Criteria for choosing ceiling finishes in a house or apartment
Practicality and aesthetic appeal are important parameters that the ceiling in a house or apartment must meet. In a cottage, it is also important to consider the location where renovations are planned. If this is a ceiling located directly under the roof slabs, then it needs to be insulated. If materials are selected for the first floor of a two-story house, then you can limit yourself to the same choice as for an apartment.
So, when considering different options, it is customary to take into account the following points:
- Room area . If the renovation is to be done in a large room, then slats and some types of suspended ceilings will not fit there. Just like narrow wallpaper. They prefer cladding, wide wallpaper and multi-level structures using plasterboard.
- Purpose of the premises . Wooden slats or panels, like fabric wallpaper or suspended ceilings, are not suitable for the bathroom and kitchen. But they can be used in the bedroom or hallway.
- Ceiling height . Multi-level structures are not used in apartments and houses with low ceilings. If the height is more than 2.7 m, then you can pay attention to suspended structures and solid stretch ceilings.
Finishing option in a room with a high ceiling Source design-homes.ru
- Room style . The gloss of the ceilings, the pattern of the plates and the wood of the slats are far from universal. For example, when arranging a loft, you can use hanging panels in a brutalist style, but glass, gloss and wood will not work here. Some wallpaper textures can also be an interesting solution.
- Price . The cheapest and simplest solutions would be plastic panels and wallpaper. Even those with little experience can handle their installation. But creating a luxurious suspended ceiling made of glass or a tension structure is a difficult task that only specialists can perform. And such ceiling finishing will cost significantly more.
It is very important to choose the right color scheme. So, the use of dark ceilings in most cases is a bad decision. But if the height in the house or apartment is 3 m or higher, then you can experiment.
Original ceiling and wall decoration with wallpaper Source guruotdelki.ru
Dropped ceilings
Suspended ceilings are structures, most often made of plasterboard, which are supported by metal or, less commonly, wooden slats, and leave space between them. There are two types of such ceilings: walk-through and non-pass-through. Walk-through ceilings are designed with easy access to the space inside the structure for technical work. Non-passable ceilings have a solid structure, so to access the internal space the ceiling will have to be disassembled.
Suspended ceilings can be installed if necessary to hide large unevenness in the ceiling, insulate it, hide communications or provide sound insulation.
Features of creating a ceiling on a loggia or in a private house
The optimal solution for the second floor or loggia is a suspended ceiling. It can be made from plasterboard, plastic or wooden lining. And between it and the ceiling they lay one of the insulation options:
- Mineral wool . Basalt is characterized by great resistance to water. Slag wool and glass wool are used in rooms that are well protected from moisture. All types of products perfectly dampen noise and vibration.
- Tile polystyrene . Inexpensive insulation with good moisture resistance. Easy to install and protects against heat loss. However, there is a significant drawback - toxicity and flammability. They are installed mainly in non-residential premises due to their low price.
- Foil mineral wool . It has increased protection against moisture, as well as improved heat reflection properties.
- Penoplex . A modern analogue of polystyrene foam, more elastic and dried.
On the loggia it is quite appropriate to use foam or penoplex options.
Soundproofing with mineral wool in an apartment Source build-experts.ru
Stretch ceiling
They should be discussed separately. This option is one of the most common. Its popularity is due to many factors:
- Availability.
- Variety of options.
- Ease of installation, etc.
An excellent field for creativity is the matte white finish, which is compatible with any type of interior. Often this design is made of polyvinyl chloride.
More expensive options remain appropriate, for example, canvases made from various fabrics. They look more noble. Although similar ceilings are called chintz, they do not overlap with natural cotton. Typically this type of construction is made from polyester treated fabric.
Related article: What interior elements will make you healthier
The name of the chintz ceiling comes from the presence of small holes in the fabric, which are characteristic of natural materials and create the illusion that the ceiling is breathing with their help.
Ceilings in the apartment and on the ground floor of the house
In areas where insulation is not required, there are many more options to choose from. Before deciding which ceiling is best for a particular case, you should learn about the pros and cons of existing solutions.
