Stretch ceilings: selection criteria and installation features

Stretch ceiling - a universal tool for creating a modern interior

In the world of interior design, new ideas appear every year, but the key trends used in interior design are always unchanged:

• maximum comfort,
• multifunctionality,
• stylishness.

These criteria are especially important for residents of megacities, which is why stretch ceilings are so in demand in the capital’s market.

When starting a renovation, each person pursues certain goals. Some need to mask errors in the base ceiling and utility lines. Others, despite the small area, want original design and lighting using LED lamps. With the help of modern ceilings you can effectively solve any problems. Implement standard and creative solutions in a short time.

A brief comparative description that will help you decide on the type of ceiling

To make it easier to decide which stretch ceiling (glossy or matte) to install in a room, you need to study their main differences. Thus, the surface of a glossy film requires more careful care compared to a matte one. But in the first case, you can wipe the ceiling once a year, because it does not attract, but repels dust. Due to the roughness of the matte film, it is more difficult to remove dirt, and if maintenance is carried out rarely, a damp sponge will not be enough in this case. To be fair, it should be noted that caring for the gloss is also not easy, because not every owner knows how to properly wash stretch ceilings without streaks.

A significant advantage is the lower price of a matte ceiling. Of course, the difference is not too big, but nevertheless, with a large apartment area, you can save a decent amount on all ceilings.

Matte ceilings belong to the category of warm, bringing comfort and coziness to the room

A matte surface is superior to a glossy one in the sense that if two panels are soldered together, the seam on the surface will not be visible, which at a certain viewing angle appears on the glossy surface. However, due to the larger width of the rolls, the need to solder glossy sheets occurs much less frequently.

A matte stretch ceiling in a bathroom is considered more advantageous than a glossy one, because drops or splashes will not be visible on its surface. Although condensation does not form on either type of material. Due to soap suds getting on a glossy canvas, a stain will most likely form on it, which will be noticeable, but in the case of a matte surface, no traces may remain.

The main advantage of a glossy ceiling over a matte one is the ability to create unusual lighting reflected from a mirror surface. Gloss coatings allow you to create something incredible using only spot and LED lighting. When installing a matte canvas, you will have to install more powerful lamps, but the main thing is not to use powerful lighting equipment that gets too hot when turned on. The best option for a matte ceiling are LED lamps with a power of no more than 30 W.

By soldering two matte sheets, the seam on the surface will not be visible

The design of both types of ceilings is quite diverse and allows you to choose the most suitable option for a specific interior style. When choosing a surface for a particular room, you should take into account the characteristics of the room and the desired ceiling design. Thus, two-level matte stretch ceilings do not look as attractive as multi-level glossy structures. When creating a classic style, a matte surface is the best option, which can be emphasized with the right lighting.

How to choose the color of a matte stretch ceiling: white, beige, gray, black and other canvases

The choice of color for the ceiling will depend on the characteristics of not only the use, but also the location of the room, because you need to pay attention to the amount of natural light. PVC sheets allow you to bring almost all ideas to life. These can be ceilings stylized as leather, pearls, metal and even wood, regardless of the rich colors. A large number of different photos of suspended matte ceilings for the hall shows that the matte canvas does not have to be monochromatic and boring.

This is interesting! To make attractive multi-level unusual designs to cover the plasterboard box, you can use matte ceiling paint, which will help create a unified picture.

The white matte ceiling in appearance resembles a perfectly made, plastered and painted surface, which is suitable for decorating any interior and room. White color is considered classic and universal. You can also pay attention to the fact that in the photo the white matte stretch ceiling well balances the interior decor with bright horizontal surfaces.

Externally, the white matte stretch ceiling looks like perfectly smooth plaster

When choosing a ceiling, you should consider not only the style of the room, but also its functionality. For example, in the photo of suspended matte ceilings for the bedroom, you can pay attention to the wide selection of pastel colors for surface finishing. In this case, matte canvases are more suitable because they help create a cozy and softer interior. In the bedroom and nursery, a cream or beige matte stretch ceiling will look especially good, since such tones are considered warmer.

Gray matte stretch ceiling is an excellent option to complement modern interior styles, such as fusion, loft or minimalism. In a kitchen decorated in high-tech style, a simple silver rectangular ceiling will perfectly highlight the interior features in gray and white tones.

As for the black matte stretch ceiling, its use is not very common. If black gloss, thanks to the mirror surface, is not so difficult to beat, then the matte tone will look difficult due to the lack of reflections. The only appropriate case for using a black matte ceiling is the presence of very high ceilings (above 3.5 m) with a large room area. In this situation, the canvas will help remove excess volume and height.

