False ceiling made of aluminum panels today is quite widespread in our country, because for many people it is associated with such a thing as "renovation." Initially, such designs were brought to us from abroad, so their cost was quite high.
A little later, the aluminum ceiling panels were slightly modernized, introducing decorative inserts into their structure. Thanks to them, even the most daring design decisions can be realized during installation.
Varieties of suspended ceilings from aluminum panels
It is worth saying that the assembly process of all suspended ceilings is practically no different, so you need to pay special attention to the details.
In total there are 2 main types of aluminum ceilings:
- Rack and pinion . When assembled, it is a plane made of battens of various sizes and colors.
- Cassette The modular system is assembled from cassettes having a rectangular or square shape. Size and color may also be different.
Features of aluminum slatted ceilings
Slatted ceiling refers to a type of suspended ceiling. Such a suspension system looks like a single surface, although it is made of separate strips, which are available in different sizes and colors. This makes it possible to create very original and stylish designs.
The installation of a suspended aluminum ceiling is carried out only after the plastering of the walls and the finish of the floor are completed. First, the frame of the suspended ceiling is assembled , on which aluminum panels are then mounted.
Types of rails
The most popular among buyers is the suspended ceiling made of aluminum panels in two configurations:
- With smooth slats . After assembly, small gaps remain between the panels. It is not difficult to fix the rack ceiling, but it does not look so impressive.
- With alternating profiles . Intermediate inserts are installed between the rails, which may differ in size and color from the main panels. Such a rack ceiling looks very unusual and stylish.
The range of manufactured rails is so huge that it can satisfy the needs of even very fastidious customers. The panels are smooth and perforated, glossy and matte. By texture, they can imitate wood and even leather. The shape of the slats are rounded and rectangular. A huge number of colors and shades is simply amazing. They install rails along, across and even diagonally, which allows you to visually increase or decrease the space.
False ceiling made of aluminum panels still differs between the joints. With an open installation method, a small gap of 15 mm remains between them. Special decorative inserts are attached to it or left open. With the closed method of docking, the panels come on top of each other. Also sold are slats that are joined closely, which allows you to get a blind joint that does not have gaps.
What is a suspension system?
The main components of the suspension system are a comb, an angular profile and an adjustable suspension. A comb is a galvanized strip with special clips in which the rails are mounted.
The suspension consists of a bracket attached to a bearing comb and a rod, the installation of which is carried out directly to the ceiling. The aluminum ceiling is mounted at a distance from the main one from 5 to 12 cm (depending on personal preferences, as well as communications located on the ceiling).
Advantages of Slatted Aluminum Ceilings
In terms of functionality and technical parameters, a suspended ceiling made of aluminum panels surpasses other ceiling systems:
- Their slats are quite resistant to various negative external influences, especially to excessive moisture and elevated temperatures. That is why aluminum ceilings are mounted in the bathtub, in the kitchen and in other rooms where other surface finishes are inappropriate.
- Security. Slatted ceilings are made of harmless, environmentally friendly materials that do not emit harmful compounds.
- Thanks to the simple installation, you can assemble the aluminum ceiling in the shortest possible time with your own hands.
- This design can be installed on curved surfaces of walls and ceilings, since the aluminum bar is easily bent and allows you to create a tent or dome shape. To assemble a curved ceiling system, the mounting rails are mounted at different levels.
- When decorating a room, external aesthetic appearance is of no small importance. The suspended ceiling made of aluminum is assembled from panels painted with resistant powder paints, so it has a very attractive appearance. A fairly wide palette of colors allows you to choose the shade that best matches the interior of the room.
Equipment
Before you begin preparing the ceiling and installing aluminum panels, you should purchase everything you need.
The set of elements, as a rule, includes:
- fixing tires (traverses, combs);
- starting profile, which is mounted on the walls around the perimeter of the room along the intended line;
- rails of which the surface of the structure consists (when installing aluminum suspended ceilings, strips with a width of 100 mm are most often used);
- intermediate inserts needed to connect the main rails (not used in all rack structures);
- suspensions - metal rods or plates;
- fasteners (screws or dowels);
- recessed lights.
Instruments
To perform the installation of a suspended aluminum ceiling, you will need the following tools:
- tape measure, level, ruler and marker (for marking);
- puncher or drill (in order to make holes for fasteners);
- scissors and a knife for metal (for trimming rails);
- self-tapping screws and dowel-nails;
- pliers;
- screwdriver (for connecting all frame elements).
Marking
The installation of a suspended ceiling made of aluminum panels begins after everything necessary for the work has been prepared. To make such a ceiling with your own hands, you must first mark the perimeter. This is done in order to determine the level of location of the suspension structure.
The minimum distance from the base floor should be approximately 3.5–4 cm. The largest indentation is limited by the length of the suspensions. Along the perimeter of the room, according to the established level, a line is drawn, which will be a determining reference point when installing the suspension system. When marking is applied, the line must be checked with a level and the distance between the floor covering and it must be checked at intervals of 1 to 1.5 meters.
Next, you need to mark the slabs. To install the frame, depending on the number of traverses, an appropriate number of lines should be applied. The distance between the wall and the comb should be in the range of 40-50 cm, between adjacent mounting tires - about 100-120 cm. Attaching the crossbars with this step provides the required structural rigidity. After the marking is completed, the assembly of the frame and the installation of the suspended ceiling from aluminum begins.
Mounting rack system
The assembly of the frame for the hinged rack ceiling is carried out in stages:
- First of all, a starting profile is mounted along the perimeter of the room according to the marked markings. It is applied to a horizontal line and, with the help of a hammer drill, holes are drilled in the plank and wall. Such work needs to be done with an assistant, and not alone, since one pair of hands is needed to fix the profile, and the other to drill.
- At the next stage, plastic dowels are inserted into the prepared holes. Next, the profile is finally fixed, hammering in them special screws intended for express installation. The size of the installation step of the fasteners is 50 cm.
- After the profile is securely fastened, they begin to mount suspensions on the ceiling to install traverses.
- The next step is the assembly of the surface of the ceiling structure. To do this, before mounting on the mounting rail, all aluminum rails are adjusted to the desired size. To do this, along the cut line on the trimmed panel, a notch is made using a knife or an awl.
- Further, the edges of the bar are cut with scissors for metal and the excess material is broken off. The prepared panel is lifted and snapped onto the mount available on the traverse. The ends of the rails at the same time lead into the starting profile. Then intermediate inserts are mounted between the main panels. The last rail is trimmed not only in length, but also along.
- The assembly is completed by installing and connecting the built-in lamps. In laths for lighting fixtures corresponding holes are made.
Installing the suspension system is not at all difficult, the main thing is to try to carefully study the relevant instructions and information from the manufacturer.
Aluminum panels: price
The cost of rack suspended ceilings made of aluminum profiles varies greatly depending on the country of manufacture, type, texture, color and the presence of perforation. The cost of Russian-made panels is much lower. The average price is from 300 rubles per 1 m 2 . Foreign material costs from 600 rubles per 1 m 2 .