Two-level stretch ceilings: everything you need to know (+55 photos)

The popularity of these types of ceilings is growing every day - and this is a common fact associated with some of the advantages of these systems. This solution allows you to not only create beautiful design in different styles and variations, but also visually expand the space of the room. In a short time you can completely transform the appearance of the room, achieving any of your design wishes.

For you, we have collected all the information relating to two-level stretch ceilings, namely: what are, advantages and disadvantages, design solutions, application in living rooms, kitchens, children's and other rooms, selection of a color palette, lighting and generally practical advice.

We also add that this type of ceiling is a modern technology that allows you to take a different look at your home. You will be surprised how the house will transform if you use PVC film, which is the key to creating beautiful and most importantly unique designs of two-tier ceilings.

Materials for two-level ceilings

Such a system implies the presence of two levels that can be made from different materials, but more often are created from drywall. This material is quite cheap and practical in terms of the final result. True, here you can argue when compared with suspended ceilingswhich are much easier to mount. It does not have to be two levels, it is possible to realize more, only the complexity of the design and the cost of the work itself increases significantly.

Two-level ceilings are made of:

• Drywall. A fairly common way to create your own unique design, requiring a lot of time for implementation. In addition, this is the dirtiest way, leaving behind a lot of waste. Its main advantage is low cost. But if you combine all the costs, namely the amount of materials and the time spent on work, then for this money you can implement an easy-to-install two-level suspended ceiling, the installation of which takes literally 2 days.
• Drywall + pvc film. Also a very popular way to make a beautiful ceiling. Usually, the first level is a stretch polyvinyl chloride film, which in its texture and color is different. The second level is made of drywall and is a kind of frame for the tension coating. The cost of such repairs is doubled, since both types of finishes are used. It is necessary to spend decent time and financial resources for the purchase of appropriate materials. But the result in this case, in our opinion, is the best.
• Fully Polyvinyl Chloride. This option allows you to implement a beautiful two-level ceiling much faster than previous methods and relatively inexpensively. In this case, all levels are made of pvc film. For example, for the first main level we use one texture, and the second we make from another. Thus, combining different solutions, you can create a unique design of the premises of your home. Fully stretch ceilings have many advantages over traditional finishes.

Pros and Cons of Stretch Ceilings

To convince you of the advisability of choosing this particular type of finish, we will list all Advantages of this modern material:

• Relevance. As was said, this is a modern finish, and it will appeal to people for whom it is important to be in trend. And this is precisely the newfangled current, which today is on the rise of its popularity;
• Masking irregularities and communications. The finished pvc film in the finished form has a perfectly flat surface, which looks very cool. But, from the supporting upper wall, it is at a distance of about 5-10 cm, and in this way allows you to mask construction irregularities, without making great efforts and, accordingly, costs. It also hides other communications such as pipes and electrical wiring;
• Zoning. Stretch ceilings, as well as plasterboard solutions, provide almost unlimited possibilities for creating different decorative zones. Thus, it is possible to realize completely different forms and transitions, creating a truly unique design;
• Visual increase in space. This is one of the key properties of two-level stretch ceilings that visually expand the area of ​​the room, especially if you use glossy PVC film. It has a mirror effect, and reflection, as you know, is characterized by a visual expansion of space;
• A combination of shades and textures. Polyvinyl chloride film is sold in rolls of a wide variety of colors and textures, as well as with drawings, which makes it possible, so to speak, by touch to determine the colors when choosing various options. You must admit that in this case it is better than imagining how the design of the room will look when the usual painting of the ceiling is used;
• Lighting design. Using stretch ceilings also opens up more possibilities for creating unique lighting. The ceiling can be illuminated from the inside, thus creating an amazing effect. A vivid example is the very popular design in the form of a starry sky, but in fact, there are a lot of variations;
• The uniqueness of the design. And this is the most important thing in stretch ceilings, because they differ from any other finishing methods, allowing you to create individuality and uniqueness in the design interior of an apartment or house.

