Types of suspended ceilings: what are the types of suspended ceilings based on material and characteristics

Stretch ceilings have actually become the most popular type of suspended ceilings and are already found in every third apartment. Perfect evenness, relatively quick installation, a huge selection of colors and other advantages are the reason for their success.

However, such diversity gives rise to the problem of choice: material, color, texture, manufacturer of the stretch fabric.

We have done a tremendous amount of work and systematized in one article the 5 main factors that need to be considered before purchasing a canvas.

And, first of all, which suspended ceiling to choose should be decided based on whether a particular material is pleasant to you and whether its characteristics suit the room.

Here are the conclusions we came to.

How to choose suspended ceiling material depending on the characteristics of the room?

The most popular materials for the manufacture of suspended ceilings are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabric and polymer fabric.

Which material is better to choose depends on:

(a) Indoor microclimate:

PVC film	Textile
Low temperature	At temperatures below 5°C, it loses elasticity and may warp or crack.	Not afraid of low temperatures
Heat	Even when heated once to 70°C or higher, it deforms, becomes soft, and stretches.	Not afraid of high temperatures
High illumination	Does not fade for 10 years or longer. The color of the coating under normal conditions lasts up to 30 years	Does not fade for 10 years or longer
Humidity	Not afraid of water, so suitable for baths and kitchens	When damp, the appearance deteriorates and the fabric may stretch.
Draft	On large-sized canvases, waves may appear in a draft or when opening/closing a door	Waves rarely form on large canvases

Please note: high-quality film and fabric ceiling sheets do not support combustion. They lose their shape, melt, but quickly die out after contact with the flame ceases. They acquire this property after impregnation with fire retardants. Cheap materials burn well and are therefore dangerous.

The anti-fire properties of the fabric are confirmed by fire certificates. If there is no such certificate, it is better to choose a more expensive canvas.

(b) Room width

Depending on the type of suspended ceilings in terms of width and quality of material, they are divided into economy and premium classes.

Standard width of PVC ceiling films:

Russian-made - 1.4 m. These are glossy, matte, colored canvases of the economy segment, which are produced under the C-light and Eline brands at the Kazan and Ivanovo artificial leather factories.
Chinese production - up to 6 m. There are about a dozen factories of Asian companies in China. In addition, the production facilities of some Belgian and Italian brands are located here, so there is no need to be afraid of buying Chinese fabrics. PVC film up to 3.5 m wide belongs to the economy segment, from 3.5 to 6 m – to the premium class.
French-made - up to 1.5 m if the film is glossy, and up to 2 m if it is matte. These brands are Alcor Draka, Extenzo and CTN. All film produced by the French most often belongs to the premium class (costs 2 - 2.5 times more expensive than the economy segment). On the back side of French-made PVC film there are holograms from the manufacturer or serial numbers of the canvases.
German-made - up to 2.7 m. Fabrics of this width are produced by Pongs Textil GmbH. You can distinguish the film produced at its factories by the embossed brand name and the presence of a repair kit decorated with the factory’s mark. The Renolit company produces narrower films – up to 2 m wide.
Belgian production - from 3.6 to 5.6 m. This is the Polyplast brand, which offers glossy, matte and satin films in more than 120 shades.

Please note: all original film and fabric sheets are supplied with quality and fire safety certificates. If there are no such certificates, then they are offering you a fake.

Standard width of fabric rolls for ceilings:

French-made - 2.1 - 5.1 m. The Clipso brand is matte stretch ceilings made of knitted fabric, the maximum weight of which is 240 g/sq. m.
German-made - up to 5.1 m. This is the Deskor brand, most of whose canvases belong to the economy segment.
Swiss-made - up to 5 m. The premium brand Cerutti produces polyester fabric sheets coated on both sides with a polymer composition that protects them from leaks and damage. A waterproof varnish is applied on the back side of the polymer coating, and a finishing varnish is applied on the front side, which protects against dirt, dust, and splashes. As a result, the tension structure looks almost like a suspended plasterboard ceiling.

In this case, which stretch ceiling is better - fabric or PVC - depends on the project developed by the designer.

Polyvinyl chloride film is used:

in multi-level structures;
to create complex patterns and shapes;
on ceilings that will have to be reupholstered over time (for example, the owners of the premises like to frequently refresh the interior);
when installing ceiling structures of the “starry sky” type, when the ceiling covering is pierced with dozens of LEDs about 0.5 mm thick;
in a design with glossy or mirror elements.

when creating classic interiors;
in rooms with constantly open windows (due to drafts, the film will “play”);
in spacious rooms when you need to avoid seams on the ceiling;
if the ceiling is installed in a room from which furniture and other interior items cannot be removed. PVC film heats up during installation, so there is a risk of damaging furniture polish or glass;
in rooms where the temperature periodically drops below 5 – 10°C.