An excellent addition to any interior will be canvases with a printed pattern, which will be combined with some accessory or other element in the room. It is popular to create ceilings that continue the idea of ​​decorating the surface of the walls. Multi-level multi-colored designs with fancy imitations, which are easy to create due to the pliability of the material, will look good in children's rooms.

The use of black matte stretch ceiling is not very common

Pros and cons of suspended ceilings

does not engage in self-promotion. Having started our activities at the very beginning of the Russian era of suspended ceilings, our team not only withstood the conditions of tough competition in the capital, but reached a new professional level. We are not afraid to say that stretch ceilings are not ideal. They, like any other finishing materials, have certain pros and cons due to their structural and technological features.

Typically, the installer company advertises the advantages of suspended ceilings, and not their disadvantages. First of all, we will inform you about the disadvantages of this universal finishing material. There are very few of them, and in some cases the disadvantages turn into advantages. A suspended structure with a tension fabric effectively solves a number of practical problems in a particular room.

So, the disadvantages of suspended ceilings:

• all suspended ceilings slightly reduce the height of the room;
• film sheets cannot be installed in unheated rooms;
• It is not recommended to clean any type of cloth with abrasive compounds;
• suspended ceilings must be protected from damage by sharp objects;
• Seamless fabric ceilings will not be able to withstand a large bay; their range does not include a glossy texture.

Perhaps these are all the disadvantages of suspended ceilings. Indeed, today even their higher cost compared to traditional finishing materials is not a clear disadvantage. Every year it becomes more and more democratic. Today, for Russians, such design moves from the category of elite to the category of ordinary.

Due to the long service life and many advantages of suspended ceilings, the economic component is completely eliminated. You will receive a high-quality option for finishing your apartment or office for many years. A fantastically beautiful ceiling, the design of which will be relevant for many years. You will be spared for a long time from such troubles as cosmetic or major repairs.

Advantages of suspended ceilings:

• durability - subject to operating conditions, the suspended ceiling does not require repair;
• strength – a ceiling made of PVC film with an average thickness of 0.13 mm has high strength. It takes a lot of force to break the fabric;
• waterproofness – film ceilings have high moisture-resistant properties. In the event of a flood, they cope with a large volume of water. Also, with such canvases all the problems of wet rooms are easily solved - condensation, fogging, stains on the surface;
• environmental friendliness - stretch ceilings of any kind are non-toxic, absolutely harmless, which is confirmed by relevant certificates;
• easy care – the surface of suspended ceilings does not require special care;
• speed of installation - professional specialists will only need a few hours of work to install a single-level ceiling in a room with a standard layout;
• hiding ceiling defects - the design of a stretch ceiling allows you to hide problems of the base base;
• perfectly flat surface of suspended ceilings at any facility - the suspended ceiling is installed using a laser level, its canvas is perfectly flat;
• masking of utilities - such a ceiling allows you to hide pipes, thermal insulation, sound insulation, electrical wiring, sound insulation, fire alarms and ventilation;
• thermal insulation and sound insulation - by creating an air barrier between the ceiling and the tension fabric, additional heat and sound insulation is provided;
• elasticity - in case of a flood from above, thanks to this property, the film sheet will not tear when stretched;
• large assortment - no other finishing material has such a palette of colors and texture diversity;
• width – today manufacturers offer an excellent size range. Large area and non-standard room layout are not limitations in terms of design. Stretch ceilings made of polyurethane-based fabric allow you to create seamless surfaces.

It is not possible to list all the advantages of modern ceilings in one article. If you have doubts about new finishing materials, the best information for you will be reviews from loved ones or people you know well. Today, stretch ceilings are leading the way in interior design. Among your employees and friends there will definitely be their owners. Having studied the real and imaginary problems of the finishing material, weighing all the pros and cons, you will draw a reasoned and therefore correct conclusion.

Our compatriots often discuss suspended ceilings on forums. Those who have acquired a fashionable new item leave rave reviews. Some people doubt the merits of modern ceiling surfaces. Let's look at the most popular misconceptions.

Which stretch ceiling is better, matte or glossy: reviews from experts and consumers

To understand which suspended ceiling is better - matte or glossy, you need to compare the materials and weigh all the advantages and disadvantages, taking into account not only personal needs, but also the configuration features, size and purpose of the room.

Studying the perception effect, advantages and disadvantages will help you understand which is better – matte or glossy stretch ceilings. An important point is that both types of canvas have a smooth surface, and if installed correctly, the base will not have bends or folds that spoil the attractive aesthetic appearance.

