thermal insulation like mineral wool in the box from the frame to create the necessary microclimate in a badly heated room. Drywall lends itself well to cutting and is very plastic, so here you can “play” with built-in lighting, especially if you make different types of lighting at different levels.
The main drawback of drywall is its fear of moisture, so you should not install it in the bathroom or even in the kitchen. Also, with its low initial cost, subsequent costs may emerge, for example, for necessary staining or wallpapering after installation.
But the most important problem for gypsum boards in apartment buildings with low ceilings is its ability to take up to 10-15 cm from the total height due to the frame structure.
Natural materials
Ceilings of this type have always been valued very highly, but they were also quite expensive. However, I don’t feel sorry for the wonderful aroma of wood.
Separately isolated panels of wooden paneling as the most affordable option in the line of wood coatings. In fact, it is the same wooden board or MDF type panel, fixed to the ceiling with special shunt joints, which are then not so easy to dismantle.
Naturally, the main advantage of the tree is its environmental friendliness and the ability to "breathe." Here the main thing is not to block the oxygen for him, having applied a synthetic lacquer on top, which will cover all the pores of the panels. In addition to durability, wooden paneling is also distinguished by its resistance to moisture, so baths are traditionally made of logs, including the ceiling from the inside.
Tile
The glue ceiling looks like tile, but on a glue base. Often it replaces expensive decorative stucco,therefore very popular for the repair of residential premises. With minimal care and easy handling, the adhesive material is also easy to install and resists moisture. Unlike drywall, it requires a completely smooth ceiling base, so it must first be cleaned and degreased, which will require additional time and money.
The glue tile is also quite fragile and, with all its external glory, can crumble from strong vibrations.
Design
Modern technologies together with unusual design solutions make it possible to independently embody the ideas of the ceiling in any room. In residential premises, if the ceiling height allows, you can freely combine different techniques, materials and textured patterns.
The most favorite and easiest way to decorate a surface is whitewashing or plaster. The whitewashed ceiling is very simple to manufacture, its cost is extremely low, and white neutral color is the most versatile option for any interior. Since the layer of whitewash is very thin, you must first carefully prepare the surface for application.And in itself, whitewashing is very short-lived, so lately, despite its cheapness, it has faded into the background compared with more universal decorative coatings.
Plaster is not inferior to the popularity of whitewashing, because it does not need much to clean the surface and lay numerous additional layers of primer. Unfortunately, it is also not particularly durable.
Ceiling for paintingwhich used to be only in technical and household buildings, now they like to use both in living rooms and in loft-type spaces. Painting is simply irreplaceable in cases where the desired shade is very difficult to find in another way. It is longer than, for example, whitewashing, practical and does not require complex care. In addition to the color variety, you can achieve a gloss paint or a matte ceiling surface.
Surfaces for painting, however, also begin to crumble within a year or after the first leakage from above.
A good alternative will be special wallpaper for painting for ceilings or the most common wallpaper for the walls. In addition to numerous colors, you can achieve the desired texture and pattern of fibers, combined with furniture or carpet in the room.Being frameless technology, wallpaper does not bring large financial costs, and also successfully close the minor surface roughness. Although the wallpaper can last a little longer whitewash, but still not considered durable material. This coating is also quite difficult to glue even into two pairs of hands, not that independently.
The surface must be carefully prepared before sticking, cleaned and degreased, if possible put a layer of soil in front of the glue, and then the wallpaper will start to fall behind in a month.
Very popular in the repair of apartments now and the so-called liquid wallpaper. They are easier than usual glued to the ceiling and create outstanding textures and patterns. If you find a variant with 3D drawings, then you can, for example, make a high-quality imitation of the starry sky in the nursery. Despite the high price, liquid wallpaper is chosen for their durability and ability not to fade in rooms facing the sunny side. Among the shortcomings can be distinguished the ban on wet cleaning and the inability to restore them with minor injuries.
Ceilings of podshivny type make of HL, MDF and DVP of plates. All the listed materials are durable, fire resistant and environmentally friendly. Drywall is also well kept in conditions of high humidity in the room and is not amenable to high temperatures. With the help of the same materials in the more expensive price category, you can get not only different colors and textures of the ceiling, but even create the effect of brick masonry or wood frame, tile or stone finish, which will give a special charm and a noble look to any home.
Suspended ceilings allow you to play with the space, as well as zone it, installing in some parts of the room ceiling structures of different textures. On a wooden or metal frame can be mounted, for example, cassette tiles made of steel or aluminum alloys. This material is non-flammable, sufficiently wear-resistant, is not subjected to deformation and moisture. It is convenient for them to cover large spaces, so the cassette ceiling can often be seen in office and other commercial premises.
