Stretch ceilings, of course, are beautiful, elegant and stylish. Those consumers who are just planning repairs in an apartment very often think about installing this “miracle ceiling” in one or more rooms. Their number determines the solvency of the consumer, since such pleasure cannot be called cheap. Unless, of course, we are talking about quality material.

Why is that? Why stretch ceilings have gained such demand and popularity? Everything is very simple! Manufacturers and distributors of this product professionally and confidently advertise it. Each canvas, in their opinion, is an ideal way and material for covering ceiling surfaces. The shortcomings of this or that material are either completely silent or mentioned in passing. So, stretch ceiling. What are the pros and cons, pros and cons? What properties does it have, what are its features and which one is better to choose. Let's analyze in more detail.

Varieties of all existing stretch ceilings: what are they

Each consumer is accustomed to considering beauty, durability, ease of installation, and a variety of options as indisputable advantages. What is a stretch ceiling? Pros and cons, properties, main characteristics and varieties will be listed below.

Most modern canvases are made on the basis of a vinyl film. This coverage is characterized by:

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


Varieties of designs

When talking about such a design as a PVC stretch ceiling, the pros and cons differ depending on the design features. The canvas is stretched on a specially mounted frame. Thanks to its elasticity and flexibility, it allows you to create design projects from the levels on the ceilings. Structures are mounted on surfaces of any complexity and configuration.

Plasterboard tension structures. Mounted from sheets of this material. They create perfectly flat surfaces, allow you to create levels in projects where room zoning is provided. On such planes, lighting of any configuration can be installed, since the canvas allows the use of even powerful lamps due to its technical characteristics.

Whatever the design of such a ceiling, including the number of levels, it has excellent sound insulation.

Stretch ceilings rack belong to modular designs. The frame is made of aluminum profile. It is easy to hide communications behind its surfaces. As a tension fabric, you can use even textures of rails with both a flat, smooth surface and with a relief (perforated).

Cassette structures also fall into the category of modular structures. Tiled material is inserted into the frame in special grooves. They are flat and perforated.

Stretch PVC ceilings: weighing the pros and cons

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

The popularity of this particular design is due to the fact that today it is the simplest and most affordable material for many consumers. It has a very wide range of colors, if desired, you can apply any pattern to it or choose a ready-made one. Possesses high practicality, has ideally plain surface.

By design, they are distinguished by:

  1. Single-level.
  2. Multilevel.

By the type of canvases, they are produced in the form of:

  • PVC films.
  • Fabric based.

Fabric texture:

  • Glossy. A smooth, shiny surface can create a “mirror effect”, visually increasing the space by reflecting light and objects. Differs in richness of color schemes, big 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 system.
  • Suede texture. The canvases look perfect on the ceilings, imitating the naturalness of the material. They are mainly used in offices, living rooms, offices.
  • Translucent. Used in exclusive projects that require installation


Baseless mythical judgments about ceilings

Today there are many firms and companies for the installation of stretch ceilings. But not everyone is ready to abandon traditional materials. Therefore, myths are spreading about such material as a stretch ceiling. For and against - what are they?

  • Price. Many consider this pleasure only for wealthy people. Today there are a lot of offers of both expensive canvases and the budget category. Everyone can choose the material within their ability to pay.
  • Care. There is an opinion that it is very difficult to care for such canvases. This is a deep delusion: glossy PVC, satin and matte are very easy to care for and easy to clean.
  • Strength. There is a category of people who consider canvases to be fragile material, but dispelling this myth, we can say with confidence: modern stretch ceilings are quite durable material. If they are not deliberately cut with sharp objects.
  • What else does such a structure as stretch ceilings have, pros and cons? Reviews of those consumers who installed canvases in their apartments claim that the service life of such ceilings is quite long. And indeed it is. Therefore, the judgment that the material is short-lived is simply wrong.


