8 tips for choosing a stretch ceiling: material and color

If you ask yourself which ceiling coating is considered the most popular and even fashionable today, then it is easy to conclude that these are stretch ceilings. People loved them for their high installation speed, the absence of dirty installation processes, the huge variety and the ability to create a unique design in the apartment. Stretch ceilings can be matte and glossy, fabric and film, plain or with a pattern - the scope for imagination is huge. Let's try to figure out how to choose the right stretch ceiling so as not to spend too much and not to be disappointed in your choice.

No. 1. Stretch ceilings: advantages and disadvantages

The basis of the stretch ceiling is a thin and durable canvas, which can be made of fabric or polyvinyl chloride. The necessary fragment in area and shape is cut out of the canvas and pulled onto a pre-installed frame. The finished surface is perfectly flat and neat, and the entire installation process lasts a matter of hours. With a tensile structure, you can close the entire ceiling or part of it, placing accents or realizing zoning. Stretch ceiling can be layered, and the variety of colors and textures can’t be listed at all. The design looks especially impressive in combination with spot and LED lighting.

Despite the wide variety, all stretch ceilings have such common benefits:

• record quick installation. Usually the process lasts 2-3 hours, but the installation of multi-level structures can take 5-6 hours, which is also not long, when compared, for example, with suspended ceilings or even ordinary painting;
• due to quick installation and the absence of wet processes, it is possible to install a stretch ceiling not only during the repair, but also when you just want to update the interior;
• there is no need to carefully prepare the surface of the main ceiling - the main thing is that plaster does not pour from it. Tensile structure - ideal for apartments where the ceiling has a lot of defects, which will take a very long time to eliminate;
• there will be a small space between the ceiling and the tension structures that can be used to hide wires and other communications;
• fire safety and health safety;
• high durability;
• ease of care.

Now for cons. First of all, this price. This is not to say that such a design will cost too much, but still more expensive, for example, Wallpapering or mounting polystyrene tile. Another nuance is that the design will steal a little height, about 5 cm. Doing it yourself will not work - you will need the help of specialists.

Probably, the stretch ceiling can be called the most universal way of decoration, both in variety and in the ratio of pluses and minuses. Now we turn to the most interesting part - the analysis of existing offers on the market, in order to finally decide which stretch ceiling is better to choose.

No. 2. Material for the production of suspended ceilings

Stretch ceilings are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and fabric.Both options are good in their own way, but immediately note that the fabric design will cost more. Fiberglass ceilings are much less common.

PVC stretch ceilings

PVC ceilings are also called film. They are more popular than fabric, and there are a number of reasons. The main advantages of film stretch ceilings include:

• profitability. PVC ceiling will cost less than fabric;
• water resistant. The film is not afraid of water, therefore it can be used in the bathrooms and kitchens. Moreover, an elastic PVC-cloth will save if the neighbors from above arrange a flood and flood your apartment - the film will hold water, and then the coating can be quickly restored, however, you will have to turn to professionals;
• a wide variety of textures and colors. The film ceiling can be matte, glossy and satin, painted in any color, and the paint on the film will be more saturated and bright than on fabric;
• fire safety;
• environmental safety - a high-quality film under normal operating conditions does not emit any toxic substances;
• maintainability. Over time, if the canvas stretches and sags, it is easy to return to its original state. Under the influence of the heat gun, the material is compressed.

disadvantages:

• the presence of seams when decorating the ceiling of a large area. Most manufacturers produce a film with a width of 1.5-3 m. As a rule, this does not become a problem, but if you need to tighten a large ceiling with one cloth, then you can not do without seams. Pieces of film are firmly welded to each other, and the junction will not be very noticeable. By the way, on matte and satin ceilings, the seam is striking even less than on glossy ones. Recently, some European companies began to produce 5 m wide film, eliminating the main drawback. Another way out is to use two-level structures, because in this case the total area will be divided into two sections;
• film is inferior in strength to fabric, it is easy to damage it with any sharp object. It is clear that no one will throw a knife at the ceiling, but when washing it is worth being extremely careful;
• film ceiling afraid of freezing temperaturesTherefore, it is used only in heated rooms.

