Glossy stretch ceiling: pros and cons of choice

The main pros and cons of fabric stretch ceilings

Ceiling covering is an important decorative element that can completely transform the interior of a room. There are quite a few varieties of suspended ceilings on the market and they all have their own characteristics. mainly divided into fabric and PVC.

A fabric ceiling is more expensive and looks more elegant and attractive. Counterfeiting of this material is practically impossible and the raw materials for it are of high quality and meet all standards.

According to consumer reviews, fabric stretch ceilings have virtually no disadvantages, and the main problems encountered are difficulties in maintenance, the possibility of color change and the absorption of odors. But such coatings are environmentally friendly, do not smell and do not accumulate dust.

Fabric ceilings are impregnated with fire-resistant chemical compounds, and their harmfulness depends mainly on the chemical safety of impregnation and painting

Stretch PVC ceilings: weighing the pros and cons

Perhaps most often, users choose PVC stretch ceilings. The pros and cons of these designs will be given below.

The popularity of this particular design is explained by the fact that today it is the simplest and most accessible material for many consumers. It has a very wide range of colors; if desired, you can apply any design to it or choose a ready-made one. It is highly practical and has a perfectly flat surface.

By design they are distinguished into:

1. Single-level.
2. Multi-level.

Depending on the type of canvas, they are produced in the form of:

• PVC films.
• Fabric based.

Texture of the canvas:

• Glossy. A smooth, shiny surface can create a “mirror effect”, visually enlarging the space due to the reflection of light and objects. It is distinguished by a wealth of color schemes and great decorative possibilities.
• Matte coating. A good choice for creating a classic style in the interior. In terms of cost, the most budget option.
• Satin. The surface is unique in its properties of imitation of natural fabrics. Thanks to these qualities, it is able to create an elegant, relaxed, homely atmosphere in the interior. Looks good with any lighting systems.
• Suede texture. The canvases look perfect on ceilings, imitating the naturalness of the material. They are mostly used in studies, living rooms, and offices.
• Translucent. They are used in exclusive projects that involve the installation of decorative lighting.

Comparative analysis of two types

The shape of suspended ceilings can be varied: flat, conical, arched, wavy, etc. Designers are happy to present new interesting solutions to consumers. Accordingly, the possibility of a large choice creates demand.

The advantages and disadvantages of fabric and PVC suspended ceilings are easier to identify by comparing the technical parameters of these two types:

Using this type of finishing is a good way to transform the interior almost beyond recognition.

According to manufacturers, suspended ceilings have a minimum of disadvantages and a maximum of advantages, but judging by consumer reviews, this is not entirely the case.

Advantages of matte ceilings

Matte ceilings are an ideal option for those who want a ceiling that looks like it was painted, but stretched. If such a white canvas is stretched in one layer, without built-in lights, then from below it seems as if it is a perfectly flat, skillfully painted surface of the ceiling.

With the current conditions for the construction and delivery of houses, such an ideal is difficult to achieve. In addition, we have already talked about the merits of canvases. Thus, the owners receive an ideal ceiling for many years.

7 non-standard ways to decorate the ceiling

For everyone who is no stranger to interior experiments, we have collected the TOP 7 non-standard ways to decorate the ceiling and be on trend.

Matte canvases are suitable for any interior if the ceiling does not require stucco molding or a change in the placement of chandeliers over the next 10–15 years. They look good in both classic and modern styles, without drawing attention to themselves. At the same time, such films make good multi-level structures that create the effect of a light, airy marshmallow.

Another area of ​​application for matte coatings is photo printing. The images look especially good on them, since there are no glares.

Disadvantages of suspended ceilings

One of the main and most pronounced disadvantages of all suspended ceilings is usually their considerable price.

There is often a problem with air pressure in the area above the suspended ceiling. It can grow and after a while cause the covering to collapse when a door or window is opened . Most often this is typical for PVC ceilings. It is almost impossible to foresee such a situation in advance.

Another significant disadvantage is that stretch ceilings are quite fragile and brittle . According to reviews from master installers, installation of the canvas is a rather labor-intensive process and requires maximum care, because it is precisely because of such shortcomings as fragility and brittleness that the suspended ceiling will have to be replaced. Therefore, if you lack experience, it is better to hire workers to install the coating.

Pressure differences between the ceiling spaces are inevitable; the more airtight the ceiling, the larger they are

Continuing to note the disadvantages, we should also mention the careful selection of lamps for a suspended ceiling. If you are installing a coating, you will have to choose low-power lamps, otherwise unpleasant yellow spots may form around the installed lighting fixtures . The lampshade must be selected with good thermal insulation and installed correctly so that it does not come into contact with the coating.

