Differences in mounting technology
As already mentioned, the properties of vinyl and fabric canvases have some features. This is the reason for the difference in installation technology.
Any PVC stretch ceiling requires heating. For this, a gas gun is usually used. A jet of hot air is directed directly onto the web. At the same time, the temperature in the room rises to +60 °C. The elasticity of the film increases and it is easy to stretch it to the required dimensions. Then a special mount welded along the edges - a harpoon - is refueled into a profile pre-installed around the perimeter of the room. This type of fastening is used only with PVC film. Installation begins from the corner marked by the ceiling manufacturer, and continues gradually in both directions around the entire perimeter.
In the future, as the room cools, the canvas is stretched. For this type of ceiling, the accuracy of the measurements taken is especially important. Cutting films for a stretch ceiling is carried out using special software. And the fabricated ceiling is about 20% smaller than the area of the room.
Polyester, on the other hand, tends to shrink when heated. Therefore, the installation of a fabric stretch ceiling is carried out without a heat gun and preliminary cutting. A roll of the desired width is untwisted right on the spot, and the excess is cut off after stretching. The fabric begins to be tucked into a baguette, first on the walls (primarily on short ones), and only then the corners are pulled. Heat may be needed here - in some cases, when the web is stretched, slight folds form in the corners. It is enough to warm them up a little with a building hair dryer so that the material straightens out and acquires a flat surface. But as a rule, experienced craftsmen do without heating.
Which option to choose
So which is better - fabric stretch ceiling or PVC? Perhaps the question posed in this way is not entirely correct. It’s more correct to ask: “Which ceiling is best suited to a particular room?” In any case, a compromise will be required between operating conditions and personal aesthetic preferences.
The comparison table below will help you make the right choice.
| Properties | Film | Textile |
| Strength | PVC is a tear-resistant and elastic material, but it can be easily damaged by any sharp object. | Fabric webs are denser and stronger, practically do not stretch, they are difficult to damage mechanically. |
| Permissible temperature range | The film is operated at temperatures from +40 to -5 ° C, use in unheated rooms is unacceptable. | Cloths made of fabric can withstand from +80 to -50 ° C, installation in unheated premises (country houses, summer cottages, balconies) is allowed. |
| Degree of sag over time | 0 - 30 mm | 0 – 10 mm |
| moisture resistance | PVC is a waterproof material, when flooded from above, it can withstand up to 100 liters of liquid for a long time, after its removal, the original appearance of the film is restored, it is recommended for wet rooms. | Low moisture resistance: undesirable installation in the bathroom and kitchen with a ceiling height of less than 2.7 m, increased requirements for ventilation. After flooding, they begin to leak after 2 hours, subsequently there may be stains and streaks that cannot be removed. |
| Soundproofing | Absent, the film can even slightly increase the noise from the neighbors, the “echo” effect. | Low, however, there are special acoustic types of fabric stretch ceilings that eliminate the "echo" effect. |
| thermal insulation | Missing. | Low, it will not play a special role without additional heat-insulating materials. |
| Width size range | 130-600 cm (European production - up to 325 cm) | 150-510 cm |
| Mounting Features | Heating of the canvas up to 60 °С with the help of a heat gun, increased requirements for the personnel of the installation team and safety measures. | Without the use of a heat gun. |
| Environmental friendliness | Safe for health and the environment. | |
| fire resistance | They melt, with prolonged exposure to open fire they ignite. | They melt and do not support combustion. |
| Design | The widest possibilities for design solutions: glossy shiny, matte and satin surface, embossing, bright and moderate tones and shades of all colors, excellent photo printing, the ability to install multi-level, decorative perforated, translucent, transparent canvases and many other options. | A more modest range of colors, soft, dim colors, the texture is only matte, fabric texture with a flat surface. A small selection is compensated by a noble, even aristocratic appearance. Coloring up to 5 times is possible. Photo printing is also possible, but it does not look so bright. |
| Features of care | Easily cleaned from dirt. Washing with non-chlorine detergents is acceptable, abrasive cleaners are unacceptable. | Fabrics are antibacterial, dirt-repellent. Easily cleaned only from surface contaminants. |
| Service life (warranty) | 10-12 years old | 10-12 years old |
| Price per m2 | 350-700 r. | 800-1500 rubles |
Thus, stretch ceilings of different types, despite similar designs, have a unique set of properties and features. Which of them is the best in one case or another, you need to decide, taking into account the operating conditions of the room, the characteristics of the paintings and personal preferences.
Pros and cons of stretch ceilings
Advantages and disadvantages are determined by the type of coating used - PVC film or fabric ceilings.
But there are a number of common advantages:
- Finishing speed. Films are stretched within 4-10 hours, fabric - 5-12 hours.