PVC stretch ceiling is installed using a heat gun. Maintenance of the structure is minimal and consists in periodic rubbing with a sponge. Do not use abrasive or alcohol-based detergents.

Fabric stretch ceiling

The fabric ceiling is mounted in a cold way - you do not need to heat the material with a heat gun.

The main advantages:

• fabric, unlike film, lets air throughtherefore it is a healthier and more environmentally friendly coating;
• the standard width of the dense fabric is 5 m, but you can find a wider version, so no seam problems. It is easy to carve out a cloth of any shape from fabric, with its help it is possible to finish rooms that are difficult in terms of geometry and realize any design fantasy;
• the fabric is treated with polymeric substances that increase the already considerable strength of the material, and also provide complete antistaticity. The fabric will be very difficult to pierce with something sharp, and less dust will collect on it;
• fabric stretch ceiling can be painted. It is enough to choose acrylic paint of the necessary shade and quickly change the interior;
• material not afraid of low temperatures.

disadvantages:

• it is more difficult to clean the fabric ceiling than the film, so in the kitchen, where it is difficult to do without grease, odors and dirt, it is better to use a PVC cloth;
• the fabric is not able to hold water - if the neighbors flood you, it will not save;
• the material may sag a little (not more than 1-2 cm), as it has a fairly large weight. This drawback manifests itself with a large area of ​​the structure, but outwardly everything looks uncritical and almost imperceptible;
• the variety of colors and textures is not as rich as in the case of the film. The fabric may not be glossy, but it may have a specific fibrous pattern. Paints on fabric give not such a bright color as on film, but this is not a minus or a plus - rather, a matter of personal preference;
• the fabric ceiling will cost more, but it looks more luxurious.

Fiberglass stretch ceiling

To be precise, this is not exactly a stretch ceiling. Rather it is something between a suspended and suspended structure. The material is obtained by bonding thin glass fibers with resins.

pros:

• decent moisture resistance of fiberglass;
• resistance to fire and temperature extremes;
• high strength;
• the ability to repaint the ceiling, thereby changing the interior of the room.

Minuses:

• the ceiling needs to be painted;
• A short guarantee for such a ceiling (5 years against the standard 10 years for fabric and PVC ceilings).

Fiberglass stretch ceiling is still very rare. Not every company involved in the installation of suspended ceiling systems can offer such a service.

No. 3. Stretch ceiling texture

According to the invoice, stretch ceilings are divided into:

• glossy;
• matte;
• satin.

Frosted surface can be called a classic option. Such a ceiling will not be striking and distracting; it will fit into any interior style. No reflections are visible on the matte surface, and externally such a ceiling can be mistaken for perfectly painted or smooth plastered. Matte can be fabric and film ceiling.

Glossy ceiling like a mirror surface perfectly reflects everything, therefore it is capable of visually enlarge the room. However, one should be careful with the ability to reflect: firstly, not all family members may like it, secondly, not in every room it is appropriate, and thirdly, with a glossy ceiling it is more important than ever think over the lighting systemso that numerous glare does not occur. Usually only part of the ceiling is covered with glossy film. A shiny lacquered surface will be appropriate in interior styles such as high-tech, minimalism and modern.

Satin ceiling - This is something between a glossy and matte finish. It gives unobtrusive and very blurry reflections, creating a cozy atmosphere in the room. Such a ceiling is appropriate in any interior.

Number 4. Color and design of stretch ceiling

Stretch constructions give almost the greatest scope for the flight of design thought among all ceiling decoration materials. How to choose a stretch ceiling with a huge abundance of various options? Orientation, first of all, is necessary for the chosen interior style. It is also important to decide whether the ceiling should be the highlight of the room or just be careful and not attract too much attention.

