Mirror ceilings: advantages and disadvantages of structures
The popularity of mirrored ceilings is gaining momentum in recent times. They are often given preference not only in residential areas, but also in public areas - in offices, shopping centers, hotels, and restaurants. But to make the right choice of materials for their manufacture, it does not hurt to familiarize yourself with the main features of mirrored ceilings. After weighing all the pros and cons, you can create your own unique interior.
The ceiling - this is an important component of the interior, which is drawn attention at the entrance to any room. The mirrored ceiling is an upgraded, spectacularly looking way to the original decoration of the room.
Special features
Mirror ceiling coverings have a number of advantages:
- The mirrored surface of the ceilings visually makes the space larger, so this solution is very important for small apartments.
- The same effect affects the lighting: the mirror reflects not only the room itself, but also the light, respectively, of the light in rooms with a mirrored ceiling becomes at least twice as large.
- An important factor is safety. The mirror elements on the inside are covered with a protective film, which prevents the mirror from disintegrating into fragments and, as a result, protects against possible injuries.
- Sand blasting of ceilings and airbrushing allows you to apply any pattern or effect to the surface, which will add sophistication and originality to the entire interior.
- The material is well combined with other coatings.
- The installation of mirrored ceilings is very simple, a person without professional training can cope with it, and the installation takes place practically without dust and dirt.
- If the ceiling is mounted using suspension systems, behind it you can hide all communications and wiring.
- Due to its moisture resistance, the material is suitable for bathrooms and other rooms with high humidity.
- They visually increase the room, the space becomes wider, lighter, more comfortable.
- You can choose any color coating.
- Mirror ceilings are extremely water resistant, so they are often installed in bathrooms.
- Mirror tiles have a favorable property - they hide any irregularities in the floors.
- It is easy to care for them: it is enough to wipe with a rag, having previously moistened in a special solution for glasses.
- The material is easily combined with other types of coatings, such as aluminum structures, wooden slats with glass coatings.
But despite all its advantages, this material has its drawbacks:
- when installing the ceiling cover you need to be very careful not to violate the integrity of the material;
- if you choose a sandblasted material, do not forget about its fragility;
- dust is quickly visible on the mirror surface, which requires more thorough and frequent maintenance;
- installation of the ceiling covering with suspended structures leads to a decrease in the height of the room;
- there are ceiling plates without moisture resistant coating, pay special attention to this when choosing materials;
- Bathroom slabs must be machined at the edges before installation, otherwise their lifespan will be significantly reduced;
- it is necessary to perfectly align the surface before self-installation of the mirror ceiling, otherwise all the irregularities will be visible;
- the fragility of the design, so when installing mirror ceilings you need to be extremely careful and cautious.
Some tiles are not covered with moisture-resistant material, so when choosing plates, you need to carefully examine every detail.
The surface of the mirror ceilings quickly covered with dust, therefore, requires frequent and attentive personal care. Another point is the high cost of such structures.
Kinds
There are several types of mirrored ceilings.
The easiest to install Armstrong mirror ceiling: first suspended structure is mounted using a T-shaped profile, and then the mirror tiles are simply placed on top. In addition to the ease of installation, the advantages of this system include the possibility of combining mirror plates with matte or color.
This ceiling option is suitable, for example, for corridors and hallways. Mirror tiles with facet (beveled edge) will look more aesthetically pleasing, but the butt joint will be mounted on the outside of the structure using silicone glue.There are also tiles, the joints between which are closed with decorative inserts in gold or chrome.
Rack mirror ceiling, as a rule, is used in the kitchen and bathroom. Aluminum lamels coated with chrome or gold are ideal for these premises not only for aesthetic reasons, but also for practical purposes, since they have high moisture resistance. Slats are mounted on a suspended structure. There are three types of suspension rails: open, closed and with decorative inserts. Closed fasten the butt joint, slightly going over each other.
Open slats are mounted with a small gap, which, with a ceiling height of 5 meters and above, is almost imperceptible. As in the case of tiles, mirror slats can be alternated with matte or color. Or, on the contrary, it is possible to get a completely mirror surface due to the use of mirror decorative inserts between the lamellae.