- Saving the interior. Film coatings are able to hold large masses of water for a long time, the fabric material is less water resistant, but is able to prevent the risk of spillage within 2-3 hours.
- There is no need for leveling work on the ceiling plane. All defects, and at the same time communication pipes, as well as beams in private houses, will be covered with a canvas.
- Under PVC stretch ceilings and woven materials, you can lay out insulation, insulating materials.
Versatility. You can stretch the canvas in any room, building
It is important to choose materials that provide the desired level of comfort and meet the stated requirements for the use of space.
Ease of care. Cleaning is required no more than once every 6 months
Enough dry, wet cleaning. In case of stubborn dirt, ordinary detergents without aggressive action are used.
The variability of color solutions, the formation of structures, an affordable price are additional advantages of finishing. It should also be noted the long service life of the canvases, environmental friendliness and the possibility of using finishes in rooms with high requirements for the cleanliness of facing materials - in children's, hospitals and other facilities.
The disadvantages of stretch ceilings depend on the type of canvas chosen:
- film coatings cannot be mounted in open spaces in areas with a possible decrease in temperature;
- it is better not to use fabric cloths in rooms with a high level of humidity;
- PVC films for ceilings are welded to stretch over large areas;
- the maximum power of luminaires for stretch ceilings is no more than 40 watts, the installation of a thermally insulating cover is obligatory.
Considering the pros and cons of stretch ceilings, it should be noted the need to involve a master to complete the finish. Do-it-yourself stretching is possible, but the master will need special tools and experience, and besides, no one will give a guarantee of high-quality tension. It is easier to do with the services of professionals and get guarantees for all types of work.
Where are stretch ceilings used?
High-quality stretch ceilings can be used in any buildings, houses, rooms, but there are some peculiarities - it is better to use films in warm spaces, but woven fabrics - in areas with a minimum moisture content, but at the same time, woven materials do not deteriorate under the influence of negative temperatures.
Application area:
- private houses from any materials;
- apartments;
- warehouse, public buildings;
- offices;
- commercial buildings;
- entertainment complex facilities, including swimming pools, sports and concert halls;
- educational institutions and others.
There is not a single building where stretch fabrics could not be used. Fabric materials will be an ideal solution for open areas of balconies, loggias, terraces, as well as in storerooms, basements and underground parking lots. The structures are lightweight, do not weigh down the floor slabs, load-bearing beams. If the choice is made correctly, the owner receives a fireproof, environmentally friendly and aesthetic coating that will last for several decades without the need for repair, renovation of the ceiling plane.
Beautiful examples in the interior
Optionally, the ceiling must have a perfectly smooth surface. The embossed and figured ceiling looks very original and stylish. In this case, aluminum slats of similar shades were used. Such a ceiling is resistant to high temperatures, is not afraid of moisture and provides excellent air circulation. In addition, the design is unpretentious in maintenance and will last for several decades.
The universal and most popular ceiling color is white. Less commonly used beige or cream. But also a colored or dark ceiling looks great in some style directions.
But it is important to be able to combine it with the general style of the interior.
When choosing stretch ceilings, you need to decide which option you like best - matte or glossy. Brilliant, almost mirror-like gloss coating perfectly expands the space. A matte hides the seams between the canvases as much as possible. But in some cases, masking the seams is not necessary at all. This can become a kind of highlight of the interior. So, for example, a satin white ceiling with black stripes looks concise and stylish in a modern living room interior.
The ceiling can serve as a continuation of the overall concept of the room or become a unique work of art. An unusual pattern, ornament or even photographs can be applied to the surface.
If the area of the apartment does not allow the use and weighting of a small space with voluminous multi-level structures, and the style of the interior needs to be supplemented with figured and carved elements, pay attention to stretch fabrics with drawings. This is a great way to beat a classic with a modern twist.
Suspended structures can look advantageous in many styles of interiors. And loft is no exception. Hidden LED lighting above the suspended structure highlights the natural roughness and unevenness of the concrete floor and creates the effect of being in an industrial production facility.
Fans of non-standard design solutions will appreciate ceilings that are unusual in shape and style. Stylish is the option when the design of the suspension system is combined with shelves, niches, furniture or other decorative elements. For example, a non-standard solution is a ceiling that complements the design of a staircase in a country house.
You can watch a master class on installing a cassette ceiling in this video.
Stretch PVC ceiling
Considering what kind of stretch ceilings are, one cannot help but pay attention to PVC film materials. These are products welded from separate strips, which are stretched using heat. The film itself and the air in the room are heated, after cooling the canvas takes the desired shape. Texture, color scheme depend on the selected material.
