Among the various options for suspended ceilings, PVC film sheets, which can have a matte or glossy surface, are especially in demand. Their popularity is due to the combination of technical characteristics and attractive appearance. However, during the renovation process, many owners of apartments and country houses have the problem of choosing a material.
What is better - glossy or matte stretch ceiling in the kitchen? To choose the best option, you need to compare the canvases, taking into account the characteristics of the room and other factors.
Characteristics of PVC film sheets
Since matte and glossy stretch ceilings are made from PVC film, the canvases have similar properties. They are characterized by the following:
- resistance to moisture and high temperatures;
- ease of installation and maintenance;
- long service life;
- safety in use;
- variety of colors and decor.
Stretch film ceilings do not emit unpleasant odors during operation and are not prone to fire or the appearance of mold and mildew. Thanks to their waterproofness, they protect the kitchen from leaks when flooded by neighbors from the upper floors.
Installation of tension sheets made of PVC film is cheaper than installation of ceiling structures made of other materials. They do not require regular updating, and plain surfaces can be painted with paints and varnishes if desired. When using suspended ceilings, there is no need to waste time and money on leveling the floor slab, and the height of the room does not change significantly when installing a single-level structure. Canvases allow you to hide communications and various architectural elements in the room.
Among the disadvantages of film ceilings are:
- a slight odor that appears immediately after installation and quickly disappears;
- the possibility of damage from sharp objects or due to shock loads, therefore, when cleaning it, do not use brushes with stiff bristles and avoid excessive pressure.
When using suspended ceilings to decorate a kitchen, you need to carefully select lighting devices. Since the PVC film sheet is deformed when exposed to too high a temperature, lamps of limited power are used. Hanging chandeliers and recessed light sources can be used to illuminate the kitchen. The power of incandescent lamps should not exceed 40 W, and halogen lamps - 35 W. LEDs can also be used as light sources.
If a chandelier with lampshades directed upward is used to illuminate the kitchen, then the distance from the light sources to the ceiling is at least 40-50 cm. Violation of these recommendations leads to overheating of the canvases and can cause yellowing of the material.
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9.58910Pros
- Large selection of colors and textures
- Many trusted manufacturers
- Possibility to combine with lighting
- Suitable for various interiors
Minuses
- Sagging
- Welds
- Completely sealed
- Smell after installation
- Collapse
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The nuances of ceilings with a glossy surface
Glossy stretch ceilings for the kitchen shine and have good reflective properties. Thanks to these properties, they create the effect of expanding space, visually enlarging the room and making it brighter. Canvases with a glossy surface look organic in both spacious kitchens and small rooms. However, their use is especially effective in small rooms with low ceilings: the mirror shine gives a feeling of spaciousness and air.
The disadvantages of glossy canvases include:
- Higher cost. Glossy ceilings are slightly more expensive than the price of suspended ceilings with a matte texture.
- Difficult to care for. When removing contaminants, there is a high probability of streaks appearing on the glossy surface. To avoid this, you need to use alcohol-containing products for cleaning and, at the end of cleaning, wipe the canvas with a 10% solution of ammonia.
- Susceptibility to deformation. Temperature changes may cause defects to appear on the glossy surface. Therefore, such canvases are installed in heated rooms and are not suitable for a summer kitchen.
Another drawback appears when using glossy canvases of small width for finishing. In this case, the connecting seam is more noticeable than when installing ceilings with a matte surface.
Types of suspended ceilings
Based on the type of base, all tensioners are divided into two groups:
- film, or PVC, made from very thin polyvinyl chloride film;
- fabric.
Tension PVC indoors
Film
Film surfaces have a much richer palette of colors and brighter colors. The texture of the film web is also different:
- glossy, sometimes called varnish;
- matte;
- satin.
Lacquer texture of the film canvas
The choice of texture is influenced by the room, its size and lighting, and the style of the interior. Film ones are waterproof and easy to wash.
Film waterproof, easy to wash
Very elastic, when leaking they stretch into a bubble, and after pumping out the water they completely restore their shape.
Fully restored after pumping out water
For these reasons, they are particularly suitable for kitchens, washrooms and bathrooms where there is a greater risk of leaks from upstairs neighbors.
Option for the bathroom
Due to the heating of the film during installation, a slight odor initially emanates, which gradually disappears.
Matte
The variety of colors for matte stretchers is the most modest. The canvas resembles an evenly painted surface without glare and provides accurate color reproduction.