(d) Features of the operation of the premises

PVC film	Textile
Removing contaminants	Easy to clean with a soft cotton, fleece or microfiber cloth. Under normal conditions (except for the kitchen), you can wipe it once every 3 years with water or a weak detergent solution. Acetone is prohibited	Not washable, dirt is difficult to remove. You can use a weak solution of detergent or alcohol. Acetone cannot be used
Puncture resistance	Afraid of punctures (with a fishing rod, bullets from children's pistols) and cuts (with a construction knife when trimming wallpaper)	Resistant to punctures and minor cuts
Impact resistance	Resistant to impacts from blunt objects (reviews on forums indicate that New Year's champagne corks do not leave any marks on them)	Resistant to impacts from blunt objects
Flooding with water	Not afraid of flooding. Withstands 100 liters (10 buckets) of water per 1 sq. m of ceiling, preventing water from entering the room. Restores shape after water is removed	Retains water up to 72 hours. After drying, stains remain from substances dissolved in water (rust, plaster), so the fabric needs to be repainted or replaced
The appearance of reflections, glare	Glossy or mirror PVC surfaces reflect glare from working TVs and monitors	Matte fabric surfaces do not reflect glare

In one of the experiments, a PVC ceiling film with an area of 10.5 square meters. m withstood more than 500 liters (50 buckets) of water.

When the canvas held about 120 liters (12 buckets) of water, several holes appeared, from which droplets began to ooze.

However, the canvas did not burst, but continued to sag under the ever-increasing weight. Stretch like a drum, the film broke only upon contact with the uneven floor surface.

Please note: if you are flooded, the canvas should not be pierced to drain the water. You need to shut off the flow of water, and then move everything that has accumulated to the nearest hole for the lamp. To do this, it is best to call the craftsmen so that after draining the water, they dry the space between the film and the ceiling with a hair dryer.

Summary: Which manufacturer is better, for example, Belgium or Germany, can only be decided taking into account the specific project, width, texture and other properties of the canvas.

PVC films protect the room from flooding from above, are easy to clean, are not afraid of impacts from blunt objects, allow repeated installation, and are used to create multi-level structures and complex geometric shapes.
Fabric sheets are not afraid of temperature changes, drafts, do not glare, look expensive (sometimes like drywall), and ensure seamless installation even in spacious rooms. Both types of high-quality ceiling coverings retain their properties for 10 years or longer, are fireproof and aesthetically pleasing.

Disadvantages of suspended ceilings made of PVC material

This is not the best material for use in rooms with air temperatures below +5 degrees.
In the first hours after installation, an unpleasant odor emanates from such a ceiling.
This ceiling is very delicate and is easily damaged by mechanical stress.
There is a barely noticeable seam when welding several panels.
If the weld is performed poorly, there is a high risk that the weld line will diverge.
The pattern of the material is made in production, so accurate measurements are necessary.
When choosing a manufacturer, you must carefully study the availability of quality and safety certificates, since cheap and low-quality fabrics not only emit an unpleasant odor for a long time, but are also unsafe for health.

We evaluate the seams and texture

PVC film offers hundreds of colors, mirror and metal effects, glossy, matte, satin textures, bright images and the ability to create unusual lighting solutions. PVC sheets are either solid or welded.

They are welded when:

the width of one strip of film is not enough to cover the required area;
the design involves a combination of two or more colors.

Welded PVC sheets are just as durable as seamless ones. To connect 2 films of different colors, they are placed on top of each other and placed under an electrode, which presses on them with a force of 600 kg. A current is passed through the films compressed with such force. Under such conditions, the films are soldered at the molecular level, and subsequently the seam is the strongest point of the PVC ceiling.

Welds are visible on monochromatic surfaces when viewed from a certain angle. If you make the stretch ceiling multi-colored, no one will pay attention to the seams, because they will turn into a decorative element.

The fabric ceiling fabric consists of polyester threads impregnated with polyurethane. Simply put, it is a synthetic fabric with rubber impregnation. It looks like ordinary fabric - it seems soft and pleasant to the touch. You can order a canvas with a ready-made design or decorate it with photo printing of personally selected pictures.

Fabric ceilings are usually seamless. The seams on such surfaces are clearly visible, so they need to be presented as design elements: made symmetrical, hidden with lamps, or placed in the middle.

Note: PVC and fabric ceiling canvas with photo printing can be used to decorate walls and openings. It is mounted using the same technology as the ceiling one.

Summary: PVC canvases provide a much greater variety of colors and textures, while fabric ones allow you to avoid seams. A good seam does not weaken the structure; on the contrary, it is the strongest in this area.

How to choose suspended ceiling material for different rooms?

To determine which suspended ceiling is best to choose for the kitchen, living room, bedroom and other rooms, you need to remember what happens most often in this room and how this can affect the condition of the ceiling.

