/ Stretch ceilings - what material are they made of?

Stretch ceilings - what material are they made of?

When choosing stretch coatings, many people are interested in what they are made of. This is important for many reasons - from environmental friendliness to special operating conditions that can affect the choice of one or another type of design. Next, we will consider what material stretch ceilings are made of and what are the differences between their different types.

Types of canvas

Despite the fact that quite a few textures are offered, there are only two initial options for products that are used for the production of stretch ceilings:

• Impregnated with a special compound

Both varieties have their own characteristics, which should be considered separately in order to more accurately imagine their characteristics and capabilities.

PVC or polyvinyl chloride

This is the most common type of material that can be used in the production of stretch ceilings. The films have the ability to stretch and a heat gun is used for installation, which provides heating of the air in the room.

The film assumes the presence of many options for colors and textures. The total number of possible shades and colors reaches one hundred and fifty, and the textures can be as follows:

• Nacre

The width can vary from 1.2 to 1.8 meters. There are options with a width of 2 or even 2.2 meters, but the quality suffers quite a lot for such products. In particular, glossy options with a width of more than 1.8 meters suffer from the fact that their appearance is worse than that of narrower types. Therefore, it is better to choose something in a smaller dimension.

To create a ceiling larger than the width of the films, it is necessary to connect several segments to each other. This is done with a weld. It is almost invisible and very durable - PVC products can hold up to hundreds of kilograms per meter.

It is worth considering that polyvinyl chloride does not tolerate low temperatures. If in the room where the finishing will be done, the temperature can drop below minus five degrees, then you definitely should not use it.

Textile

This type of design boasts only one texture - matte, however, textiles have other advantages. First of all, it is durability - it surpasses film products many times over.

The next distinctive quality will be the ability to repaint the ceiling if desired. The surface of textiles is perfectly painted and will withstand such a procedure up to ten times. If there is a desire to diversify the design with a drawing or a picture, for this you can use photo printing, which will look great on the fabric.

In addition, textiles are not afraid of sub-zero temperatures, unlike polyvinyl chloride, and it can easily be used to decorate houses in which there is no permanent residence and heating does not always work.

The width of a continuous seamless product for textile options will be much larger than for PVC. It reaches five and a half meters and there will be no seam. For large rooms, this can be quite important.

What to choose

When deciding what material it is better to make a stretch ceiling from, you need to build on your wishes and requirements for future design. If you need to cover a wide enough room, consider seamless fabric options. If the presence of a seam is not important, PVC is also suitable.

However, fabric varieties of such products will be a little more expensive. At the same time, it will be much more difficult to assemble complex compositions from fabric. There is one more nuance - the glossy texture and the effect of increasing the space that it gives will be available only for film types of ceilings.

The choice, as always, is yours. Finding the right one is never easy. However, if you take into account all the characteristics of the materials discussed in this article, it will be a little easier to make a choice.

Anton
technical director NikoMax

When we look at a beautiful room decorated in accordance with the latest fashion trends, we rarely think about what materials the ceiling is made of, what the walls are covered with and what the flooring is made of.

Actually, it's pretty important. Not only the amount of money spent, but also our safety depends on whether the material is environmentally friendly, what operating conditions it has and how to properly care for it.

That is why today we will think about the question of what material is better to choose for stretch ceilings. After all, this type of construction is becoming more and more popular today, which means that the chances of buying low-quality and fake material are quite high.

Types of materials

So, oddly enough, but there are only two types of materials from which stretch ceilings can be made:

• PVC film;
• Fabric coated with polyurethane.

Of course, although there are only two species, there are many varieties of them. Therefore, making the most suitable choice for you is already more difficult.

PVC stretch ceilings

Stretch ceilings made of PVC film have a number of advantages:

• They are able to withstand an increased level of humidity in the room, so it is rational to use them in rooms where water leaks from above are possible (negligent neighbors, public utilities poorly repaired the roof).
• Also, the canvas does not deform and does not deteriorate under heavy load. That network during a flood from neighbors, your ceiling can withstand up to 100 liters of water per 1m2.
• The film is not picky about cleaning, it is easy to care for and clean it.
• Unlike fabric ceilings, the film has a glossy surface.

1. matte- the surface does not overflow. As a rule, it is used to create a classic room interior.
2. Glossy or lacquered- shiny surface. It is safe to say that the gloss creates an additional source of light in the room.
3. satin- the material has a slight reflection. At the same time, depending on the viewing angle, the color of the surface changes somewhat. Outwardly resembles a pearlescent glow.
4. With photo print- you can create an original print of the ceiling, which will fully meet your desires. You can choose a picture yourself, while the brightness and richness of colors do not disappear over time.

Note. Stretch ceiling made of PVC film does not tolerate low temperatures. So it is better not to install it in rooms with poor heating.

Stretch ceilings with a mother-of-pearl surface are not advisable to be installed in the kitchen. Otherwise, the canvas is quickly contaminated with grease and loses its delicate sheen. It is also better not to choose this type of tensile structure in the hall if you prefer a calm atmosphere in a cozy corner.

Fabric stretch ceilings

Fabric stretch ceilings D-Premium (Germany) is environmentally friendly and meets European quality standards. Equally important is the presence of a rich assortment of not only color solutions, but also material textures.

Photo printing on a stretch ceiling

As for fabric stretch ceilings, they have their advantages: Unlike PVC films, they are not afraid of low temperatures and can be easily installed in a poorly heated room. Due to the material from which the fabric sheets are caught, they can be used for rooms with a large area. The material is produced in rolls, 5 m long. They can also be printed with a drawing or painted with art.