Option #1: using wallpaper
There is a huge amount of wallpaper that allows you to create coatings that, at first glance, are completely different from the usual finishing material. Non-woven, paper, liquid and even glass wallpapers are used for ceilings.
Important! This option can only be used on perfectly flat surfaces.
Among the advantages of this method is that repairs are easy to do yourself. There are other advantages:
- a huge selection of patterns and textures;
- low cost;
- installation speed - in just 1-2 days you can create a ceiling in all rooms;
- you can buy environmentally friendly, “breathable” wallpaper;
- The material creates coziness and increased comfort in the room.
However, there are also disadvantages, one of which is rapid fading in the sun when using bright ornaments. Wallpaper is also not suitable for rooms with high humidity. They also absorb odors, attract dust and quickly turn yellow from tobacco smoke.
Pasting bright wallpaper on the ceiling Source roomester.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in finishing materials and related work
Option No. 2: polystyrene foam boards
One of the most inexpensive, but obsolete options. The material for ceiling cladding is available in thicknesses up to 12-14 mm. The surface in most cases has a convex pattern.
Important! When choosing a material, carefully inspect the slabs. They should be smooth and straight on all sides. The tile must be strong: if you take it by the corner and easily lift it up and down, like a piece of paper, it should not break.
You can choose different color solutions - white, cream, with flowing pastel patterns. The advantages of the material include:
- minimum weight - only wallpaper is lighter;
- low cost;
- installation speed.
However, the ceiling cladding material has plenty of disadvantages:
- not an environmentally friendly material that can release harmful substances when heated;
- highly flammable, may crack and melt when installed in the kitchen;
- difficult care, high risk of damage;
- the tiles next to the chandelier and lamps quickly turn yellow;
- When the temperature changes, it begins to peel off.
Due to the porous structure, the slabs absorb odors, fats, and nicotine tars.
A man tries to scrub a ceiling made of polystyrene boards Source decoratorist.com
Option #3: using paints
Among the oldest and most famous methods of painting a ceiling is whitewashing with lime. However, the surface attracts dirt too much and may fall off in pieces.
When painting, a more careful approach to the choice of material is required. Also, puttying and priming must be used before applying paint. Water-based paint is often preferred due to its advantages:
- low cost;
- drying in 2-3 hours;
- environmental friendliness;
- the presence of substances in the composition that have an antiseptic effect;
- the possibility of obtaining different shades due to color schemes;
- easy application;
- high vapor permeability;
- UV resistance;
- good protection against attracting dirt.
It is important to consider that paint crystallizes at low temperatures. And not all compositions are suitable for use in the kitchen or bathroom. In rooms with high humidity, you can use acrylic water-based paint.
Fact! Plastic acrylic and silicone paints can mask cracks up to 1 mm deep!
There is also latex water-based paint that can be washed with soap and other means. However, latex is less resistant to fungus and ultraviolet radiation.
Cheap ceiling in the country with your own hands
What materials should be used to finish the ceiling in the country house? The best and most economical option is wooden lining. Installing a lining ceiling is quite simple.
The procedure for installing the lining on the ceiling:
- Attach the UD profile.
- Lock the CD profiles. U-shaped fasteners must be secured along the length of the product.
- Do the wiring.
- Install jumpers. To fix them, use crab-type crosses.
- Cut strips of material.
- Secure the strips to the guides. Don't forget to leave a small gap to the wall. Use a rubber mallet to securely fix the strips.
Video description
The video talks about the types and features of different water-based paints.
Option No. 4: finishing plaster
When choosing which ceiling is best to make, many people are faced with such a proposal as plastering. Modern materials make it possible to turn a once complex process into a relatively simple task. However, the ceiling will have to be carefully leveled, since decorative plaster is applied on top of a relatively smooth surface.
Among the advantages of plaster:
- speed and possibility of self-application;
- huge selection of colors and textures;
- environmental friendliness and resistance to sunlight;
- some compositions are not at all afraid of humidity - this is indicated on the packaging.
The cost of the material can vary greatly depending on its type and manufacturer.
Among the disadvantages, one can highlight the painstaking application process, since they are plastered in several layers. And each one must be completely dry before applying the next one.