Peculiarities	PVC ceiling	Fabric ceiling
Kitchen	Cooking and other kitchen work: oil splashes, increased soiling, humidity from the sink	PVC film can be cleaned from dust, grease, it is not afraid of moisture, so any type of canvas and method of its installation is suitable	Contamination is difficult to wash off, prolonged exposure to moisture is undesirable, so a fabric ceiling is not suitable for the kitchen
Kitchen	Separation of areas for cooking and eating	Multi-level design with different types of lighting: bright above the work area, dim above the dining area
Bedroom	Calm, relaxing interior	Plain or matte or glossy fabric decorated with photo printing, preferably seamless, mirror fabrics can be used	Satin or silk canvas, plain or with photo printing, with imitation of materials suitable for the style
Children's	Special “childish” atmosphere, increased likelihood of puncture or rupture	A canvas decorated with photo printing, consisting of several parts. This solution is optimal in terms of replacement - if one part of the canvas is broken, you can only replace it, and not the entire ceiling	Canvas decorated with photo printing. If it is damaged, you will have to replace the entire ceiling
Living room	Possibility of glare from the TV	Any canvas that suits the design. If the appearance of glare is undesirable, glossy canvases are excluded	Any canvas that suits the design
Corridor	Small space, possible punctures from fishing rods and other objects	Any canvas that suits the design	Any canvas that suits the design
Bathroom, toilet	Small area, high humidity	The ceiling in the bathroom allows for any experiments with textures and colors.	Not afraid of moisture

Since suspended ceilings are most often installed last, when the repair is almost complete, you need to check how the design and texture of the canvas combines with the wallpaper or paint on the walls.

You can finally decide which stretch ceiling is better: matte, glossy or satin, only by looking at samples of materials “live”. Even the best photo may incorrectly convey the shade or texture of the canvas.

Advice from an expert: a punctured or cut stretch ceiling can be saved. The most important thing is to seal the hole with tape as quickly as possible so that the film or fabric does not come apart. If the hole is small (up to approximately 5 cm in diameter or length), the master will be able to cover it with a lamp or decorative element. If the hole is large, the canvas will have to be re-tightened.

Summary: PVC films are suitable for any premises, even with such difficult microclimatic conditions as the kitchen and bathroom. It is better to install fabric ceilings in spacious rooms with a “calm” atmosphere in the living room and bedroom. For the bedroom it is better to choose a seamless fabric.

How does the fastening system affect the price and durability of suspended ceilings?

PVC and fabric stretch ceilings are attached in different ways:

Fastening method	For which ceilings is it used?	Advantages	Flaws
Harpoon	PVC	Low price; Easy installation/disassembly; Can be re-installed	It will not be possible to mount an entire insert on curved walls; You need to carefully select the color of the insert
Besshchelevoy	PVC	There is no gap between the ceiling and the wall; No insert needed; You can join the ceiling sheet with plasterboard or tiles	High price
Klinova	PVC, fabric	Canvas tension can be adjusted; Budget cost	After some time, the canvas may sag
Clip-on	Textile	Canvas tension can be adjusted; Can be reused; Easy installation/disassembly	High price

Please note: when installing a ceiling, choose energy-saving lamps that do not heat up.

The maximum power of light bulbs for PVC ceilings is 35 W.

More powerful ceiling lights will melt the film. It is also better not to overheat the fabric. The light should be directed downwards or to the side, and the light bulb itself should be no closer than 10 cm to the ceiling surface.

Summary: saving on fastening materials at the stage of installing a stretch ceiling will increase the cost of the structure in the future. More expensive fasteners are easier to install and hold the canvas better. When replacing the canvas, it can be reused.

Choose the best stretch ceilings and share your impressions in the comments!

Tension fabric is the most promising material for decorating the ceiling space in an apartment or office. It provides a perfectly flat surface, has high performance characteristics and durability. Installation of a stretch ceiling is possible in renovated premises; it is carried out within 2-3 hours, does not involve wet processes and does not require a radical rearrangement of furniture. A variety of textures and colors, multi-level designs, prints and the use of special effects create unlimited possibilities for design solutions. Which canvas is better to choose? When purchasing, you should focus on the specifics of the premises, personal preferences and financial capabilities.

Blade type

For the manufacture of suspended ceilings the following is used:

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film with a thickness of 0.15-0.35 mm. This is the most affordable and popular material for finishing apartments.
Polyester fabric, 0.25 mm thick, impregnated with polyurethane. It is attractive due to its environmental friendliness and the possibility of seamless installation in large spaces.
Fiberglass. High strength waterproof fabric. Serves as a basis for painting. Rarely seen.

The technical characteristics of the materials are similar, but there are some differences that determine their scope of use.

Appearance. Film ceilings are glossy, satin or matte; the texture of fabric panels is always matte.
Strength. Fabric sheets are more resistant to mechanical damage from sharp objects than film sheets.
Frost resistance. At subzero temperatures, PVC becomes brittle and cracks. Fabric ceilings can withstand -35 C, which allows them to be used for finishing unheated rooms.
Water resistance. In terms of this parameter, the performance of film canvases is better. They are recommended to be installed in rooms with high humidity.
Environmentally friendly. All types of suspended ceilings are safe for health. At the same time, the presence of micropores in the fabric structure promotes air ventilation and ensures a healthy microclimate in the room. This canvas can be chosen for decorating a children's room.