Summing up the above, we can definitely say that finishing the ceiling with pvc-cloth can be implemented in any room, whether it is a standard apartment or a country house. And now for the cons: no matter how much we list the positive aspects of suspended ceilings, there is always the other side of the coin.

There are few drawbacks, but they are and must be clearly voiced:

• Decrease in ceiling height. You need to understand that when installing the suspension system, a gap is formed between the bearing part and the ceiling itself, plus consider the height of the second level. If the room is very small, then even a few small centimeters can significantly reduce the space. But you can use a glossy texture - this will make the room visually higher. In any case, this factor must be taken into account;
• Caution in operation. The film itself, if it is inadvertently touched, can easily tear, so you need to remember this. Nothing can be done with this, only a complete replacement of the entire canvas. True, modern polyvinyl chloride can only be damaged with a sharp object, an accidental blow with a blunt end should not cause harm. The material stretches and can withstand even a decent amount of water if the neighbors from the top floor flood you and all the water begins to accumulate in a kind of bubble. This is even a plus, since it will prevent the flood, such cases in reality were;
• Cost. The use of pvc film and additional peripherals to repair it is expensive if drywall is used together. But recently, an excellent solution to reduce costs is to choose only one material - a polyvinyl chloride fabric.After all, you can still create full-fledged two-level stretch ceilings;
• Mounting. Without the help of specialists can not do. There is an opinion that an inexperienced person can make a quality repair - this is fundamentally wrong. Therefore, this drawback applies more to those who do not want to pay installation specialists.

As you can see, almost any disadvantage is self-exclusive under certain conditions. Having shown a solid share of ingenuity, you can solve any question, but it is best to turn to good specialists to realize any whim at the highest professional level.

Types of PVC film

The key to the implementation of a stretch ceiling, whether it be a one- or two-level system, is PVC film, which has a different texture, colors and even allows you to realize your own print on order. But there are several main types of this finishing material that we will list.

Glossy

The most popular type of canvas with a reflective feature that allows you to visually expand the space in small rooms. Remember that with an increase in saturation towards dark color - the mirror properties increase. With this visual extension, additional reflective elements are added, so you need to think through everything to the smallest detail. Otherwise, it will introduce a certain imbalance into the perception.

Also, this texture requires careful attention while caring for the canvas. After inaccurate wet cleaning, stains may remain, which are very noticeable. In general, this is a somewhat special material with good performance. Even after 10-15 years, the ceiling will look in its original form, but subject to careful care.

Matte

This type of material is often used in conjunction with a glossy canvas, as it softens its sharpness. It is appropriate in various directions of interior design, therefore it can become an important factor that emphasizes the general concept of design. Matte film combines well with a wide variety of lighting and allows you to apply complex compositional techniques when you need to increase the volume and depth of the lighting.

An important factor is the ease of care, which allows the use of wet cleaning without consequences and even vacuuming. Due to its antistatic effect, it does not collect dust, so the coating always looks neat. Also important is the impossibility of condensation on such a surface, which will be useful in rooms with high humidity.

Satin

Another type of film coating, which has good frost resistance, is therefore suitable in unheated rooms, where temperature and humidity changes are more intense. In its texture, the material has a pearlescent shade, which differs from glossy and matte.

According to its operational properties, this polyvinyl chloride fabric is stronger than the first two analogues. It looks richer and naturally costs more. Thanks to the special textured aesthetics, it can fit into absolutely any interior design, regardless of its direction.

A color scheme

The use of two-level stretch ceilings implies certain rules for color matching, because each individual level will have a different color. But it should be remembered that there are no absolute rules in the design, therefore, their violation is only welcome, if only you would like the final result. But an understanding of the basic principles will definitely be useful, so we offer you a convenient table.

The palette is quite multifaceted, but if necessary, a two-level design can be done in one color, only in different shades, so that everything does not merge into one inexpressive composition. This technique does not violate the integrity of the idea and gives the room a certain organization. It is important to know that all types of color are conventionally divided into several scales: neutral, pastel, natural, dynamic, dark.