By design, the stretch ceiling is:

• monophonic. The canvas can be painted in almost any shade, from snow-white to deep black. The choice depends on your own preferences, design features and the nature of the room. IN the bedroom and child it is better to use pastel shades, and in the kitchen and in the hall, ceilings of bright colors will look great;
• photo printing today it is possible on the surface of any texture, any pattern, ornament and even photo can be applied to the canvas;
• stretch ceiling "Starry sky" Looks great in the dark. The effect is achieved through numerous small light sources. The most popular option is the use of fiber;
• backlit ceiling also looks very impressive, giving the impression that the sun is shining directly above the ceiling. In this case, a translucent canvas is used, over which the backlight is mounted;
• tiered ceiling involves combining paintings with different textures or colors, and their location at different heights;
• 3D stretch ceiling can be considered a special case of a multi-level ceiling.Arches, arcs, waves, flowers and other three-dimensional objects are formed from the canvas.

Separately, it is worth noting the wealth of options lighting when using a stretch ceiling. In addition to the already mentioned “starry sky” and an ordinary chandelier, you can decorate the ceiling with spotlights located along the contour of the canvas or in the canvas itself. Another interesting option is achieved when installing the ceiling frame at a small distance from the walls, and the gap is used to install the LED strip. The result is soaring ceiling effect.

Just remember that with a film ceiling, it is better to use energy-saving lampswhich do not heat up much and are not able to melt the film. If you really like incandescent and halogen lamps, then it is better to install them at a distance of 10-15 cm from the ceiling, i.e. into the horns of a chandelier.

No. 5. Stretch ceiling and type of room

The choice of material, texture and some other characteristics of suspended ceilings depend on the characteristics of the room:

• In bathroom it is better to use a film ceiling, which better tolerates moisture and can save from the effects of flooding by neighbors. All textures are equally appropriate here, but the glossy surface will look especially impressive in combination with shiny tiled;
• for kitchen It is also better to choose a stretch ceiling made of PVC, as it is easier to clean, does not absorb odors and dirt. In the kitchen, where the abundance of communications is concentrated, stretch ceilings are especially appropriate, since they can mask both wires and pipes. The question of choosing a texture remains open - a glossy, matte and satin surface will be equally appropriate;
• in the living room, bedroom and nursery you can use that film, that the fabric ceiling - it all depends on what result you plan to get, and which interior to form. In the bedroom and the nursery, it is more appropriate to use a matte or, in extreme cases, a satin surface.

No. 6. Stretch ceiling mount system

Only stretch ceilings should be installed by professionals - you can’t do it with your own efforts. It is not necessary for the customer to know all the nuances of technology, but it’s better to study the key points in order to control the work of specialists.

The most important point is the type of fastening system used, aesthetics, maintainability and the price of the structure depend on it. The main options include:

• standard harpoon system. So install film stretch ceilings. The basis of the system is a harpoon, which has a hook-shaped shape. This is the edging of the canvas, with which it is inserted into the groove of the baguette installed on the wall. The last structural element is a plastic insert, which closes the gap between the wall and the profile. The advantages of the construction include a low price and the ability to dismantle the film and re-install it (useful in case of flooding). Minus - with a plastic insert it is difficult when it comes to curved structures. In addition, these elements are available in only two colors, white and black;
• gapless harpoon system differs in the absence of a gap between the wall and the profile, therefore, it allows to achieve a more aesthetic result. The functionality is the same as in the previous version, but such a design is more expensive;
• wedge-shaped system used for mounting fabric ceilings. The blade is fixed due to the presence of special expansion wedges.

Cloth ceilings are sometimes sometimes mounted using the Clipso system. In this case, the profile has expansion cams that are clamped due to the force of the stretched fabric. Installation of such a system is more expensive, but it allows you to maximize the preservation of the room height - between the canvas and the main ceiling of only 8 mm

Number 7. Stretch Ceilings Manufacturers

It is no secret that the quality of the product and the eminence of the manufacturer are directly dependent, and stretch ceilings in this case are no exception.To get a long-lasting finish, it is better to buy material from reputable companies, even if it costs a little more.