Advantages of fabric ceiling

It has higher strength compared to PVC fabric.
This material is resistant to temperatures below five degrees Celsius.
Fabric ceilings can withstand more severe mechanical stress than PVC structures.
Fabric material for stretch ceilings has high sound insulation.

Texture

All fabric stretch ceilings have a matte texture. The reflective characteristics of PVC sheets vary widely: from 5 to 70%. Which material to choose depends on the specifics of the room and the personal preferences of its owner.

Matte stretch ceilings

In appearance, matte ceilings are similar to flawlessly executed plaster. This kind of discreet elegance is preferred by people of conservative views with refined taste. Matte ceilings are suitable for spacious, well-lit rooms. They harmoniously combine with the interior in a classic style, columns, stucco, and antiques. The most popular are white canvases and discreet pastel colors.

Glossy stretch ceilings

Glossy ceilings are appropriate when creating modern interiors. They are chosen by active people striving for innovation. The material allows you to visually increase the size of the room and is suitable for small spaces. Glossy canvases are characterized by a large selection of colors. The richer the shade, the better its reflective qualities are manifested, so even an unconventional black ceiling will not look gloomy and depressing.

Selection criteria by room

For the bathroom you should choose PVC material with a glossy texture. This is due to the fact that usually the bathroom does not have a large area, but is characterized by high humidity and temperature changes. Also, a glossy PVC stretch ceiling will be an excellent solution for the kitchen.

Any type of stretch ceiling looks equally good in the living room. Therefore, it all depends on your aesthetic preferences. But remember that a glossy stretch ceiling has the ability to visually enlarge a room, and a matte look will look very good if a lot of daylight enters the room.

Matte PVC or fabric ceilings are usually chosen for the bedroom. They are the best conducive to an atmosphere of comfort, tranquility and relaxation.

As you can see, each type of stretch ceiling has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is impossible to select the best material for suspended ceilings. It all depends on the room where the ceiling will be installed, the customer’s personal preferences, his design solution and financial capabilities.

Company manufacturer

The quality and price of suspended ceilings are largely determined by the manufacturer. On the market you can find products made in Europe, Russia and China. Which one is better?

European stretch ceilings

Canvases from Europe occupy the largest segment of the market. Manufacturers offer a wide range of glossy and matte ceilings of the highest quality, and French companies are trendsetters. The cost of European products is significantly higher than their Russian and Chinese counterparts.

Well-known companies: Barrisol, Alkor Draka, Extenzo, Newmat, Clipso (France), Poliplast (Belgium), Renolit, Pongs, Descor, Lackfolie (Germany), Cerutti (Italy).

Russian stretch ceilings

In Russia, the production of suspended ceilings is still poorly developed. The industry leader is Saros Design, which founded production in Moscow in 1996. Today, the company has production facilities in a number of Russian cities, Kyiv, Narva, and Stuttgart. The company offers canvases in a wide range of sizes and colors, applies drawings, and makes computer calculations using its own program.

Budget buyers can choose stretch ceilings produced by the Kazan Artificial Leather Plant and Ivanovo NIIPIK. Enterprises produce canvases up to 1.4 m wide in a limited range of colors.

Chinese stretch ceilings

The range of Chinese goods is traditionally heterogeneous. Here you can find both materials that are not inferior in quality to their European counterparts, as well as outright fakes. Industry leaders include the following companies: MSD, HALEAD, Gline. Stretch ceilings from these manufacturers compete with world leaders and are much cheaper.

A wide color range of stretch ceilings allows you to implement a wide variety of design ideas. The appearance of the material has a serious psychological impact on household members.

White color is traditional for ceiling cladding. It visually increases the height of the room, does not put pressure on the psyche, and is suitable for interiors made in various styles. White, as well as discreet pastel colors, are appropriate in living rooms, corridors, bedrooms, kitchens and other rooms. If you want to diversify the appearance of a light matte ceiling, you can apply elegant photo printing.

Bright orange, blue, purple, green canvases are well suited for children's rooms, filling them with an atmosphere of joy and energy. Rich colors can be chosen for the kitchen and bathroom.

It is better to decorate the bedroom in calm, romantic colors: beige, blue, pink.

The business style of the office will be emphasized by a brown ceiling, but it should not be very dark and not cause a depressing mood.

Psychologists attribute many qualities to the color red. On the one hand, it is the color of love and energy, on the other, it imparts aggression. In the interior of apartments it is used in the form of small inserts.

Glossy dark purple, steel, black ceilings will add originality to rooms with great height. Dark canvases are often used to create a “starry sky” effect.

Multi-level designs often combine textures and colors, creating a stylistic effect in contrast.