The ceiling of the rails is considered the most reliable and long-playing option for plating. Metal slats are conveniently cut to the desired size of the room, inaccessible niches and corners and do not break during installation or extreme operation.From the positive qualities of the rack system, it can be noted its resistance to moisture and non-inflammability. It is easy to care for such a ceiling - it is necessary to wash it only occasionally, because the slats do not collect dirt and dust, and also do not rot due to temperature changes.
Most of these qualities can boast and mirrored ceilings, creating additional volume in the room by reflecting the interior. Do not forget about such a plus of all suspended ceilings in general, as the ability to hide under the wire frame and surface roughness, lay a layer of insulation there or build lighting.
Stretch ceiling is the most popular seamless technology used in the repair of apartments. Most often, the tensioning structure is mounted in the bathroom and in the kitchen - places with high humidity, since the film does not absorb anything. A bathroom as an increased risk of being flooded by its neighbors is usually decorated with a suspended ceiling, because it can withstand a large amount of water and not tear.
However, the film is easily damaged by the slightest mechanical impact of a sharp object, so the lighting here should be mounted with caution.
Like a suspended structure under a stretch ceiling, you can hide uneven walls of medium size. A rich selection of shades also allows the ceiling to merge with the wall tile and draw less attention to itself in case of uneven ceiling. Among the disadvantages of tensioning materials, it is possible to single out the high cost and complexity of installation, which not every amateur master can do. It is also not necessary to install suspended ceilings in poorly heated or open spaces, because at a temperature below 5 ° C the film loses all its protective properties.
Color spectrum
Modern ceilings are produced in a diverse color palette - both panels and tension options. That is why by choosing the right shade of color material can be an ideal addition to the rest of the room interior. White as it was, and remains a classic, creating a noble background in any room.
If you do not find the right shade of the ceiling cover, you can always use wallpaper or plaster for painting.
Style
The ceiling in the French style can combine boiling white tension background with a white slatted frame.It always gives even a small room a noble look and is already considered a classic design of rooms in apartments.
Modern technologies allow using the game of colors and textures to give the ceiling any style of the room - and the jungle, the starry sky, and everything that fantasy allows. The most unique design will be high-tech format.when gray steel panels at the corners and uneven geometric structures at different levels create ragged corners and the atmosphere of the space space.
Which is better to do?
When choosing the type of ceiling covering for a particular room, it is necessary to take into account both the functional affiliation of the room, and who lives there, and the side of the world to which the windows are facing, and much more. In the bathroom, for example, you can not glue the wallpaper on the ceiling.
In the living room you can install both suspended and suspended ceilings, it all depends on the financial possibilities. For a more presentable and elegant design, a hanging version with imitation wood or other texture will suit the most. If the room is small in size, the tension material with a glossy surface will more successfully fit into the interior, due to the reflection of surfaces, it expands the visual space.Of the more economical models, a gypsum ceiling of a hemming type or even whitewashing with wallpaper is often chosen, as climatic conditions in the hall are usually not extreme.
A big mistake would be to install a cassette structure, since its appearance rather creates an atmosphere of a state institution, and not a home comfort, therefore it is more often used in offices or commercial premises.
In the bedroom it will be more logical to install calm and neutral ceiling structures that do not attract attention. The main purpose of staying in the room is to relax and unwind, so you should not choose bright wallpapers for the ceiling or the mirror, even if the room is small in size. It is better to expand the space with the help of the glossy surface of the stretch ceiling, MDF panels or textured tiles. Drywall for painting, merging with the walls, also fits well into the interior of the bedroom.
Children's room can be decorated in more cheerful colors using multi-level structures, where each zone will have its own pattern, colorful spot or even a fresco with stucco.
The kitchen is a place where you can give free rein to the imagination and the riot of colorsbecause there we are not so much resting as we are actively spending time, so the eye needs to cling to something. Some of the materials for decorating the ceiling of the wallpaper type immediately disappear due to sudden temperature changes during cooking and the inclusion of the stove, as well as increased humidity and constant evaporation of both water and corrosive food odors.
Ceiling material should be easily rubbed with a damp cloth, comply with the requirements of hygiene in terms of the formation of fungus, environmental and fire safety. The minimum investment required installation of PVC panels, but they will last for a long time. Already more expensive will be such species as stretch, suspended or plaster ceilings, but they will quietly cover all the flaws of the original surface.
