The modern building materials market offers a wide range of ceiling finishes. They differ in a lot of characteristics. Such a variety of materials allows you to choose the best option for decorating any style of interior. Today, plastic ceilings are quite popular. The features of this type of decoration, as well as the rules for its installation will be described below.
Material Features
Plastic ceilings (photo below) are assembled from panels of certain dimensions. It is a safe and practical material. The panels are made of PVC. This material is used for decoration in different rooms. With the right choice of texture, pattern and shade of panels, the PVC ceiling will be in harmony with almost any style of interior design.
It should be noted that the sale of plastic panels, which are designed for walls and ceilings. They differ in a number of characteristics. Therefore, do not purchase wall panels for the ceiling. The main difference between such materials is their weight. Panels for the ceiling are much lighter. If you install wall panels on the ceiling, they will exert high pressure on the frame. Over time, they may fall away.
The light weight of the ceiling panels does not allow to install this material on the walls. It is less durable. Light and fragile material for the ceiling on the walls can deform over time. This type of finish is mounted on a wood or metal frame.
Plastic benefits
Plastic ceilings and walls look aesthetically pleasing. Such material has a lot of advantages. It is not exposed to moisture. Plastic panels can be mounted even in bathrooms, pools and saunas. If the neighbors flood the apartment from above, the plastic ceilings will not require reconstruction. They will retain their spectacular appearance.
The surface of the ceiling after installation of the panels will be perfectly smooth. Under it you can hide all the irregularities of the base. The material is easy to maintain and retains its appearance for a long time. He is not afraid of temperature changes. In the ceiling, you can arrange several spotlights.
A huge selection of textures and shades allows you to choose the right option for any interior. In this case, the cost of the material will be acceptable. Most often, such designs are installed in the bathroom or in the kitchen. If the height of the ceilings is small, it is better to give preference to other varieties of finishes (such as painting or whitewashing).
Features of the choice of plastic
When arranging a plastic ceiling in a room, in a kitchen or in a bathroom, it is necessary to correctly calculate the materials for installation. First you need to measure the area of the base. Then you can go to the store.
The packaging with plastic panels must indicate what area one PVC strip covers. Their length can be different. It is chosen in accordance with the dimensions of the room. Next, you need to divide the length of the room by the width of one panel. You get the number of bands that you need to purchase to create a finish. It is worth considering that the material must be purchased with a margin. This will allow trimming the material.
White and color panels are on sale. The first option is the cheapest. However, the ceiling of colored panels looks more interesting. All panels should have the same color in the package. The pattern (if any) should be exactly the same when connecting the bands of material. If the difference in shade is visible to the naked eye, such material should be set aside.
Profile Types
Installation of a plastic ceiling is carried out using a special profile. It can be made of metal or wood. There are some of the most common types of profiles. They differ in configuration and purpose. The starting profile is used during the installation process more often than other varieties. It is fixed around the perimeter of the room. Also, with its help, they close the ends of the panels.
A profile that in cross section resembles the letter H is called a connecting profile. It is used if the length of the panel needs to be increased. At the outer corners, the F-profile closes the ends.
For internal and external corners, a plastic corner is used. A universal profile is also on sale. It is suitable for finishing all types of corners. However, its appearance is poor. Plastic skirting boards for the ceiling look much more spectacular. They essentially resemble a start profile. However, the plinths look more presentable.
Calculation of the number of profiles
The plastic suspended ceiling is mounted on profiles of a certain configuration. It is necessary to carry out their correct calculation. In order to choose the right varieties of profiles, as well as calculate their required number, you will need to draw a decoration scheme.
The starting profile must be separated from each other at a distance of 60 cm. In accordance with this requirement, the quantity is calculated and the type of profiles is selected. The frame will be mounted using suspensions.
Special profiles will be fixed along the perimeter of the room. These planks will be fixed to the wall with dowels. They are purchased with a margin. If a wooden beam is used instead of the starting metal profile when finishing the ceiling, you need to fix it with metal corners.
To calculate the number of profiles, you need to divide the perimeter of the room by the length of the corners. You need to purchase materials with a small margin.