The surface is glare-free and provides accurate color reproduction
The soft matte texture, discreet and discreet, does not concentrate attention on itself, allowing the eye to focus on the decorative decoration of the room.
Focus on decorating the room
The neutrality of the texture is combined with any interior style, especially classic.
Matte surface in classic interior design
This is an option for the living room if you want to give the room an elegant, but not too formal look.
Elegant hotel look
Pastel soothing shades are suitable for the bedroom.
The perfect bedroom with matte shades
Satin
According to the proposed choice of colors, satin is located in the middle between matte and glossy.
Satin tension in the interior
The texture resembles matte, but light is partially reflected in it, the surface becomes like plastic, with a pearlescent sheen. The white satin surface looks simply dazzling.
Dazzling white satin surface
If the room is very sunny, with good lighting, choose satin. It is most successfully combined with interior elements made of chrome, stainless steel or aluminum in the styles of techno, loft, and minimalism.
Successful combination of chrome elements
If the design of film ceilings with a satin or matte texture is made up of several canvases, then the pieces are taken from one roll and rolled out in one direction, otherwise the shades may vary slightly and this will be noticeable.
Glossy
Glossy tension ones have many colors.
Glossy color palette
A canvas with a mirror surface, and the reflectivity depends on the color: the darker it is, the stronger the effect. In black the interior is reflected almost like in a mirror.
In the black ceiling the interior is reflected as in a mirror
Glossy tension ones visually increase the volume of the room and make it lighter, so they are often used in retail outlets, offices, and various organizations.
Tensioners visually increase the volume of the room
White color leaves a feeling of freshness, cleanliness and spaciousness, choose it for the bathroom, bathroom or kitchen. The brightness of the colors will find application in the children's room.
Bright sky in the children's room
Sparkling festive gloss will suit many styles. It looks great in a formal classical setting, but will also fit well in techno.
Glossy for a classic setting
Features of canvases with matte texture
Matte canvases resemble the texture of a plastered, slightly rough surface. They do not shine, do not have reflective properties and do not create glare when lighting devices are turned on. Matte stretch ceilings for the kitchen are characterized by the following:
- lower cost compared to glossy canvases;
- ease of maintenance, which does not require special techniques when cleaning the surface;
- the ability to avoid seams during installation due to the use of materials whose width corresponds to the dimensions of the kitchen.
Their popularity as a finish is somewhat declining due to their limited color palette and less impressive appearance. To make a matte ceiling bright and interesting in design, photo printing and other surface decoration options are used.
Detailed comparison of two types of coatings
Let's compare the two types of suspended ceiling coverings in more detail:
- Care. In terms of care, glossy canvases are many times more capricious than matte canvases. Dust and dirt stains are clearly visible on their mirror surface; they must be washed frequently and carefully, otherwise stains will remain. Cleaning matte ceilings is easier - just wipe them with a slightly damp sponge or treat them with steam.
- Price. Matte ceilings, even with photo printing, are several times cheaper than glossy ones.
- Seams. Previously, matte canvases were produced small in width and connected to each other by applying a seam. And this seam did not always fit well into the composition of the drawing. Modern canvases (both glossy and matte) are produced in wide rolls, and therefore the problem with seams is no longer of fundamental importance when choosing a specific type of stretch ceiling.
- If you plan to build a powerful lighting system in a room or use lighting technology to create some kind of unusual visual effect, a glossy canvas will be more suitable for you as a ceiling covering. The material is not only capable of transmitting light (being translucent), but also withstands heat well. Matte canvases cannot boast of these qualities.
Comparison of glossy and matte ceilings
When choosing which suspended ceiling is better in the kitchen - glossy or matte, you need to take into account the cost, aesthetic appeal of the canvases and difficulty of maintenance. By comparing these factors, you can choose the best finishing option.
Matte ceilings are cheaper than glossy ceilings and are less demanding to maintain because they can be easily cleaned with a damp soft cloth or steam. They look perfect in combination with a classic interior, but can also be harmonious for a kitchen in a different style.
Glossy panels with a reflective surface create interesting visual effects, especially with the right choice of lighting fixtures. Depending on the color and decor, such canvases are used to decorate kitchens in high-tech, art deco or empire style. Glossy ceilings organically combine with modern or stylized classic furnishings. They look harmonious with different lamps, but the number of lighting devices should be carefully considered. Excessive light increases vision strain and can cause discomfort.