Types and characteristics
Manufacturers offer the following types of PVC films:
- Glossy. Reflective material. It is necessary to think over the area for the placement of the weld in advance so that it is not noticeable.
- Matte. An inexpensive type of material that does not have reflection properties, when finished, resembles a smoothed whitewashed ceiling.
- Satin. Medium material type between glossy and matte film. Satin fabrics reflect light, but at the same time refract and scatter the rays, which looks especially aesthetically pleasing. Satin fabrics are produced in the widest variety of colors.
The main characteristic of PVC film, which affects the choice, is the width of the strip, which does not exceed 5 m, therefore, when finishing spacious ceilings, the strips are welded.
The list of reliable manufacturers is small:
- Pongs, Germany. Unique seamless ceilings under the trademark Descor. The thickness of the products is up to 0.3 mm, the strength is increased - the canvas can withstand up to 150 liters of liquid per 1 m2.
- PTCM, Belgium. The width of the canvas is 5 m, a wide choice of color and texture solutions. The Belgian manufacturer offers canvases with photo printing, 3D effect. High-quality products favorably differ in durability, resistance to dust, dirt.
There are also manufacturers from the Russian Federation, China, Turkey. But when choosing materials, it is necessary to request certificates of conformity and look at the description - there is a high risk of getting defective canvases with low performance.
Cost and service life
On average, the price of the installation of PVC panels starts from $ 8-15 (600-1200 rubles) per 1 m2
It is important to take into account the type of material, the shape of the structure, the presence of built-in lighting and other nuances. 15 year manufacturer's warranty, 20 year service life
Adhesive ceiling
The adhesive method of finishing is the fastening of the coating directly to the base base using a special adhesive. The most used materials for this method are expanded polystyrene panels or tiles. These tiles are characterized by low weight (about 0.4 kg/m2), they are easy to cut, which makes it possible to use them in non-standard-shaped rooms. Also, polystyrene should include such properties as heat and sound insulation. However, the disadvantages of this material is that when glued end-to-end, the panels do not form a visually integral coating. To some extent, this has become the reason for the unpopularity of this type of finish in recent years. However, with the advent of glass wallpaper, the method of pasting with wallpaper came back to life. Glass fiber is very moisture resistant. Due to the long service life (20 years) and the possibility of dyeing 10-15 times, this material occupies a leading position in the market. In addition, the adhesive method is very easy and fast to perform, and also masks bumps, cracks and other damage to the base ceiling. The usual thickness of the coating is 10 mm, and thanks to this very characteristic, this coating can be used in rooms where the ceiling height reaches only 2.5 - 2.6 m. But there are some disadvantages of the adhesive method: with its help it is possible to hide only minor defects horizontally. The possibilities of lighting are also limited: the use of built-in lighting devices is excluded, it is impossible to “mask” any technical equipment, including electrical wiring. As for the purchase price for this type of finish, it depends directly on the material you choose. As an example, the price of foreign-made tiles fluctuates around 175 rubles per sq. m. the average cost of domestic polystyrene panels, especially non-laminated ones, is 15 rubles. per sq.m.
The choice of color for the ceilings in the apartment
Today's diverse design options allow you to perform the most incredible types of ceilings in the apartment. They are the simplest monophonic and representing one plane.This option is ideal for minimalism - it is often performed in light shades. Such light ceilings are ideal for all style solutions. But sometimes there are situations when you want to make a certain variety, or the design requires original solutions.
Often the ceiling is decorated with additional decorative elements.
If you want to experiment with color, then you should consider the basic rules:
- if the room has a low ceiling, then it is worth using the most light colors without complex structures;
- with a low level of natural light, a multi-level ceiling should be made as light as possible in color, embedding spotlights in it;
- if you use color on this part of the room, then it should be in harmony with the overall color scheme.
Making this type of ceiling, you can easily hide any irregularities and flaws on the surface of the ceiling.
Designer's advice on choosing a ceiling in an apartment
When choosing a ceiling finish, you need to rely not only on your preferences, but also on the basic requirements that apply to this part of the room. Depending on the style decision, it is worth choosing the finishing material and color.
The larger the area of \u200b\u200bthe premises of a separate room and the entire housing as a whole, the more experiments with decoration you can afford.
In the studio room, it is desirable to zone the space with the help of the ceiling. If, for example, a design difference is made between the dining part and the living part, or different materials are used, then in this way it is possible to visually divide the room into two parts.
A wide range of finishing options in hardware stores will allow you to easily realize the most daring design ideas and find the right solution for any budget.
In any case, before proceeding with the implementation of any of your own plans, it is advisable to draw a sketch of the entire room with a certain type of ceiling. If the hand is not set sufficiently and it is impossible to create a sketch, then it is better to contact a professional designer for it.