Stretch ceiling systems in the kitchen
A suspended ceiling in the kitchen is quite expensive, but if installed correctly it can last a very long time. This solution completely protects the premises in case of flooding from neighbors above. The main fabric does not tear, but sags under the weight of water. After eliminating the leak, bend the corner of the tension system and drain the water using a hose.
The installation process involves the following steps:
- A closed profile is fixed along the perimeter of the walls.
- Remove existing lighting fixtures on the ceiling.
- The canvas is suspended from the profile and begins to be heated using a heat gun.
- The edges of the canvas are tucked into the profile, starting from the corners. Then they move to the sides and begin tucking from the middle.
- To install lamps or chandeliers, reinforcing rings are glued to the canvas in a certain place. They cut out the canvas inside the ring, take out the wires and mount the lighting device.
- The lower edge of the profile is covered with a special tape made of dense polyvinyl chloride.
Stretch ceilings in the kitchen are very popular due to the following advantages:
- Installation work is completed in just 3 hours.
- Defects in the main ceiling are completely hidden.
- Ability to withstand significant loads.
- Wide selection of colors, textures and patterns.
- Flame resistant.
- The operating period is up to 20 years.
- Resistant to the growth of fungus and mold, as well as the formation of corrosion.
Disadvantages:
- Installation work can only be performed by specially trained craftsmen using professional equipment.
- The height of the kitchen is reduced by at least 4 cm.
- Punctures and cuts on the canvas are almost impossible to eliminate.
- Holes for lighting fixtures can only be made once.
- Limiting the power of light sources in chandeliers and lamps.
- Cheap fabric can emit harmful substances.
When deciding on what to decorate the ceiling in the kitchen with, it is important to take many factors into account. Ideally smooth ceilings can simply be painted or whitewashed. Washable wallpaper can hide minor defects in the ceiling
Foam tiles hide more significant defects, but are not suitable for ceilings with large height differences. With the help of suspended structures, you can mask all the imperfections of the ceiling, hide communications and additionally isolate the room from extraneous noise and cold.
Washing wallpaper can hide minor defects in the ceiling. Foam tiles hide more significant defects, but are not suitable for ceilings with large height differences. With the help of suspended structures, you can mask all the imperfections of the ceiling, hide communications and additionally isolate the room from extraneous noise and cold.
Video description
The video presents many interesting solutions for decorating a house, apartment, office and other premises.
Another option is continuous sheathing, for which plasterboard is used. The technique is used to level the ceiling, as well as to install insulation between the decorative material and the sheathing. This method can be used, for example, to soundproof an apartment. Install drywall onto the sheathing. Among the advantages of creating such a “second” ceiling is the ability to remove all communications into this structure.
Option No. 6: using suspended ceilings
Among the methods of ceiling finishing, tension structures occupy an important place. Their most significant drawback is their high cost, since you cannot stretch the film yourself.
Option for combining matte and glossy stretch ceilings Source iceceiling.com.tr
What kind of ceilings are best to make in an apartment: materials
There are many ways to decorate the ceiling and materials for this. We described them all (well, or almost all) in the articles:
- “How to decorate a ceiling: 4 inexpensive options”,
- "Suspended ceiling: types of finishes",
- "Unconventional ideas for ceiling decoration."
What solutions are most popular now? Here's what Marina says:
“The leading materials for finishing ceilings are plasterboard, wood and 3D panels. Stretch ceilings have a lot of advantages: they are affordable, quick and easy to install, have different colors and patterns - all this allows them to remain at the peak of popularity. They will be relevant this year too. Nowadays, multi-level ceiling systems, complex geometric shapes and spot lighting are no longer in demand. Simplicity, elegance and hidden lighting are in fashion.”