By and large, matte and glossy fabrics are made using the same base - polyvinyl chloride, which determines the positive qualities of the films. Modern technologies make it possible to implement any structure or special pattern on a stretch ceiling, for example, a photographic print, thanks to which you can create any visual effect or add a special mood to the interior of a particular room.

If we talk about ease of care for stretch ceilings, glossy surfaces are noticeably inferior to matte ones

Some people use both types of canvases to decorate a personalized interior in one room. In a multi-level design, each element favorably emphasizes each other. A combined multi-level glossy and matte stretch ceiling with lighting will look especially beautiful. To decide for yourself which ceiling is better - matte or glossy, you need to know the features of each material.

Advantages of glossy finish:

1. Material reflection effect. The film works like a mirror inside the room, making the interior much lighter.
2. Visual enlargement of the room. After installing bright mirror material, the room will visually “stretch” vertically, especially if you choose light shades.
3. This surface is easy to decorate. Glossy finishes can be decorated in various ways: stickers, drawings and other interesting options.

Helpful advice! To understand which ceiling material is more suitable for a particular interior, you need to carefully study both options.

Matte Finish Features:

• the ability to create a classic design;

Matte and glossy canvas is made using the same base

• does not oversaturate the room with light and does not create glare from lanterns and headlights from the street;
• even a plain canvas looks beautiful and does not irritate the eyes;
• matte film belongs to the category of warm, bringing comfort and coziness to the room;
• suitable for all rooms.

A good solution is the partial inclusion of gloss in the ceiling design, which allows you to create an unobtrusive atmosphere in any room, clearly designating a separate functional area of ​​the space. For example, using gloss, you can highlight a dining area, a place for cooking or for a wardrobe in the hallway. This option looks good in spacious rooms.

Mythical disadvantages of suspended ceilings

For a reason unknown to professionals, there is an opinion among many Russian consumers that suspended ceilings cannot be installed in the kitchen, where there is gas pollution and high temperature. This fact can be explained by a lack of reliable information. Or the fact that producers of traditional materials are trying to resist progressive high-tech products. That’s why there are ridiculous, unfounded reviews about the impossibility of using modern ceilings in the kitchen. It is unlikely that there are many fans of whitewashing or painting left in the 21st century.

When installing film surfaces, a heat gun is used. Under the influence of high temperature (70 degrees Celsius), the elastic fabric is stretched and tucked into the profile. If high temperatures were contraindicated for this material, would the installer take risks by installing ceilings in this installation method - the answer is obvious.

Film ceilings are easily and simply put in order. To do this, use regular dishwashing detergents available in every kitchen, or you can purchase a special gel. The only limitation is to be careful with sharp objects and abrasives. Also, PVC fabric is inert to gas; it not only can, but must be installed in the kitchen to make the life of our compatriots easier and more beautiful.

Features of matte ceilings: photos of attractive interiors

A stretch ceiling is a structure consisting of a metal or plastic profile and a special PVC film. The installation of matte stretch ceilings is considered a classic design option, because the surface looks like ordinary painted plasterboard or just a neatly leveled ceiling. An important advantage is its perfectly smooth surface and uniform structure.

To install a matte stretch ceiling, a professional team takes on average about three hours

Helpful advice! Installation of suspended ceilings is recommended to be carried out at the final stage of repair work. It is permissible to carry out fastenings in the room after the renovation has been carried out, because the work is not accompanied by dusty or dirty activities, you do not have to remove furniture or empty the room of other objects.

Thanks to its neutral appearance, the matte ceiling is suitable for any interior and rooms for any purpose:

• children's;
• bedrooms;
• kitchens;
• living room;
• bathroom;
• hallway and corridor.

If you correctly fasten the canvas to a pre-installed frame, the ceiling will not sag and will form a flat surface without bends or creases, which is why the room will always look neat and attractive.

Matte stretch ceilings can be installed in rooms with high humidity without fear of the consequences of flooding from above

In addition, the advantage is relatively quick installation and reasonable costs for many. Most companies do not spend more than a day on installation. A significant advantage is the fact that installation does not require preliminary preparation of the surface, which allows you to save the family budget on putty, primer or dismantling the old base.

Unlike other types of surfaces, the choice of color for a matte stretch ceiling is limited. If you consider that canvas without gloss is used more often for organizing classic interiors that prefer a limited number of shades, this will not be a big problem. Technical characteristics of matte canvases:

• most matte ceilings have seams every 130-200 cm, the maximum roll width is 230-320 cm;
• for installation it is necessary to use a heat gun, which heats the canvas to 70 °C;
• the standard thickness of the canvas is 0.18 mm, although German and Chinese manufacturers offer denser options with a thickness of 0.3-0.4 mm;
• the maximum load that a matte canvas can withstand usually does not exceed 170 kg/m²;
• the optimal temperature range that allows you to use the ceiling without changing its properties is 5-50 °C;
• tension fabric weight – 230 g/m²;
• The warranty period depends on the manufacturer, but is generally 10-12 years, although in practice this number is at least twice as long.