Consider the types of fabric ceilings D-Premium (Germany), or as Descor used to be called, there are several main ones:

Advice. Be sure to ask for certificates confirming compliance with the proper European standards before buying a stretch ceiling, the quality of the material of which needs to be checked.

What to choose?

There is no exact recommendation as to which material is best to use. Here you need to be guided by many factors: in which room you are going to install it, for what purpose, what environment will be in this room and, of course, do not forget about your preferences.

Do not rush to stop at one thing. Look through the different options, the internet is full of ideas for your room. Fabric stretch ceilings will cost you a little more than the PVC option. However, the film will look in some cases much more attractive.

Today, stretch ceiling is the most popular attribute of the design of ceiling bases. It is quite practical, does not need additional finishing, and durable. Therefore, many, when performing repairs in an apartment or their own house, are interested in how to choose a stretch ceiling and what types there are in general.

Today, a fairly large assortment of stretch ceiling structures is offered on the building materials market, but in the vast majority of cases, fabric or PVC film is used to make the fabric.

Stretch ceilings - types of materials

Types of materials for stretch ceilings are mainly divided into 2 most popular types - PVC and fabric.

PVC sheets

This type of web is made from individual strips of thin PVC film. They are welded together on special equipment. The peculiarity of the installation of such a ceiling structure is the preliminary heating of the room to 70º using a heat gun. At this temperature, the PVC film is stretched, it is pulled onto a frame equipped around the perimeter of the ceiling. After the room has cooled to normal room temperature, the PVC sheet narrows, respectively, stretches even more, resulting in a perfectly smooth ceiling surface.

Fabric canvases

For the production of stretch ceilings, an elastic fabric is also used, which in its texture is similar to the material used in the production of women's stockings. To ensure moisture resistance, the fabric is impregnated with a special varnish, and to give the desired color, it is coated with an appropriate polymer.

What are stretch ceilings by type of texture

Glossy ceilings

A glossy canvas or varnish allows you to visually enlarge the room (due to minimal light absorption, the room visually becomes larger). This option is ideal for small rooms with a minimum amount of furniture. Glossy stretch ceiling structures are effective when it is necessary to divide the room into separate zones. Particularly successful ceiling surfaces of similar texture look in dark corners.

Matte ceilings

The ceiling with a matte surface is the most popular, budget option. It resembles a base finished with plaster. This ceiling design goes well with the interior in a classic style.

satin

Satin canvas resembles a painted slightly shiny surface. Satin, unlike gloss, has a reflective effect. The silky surface of the satin ceiling gives the room a homely feel, so it is most often used for finishing bedrooms.

Types of structures of stretch ceilings

One-level stretch ceilings

A standard single-level stretch ceiling is easy to install, minimal costs, and has a long service life. It is easiest to care for him, periodically wiping the dust with a dry rag. Today, on the market of finishing materials, such ceiling structures are presented in a wide variety of textures; it is possible to choose canvases of any color scheme, including those with photo printing.

Two-level (multi-level) ceilings

Multi-level stretch ceilings are already more complex and expensive structures. The most popular are two-level ceilings. They help to hide any, even very noticeable defects on the ceiling base. There are two ways to form multi-tiered ceiling structures: using gypsum boards or using special profiles. The second option is considered more effective (drywall tends to crack even with a small “game” at home).

Types of stretch ceilings pros and cons

Ceiling tension structures with PVC fabric

Advantages of PVC ceilings

Provides the ability to create a flat surface.

A wide range of colors, textures.

Fireproof material - does not burn (relatively does not burn)), but deforms very well !!!).

At elevated temperatures does not emit toxic components.

Resistant to flooding - withstands up to 300 liters of water per m2.

Easy to clean - just wipe with a damp cloth.

Microorganisms do not take root on the material.

Provides the ability to form multi-level ceiling structures.

Relatively low cost.

Long operational period - from 10 years, depending on the quality of the material (later it may turn yellow, fade, deform a little - small waves may appear, etc.).

Disadvantages of PVC ceilings

They do not allow air to pass through - they impede air circulation (in case of flooding and the absence of ventilation holes, it is very difficult to dry the space under the stretch ceiling, and it is MANDATORY to dry it!).

Unpleasant smell the first days after installation.

Low temperatures adversely affect the structure of the polyvinyl chloride web (it can deform or crack), so it is not recommended to install them in cold rooms.

Installation requires the use of special equipment (air gun - as a result, heating of the installation room is necessary).

At high temperatures, the material is deformed, therefore, when arranging a lighting system built into a ceiling structure, it is necessary to make thermal insulation from lighting fixtures (it is better to use diode lighting - it practically does not heat up).

Ceiling structures with fabric

Benefits of fabric stretch ceiling

• Resistant to temperature extremes.

  Fabric sheets are made of sufficient width, allowing the installation of solid ceiling structures without joints.

  Not afraid of low temperatures.

  The material is very durable - resistant to mechanical stress.

  Easy to install, no special equipment required.

  The material is fireproof - it does not ignite (check with the installers for this moment).

  The possibility of repainting the ceiling surface in a different color (you can even draw something yourself, and then wash it off))).

  The material does not emit an unpleasant odor.

  Has soundproofing properties.

  Long service life.

  Do not interfere with ventilation.

Disadvantages of fabric stretch ceiling

High price.

The material practically does not stretch, in case of flooding, the canvas is not able to retain water.

Limited choice of colors, textures.

Compared to PVC sheeting, fabric sheets are much heavier.



Conclusion: Having studied the advantages, disadvantages of a stretch ceiling and different textures, we can say that there are no completely ideal designs. From the huge variety of stretch ceilings offered on the market today, it is quite possible to choose the right option for any room interior.