Manufacturers today offer a huge number of varieties of stretch ceilings. It is easy to get confused when choosing them. However, if you take into account the peculiarities of the room and understand the classification of paintings, you can independently create a unique interior design. Before giving preference to one type, you need to carefully study its advantages and disadvantages, as well as take into account the features. For example, fabric ceilings are not suitable for the installation of multi-level structures, and film ceilings are more susceptible to physical stress.
Varieties of textures of stretch ceilings
Only matte stretch ceilings are made of fabric, but film stretch ceilings are:
- Glossy (lacquered) … They differ in shine and specularity, suitable for small rooms, because they visually increase the depth of the space. Such canvases are easier to wash than others. As a rule, glossy stretch ceilings are used in non-residential premises - bathrooms, kitchens, corridors.
- Matte … Versatile, classic material. It is used for finishing the ceiling in rooms with traditional interiors. Simulates a regular smooth plastered and painted surface. It is considered the most budgetary type of stretch ceilings. Matte canvases can have a rough and smooth surface.
- Satin … Such ceilings resemble a surface that is covered with paint with a slight sheen. Satin has a reflective effect. It is not as noticeable as gloss, but soft. Satin ceilings add coziness to bedrooms, nurseries. The mother-of-pearl coating has the advantages of matte and glossy stretch ceilings. It looks luxurious and expensive. Among the shortcomings - a small range of colors, relative high cost and inelasticity. The satin cannot be printed, but it can be installed without a fan heater.
The suede ceiling is distinguished by an original texture, which is optimal for bedrooms. But canvases imitating natural materials (wood, stone, metal) are most often used in corridors, kitchens, bathrooms.
Color palette of stretch canvases
Before choosing a stretch ceiling, you need to take into account the features of the room and the style in which the repair was made. For example, dark canvases are more suitable for large rooms and make them cozy and comfortable. On the contrary, light material will visually increase the area.
Manufacturers offer stretch ceilings in different colors, but among them you need to choose those that will harmoniously fit into the interior:
- White … A neutral, classic and versatile color. Such a ceiling can be used in almost any room, complementing it with correctly placed color accents.
- Lilac … A light, cold and pastel shade of lilac is suitable for a bedroom. But it is better to refrain from bright lilac in the rest room, as it is considered annoying.
- Brown … Luxurious glossy chocolate ceiling will look great in the bedroom, living room, combined with beige walls. Matte brown is the best solution for the kitchen, corridor.
- Blue … The ideal solution for rooms with windows facing the sunny side. Also, the color of the element of water is often used in bathrooms.
- Gray … Universal color. Such a ceiling can be arranged in an apartment, office, restaurant. Most often it is used in non-residential premises.
- Green … Harmonious and soothing color. The best option for finishing in a recreation room, bedroom, living room. Bright green is good to use in the kitchen, combined with red.
- Yellow … The canvas of all shades of cheerful yellow can be used in the nursery.
Ceilings are made not only in plain colors. They can be two-colored or even variegated. Film canvases are distinguished by a particularly wide range of colors.
Photo printing can be done on both PVC and fabric ceilings. It is carried out through the use of a large format printer. This is an original and stylish way to decorate a room, emphasize the style of the interior. So, an appetizing still life will look good on the ceiling in the kitchen, cartoon scenes are suitable for decorating the ceiling in a nursery, for a living room you can print a reproduction of a famous painting on the ceiling. Often they decorate ceilings and family photos.
Seam and seamless stretch ceilings
Among the variety of canvases offered on the market, seam and seamless stretch ceilings are distinguished. Previously, only fabric ceilings could be seamless. They were produced in widths up to five meters. Film canvases were made in rolls up to 1.5 meters wide.
Modern stretch film canvases are up to 2 meters wide. As a rule, they are made to fit the width and shape of the object and have one or more welds. At the same time, the seams are absolutely invisible and very durable.
It is recommended to make joints on the ceilings closer to the door. So when entering the room, the seam will not be conspicuous.
The device and shape of stretch ceilings
All tension canvases, regardless of the material used, are attached to the ceiling by means of a baguette - a special profile. The number of profiles, their shape and location determines the design features of the ceiling. Stretch ceilings are divided by the number of levels into two types - single and multi-level.
