Due to their excellent operational and decorative qualities, MDF panels are increasingly used in the decoration of apartments, they are sheathed with walls in residential premises and even on the balcony. If you are tired of standard ceiling solutions and you want to update the situation with minimal labor, you should pay attention to the ceiling made of MDF panels. This is an interesting, inexpensive and durable option for any room. To finish the ceiling surface with such material, it makes no sense to turn to professionals: all work can be done easily and quickly with your own hands.
Pros and cons of using MDF panels for ceiling decoration
To achieve a good result, when choosing any material for finishing, it is necessary to take into account its strengths and weaknesses.
Material advantages:
- Environmental friendliness. MDF panels are made from wood shavings that are hot pressed. For bonding, phenol or toxic resins are not used, so the material does not emit harmful substances during operation.
- The panels can be used in premises for various purposes: office, industrial, residential.
- Large selection of colors and textures. You can choose a material that imitates wood or natural stone.
- Easy maintenance: the ceiling is enough to periodically wipe with a damp cloth.
- Easy to install, repair and replace, all work can be done by hand.
- Durability.
The disadvantages include the following features of MDF:
- Like all wood-based materials, it is afraid of direct contact with water and steam, it can swell from dampness and deform.
- When washing, do not use household chemicals, this may damage the surface.
- combustible material. Panels can easily catch fire if careless handling of fire. For the same reason, it is necessary to carefully insulate all wiring.
Varieties of MDF panels
There are 3 types of MDF panels:
- veneered;
- laminated;
- uncoated, intended for painting.
In the first case, natural veneer of valuable wood species is used to decorate the outside. In the second - PVC film, which can have any color and pattern, imitate wood, decorative rock. Laminated material is more resistant to chemicals and moisture. High-quality veneer is difficult to damage mechanically. The third type allows you to change the interior by repainting the ceiling.
Panels vary in size: length and width. The standard is the size of 3000 x 250 mm, however, wider options may be found on sale.
Necessary materials and tools
To install an MDF ceiling, before carrying out work, you need to prepare all the tools, purchase the required amount of materials, fasteners and additional elements.
Tools:
- Pencil.
- Level.
- Screwdriver or screwdriver.
- For concrete walls - perforator.
- Jigsaw or wood saw.
- Roulette.
- Metal scissors.
Materials:
- Guide and ceiling profiles.
- Hangers.
- Kleimers.
- Self-tapping screws.
- Dowels.
- Ceiling plinth.
- Connector.
- MDF panels.
Attention! Hangers are necessary not only for greater rigidity of the crate: they will not allow the panels to sag over time.
Frame manufacturing
Installation of MDF panels begins with the assembly of the frame. It is made from metal profiles.
- Perimeter marking. It is necessary to indent about 5 cm from the ceiling and draw lines along the walls. Thus, the perimeter will be drawn. The starting profile will be attached to it. With the help of the level, it is necessary to check the horizontalness of the drawn line.
It is very convenient to use a chopping cord for marking.
- The starting profile is fastened around the perimeter of the room with self-tapping screws (for wooden walls) or dowels (for brick and concrete) every 40-50 cm.
- The ceiling profile is inserted into the guides. Step frequency - from 40 to 60 cm.
- Then the installation of ceiling suspensions is carried out. A profile will be screwed to them. The distance between them along the length should be about 70 cm.
Advice! If the suspension turned out to be too long, the protruding parts can be bent up or cut off with special metal scissors.
- The profile is attached to the hangers from 2 sides. For this, metal screws are used. Particularly convenient will be those with a specially pointed tip.
- Then proceed to the fixation of the next transverse profile. They are level with each other.
In some cases, metal profiles can be replaced with wooden bars. However, they should not be used in wet areas, as they are prone to rotting and deformation. Many prefer wood in dry rooms, because it is easier to work with, and all operations can be easily done by hand.
Panel mounting
When the frame is assembled, panels can be attached to it. And this stage can also be done with your own hands, because all actions are elementary.
- If the panels are too long, then they need to be cut. The easiest way to do this is with a jigsaw. You need to use a canvas that does not break the edges.
- The first panel is inserted into the guide profile. It can be fixed with self-tapping screws or clamps. Fixation is made every 20–25 cm.
- Then insert the second panel and connect it to the first. Installation is carried out using the tongue-and-groove technology. That is, the spike of the 2nd panel is inserted into the groove of the 1st.
- The second MDF panel is attached to the ceiling profiles. It can be carefully drilled, but there is a high risk of cracking the chipboard material. It is safer to use a clamp for installation. The plate is installed on the panel, and nails can be driven into the cuts or self-tapping screws can be screwed in.
- Slots for the lamps must be made in place, that is, insert the panel, mark the location of the lamps, remove it and make holes. This procedure is most conveniently carried out using a special nozzle on a screwdriver - crowns. Then install lamps and fix the panels to the ceiling.
- The last panel, most likely, will have to be cut in width as well. This is also done locally.
- When the entire ceiling is assembled, install the plinth. It is necessary to give a complete look to the decoration of the room. You can also hide fasteners under it.
Ceiling paneling completed. No further installation steps are required. All steps can be done by hand. Such a ceiling can look very impressive, especially if MDF panels with veneer or PVC film are used, imitating expensive types of wood.