Color palette of suspended ceilings

Due to the fact that stretch fabrics come in different colors and shades, every homeowner can realize the most unusual design ideas. It must be remembered that the appearance of the ceiling surface has a strong psychological impact on residents.

Different colors transform the appearance of rooms in their own way:

White color is considered traditional when finishing the ceiling surface. It visually increases the height of the ceilings and is suitable for interiors decorated in different styles. White color and discreet pastel colors look great in the living room, bedroom, kitchen, hallway and other rooms. If desired, photo printing is applied to a light matte panel.
Bright colors look good in nurseries, filling their space with joy and energy.
Rich shades are often chosen for the bathroom or kitchen.
For the bedroom, the best solution would be calm colors - beige, pink and blue.
A brown, but not very dark, ceiling will help create a business atmosphere in the office.
The color red, according to psychologists, has many qualities, including those that cause aggression. When creating the interior of an apartment, it is recommended to use it in the form of small-sized inserts.
Steel, dark purple and black glossy ceiling surfaces can add originality to high rooms. Dark-colored canvases are used to create the “starry sky” effect.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with which spotlights and lamps are suitable for a stretch ceiling

Room

Each room in the apartment performs certain functions. The choice of stretch ceiling for the living room, children's room, kitchen and bathroom should be made taking into account their operational characteristics.

Living room

The living room is the largest room in the apartment. All family members spend significant time here, so great attention is paid to the design of the hall. Any materials are suitable for decorating the ceiling, the main thing is that their color and texture fit harmoniously into the interior of the room. It is better to give preference to universal, calm tones that do not cause discomfort to any member of the household.

Children's

To decorate a children's room, it is advisable to choose bright fabrics. The matte surface is more durable and will eliminate the risk of damage to the ceiling by active children during games. A big plus is the presence of micropores in the fabric structure, providing natural air ventilation.

Kitchen

Cooking is accompanied by steam rising to the ceiling and grease stains settling on it. Here the best choice would be glossy PVC canvas. It has high water-repellent properties and is easy to clean.

Bathroom

The use of a bathroom is associated with temperature changes and high humidity. A glossy film ceiling is better suited for it. The canvas easily tolerates difficult conditions and can withstand a significant volume of water when flooded from above. After the accident has been eliminated, it can be installed in its original place. A glossy ceiling looks impressive in small rooms, visually enlarging the space.

Choosing tension material for different rooms

Depending on the shape, design of the suspended ceiling, level of illumination, design, room dimensions and other parameters, certain materials are selected:

Cloths made of fabric.
Made from polyvinyl chloride.

When ordering a finished product, the client takes into account what is best for decorating a specific room and specifies what material the stretch ceiling will be formed from. At the same time, the design of the future ceiling space, design features are determined, material costs are calculated for each room: hall, kitchen, bathroom, hallway, bedroom, nursery, office, etc.

Weightlessness, original texture and rich color are the main advantages of satin stretch ceilings. To create the canvas, natural materials such as silk, wool and cotton are used. The fibers twist and intertwine to form a shiny structure. Experts have identified one brand that produces satin coatings.

Arridel

Rating: 4.8

Experts call Arridel satin stretch ceilings the standard of reliability and aesthetics. Today in the world no one can reach the level of the French manufacturer. The Russian consumer is offered a wide palette of colors, in which the most discerning buyer will find his own color. Arridel stretch ceilings are suitable for decorating studios, restaurant premises and living rooms.

The brand becomes the winner in this rating category for durability (up to 50 years), environmental friendliness (A) and high strength. The disadvantages include the high price and narrow canvases (up to 220 cm).

Advantages

noble shine;
durability;
environmental friendliness;
silky texture.

Flaws

high price;
narrow canvases.

Stretch ceilings are classified according to the type of materials used for the fabric, as well as its width and texture. Let's look at each subgroup in more detail.

Types of materials

A stretch ceiling consists of a supporting frame and the canvas itself, which is made from PVC film or polyester fabric treated with vinyl. That is, two types of materials are used: PVC film and fabric.

Which suspended ceilings are best to choose? We will try to find an answer to this question by examining in detail all existing modifications of tension structures.

Another sign by which suspended ceilings are classified is the texture of the material. Manufacturers offer matte, glossy and satin textures.

Matte ceilings

The matte texture is similar in appearance to a classic plastered ceiling. Its muted highlights without shine help create a homely, cozy atmosphere. Such suspended ceilings are especially good in the bedroom and nursery.

The main advantage of this material is the optimal price-quality ratio. In terms of their technical characteristics, they are identical to film coatings and have the same advantages and disadvantages. This finish is also attractive because it looks organically in any interior style.

In terms of color, matte coatings mainly have delicate pastel shades. They look great in multi-level ceiling structures.

Glossy texture

Glossy ceilings are the most popular and sought-after type of finish, which is made from PVC film.

