Stretch ceilings are a durable PVC film or fabric having a polyurethane impregnation, which is stretched on a baguette, fixed around the perimeter of the room. Thanks to their qualities and aesthetics, every year they become more and more popular among the population. Therefore, during the construction of new, as well as in the repair of existing cottages, individual houses, apartments, they are installed precisely.
Types of Stretch Ceilings
Today, there are two types of this coating.
- Seamless stretch ceilings are ready-made fabric sheets, available in widths from 2 to 5 m, which makes it possible to do installation without seams in various rooms up to 5 m in size.
- PVC coatings - are made according to the exact dimensions of the particular room in which the installation will be carried out. Their installation technology allows you to solve any design projects, to combine multi-colored paintings.
Features of the installation of suspended ceilings
The canvas is fixed with a special plastic or aluminum baguette around the perimeter of the room. This is a profiled rail that serves as a mount and is installed on the walls, but in some cases it can also be fixed on the ceiling. The texture, type of material, installation location of the profile affect the choice of device technology and the procedure.
The installation of PVC stretch fabrics differs from the installation of fabric. Vinyl surfaces must be heated before starting work, while seamless surfaces do not need this. Their manufacturing material also has some features that affect the installation process.
It seems that mounting the pavement is easy and simple. But this is only at first glance. In fact, it will be difficult to do the installation of suspended ceilings with your own hands. Indeed, for this it is necessary to have knowledge and practical experience.
Tools required for installation
Gas gun - a tool for installing suspended ceilings, requiring the ability to work with it. It is used for installation of polyvinyl chloride cloths. PVC film is made smaller than the ceiling area of the room. In order to stretch it to a predetermined value and fix it in baguettes, it must be heated to 65 º. After cooling, it takes the necessary shape.
Also for installation you will need such tools:
- The puncher is indispensable for forming holes for dowels, especially in concrete walls.
- Screwdriver - used when screwing screws.
- Laser level - marking is carried out with the help of it, it has high quality and accuracy.
Additional tools
In addition to the above, to install a stretch ceiling, you will need some auxiliary devices:
- Measuring devices - tape measure, ruler.
- Clothes pegs that hold the tension coating in suspension.
- Stepladder of the required height.
- Special blades - are used for setting canvases into baguettes.
- Miter box - necessary when cutting baguettes at an angle of 45º.
- Metal detector - needed to detect hidden wiring.
- Detergent that may be needed when performing various tasks.
Expendable materials
Before starting work on installing a stretch ceiling, in addition to tools, you should also prepare consumables such as:
- hammer drill;
- attachments for a screwdriver;
- gas;
- profile or plywood;
- glue, adhesive tape and hermetic material;
- stationery knife;
- feathers on glass, ceramics.
Technology for fixing suspended ceilings
Methods of fastening the structure depend on the surface area, location and number of different decor elements, lamps. The choice of method is also affected by the material from which the stretch ceilings are made. The installation technology of their various types is also different.
Ceiling cloths are fixed by one of three existing methods:
- harpoon;
- shtapikovym;
- clip-on.
Harpoon way
The harpoon mounting method is only applicable for suspended ceilings made of PVC. A mounting plate made of polyvinyl chloride film is welded around the perimeter of the fabric, allowing it to be connected to an aluminum baguette. Using this method, it is convenient and not very time-consuming to install suspended ceilings. The photo will show how the work is done.
Installation is carried out in stages.
- Prior to the installation of the suspended ceiling, it is necessary to level, putty, paint or wallpaper the walls.
- Along the entire perimeter of the room, an aluminum baguette is mounted on the wall or on the ceiling, where the canvas is refilled with a special spatula or spatula.
- To stretch suspended ceilings, the installation technology of which allows this to be done, it is necessary to heat the material to 65 º, using a gas gun for this. Heating gives elasticity to the coating, which contributes to its easy positioning in the profile rail. The film after full cooling is stretched and acquires a flat surface.
- Then technological holes are made for various pipes and cables.
- After that, lamps and chandeliers are hung.
- The final stage of work is the installation of a ceiling plinth.
The harpoon method does not require large time and money costs for the installation of a stretch ceiling, the price for 1 m 2 is acceptable (from 350 rubles). Such a fastener system is easily mounted and dismantled without consequences, if necessary.
Shtapikovy (wedge) method
Stretch ceilings made in our country, the installation technology of which does not provide for soldering a harpoon, require glazing bead fastening. This method is used for polyvinyl chloride coatings, as well as made of fine structured fabric. This method does not withstand heavy structures. Therefore, for the installation of a stretch ceiling, the price in this case is much lower than the previous option. The shape of the mounting profile and the technology of fixing the blade differ from the previous version and have such a scheme.
- A plastic wedge - glazing bead - fixes the canvas inside the baguette.
- U-shaped aluminum profile (height not more than 1.5 cm) is mounted on the wall. It takes all the load of the structure.
- Tension coating is a visible ceiling surface.
- A decorative skirting board is inserted into the profile, completely closing it.
The bead fastening system has both pros and cons. Its main advantage is its low cost. The quality of the web tension depends only on the professionalism of the employee. Disadvantages - the likelihood of loosening the coating fastening and the lack of re-installation.
Clip method
Seamless stretch ceilings made of fabric are fixed in a clip-on manner. To fix the stretch fabric, an elastic, durable plastic baguette is used, in which there are no technological grooves. Therefore, there is no need to use decorative elements. The fastening of the canvas is carried out not around the entire perimeter of the room, but in areas without heating. Fabric stretch ceilings, the installation technology of which is very simple, do not require much time to install them.
The advantages of this method:
- there are no technological holes;
- reliability in fastening;
- aesthetic appearance;
- no need to install a decorative baseboard.
The rooms will look just gorgeous if they carry out the installation of suspended ceilings (photos are presented in the article).
Coatings of this type bring home comfort and coziness, pleasantly delight the owners. High-quality work in compliance with the technology of installation of suspended ceilings provides them with a long service life.