Kinds
Two-level ceilings are a modern way to make the interior unique and original. With the help of building and finishing materials, you can get more than two levels of height. And at the same time, any design, in addition to aesthetics, has additional practical characteristics. But such multi-level structures look good only in spacious apartments.
Suspended ceilings are of several types:
Stretch - perhaps the most popular finish. A fabric or PVC film with a minimum thickness is used. The surface does not require careful maintenance, it is enough to periodically wet cleaning with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and dirt.
Each of the types of suspended ceilings is typical for certain types of premises. A wide variety of materials, designs, sizes and colors allows you to choose the perfect option for an apartment or house.
What should be the height
Finishing the ceiling with a suspended structure requires at least a small frame. Why the space of the room will become visually noticeably smaller. The design of the suspended ceiling is simple: using a frame system of metal profiles or wooden beams, the canvas and various elements of the future coating are attached to the main partition. Decorative panels and all parts on a metal grid are attached to the installed hangers. Proper installation of guides and support profiles ensures easy installation. And with the most minimal installation option, the distance between the ceiling and the false ceiling will be at least 3 cm.
The installation height of the ceiling is also affected by some individual reasons:
Recessed luminaires may have a large housing that will need to be hidden behind the ceiling structure. If desired, you can mount an LED strip or a simple chandelier into the ceiling design.It is also necessary to take into account the dimensions of the housing, which will be hidden behind the insulating material.
Stretch or suspended ceilings
For those who have not yet determined for themselves which is better - a stretch ceiling or a suspended ceiling, let's try to make the task easier through a brief comparative analysis:
- Stretch ceilings are good, first of all, for their irresistible appearance and relatively quick installation, but installation can only be carried out with the involvement of third-party specialists due to the complexity of the technology (see Benefits of stretch ceilings: and again about the good).
- Suspended ceilings can be installed independently, and they have practically no restrictions on complexity. However, at the same time, they cannot boast, for example, of an ideal gloss that is inherent only in film stretch fabrics (see Aluminum suspended ceilings - types, scope, installation features).
The combination of a stretch ceiling with a suspended ceiling in a two-level ceiling structure
- When determining which is better - a suspended or stretch ceiling, in each case, the characteristics of the room should be taken into account. So, for elite modern interiors, stretch ceilings are usually used, but, for example, they are not suitable for outdoor rooms and rooms without heating, because they become brittle at low temperatures, which cannot be said about suspension systems.
- It is advisable to use suspended ceilings in the decoration of large areas - offices and other institutions, besides, such systems look more strict.
Manufacturers and prices
Today you can find products from many manufacturers of stretch ceilings: domestic, Chinese, and European. Let's dwell on the best of them, proven and bearing full responsibility for the quality of the goods produced.
PVC fabric must be selected very carefully. It is here that you can most often find, if not a fake, then a cheap product made in violation of technology. Ceiling film of consistently high quality is offered by the following well-known companies:
- Renolit (Germany);
- Pongs - under the Lackfolie brand (Germany);
- Malpensa (Italy);
- Alcor Draca (France);
- PTMS Polyplast (Belgium, the plant is located in China).
Among the proven Chinese manufacturers are MSD, Tianan, Botai.
On the Russian market, prices for good quality film start at 350 rubles per sq. m., including the services of a measurer, the cost of welding, cutting and installing a stretch ceiling.
For comparison, here are the average prices per square meter of white PVC fabric from different manufacturers in rubles:
- MSD - matte - 450 rubles, satin - 470 rubles, glossy - 550 rubles;
- PTMS Polyplast - 550, 570 and 590 rubles. respectively;
- Pongs - 750, 770 and 790 rubles.
As for fabric ceilings, the most reliable manufacturers are considered to be:
- Clipso (Switzerland);
- Descor (Germany);
- Cerutti (Italy);
- Emerald (Belgium).
Polyester fabrics are more expensive. For example, for white ceilings:
- Clipso optical white - 850 rubles, Clipso 705s - 1130 rubles;
- Deskor D-Premium - 890 rubles. per square meter.
For colored fabrics:
- Clipso color - 1230 rubles;
- Deskor D-Premium Color - 1590 rubles.
As you can see, prices for products from leading European manufacturers differ, but only slightly. Of course, it is impossible to call a stretch ceiling a cheap purchase. But for many, this pleasure is available, especially when you consider that the hinged structure will last much longer without repair than the usual plaster.
Russian products are much cheaper and outwardly look no worse than European ones. But, unfortunately, it cannot yet compete with it in terms of service life.
A set of components is paid separately. The cost also varies depending on the manufacturer. It is clear that the best choice would be to buy both canvas and fasteners from the same company.