The most common are light (neutral) shades that bring positive and make the room airy, filling it with lightness. If you add here a dark color, then the perception will be completely different, not so cheerful. To do this, you need to make several live (color) shades that will give the desired effect.

Pastel colors look good when you need to realize two rows of paintings that are joined together. They are perfectly combined with white color and allow to fill any room with cosiness. But first of all, you need to build on the general concept of the interior, as well as the decor of the room and all its elements.

When using natural (natural) colors, it is important that they are sufficiently bright expressive shades that should not coincide with the tone of the furniture. If you use bright colors, then do it in a dosage, diluting with white (light) shades. When the dominance of one color occurs, an imbalance occurs. It’s best to use purple, purple, yellow, burgundy and wine. More difficult to combine are blue, bronze and orange.

Sources of light

Very important when implementing two-level stretch ceilings is the organization of lighting. You can achieve impressive results by correctly placing the backlight. There are several types of light sources:

• Spotlights. The most common type of lighting that is used in any stretch ceiling system, they are often called mortise. The diameter of the lighting is no more than 2 meters, so several such bulbs are installed around the perimeter of the room;
• LED strip. They are LED strips that stretch around the perimeter, creating a beautiful light effect. Often used as a hidden backlight element for a better wow effect;
• Chandeliers. A classic form of lighting, often used in modern designs. It is usually located in the center right on the PVC canvas.
• Shades. It is also a very common kind of backlighting with a somewhat minimalist appearance that fits so well into an ultramodern interior and not only.

By correctly positioning the lighting, you can achieve a very interesting surround effect. Especially if there is a picture on the canvas and you need to revive it, successfully brightening and adjusting the direction of the light to create the corresponding shadows. Only specialists with experience in creating such systems can do this.

Two-level stretch ceilings (photo)

It is possible to make a two-level ceiling in each room of your home, but there are some implementation features in each separate room. This should also be taken into account if you want to achieve the perfect result, but it is better to turn to professionals.

Living room

Two-level ceilings are more about luxury, although today they are not as expensive as they were a couple of years ago. It is best to realize such a luxury in the central room of your apartment or house, here you can realize the most daring decisions. Namely, to use shades of deep contrasts and create shapes of unusual shapes. Than larger area, the more interesting the overall composition will be.

Kitchen

In the kitchen, two-tier ceilings are used only if the room has a free layout, that is, it represents the studio. Then you can visually zonate the part of the room where the cooking takes place directly from the dining or living part. Usually, they realize a narrow frame, along the perimeter of which there are many spotlights. And in the center they realize a polyvinyl chloride canvas of light colors.

Bedroom

The bedroom is not a place where experiments with flashy colors are appropriate, since it is a territory of relaxation and tranquility, therefore light pastel colors prevail here, along with fairly soft lighting. For the bedroom, they often make a ceiling in the style of a starry sky, but it is not necessary to use dark blue shades, but use light tones such as milky white, pinkish, light blue, which will also look good with the flickering of LED stars.

Hallway-corridor

In many apartments, the entrance hall is quite boring, so the creation of a two-level stretch ceiling there would be a very appropriate solution. A bright central window framed by a dark frame fits very well into the interior. If you make a dark gloss, then this is significantly will expand the visual perception of the roomby increasing the height of the walls.

Children

For children, the best thing is to realize something bright and fabulous, which every child dreams of. This can be a print of your favorite cartoon character, blue or starry sky, or any other positive drawing. It is not difficult to find out the preferences of the child, make the child a pleasant surprise.

Conclusion

We examined everything you need to know about two-level stretch ceilings and we hope that together with you we came to the only correct conclusion - it’s impossible for an inexperienced person to build a quality system like this. To implement your boldest decision, you will need the colossal experience of a group of masters who have created more than one such interior composition.

Of course, no one forbids taking a chance, and you can try to do everything yourself, but then get ready to throw at least a double budget into the wind. Therefore, do not take risks and turn to professionals.