This material has many advantages, the main ones being a rich range of colors and the ability to visually add height to a room. Glossy canvases simply have a mirror-like smoothness, thanks to which they partially reflect interior items. This effect adds spaciousness to the room. This property has found wide application for finishing standard apartments of small height, as well as for creating a particularly festive atmosphere in rooms where this is necessary.

In terms of its technical characteristics, this material is identical to film ceilings and has the same advantages and disadvantages.

Another undeniable advantage is the low price compared to other textures of tension coverings.

Satin texture

Satin ceilings are attractive because they combine the properties of matte and glossy textures. Visually, this ceiling has an external resemblance to satin fabric, while it partially reflects the interior items. It has a peculiar pearlescent sheen and also gently changes its color depending on the lighting.

The peculiar gloss of this material adds respectability and chic to the interior. According to the technical characteristics, this coating is identical to fabric ceilings.

The disadvantages include: a modest range of colors, represented by pastel shades, inelasticity, which is why they are not used for multi-tiered structures. Also, prints, photo printing and other effects cannot be applied to this material. They are also quite expensive in terms of cost.

Fabric ceilings always have a matte texture. The reflective properties of PVC sheets range from 5 to 70 percent. The choice of material depends on the purpose of the room and the individual preferences of the owner of the property.

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Externally, matte ceilings look like a high-quality plastered surface. People with refined taste prefer this kind of discreet elegance. Matte finishes look good in brightly lit and spacious rooms. They are combined with an interior decorated in a classic style, where there is stucco molding, columns and antiques. Canvases in pastel colors are popular.

In modern interiors, glossy stretch coatings are the most appropriate. They are preferred by people with an active, innovative position. The use of such material helps to visually enlarge the room, so it is often installed in small rooms. Glossy canvases are sold in a wide range of colors. The richer the shade of the canvas, the better its reflective properties will be.

Since each room has a specific functional purpose, this determines which suspended ceilings are best to choose:

Living room. It is usually the largest room in the apartment. Residents spend a lot of time in it, so increased attention is paid to the design of the living room. Different materials are suitable for decorating the ceiling, the main thing is that they harmoniously fit into the interior in color and texture. It is advisable to give preference to calm shades that will not cause even the slightest discomfort in every household member.
Children's room. To decorate a child's room, it is better to choose bright fabrics. Their matte surface should be very durable, which will reduce the likelihood of damage during active games. A big advantage is the presence of micropores in the fabric structure, which leads to air ventilation in it.
Kitchen. Where food is constantly being prepared, vapors rise to the ceiling and settle on the canvas in greasy spots; for this reason, glossy PVC cloth is the best choice. It is water-repellent and can be easily cleaned.
Bathroom. In this room, during operation, the temperature constantly changes and high humidity is observed. A glossy film sheet is best suited for the bathroom. This material can easily withstand difficult conditions and hold a large volume of liquid in the event of flooding by neighbors living above. When the leak is fixed, the canvas can be replaced.

Glossy ceilings look effective in small rooms and visually expand the space.

Some owners are interested in how to choose a suspended ceiling that is odorless. Usually, high-quality products do not smell strongly. If you purchase just such a canvas and have it professionally installed, the smell will disappear in a few days.

The aesthetic perception of the ceiling and its service life are determined by many factors: the type of canvas, its texture and color, the presence of seams, etc. All this depends on the manufacturer.

Manufacturer

An unusual situation has developed in the market for services for installing suspended ceilings: next to decent performers, unscrupulous companies have appeared that mislead customers. Unfortunately, their number is increasing every year. The deception is associated, first of all, with the origin of the stretch fabric and, therefore, with price and quality.

1. Cheap fabric is passed off as products of Russian enterprises from the middle price sector, in particular, the Kazan Artificial Leather Plant, which stopped producing PVC in 2012. In fact, Russian enterprises register the brand of linen on the territory of the Russian Federation, and products made by handicraft methods, which are very cheap, are imported from China.

It is not possible to check the manufacturer - no inscriptions, signs or logos are applied to PVC film and polyester by well-known manufacturers. If they appeared, they were delivered much later and not in production.

Only the company Pongs (Germany), in the fight against forgery, began to label some types of film, and even then, since 2020, it has been doing this irregularly and for certain types of products.

2. Medium-priced materials, for example, HALEAD (China), are passed off as expensive ones from Europe. In action are:

Non-existent companies and brands (Belgian POLYPLAST - there is no official website confirming the existence of production, MALPENSA SRL from Italy - ceiling films are not listed among the types of products);
Certificates of conformity allegedly confirming the French or German origin of the goods - mandatory certification in Russia has been abolished since January 1, 2010 (the documents presented were received at the initiative of the seller (installation company), and therefore their reliability does not always correspond to the true state of affairs, and bearers bear neither administrative nor criminal liability for this);
Sale of products that are not supplied to the Russian market (German RENOLIT profession or French BARRISOL, which can only be purchased via the Internet at a price of 90 Euro/m2).