Comparison of different finishing methods
Use this handy cheat sheet on ceiling arrangement options when considering a renovation:
View | Difficulty of care | Where not to use | Water resistance | Difficulty of installation |
Water-based paint | Average | Bathroom and kitchen | Bad | Very simple |
Wallpaper | Just | Kitchen and bathroom, unless it is a special type of waterproof wallpaper | Bad if it's not washable wallpaper | Just |
Liquid wallpaper | Just | Bathroom, kitchen | No | Average |
PVC panels | Just | Bathhouse, unheated premises | + | Depends on technology |
Decorative plaster | Just | You can choose an option for any room | + | Average |
PVC stretch ceiling | Just | Unheated premises | + | Difficult |
Fabric stretch ceiling | Difficult | Bathroom, kitchen | No | Difficult |
Plasterboard solid ceiling | Difficult | There are moisture-resistant options for all rooms | + | Average |
Foam tiles | Just | Bathroom, toilet | Will last less than other options | Just |
Metal slats | Just | — | + | Average |
Wood slats | Average | Bathroom and toilet | No | Average |
Glass or mirrors | Average | — | + | Difficult |
If the choice fell on natural materials such as cork, then you will have to take into account the difficulty of caring for them. Most of them are not suitable for installation in the kitchen and bathroom.
Ceilings in the bedroom
When choosing a ceiling covering for the bedroom, you should take into account the area, configuration of the room, as well as the location of the furniture in it. This room is intended for relaxation and quiet time, so all coverings in the room and their colors should be calm and laconic. The option of painting the ceiling or ceiling painting is allowed, however, in this case, the coating must be perfectly smooth and without flaws.
In order to hide imperfections, you can use stretch ceilings and suspended ceilings, as well as unusual designs. However, do not forget to maintain poise, balance and calm static in the room.
Briefly about the main thing
So, when choosing the type of ceiling decoration, we focus not only on the cost of the materials, but also on their suitability for a particular room. It is important to evaluate all the pros and cons of existing options.
One of the parameters is the repair work area. Insulation can be used on the loggia and on the floor of a private house that borders the roof. And make the ceiling itself suspended - from plasterboard or lining.
In an apartment, attention is often paid to such coatings as:
- stretch ceiling;
- wallpaper;
- metal and wooden slats;
- covering with suspended panels, including glass;
- coloring;
- applying plaster.
While painting, wallpapering, and even installing slats are relatively simple tasks, installing modular wall-mounted or glass structures will require some work. But polystyrene ceiling tiles are a thing of the past.
Ratings 0
Concrete ceiling
This solution is very unusual and quite difficult to come across. It goes well with a loft-style interior. The highlight of this ceiling is the way its texture is played out.
The most daring experimenters try to combine this type of ceiling with other very strange decorative elements, for example, crystal chandeliers. This decision is very strange and is unlikely to please conservative people. But trends dictate their conditions, and unexpected combinations have always been welcomed.
Which option to choose
So which is better - fabric stretch ceiling or PVC? Perhaps the question posed in this way is not entirely correct. It is more correct to ask: “Which ceiling is best suited to a particular room?” In any case, a compromise will be required between operating conditions and personal aesthetic preferences.
The comparison table below will help you make the right choice.
Properties | Film | Textile |
Strength | PVC is a tear-resistant and elastic material, but it can be easily damaged by any sharp object. | Fabric sheets are denser and stronger, practically do not stretch, and are difficult to damage mechanically. |
Permissible temperature range | The film is used at temperatures from +40 to -5 °C; use in unheated rooms is unacceptable. | Fabric sheets can withstand from +80 to -50 °C; installation in unheated rooms (country houses, dachas, balconies) is allowed. |
Degree of sagging over time | 0 – 30 mm | 0 – 10 mm |
Moisture resistance | PVC is a waterproof material; when flooded from above, it can withstand up to 100 liters of liquid for a long time; after its removal, the original appearance of the film is restored; it is recommended for wet rooms. | Low moisture resistance: installation in the bathroom and kitchen is undesirable with a ceiling height of less than 2.7 m, increased requirements for ventilation. After flooding, leaks begin within 2 hours; subsequently, stains and stains that cannot be removed may remain. |
Soundproofing | Absent, the film can even slightly increase the noise from neighbors, the “echo” effect. | Low, however, there are special acoustic types of fabric stretch ceilings that eliminate the “echo” effect. |
Thermal insulation | Absent. | Low, it will not play a special role without additional thermal insulation materials. |
Width size range | 130-600 cm (European production - up to 325 cm) | 150-510 cm |
Installation features | Heating the canvas to 60 °C using a heat gun, increased requirements for the installation team personnel and safety measures. | Without using a heat gun. |
Environmental friendliness | Safe for health and the environment. | |
Fire resistance | They melt and ignite if exposed to open flame for a long time. | Melts and does not support combustion. |
Design | The widest possibilities for design solutions: glossy shiny, matte and satin surfaces, embossing, bright and moderate tones and shades of all colors, excellent photo printing, the ability to install multi-level, decorative perforated, translucent, transparent canvases and many other options. | A more modest range of colors, soft, soft tones, only matte texture, fabric texture with a flat surface. The small choice is compensated by a noble, even aristocratic appearance. Can be painted up to 5 times. Photo printing is also possible, but it does not look as bright. |
Features of care | Easy to clean from dirt. Washing with chlorine-free detergents is acceptable; abrasive cleaning agents are unacceptable. | Fabrics are antibacterial and dirt-repellent. They can be easily cleaned only from surface contaminants. |
Service life (warranty) | 10-12 years | 10-12 years |
Price per m2 | 350-700 rub. | 800-1500 rub. |
Thus, suspended ceilings of different types, despite similar designs, have a unique set of properties and features. Which of them is the best in a particular case must be decided, taking into account the operating conditions of the room, the characteristics of the paintings and personal preferences.