While the palm rests with European companies (which is not surprising), French ceilings are especially popular. These are high-quality expensive materials. To save money, you can consider buying Chinese and domestic materials, but here you have to be more careful, picky and attentive.

To the most large manufacturers Stretch ceilings include:

• Pongs - A German company that specializes in the production of film. The width of the blade is up to 3.25 m, it has excellent performance and tolerates temperature extremes. The company also produces fabric for stretch ceilings under the brand name Descor. These are cloths up to 5 m wide, treated with special substances that allow cleaning the ceiling with ordinary detergents;
• Clipso - French fabric ceilings, characterized by high durability and beautiful weaving. Any drawings can be applied to them using photo printing, acrylic painting is also possible;
• Normalu barrisol - A French company that has been producing stretch ceilings since 1975. The manufacturer owns numerous innovations in the field. Here, for example, they made the first canvas with a metal surface and a lighting system with translucent paintings. Today, the manufacturer’s collections include paintings for every taste and budget, all products are covered by a guarantee;
• Extenzo - Another French manufacturer of stretch film ceilings. It produces matte, glossy, satin, varnish and translucent films, as well as a film that simulates the surface of the skin, suede, marble. The manufacturer also has perforated films and films with antibacterial properties (ideal for the bathroom);
• Lackfolie - A German company, which at the dawn of its formation, decided to transfer production facilities to the Czech Republic, so now there are confusion in determining the origin of products. The manufacturer produces film ceilings, most of them have a lacquered surface. All products pass strict quality control;
• Renolit - a group of companies with German roots. The factories of the manufacturer produce PVC film for suspended ceilings, which is actively used by responsible companies involved in the installation of such systems;
• Alkor draka - a manufacturer from the Netherlands, produces PVC film for various purposes (including for suspended ceilings), has been working since 1947;
• Msd - A vivid and rare example that Chinese products are also of high quality. The company produces film for ceilings, and the width of the paintings ranges from 1.5 m to a record 5 m, the quality is also up to par, all products are certified according to European standards, but are cheaper than their Western counterparts;
• HALEAD - Another well-known Chinese manufacturer of PVC film. It has its history since 2001, at first it saved a lot on raw materials, so the film turned out to be of poor quality. Recently, everything has changed - the products are not ashamed to recommend.
• Kazan Plant of Artificial CoWell - almost the only domestic manufacturer of PVC film for suspended ceilings. The width of the canvas does not exceed 1.42 m, the variety of colors is small, but the price and quality can not be faulted.

On the market There are several brands that are positioned as Europeanbut in fact, production is carried out in China. Such manufacturers do not have official websites and quality certificates, and if you dig around, their owners are our compatriots. Registration at factories is, indeed, European, only they are located in residential areas. Yes, yes, these are ordinary houses. Here is such a simple game scheme on our confidence that the ceiling with a European name is already 100% quality.A vivid example is the manufacturer Cerutti (aka CeruttiST), who positioned himself as Italian, and then Swiss. This also applies to Polyplast ceilings, which are issued as Belgian. In general, before choosing a stretch ceiling and buying it, find out more about the manufacturer.

Number 8. What else to look for when choosing stretch ceilings?

The accumulated user experience and expert advice allow us to give a few more recommendations regarding which stretch ceiling is better to choose:

• Do not rush to the low price. Firstly, quality material cannot be cheap. Secondly, it is especially cautious to treat very low prices on company websites. Seduced by a bargain price, the client invites the measurer to his home, who voices the real price, and it can be several times higher than the price indicated earlier. This is intended for those who, purely psychologically, will not be able to refuse the service, since they have already come to you and completed part of the work;
• Before contacting any company, it does not hurt to read real reviews about its work and attitude to customers;
• quality products have the appropriate certificates, which should indicate that the material does not emit phenol-containing substances;
• good material has no unpleasant odor. A subtle smell of plastic may be present, but it should disappear shortly after installation.

Do not get carried away with too complicated design decisions, as the intricate ceiling can quickly get bored. A universal option is a ceiling with a matte surface and a neutral color.