Embossed design or texture
The film web is additionally embossed in the form of various patterns or textures. These can be butterflies, leaves, geometric shapes, stripes, imitation suede, silk, brocade, mosaic, wood, metal and other materials.
Any pattern to complement the interior
The texture of the canvas itself is usually glossy or matte; the pattern or texture is selected to match the style of the interior.
Choose a pattern to match the style of the room
Combined option
A combination option, in which a solid tension fabric is made from several straight or curved sections of different colors or textures.
Combination of several colors
Monotony disappears, the potential of possible combinations allows you to show inexhaustible design imagination.
Remove monotony from life
The ceiling surface looks original and non-standard; children will be delighted with such an unusual picture in their room.
Unusual picture in a children's room
Fabric
The choice of colors for fabric ones is small, but this drawback can be easily eliminated by dyeing the canvas or applying photo printing.
Photo printing on fabric
The texture of the fabric is only matte, the colors themselves are less bright, however, they will be 2-3 times more expensive than film ones.
Matte fabric texture with desaturated color
The fabric creates a feeling of calm and comfort; compared to film, it is more natural and natural.
Create a feeling of calm and comfort
Its place is in the living room, bedroom, as well as in the interior of a conservative or traditional style - classic, country, Russian country house.
Photo printing
A good way to get rid of the monotony of the interior is to install a tensioner with photo printing. All types of fabric and texture are suitable for photo printing, but on film the outlines are clearer, the colors are brighter, more saturated, and on fabric they are more faded.
A good way to get rid of the monotony of the interior
The image itself can be selected from the installer’s catalog or brought any other.
Select an image from the company catalog
Popular floating clouds, classic antique or medieval scenes, funny drawings for a children's room.
Popular floating clouds
Film ones are made from fabric 1–5 meters wide; if necessary, the sheets are welded.
The seam itself is very strong, but on a fabric with a pattern, especially with a satin texture, it can be noticeable. On a plain color the seam is not visible.
Multi-level
Another favorite design move, which gives the surface volume, is also very convenient to divide the room into functional zones. Most often, the design includes two levels.
There are two possible design solutions.
Zone separation
In the first case, the canvases are stretched at several levels onto different parts of the frame, which has the form of simple straight lines or a complex curved configuration. The number of combinations of colors and textures is limited only by imagination.
The combination of colors and textures is limited only by imagination
The second no less impressive option is multi-level structures with a 3D effect. Two canvases with drawings are located one above the other, the lower one is transparent or translucent.
Multi-level structures with 3D effect
Previously, this method was only possible for film ceilings, but recently manufacturers have begun to produce translucent fabric.
Effect even with translucent fabric
Which ceiling is better - characteristics table
As you can see in the question of which ceiling is better, glossy, satin or matte, the final choice is up to you and your wallet. All the nuances of the above mentioned designs can be seen in this table:
| Ceiling type | Matte ceilings | Satin ceilings | Glossy ceilings |
| Appearance: | There is no shine or reflection, light is absorbed | Lack of gloss and reflection, adding volume and visually enlarging the room | High-quality reflection of light, visual enlargement of the room |
| Surface texture: | No shine | No shine, but with a reflective effect | Shine and smoothness |
| Possibility of applying photo printing, art, drawings: | An ideal surface for applying any type of drawings | Great for photo prints and drawings | Almost impossible to apply art |
| Color spectrum: | Wide | Wide | Wide |
| In what rooms should it be installed: | Spacious rooms with high walls and light decoration | Spacious rooms with high light walls | Any premises. Most effective in small rooms, including those with poor lighting |
| Combination with design: | Classic, traditional interiors, almost any design | Strict and classic style, as well as minimalism | Unique design solutions of any kind |
| Water resistance: | Does not allow water to pass through the surface | High water resistance, does not allow water to pass through the surface | The highest water resistance, does not allow water to pass through the surface |
The main advantage of all suspended ceilings is ease of maintenance. Their surface can be cleaned with a damp cloth and a dry cloth. Reviews about tension structures are only positive, no matter whether we are talking about matte or glossy fabrics.
Advantages and disadvantages of matte stretch ceilings: photos of design options
Matte stretch fabric belongs to the group of polyvinyl chloride materials, since the main element is PVC film, characterized by a granular structure, due to which the coating got its name. The most common film is 1.3 mm thick; the maximum roll width does not exceed 320 cm.