Stretch mirror ceiling is universal, suitable for any premises. Such ceilings have a well-reflective surface, due to which they are almost indistinguishable from a real mirror, while much safer and lighter than the latter.Like any stretch ceiling, it has a seamless surface, it is quickly mounted, does not require a perfectly flat initial surface, and makes it possible to hide electrical wiring.
Installation of a stretch mirror ceiling should be trusted by professionals who possess the necessary skills and special equipment.
Real mirrors on the ceiling have the highest reflectivity, but they require the most complex installation: due to the large weight of the material requires several types of fasteners (mechanical and glue). It is also not possible to get a single seamless surface due to technological limitations. But mirrors can be of any shapes and colors, which allows you to create an exclusive design, you just need to adjust the plates to the desired size and cut them.
In order to prevent chips and scratches, it is better to cut mirrors on special equipment. As a result of difficult and time-consuming installation, this kind of mirror ceilings is more expensive than their alternatives.
Polystyrene plates - the newest type of mirror ceilings. Plastic panels are very popular, their size - 600 x 600 mm.
The installation takes a lot of time, since the material itself is delivered in rolls and must be straightened at room temperature before installation. The rolls come with a base on glue and without it; in the second case, PVA glue will be additionally required. In any case, the original surface must be perfectly flat, otherwise the ceiling will be with a curved reflection. Also, the coating of polystyrene plates or acrylic can be not moisture resistant, which should be paid attention to.
Design
The design of ceilings is an integral part of creating the interior, sets the overall style of the entire room. Mirror ceilings in interior design is a technical innovation, they began to be used relatively recently. And if before the possibility of using mirror surfaces were limited, now they are widespread due to the large selection of the range of suspension systems, finishing materials and design solutions. With their help, you can create a unique, bright and spacious interior.
Mirror ceiling can be made multi-level, create a pattern on it with the help of sandblasting or airbrush effects,embed a spotlight in it. In addition, the surface of the ceiling can be not only glossy, but also matte. Also, the mirror ceiling can be given any color or tone.
A variety of different shapes and sizes of plates, and this, in turn, allows you to combine them as you like and create a unique ceiling design. The possibility of combining plates of various colors, textures and sizes allows you to enter a mirrored ceiling into a room of any style and purpose, as well as to make it a “highlight” of the entire interior: any modern style can be complemented with a mirrored surface, and a lightly coated ceiling is well suited to the classical interior aged mirror) or painting.
Mirror ceiling is perfectly combined with any other materials in the interior, whether it be wood, stone, textiles or metal, which also provides unlimited possibilities in design and allows you to realize the most daring ideas.
Mirrors for a wall in an interior are a universal remedy for the decision of problems with inconvenient planning and a lack of the area of the room. The most popular design of such a ceiling covering is “black horoscope” and “starry sky”.
Scope of application
As already mentioned at the very beginning, mirror ceilings prefer to be used not only in residential premises (living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, hallways), but also in public (offices, hotels, restaurants and others). They received such widespread use due to their quality characteristics, variety of design solutions and in most cases simple installation.
As a rule, in living rooms the mirrored ceiling is used as a decorative element in the form of inserts or one-piece cloth, and in office rooms, shopping centers, and hypermarkets - as a full-fledged ceiling.
The mirror surface in any interior looks advantageous: in small rooms it visually expands the space, and in large rooms it gives solemnity.
Mirror ceiling is suitable for rooms with any level of humidity (in the presence of moisture-resistant coating materials).
Do not be afraid of difficulties in the design of the ceiling mirrored surfaces. This article has been told about the main advantages and disadvantages of each material, so anyone will be able to choose the best design option for their interior that meets all the necessary requirements.
Beautiful examples in the interior
This ceiling coating looks great with exquisite lighting. It will certainly sparkle with new colors. In the bathroom, elongated panels are often used.
All the lights in the room will be reflected in such a ceiling. This will help to visually expand the space.
For elegant interiors, you can also choose a mirrored ceiling.
How to make your own mirror ceiling, see the video below.