Single-level stretch ceilings are cheaper and are optimal for installation in a small room. It is easiest to install such a structure. It is easy to clean - just dust it off. There is a huge selection of colors, patterns, textures, you can apply a photo. Quite creative solutions are also available, for example, you can combine materials of different types. So you can divide the room into zones, using only one level.
Such an interesting variety as "starry sky" belongs to single-level ceilings. This is a flat ceiling in which special lighting equipment is installed - a fiber optic cable. It creates the effect of a starry twinkle. The light generator is hidden under the stretched surface. Such ceilings are made using two technologies - with and without a puncture.
Multilevel ceilings are used in overall premises for zoning and for the embodiment of original interior ideas. A multi-level ceiling is good because it is able to hide any defect in the main floor. The most popular multi-level designs are bunk.
Different levels can be formed in two ways: using plasterboard structures or special profiles, through which you can make a multi-level ceiling exclusively from canvas. The latter method is used more often because it is cleaner. Usually, materials of different colors and textures are used to create multi-level ceilings.
Modern designers offer original forms of stretch ceilings:
- Arched … With the help of a special design, a smooth transition from the tension surface to the wall is achieved. You can also make a vaulted ceiling that has the shape of a dome (or several). Walls are an obligatory attribute of such a structure. The rise can be of any height, as well as the radius of curvature. In the corners of an arch or dome, you can successfully hide communications.
- Undulating … The crests of the waves also look very original on the ceiling. It can be a small swell or more textured waves. Their height and amplitude can be varied. The wavy surface looks especially impressive on a glossy dark ceiling.
- Conical … This option is appropriate when there are columns in the room. The cone-shaped ceiling will smoothly "flow" towards them and complete the overall picture. The cone can "grow" out of the common plane or be a separate element. Its base can be rectangular, drop-shaped, oval, rhomboid or round.
- "The road in the dunes" … This ceiling is stylized as a three-dimensional bell and resembles a sand dune. By experimenting with its diameter and depth, interesting effects can be achieved. Such a ceiling will look especially original if you choose the right lighting.
In addition to the above types, multilevel ceilings also include such a type as a soundproof ceiling. The acoustic ceiling is made of special polyester fiber. It has miniature holes through which sound waves pass. They are absorbed by the mineral slabs that are placed under the ceiling.
Methods for fastening tension panels
Fabric ceilings are usually cold mounted on special clips. But the film material can only be fixed using a fan heater in several ways:
- Harpoon … Part of the canvas is a kind of harpoon, which is fixed to the profile. It is usually painted black during manufacture.
- Shtapikov … This method involves the use of a U-shaped baguette and glazing beads made of wood or plastic. It is cheaper, but less durable.
- Klinov … For such a connection, a profile with two grooves is used. In the first, the film is fixed with a wedge, in the second, a decorative baguette is fixed.
- Kulachkov … The material is fastened with special plastic “cams”. This method is only suitable for mounting the canvas in a small room.
Harpoon and glazing techniques are the most widespread and have been successfully used for several decades.
Features of the choice of stretch ceilings
The material must be selected in accordance with the dimensions, purpose and style of the room, the height of the walls. If you have already decided which stretch ceiling to choose for decorating a room, then pay attention to some of the nuances when buying:
- Manufacturer country … The highest quality French canvases are considered. They are followed by Swiss and Italian.
- Availability of a certificate … Purchase materials only from trusted suppliers and be sure to require a certificate.
- Smell and elasticity … When buying, pay attention to the smell of the product. He must be neutral. High-quality canvas is elastic.
It is not worth saving when buying. Once you have installed a high-quality and expensive coating, you can forget about re-finishing for a dozen years. How to choose a stretch ceiling - watch the video:
There is no definite answer to the question of which stretch ceilings are better. For each type of room, you need to choose a suitable canvas. By combining several varieties, you can create original designs in the form of "floating" or "volumetric" ceilings. The correct selection of material and a skillful combination with lighting elements will allow you to hide the imperfections of the room, make it more comfortable or visually enlarge.