Preparation for installation
How to make a plastic ceiling? Experienced builders and repairmen will answer this question. They argue that all materials and tools need to be prepared in advance. In the process, you will need a stepladder. You should also prepare a hammer drill and drill.
To mark the ceiling, you need to use a tape measure, a ruler and a pencil. You should also purchase a building level. With its help determine the position of all structural elements. You also need to prepare a hacksaw for metal (if the appropriate profile is used) and a wallpaper knife before starting construction work. In addition to the punch, you may need a drill, masking cord, ceiling profiles and suspensions. In the process of installing panels and frame, dowels and screws, suspensions are used.
If the panels are installed in the bathroom or in the toilet, be sure to treat the surface of the ceiling with antibacterial compounds.
Beginning of work
When installing a plastic ceiling in a bathroom or kitchen, you need to correctly determine its level. If spotlights are not installed in the PVC, this distance can be kept to a minimum. In this case, the ceiling is lowered 5 cm lower than the base. If there are lamps in the ceiling, this level should already be 10 cm.
Under the plastic panels will be other communications. It can be wires, ventilation ducts, pipes, etc. Their size also needs to be taken into account. Such communications should not interfere with the installation of panels. Therefore, when marking the ceiling, this must be taken into account.
Communications are carried out in advance. They must be mounted on the surface of the ceiling before marking is completed. When this work is completed, carry out measurements. In this case, use the construction level. Need to find the lowest angle. The necessary distance is laid off from it (5-10 cm).
Profile mounting
Do-it-yourself plastic ceilings are installed on the appropriate profile. Begin its installation with corner starting strips. With the help of a paint cord, marking is done. A profile will be mounted on it. On the strip that forms after applying the paint cord, you need to drill holes for dowels. To do this, use a hammer or drill.
In order not to make a mistake in the process of drilling holes, you should attach each bar to the wall and make a through but shallow hole. Deep holes are drilled through these marks. Most often, a 3-meter-long profile is on sale. They can be connected if the room is large enough. Fixation is carried out by self-tapping bugs.
After that, the angle profile is mounted. It will be possible to mount a transverse profile on it. It must be supported by suspensions. Therefore, the clamps are mounted in accordance with the developed ceiling plan in advance. Each suspension is 60 cm apart.
Cross Profile Installation
To prevent the plastic ceilings from sagging, you will need to mount the transverse profiles. Before you start installing them, you need to pull the fishing line. It should go along the diagonal of the room. The fishing line is fixed in the corners, attaching it to the dowels. It should be tight.
When the thread is mounted, it begins to establish a transverse profile. It must be mounted with an assistant. The second person should maintain the profile at such a level that it does not touch the surface of the stretched thread. In this case, the bar should be as close to it as possible.
The master should fix the profile at this time. To do this, the suspensions are bent. The procedure is performed for all profile bars. After installing them, you can proceed with the installation of the panels. They are fixed with small screws (bugs). Even small seams need to be repaired with silicone. Its color must be selected in accordance with the color of the panels. Excess silicone is removed with a spatula. So the ceiling will look monolithic.
Panel Mounting Recommendations
Installation of plastic ceilings does not cause much difficulty. Before proceeding with the installation of panels, you need to inspect the ceiling of the room. If the base is uneven, the first strip is cut off only after careful measurement. This will hide the flaws of the room. Subsequent strips should be fixed at right angles to the profile.
Most often, panels are mounted across the room. However, other techniques may be used. So, in some cases, stripes are installed along and even diagonally. The second option is more complicated in execution. It will require more costs for the purchase of material, since in this case a lot of waste remains.
Panel Mounting
Cut panels before installation only after careful measurement. For this, a metal jigsaw is used. The first panel will be shorter than the width of the room (3-5 mm). It is fixed with screws on the profile. So they continue to work until the end of the room is reached.
The last panel must be carefully measured. Its width must be made 1 mm less than the distance from the wall. It is inserted all the way into the corner of the profile. Next, the panel must be moved and inserted into the profile of its second end.
Having considered the features of the selection and installation of plastic ceilings, you can perform the entire procedure yourself. The surface will be flat and the finish will last for many years.