According to consumer reviews, the most problems and questions arise when installing suspended ceilings in the kitchen, the main disadvantages of which include the following:

• color change under the influence of evaporating moisture and the use of gas stoves;
• low breathability;
• condensation formation.

This mainly applies to fabric stretch ceilings.

What kind of ceilings are installed in the bathroom

Both bathrooms and showers are those rooms that are characterized by contrasting temperature conditions with high humidity. Therefore, a waterproof suspended ceiling should be used in the bathroom. You will find the pros and cons of this choice below.

Painted plasterboard coatings will not withstand such extreme conditions, so tensile structures are an excellent alternative to traditional methods.

Let's understand the advantages:

• Floods. Despite the fact that the PVC film is too thin, in the event of floods (and they are a frequent occurrence in these rooms), it is able to retain water on its surface until removed by craftsmen.
• Condensate. It manifests itself, as is known, during sudden temperature changes until the finishing material warms up. Due to the fact that the stretch ceiling film is too thin, it both cools and heats up almost at lightning speed. Due to this, there is simply no condensation on its surface.
• Dampness. The suspended ceiling in the bathroom never gets damp, so fungal deposits on it are impossible.

Harm of stretch ceilings to health

Since the material is not natural, questions often arise about its effect on the human body. As manufacturers emphasize, the main quality of stretch ceilings is environmental friendliness, and they do not cause any harm to health. In order to understand this in more detail, you should take a closer look at the quality and main characteristics of the raw materials.

We will talk more about PVC sheets, which are stretched over special profiles fixed around the perimeter of the room. The profiles themselves do not deserve attention, but the PVC coating is of interest. After all, by studying the composition of the film, you can minimize the harm from suspended ceilings to health.

So, the composition includes the following substances:

• toluene;
• phenol in small doses;
• chlorine;
• heavy metals such as cadmium.

All this, in small quantities, can be released into the air of the room in which this type of ceiling is installed. If we also add the presence of high temperatures and lack of air permeability, then we can imagine what kind of poisoned cocktail is present in the room. This is especially true for suspended ceilings installed in the kitchen, one of the nuances of which is the presence of a gas stove and water heater, because here the shortcomings manifest themselves most clearly, and we can safely say that PVC coatings can cause harm to health .

It is worth considering how breathability and high temperatures affect the body, and what the consequences may be.

Any product of chemical synthesis is alien to the body, but each organism has its own sensitivity to these products

Varieties of all existing suspended ceilings: what they are

Every consumer is accustomed to considering beauty, durability, ease of installation, and a variety of options as undeniable advantages. What is a suspended ceiling? The pros and cons, properties, main characteristics and varieties will be listed below.

Most modern canvases are made from vinyl film. The coating is characterized by:

• moisture resistance;
• affordable, unlike other invoices, cost;
• ease of installation;
• variety of colors;
• stylishness and aesthetics;
• durability;
• ease of care and so on.

High temperatures

Almost everywhere you can find information that it is recommended to install a suspended ceiling in a swimming pool and sauna, in a bathhouse and steam room, because... There is practically no condensation on the coating, and as a result, no fungus and mold. But, for some reason, it is hushed up that in rooms with high temperatures, toxic substances are released several times more . So, you can imagine that when you come to a sauna or bathhouse for health reasons, you can get poisoned by cadmium or chlorine, which is part of PVC sheets.

What can happen if a stretch ceiling is installed incorrectly?

Due to installation errors, various problems arise. The most common:

• sagging ceiling;
• collapse of the canvas;
• film melting;
• improper fastening to drywall.

There can be several reasons for the sagging of the canvas: weak tension, poor-quality seams or incorrect cutting of the stretch ceiling.

The opposite problem is film collapse. It sticks to the ceiling when the doors are closed. This effect appears if, during installation, the pressure under the PVC and in the rest of the room was not equalized.

If lighting fixtures are not installed correctly, the vinyl may melt and turn yellow. Manufacturers specify requirements for power, location and angle of lighting. Experienced installers must carry out preliminary calculations, since estimating by eye will not always be accurate.

If the ceiling is installed incorrectly to the drywall, the fastening may come off. The fact is that gypsum boards are not designed for such a load (up to 70 kg per linear meter). Plasterboard structures must first be strengthened with timber or gussets.

Due to savings on installation, operational difficulties arise. Their solution leads to new expenditures of time and money. Sometimes the ceiling has to be changed.