Lamps

Stretch ceilings are ideal for built-in lighting. When choosing them, you should take into account the operational characteristics of the material and temperature restrictions: if the standard values are exceeded, the canvas will warp.

Incandescent lamps

The use of classic lamps with a tungsten spiral in tension structures has the greatest limitations associated with their high heating:

power up to 40 W for film ceilings, 60 W for fabric ceilings;
the ventilation gap between the canvas and the ceiling is at least 12 cm.

Incandescent lamps are attractive due to their low price, but have a short service life: about 1000 hours.

Halogen lamps

When installing halogen lamps, the following standards must be observed:

power up to 20 W for film ceilings, 35 W for fabric ceilings;
ventilation gap – 6 cm.

Compared to incandescent lamps, they emit brighter light in the yellow spectrum and have a resource of 2-4 thousand hours. Halogen lamps are best used for directional illumination of work areas.

LED bulbs

LED lamps practically do not heat up and have no restrictions for installation. This is the best option for suspended ceilings. LED lamps can be chosen both as the main light source and to create visual effects on matte, satin or glossy canvases. Lamps of this type are the most economical, and their service life is about 5 years.

Cornice

When installing a suspended ceiling in a house, one should not forget about other interior details. An invariable design element is curtain rods. They are made from various materials. Structurally, cornices are divided into wall and ceiling. The latter look more presentable. The difficulty is that the thin fabric is not designed for hanging heavy structures. However, there are 2 ways to solve this problem. The cornice can be fixed in an open or hidden way

Ceiling "starry sky"

Suspended ceilings allow you to create a stunningly beautiful “starry sky” effect in your apartment. Despite the high cost, this method of finishing has many supporters among lovers of progressive exclusive interiors.

Installation

To set up a home planetarium you will need:

glossy or satin dark fabric;
optical fiber;
light generator (projector).

The fiber optic threads on which the “star” function is assigned have a diameter of 0.25 mm. By collecting them in bunches you can create “luminaries” of varying brightness. The threads can be brought out through the fabric pierced in the right places and cut flush with it, but it is better to fasten it from the back side. In the second case, you should choose a thin translucent material. The light intensity will be less, but the overall picture will become more realistic.

The optical fiber is connected to the light generator. The equipment operates autonomously and is not connected to the room lighting system. The most advanced projector models provide effects such as fading and flashing of “stars”, flickering and movement of “celestial bodies”.

Additional effects

Additionally, the ceiling can be decorated with photo printing, glowing Starpins, and LED lighting of individual zones. Swarovski crystals installed on the “stars” will create a unique light scattering.

The “starry sky” effect is performed either over the entire area of the ceiling, or in a separate area, combining it with light matte canvases.

"Floating" ceilings

“Floating” stretch ceilings will help to radically transform the appearance of the room and give it exclusivity. At the same time, creating the effect does not entail significant complication and increase in cost of work.

The design idea is to create a light barrier, thanks to which the ceiling is visually separated from the walls. It's like he's floating in the air. This effect is achieved through the use of a special profile, which has a groove for placing an LED strip. Otherwise, the installation is no different from installing a conventional stretch ceiling.

The effect is also used in multi-level designs with a combination of matte and glossy canvases of various colors. Here you can create a “floating” of the upper or lower layers, depending on the direction of the light flux. In this case, various profiles are used to provide the required lighting angle. To create curved surfaces, baguettes made of flexible polymer materials are used.

The LED strip works autonomously. It can be turned on and off independently of the lighting system, and replaced without affecting the ceiling structure. When purchasing, it is better to choose low-power LEDs, unless you plan to use the strip as the main light source in the room. Their light spectrum may vary. Fade and fade effects are also available.

Fabric stretch ceilings

In the manufacture of such ceilings, a special polyester mesh fabric is used, which is impregnated on both or only one side with polymers. The fabric fabric for the stretch ceiling is released directly from the roll, that is, installation occurs without preliminary cutting of the material.

The texture is very similar to ordinary fabric, the fibers are visible. Roll width - 4000 mm. Thanks to this size, it is possible to make a ceiling without seams. But if the width is not enough, then the canvas is connected to each other using a special profile.

Stretch ceilings in a country house

In urban environments, suspended ceilings are installed everywhere: in apartments, offices, hotels, bathhouses, and entertainment venues. But how appropriate are they in a country house? Indeed, operating conditions are different, which requires certain adjustments.

Installation restrictions

It is not recommended to install film ceilings in unheated dachas: at low temperatures and frost, PVC loses its elasticity and cracks. For these purposes, it is better to choose fabric canvases.

In a new house, a suspended ceiling can be installed only after it has completely settled.

Preliminary work

To avoid unpleasant consequences, it is recommended to perform a number of measures before installing ceilings:

check the condition of the roof and repair if necessary;
treat the wooden floor with an antiseptic;
carry out deratization and seal all the cracks, otherwise the space between the ceiling and the cladding will become a convenient place for rodents to breed.