The bathroom has almost the same conditions as in the kitchen., only the moisture regime is even more severe, therefore, the set of materials for the ceiling is similar. The main thing in this room is to prevent the proliferation of fungi and bacteria, so any ceiling surface should be saturated with special protective equipment.
Chipboard panels, like wallpaper with drywall, will not work here, because they will begin to rot from constant contact with water in a couple of months.If the slats are coated with an anti-corrosion compound, they will be able to live in the bathroom for a long time, and the reflections on the metal surface will visually enlarge the space of the usually small room. In addition, the slats are easy to clean and do not leave stains or deposits on their surface. The most versatile option for this room - stretch ceiling. It is expensive, but the consumption of material should not be too heavy for a family budget for a bathroom a couple of meters wide.
In high-rise buildings of the old Khrushchev type, the ceilings are very low — from 220 to 240 cm. It is not worth aggravating the situation by mounting multi-level frame structures that can capture even 10 cm of space. At the same time, if you need to hide from prying eyes electrical wiring or surface irregularities, then without a stretch or false ceiling is not enough. Then choose materials with a glossy surface, so that the mirror effect spreads the space, as well as the built-in lighting, and not the chandeliers hanging over the head for another half a meter.
In houses built in the early 2000s, the ceilings are much higher, so you can not deny yourself the pleasure to embody bold ideas in suspended structures or tension structures.It is worth remembering that a new house will settle down a few years after construction, sometimes even to cracks in the ceiling. The suspended format perfectly closes these newly formed problems, and if you initially mount the frame with a small margin, then no one will notice the drawdown of the house.
In a private mansion, you can choose almost any type of ceiling, but do not forget that large rooms are more difficult to heat evenly, so even in the ceiling it is better to add a layer of insulation. In a half-open attic, the rules of choice are the same as for residential premises of a house, but the material must also be resistant to low temperatures and high humidity. Under these criteria fit both tile and MDF panels.
Manufacturers
The rack ceiling of the company is considered one of the most popular in Russia. "Bard". According to customer reviews, it is simple and quick to install, like a Lego designer, that is, to mount it yourself for a day will not be a problem. As well as the ceiling of the manufacturer Clipso, it is unpretentious in the care, and its glossy surface can be cleaned with a wet cloth. The slats are light, so even store delivery is not needed - the trunk of a car will fully accommodate the entire structure.Unlike other numerous brands made in the Russian Federation, the Bard is easy to buy not only in the light version, but also alternate white and silver stripes to get the effect of a wide panel and a unique interior design.
Clipso's ceiling is the easiest to cut with scissors for metal, which is very convenient when you need to bypass the protrusion of a pipe or a lamp. "Bard" well hides the irregularities of the wall and serves up to 10 years without the slightest deformation.
Recently, decorative ceilings have become very popular for decorating large rooms. Apply with patterned notches on the stretch panel. Customers like that you can buy as ready-made designs like butterflies or flowers, and custom-cut your own unique pattern. Many complain, in addition to the exorbitantly high price, that dust that is hard enough to scrub into small patterned holes, especially if the ceiling in the room is high.
Ceiling Cesal also represented mainly rack system, which is gaining popularity due to its low price. However, reviews suggest that this material is inferior in ease of assembly and strength of the entire structure as a whole to the same Clipso ceiling.
Tips and tricks
There are several basic signs by which one can distinguish quality material for ceiling repair from fakes. Following simple tips, you can choose the right coverage:
- The most important feature is price. You should not chase for cheapness and to finish living quarters with untested materials from the market, where no one can provide a certificate of quality. Savings can now eventually result in a repeated repair in a few months.
- Specific sizes of sheets in which material is traditionally supplied. Vinyl, for example, usually comes in sheets of 3 meters, and deviations up or down indicate fake. Even if the seller says that a different format of panels is now in vogue for ease of use - you shouldn’t believe him.
- The smell that pursues everywhere after installation and does not erode, even after a week. Such a phenomenon means the presence of toxic materials in the house, so it is better to dismantle such a ceiling as soon as possible.
Beautiful examples in the interior
A bright and cheerful symbol of eastern harmony - yin and yang, the ceiling is suitable not only for the yoga room, but also for the children's room or living room.The two-level combination of stretched canvas of different colors with built-in lighting is in harmony with the color of the walls.
With a stretch white ceiling, the uneven corner corner with red MDF panels and built-in lighting contrasts perfectly, distinguishing the cooking zone in the kitchen from the dining table zone. The red color of the tiered insert is perfectly combined with the kitchen cupboard of the same shade.
For more tips on choosing a ceiling finish, see the following video.