What the buyer says about stretch ceilings

Customer reviews of stretch ceilings are mostly positive. There are also negative ones, but complaints to a greater extent either on the unscrupulous work of companies or on poor-quality material. Therefore, if you decide to install such ceilings in your apartment, take this very carefully and seriously. Trust the work of a proven company that has experience, equipment and a true portfolio, read reviews about it. If the company has experience, then they will definitely be. As for the material, trust only trusted and well-known manufacturers. This is the only way to protect yourself from fakes.

Choosing the right ceiling

Problems with the material can arise only if the choice is approached lightly and frivolously. Anyone who plans to install such a structure in their home in the near future should clearly understand the possible difficulties and be aware of the likely problems. So, glossy or matte stretch ceiling? You will find the pros and cons below.

The choice of this type does not relieve you of the need to eliminate serious flaws on its surface before mounting the structure. Check the stability of the ceiling beams, repair large irregularities, cracks and other imperfections.

  • We choose the material. Despite the fact that there are many types of paintings, you need to have a clear idea of ​​\u200b\u200bwhere which one can be mounted. For example, glossy canvases can be installed anywhere, which cannot be said about matte ones. They are not as waterproof as gloss. Therefore, it is not advisable to install them in bathrooms or kitchens.
  • Solidity. Seams on the surface of the ceiling canvas are of considerable importance. It is very difficult to disguise them in glossy coatings, but in matte coatings they are much easier to hide. This applies to large rooms.

no heat?

Installing any type of coating can save you from the need for cosmetic repairs for a long period. No need to rub cracks, plaster or whitewash the surface. A simple design of these materials has a long service life, approximately 50 years. Physical wear and tear is also not terrible for the stretch fabric: it will not crack, deform or shrink.

Vinyl coatings require heating during installation without fail. This is done using gas heat guns. Structures are installed using harpoon mounting technology.

But there is also a method by which stretch ceilings are mounted without heating. What are the pros and cons of this method? And what canvases can be installed in this way?

This category of coatings includes fabrics. The installation sequence is similar to the cam or glazing method, and the web is fixed with special clips. After dismantling such material, it will not be possible to install it back, unlike the film.


What ceilings are installed in the bathroom

Both bathrooms and showers are those rooms that are characterized by contrasting temperature regimes with high humidity. Therefore, a waterproof tensioner must be used. The pros and cons of such a choice you will find below.

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

Understanding the benefits:

  • 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 you know, with 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 instantly. Due to this, there is simply no condensation on its surface.
  • Dampness. The stretch ceiling in the bathroom never gets damp, so fungal deposits on it are impossible.


Benefits of stretch fabrics

Today, all coatings in this category are made from two main types of material: PVC film and woven base. Since these materials differ slightly in technical characteristics, the advantages and disadvantages are also different. For such a design as a stretch ceiling, we have already listed the pros and cons. So let's recap:

  • Durability. This is one of the main advantages of this material. Manufacturers guarantee that such canvases will last about 15 years. However, these periods are much longer. At the same time, they do not lose their original appearance and color, do not fade, do not crack, do not require special care.
  • Speaking about the pros and cons of such a structure as stretch ceilings, environmental friendliness must be mentioned. The materials used in the production of coatings do not pose any health hazard. Therefore, analyzing the advantageous characteristics, we are convinced that these materials can be installed in any premises, including children's bedrooms.
  • Price. There are many offers on the market for ceiling coverings today. Pricing policy, as well as the range of goods, varies. Each resident of our country can choose a canvas for himself according to his ability to pay. The opinion that all canvases are expensive is erroneous, there are budget coatings of good quality. Therefore, it is quite possible to buy an inexpensive stretch ceiling. The price starts from 450 rubles. per m 2.

Conclusion

Finally, it is only worth adding that the installation methods and the type of material when choosing depend only on the consumer himself. As for installation, it is best to entrust it to specialists in order to avoid mistakes and damage to the coating. It is better to overpay a certain amount of money for the installation than to buy the material again after.