About the benefits of suspended ceilings in a private home

Thanks to stretch ceilings in a private home you can:

cover uneven floors;
hide communications;
improve thermal insulation;
visually increase the space.

A large selection of matte and glossy canvases of various colors allows you to choose a canvas for any wall material.

Stretch ceiling is a beautiful and durable solution. The material is varied, and you can find one suitable for any room and conditions. In this article we will tell you how to choose the right stretch ceiling and compare which one is better. We will also provide expert recommendations on how to check the quality before purchasing.

PVC stretch ceilings

PVC is a material for suspended ceilings that first appeared in the sixties in France. During this time, the technology of its manufacture was improved, and accordingly, the quality of the product itself improved. By the way, this type is also called film.

Film for suspended ceilings comes in sizes from 1300 to 3200 mm. If this size is not enough, then several pieces are welded together. The seam is neat, small and almost invisible. Installation is carried out using heat guns, which heat the room to 60-70 degrees.

PVC stretch ceilings can be of the following types:

depending on the texture: glossy (reflections, varnish texture and shine are visible) or matte (reflections are not visible, the ceiling is perfectly smooth);
depending on the type of fastening: with a plastic insert (the technological gap is covered by a bead) or gapless fastening (there is no gap between the flow and the wall, the joint is perfect).

Types of materials for suspended ceilings

The design is a thin canvas stretched over a frame fixed around the perimeter of the room. The material is:

film (contains polyvinyl chloride);
fabric - made of polyester impregnated with polyurethane.

These materials differ in properties and installation features. Before installation, PVC is heated to 70º C. The film increases in volume, after which it is fixed to the frame. The canvas cools and stretches. The fabric does not require heating; it is simply attached to the baguette.

Technical characteristics also differ:

Operating temperature for fabric is from -50º to +100ºC, and for film - from -5º to +50ºC.
Fire safety. Both materials do not burn, but vinyl melts near fire and at high temperatures.
The thickness of PVC is 0.15-0.5 mm, polyester - 0.15-0.25.
The weight of a square meter of film is from 180 to 325 grams, and of fabric - about 200.
PVC is completely waterproof, while polyester is partially waterproof. With prolonged contact with water, polyurethane impregnation gradually loses its properties. The liquid is retained for no longer than two hours. In the future, divorces may appear.
Polyester fabric is breathable, but film is not.
Polyester stretches up to 120%, and PVC - up to 220%.
The sound insulation coefficient is up to 0.6 for fabric and up to 0.4 for film.

Options for fastening the canvas

A stretch ceiling cannot be fixed with nails, screws or anything similar - the fabric or film will be damaged. A special frame is made from a profile to which the canvas is attached.

Aluminum or plastic is used to make fasteners. The first is required for large rooms (from 50 square meters), as it better withstands strong tension. Both options are suitable for medium and small rooms.

Several types of fastening of suspended ceilings have been developed, differing in shape and design:

harpoon;
wedge or glazing bead;
clip-on

Harpoon

With such a fastening system, an accurate calculation of the area of the future ceiling and preliminary preparation of the canvas are required. A special plastic edge is welded to the edge of the PVC film - a harpoon, which is then inserted into the hole of the baguette.

This installation method allows you to remove the film and attach it back. This makes it easier to access the space behind the ceiling. There may be lighting fixtures, generators and converters, air ducts, etc. The film is also removed in order to drain water after a flood.

Beading

Wedge and glazing bead fastenings are similar to each other. The film is cut with a margin (about 7-13%). The edges are inserted into the profile holes and secured with a plug. The part is produced in the form of a wedge or bead. The name is determined depending on the type.

With this method, excess fabric remains at the edges, which is cut off or hidden behind a soft ceiling plinth. Installation is simplified, since no preliminary preparation is required, and the calculation may not be as accurate. But the removed film cannot be reattached.

Design features of suspended ceilings

Stretch ceilings are a whole structure that consists of a specific fabric and a fastening system. The latter is represented by a plastic or metal profile. With its help, the canvas for the stretch ceiling is placed at a certain distance from the base one.

Such designs allow you to quickly level absolutely any surface and create a new smooth one. Also, with their help, you can realize a wide variety of design solutions. Other advantages of suspended ceilings include the following:

they allow you to hide various communications laid from above;
their installation will be much cheaper than installing drywall;
installation is carried out in a short time without construction waste (even if the ceiling has several levels, installation takes on average from two to six hours);
it is not at all necessary to prepare the base ceiling before installation, and this minimizes not only time, but also material costs;
The ceiling can be installed after other repair work has been carried out;
The service life, depending on the type, varies from 20 to 50 years.

The main disadvantage of suspended ceilings is that they do not “eat up” the height of the room.

Modern materials for stretch ceilings are presented in three types:

made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
fabric;
made of fiberglass.

Let's look at each type in more detail.