An important advantage is that, despite the insignificant thickness of the material, matte ceilings are exceptionally durable. The maximum tensile strength is 1.7 MPa, which allows the ceiling to reliably protect the apartment and the living neighbors below in the event of flooding by neighbors above. On the Internet you can find a large number of videos showing how the canvas can withstand the weight of water of 500 or 1000 liters, while it simply stretches, but does not lose its integrity.
The reliability of ceilings will primarily depend on the installation method. In addition to the fact that you need to properly heat the canvas, you should also pay attention to the method of securing the material to a pre-prepared frame. There are 3 main methods:
- Harpoon. The most reliable option, but also the most expensive.
- Beading. Many experts call this fastening method disposable, because the fastening does not last long.
- Wedge. Slightly worse in quality than the harpoon, but nevertheless considered the best option in terms of price and quality ratio.
Modern matte stretch ceilings do not emit harmful substances into the air
Like all similar materials, a matte stretch ceiling has pros and cons, so before purchasing you should study all the characteristics so that there are no unpleasant surprises after installation. So, the main advantages of canvases are:
- Possibility of installation in a new building. Due to its plasticity, the material is not subject to cracks or other damage that usually occurs on surfaces during the shrinkage process of a house, which in most cases takes at least one year.
- Attractive appearance. A stretch ceiling hides all the unevenness of the main surface without the use of additional materials. This does not require special preparation of the base.
- Quick installation. The installation time for a plasterboard ceiling with an area of 20 m² without plaster is at least 2-4 days, if painting is required - 4-6 days. A tension fabric of the same area, depending on the surface configuration, can be installed within a maximum of 6-10 hours.
- Easy to use. The stretch ceiling does not crumble and does not require maintenance. All they recommend doing is wiping the dust with a dry cloth every one and a half to two years.
- Acceptable price. Professional painters have long noted that the total cost of installing matte stretch fabric is cheaper than installing a plasterboard ceiling (taking into account materials, additional parts and installation costs).
- High consumer qualities and safety. The fabric has anti-dust properties and does not condense moisture, preventing the spread of mold. This allows you to maintain a pleasant indoor climate, which is especially important in kitchens and bathrooms.
Other advantages characterizing matte stretch ceilings and some disadvantages
Safety is one of the main advantages of matte ceilings. The materials do not contain harmful substances, do not cause allergies, do not absorb odors and are absolutely safe for health. The structural advantages of suspended ceilings include their low weight, which provides a unique opportunity to implement various design ideas and create complex ceiling structures: multi-level ceilings, arches. In short, the greatest advantages of matte ceilings are:
- creating the effect of a flat surface;
Even for a small area, be it a corridor, a bathroom, a kitchen or maybe an office, a matte stretch ceiling is perfect
- hiding cracks, scratches and communication systems;
- long-term preservation of an attractive appearance;
- high moisture resistance;
- affordable price;
- high quality;
- lack of excessive shine and mirror reflection;
- fire safety;
- good sound and heat insulation properties;
- high aesthetic qualities.
Helpful advice! The matte texture does not cause emotional stress, which sometimes occurs when using gloss. Unlike a satin or glossy ceiling, a matte canvas does not have any shine or reflection, which allows you to relax faster. On a rough surface, dirty marks are less visible.
One of the main disadvantages of installing a matte structure is the high probability of damage to the canvas by cutting objects. Even the thickest material will not withstand the impact of an object with sharp edges, which will most likely lead to damage to the integrity of the surface.
Matte stretch ceilings are available in standard widths up to 3 m
Many craftsmen emphasize that with minor damage it is easy to restore the integrity yourself using glue and patches from PVC film samples. The advantage of this particular type of material is that both violations and the results of restoration work are less visible on the surface.
Another disadvantage of matte PVC film is the impossibility of installation in a room without heating. This is due to the fact that the minimum temperature at which the fabric does not change its performance is +5 °C. If you plan to install the ceiling in a colder room, it is better to install a fabric structure.
Due to the fact that the maximum roll width is within 3.2 m, in a large room you will have to use glued fabric, although the seam on the matte structure remains invisible. As numerous reviews indicate, matte or glossy stretch ceilings are characterized by the presence of a specific odor, but in most cases it disappears a few days after installation.
The production of matte stretch ceilings is carried out from high-quality PVC film, which is resistant to moisture and fire