Matte ceilings cannot be installed in rooms with low temperatures

Safety of suspended ceilings from an environmental point of view

You need to deal with this issue before installing the ceilings. PVC film sheets have a complex multi-component composition. Thanks to this, the developers achieved a high level of film inertness. The European Union has strict environmental requirements, and the material passed all tests with honor.

Fabric ceilings are made from the synthetic material polyurethane. It is found in sportswear; umbrellas and children's overalls are made from it. Polyurethane is also used in the manufacture of shoes. Both types of surfaces, both fabric and film, are absolutely safe when they are made in accordance with the technology. By working with a reliable company that uses high-quality consumables, you will save yourself from these troubles. Just when installing ceilings, ask for certificates of conformity.

Presence of seams and odor

Now on the market there is a large selection of film sheets of large width. Also, in high-quality welded surfaces, such a defect as a seam is barely noticeable. If a seamless surface is a must for you, use fabric ceilings, but their price is slightly higher. As you can see, these conditional problems are easily solved. In this case, the disadvantages depend only on the correct choice of the type of ceiling and the specific characteristics of the room.

When installing a high-quality ceiling, a specific chemical smell may be present for several days. If it does not disappear, you have purchased a low quality fake. You should not work with unverified companies whose prices for supposedly branded ceilings are significantly lower than the market price.

Collapse, separation and melting of a stretch ceiling

These problems are not obvious disadvantages of suspended ceilings. It’s just that mistakes were made when installing them due to inexperience or lack of qualifications. Collapse of the ceiling is typical for film canvases; seamless fabric surfaces are not subject to it. To prevent this from happening, you need to equalize the pressure in the room and under the ceiling. The need for pressure equalization is regulated by installation technology.

Melting of PVC film occurs when the height of the structure, power and lighting angle of the lamps are selected without preliminary calculation. All these parameters are determined by technological requirements. The choice of lamps and their placement should be trusted to specialized specialists. In this case, no problems simply will arise. The list of additional services provided by Potolkoff specialists, their cost is indicated on the page

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Repair of suspended ceilings

Like any other types of finishing surfaces, stretch ceilings can be damaged. They can be repaired, but not in all cases. Depending on whether your surfaces are film or fabric, the method of their installation, as well as the nature and size of the damage and its location from the wall, specialists will suggest a way to eliminate the defect.

A small hole in the fabric ceiling can be carefully sewn or sealed. More significant damage can be eliminated with the help of an application, installation of an additional lighting device, or a false grille. For the film, it is critical that the damage is located more than 15 cm from the wall. Otherwise, it is dismantled from the profile on the side of the defect, the damaged area is cut off, and then the material is re-stretched and tucked into the profile.

Even if the canvas is significantly damaged and the entire ceiling has to be replaced, in most cases it is possible to use the old profiles; they do not need to be repaired. Consequently, the price of the restored surface will be lower than the original structure.

has no doubt - both in terms of practicality and aesthetics, the best finishing material is stretch ceilings.

Main advantages

Such coatings are distinguished primarily by their size. This refers to the size of film or fabric that can be made without a seam. In this parameter, this kind of surface will outperform glossy surfaces, since gloss is available only on film varieties, the width of a seamless plane of which does not exceed two meters.

The coating, which has a non-shiny surface, can be made from textile fabric, which can reach a width of five meters without a seam. You can make a similar product from PVC film. There will be no restrictions here, as in the case of gloss.

The surface after its installation will look hard and whitewashed in the usual traditional way. If the interior of the room is classic and you want to bring the design as close as possible to the classics, then this solution will be the ideal choice.

The peculiarity of a rough, non-glossy surface is that it does not reflect so much everything in the room, but, at the same time, it perfectly contributes to the spread of light throughout the room. This property allows the use of stretch fabrics and films in children's rooms, where too much glare and reflections can cause child fatigue.

The texture of this finish can be either completely smooth or have some roughness. You can choose the best option for yourself.

When choosing a seamless textile option, it becomes possible to repaint it in any desired color with regular ceiling paint. This can be done up to five to eight times, depending on the characteristics of the canvas itself and the chosen paint.

Installation of such canvases, as well as other types of such ceilings, occurs very quickly, which is one of the significant advantages. There will be virtually no debris left, except for a small amount of construction dust. It appears when drilling walls, when fastening fasteners.

And the main advantage of matte canvases for many will be their lower price compared to glossy or satin varieties.