PVC and MDF
When considering options for which ceilings are best made in the bedroom, you need to pay attention to materials such as PVC and MDF. They are made in the form of panels
The characteristics of these materials will be almost the same as those of other suspended structures. This material is also called plastic lining.
Stretch ceilings do not have seams. In PVC or MDF panels they are almost invisible. However, there are still seams. The range of textures and shades of the presented varieties of materials is large. You can choose the most suitable option for your bedroom. Plastic can imitate the texture of natural wood, leather and other natural materials.
MDF and plastic are reasonably priced. These are common building materials. When installing MDF, clamps are used. These are additional elements for fixation. Also, a distinctive feature of these materials is the relatively short length of the panels. It can reach 2.6 m. However, it is not recommended to join them together in length. The seam in this case will be noticeable. Therefore, such ceilings are suitable for small bedrooms.
Plastered ceiling
This is one of the most common methods of decorating a ceiling; in addition, plaster can be used to level the coating for further finishing. If the height differences are impressive - 2-3 mm, you need to clean the ceiling down to the concrete, prime it and only then seal the joints of the ceiling panels, stick on the mesh and plaster. Quite a labor-intensive task, but the result is worth it. Of course, there is no question of sound insulation and the ability to hide wires or install spotlights on a smoothly plastered ceiling.
You need to putty the ceiling twice: first across, then along the room. In addition to the level, professional plasterers use soffits: in bright lighting you can see all the unevenness with your own eyes. Plaster can be not just smooth, but also decorative. “Liquid wallpaper”, Venetian plaster makes the ceiling more textured and interesting.
How to decorate wooden ceilings?
When choosing materials for wooden structures, the shape of the ceiling is taken into account. If the plane is located above the beams, the protruding parts are treated as a decorative element - they are painted in a dark tone, and the entire base area is covered with a light shade. It is very good to use cassette cladding - the surface turns out to have depressions, it looks unusual and attractive.
When choosing how to decorate the ceiling in a wooden house, you should pay attention to practical and natural options - OSB, plywood, MDF, lining. To reduce the risk of burning, damage by insects or rot, all products are regularly treated with antiseptics and fire retardants
The coating can be decorated with varnish, paint or piece materials - tiles, panels.
Lining
Natural material is made from deciduous and coniferous wood. The most expensive lining is made of cedar, oak, beech, while the budget ones are made of pine and spruce. If the lamellas are well dried and deresined, the finish will last a very long time, remain beautiful, and maintain stability of shape.
Durable and lightweight materials have additional heat and sound insulation and are convenient and quick to install. Fixation on a frame under which all communications and pipes are hidden, and a variety of color and texture solutions gives a wide choice.
Drywall sheets
When considering which ceilings are best made in a private home, it is worth evaluating the advantages of gypsum plasterboard. The sheets allow air to pass through well, are hemmed onto the frame, collect condensation, and hide all defects of the base surface. After installation, you will have to seal the joints, but a smooth and even surface can be decorated with any finishing materials.