How stretch ceilings are stretched, not everyone knows, although this event cannot be classified as unnecessarily difficult. Yes, it takes a lot of time, as well as adherence to certain rules and accuracy, but the result is worth it. Technological nuances of installation depend on the type of ceiling and the type of fasteners. You can do everything yourself, but if you have doubts about your abilities, it is better to invite specialists. Tension structures cost a lot, and therefore the risk of poor-quality installation must be excluded.
Installation features
In the general case, the stretch ceiling is a canvas, evenly stretched in a baguette at a distance of 3-6 cm from the surface of the ceiling or rough ceiling. Any tension structure consists of a frame (baguette) with clamping elements, fixed on the wall in the immediate vicinity of the ceiling, and a canvas that forms a false ceiling, as well as a decorative overlay that disguises the joint between the ceiling and the wall.
Stretch ceilings are divided into 2 types - film (polymer) and fabric. The technologies for their installation differ significantly from each other, which is associated with the properties of the materials used. The complexity and duration of installation is influenced by the following factors: ceiling area; the presence of additional elements in the form of protrusions, alcoves, etc. NS.; availability of communications (pipes, ventilation and cable ducts); type of lamps and their number; ceiling shape (rectangle, oval, polygon, etc.). d.). In addition, the stretch ceiling can have several levels. All these features must be taken into account when planning work.
How long do stretch ceilings stretch?? The simplest are small rectangular canvases. Stretching such a ceiling with an area of 16-18 sq. m takes an average of 2.5-3 hours. When installing lamps on it, the duration of work increases (approximately 15-20 minutes for each lamp). In high rooms (above 3 m), installation is more difficult, and therefore its duration for the specified area increases to 4-5 hours. The complexity significantly increases the unusual forms and the need to form several levels. For the installation of complicated structures up to 20 sq. m will take 9-12 hours.
If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact specialized companies. A number of reputable companies immediately include the cost of installation in the cost of the structure, which allows you to correctly combine desires and capabilities. The cost of stretching ceilings is 600-2500 rubles / sq. m depending on the type of ceiling and material of the canvas. Installation of each lamp adds 600-800 rubles. The presence of additional corners or protrusions leads to a rise in price by 200-300 rubles for each element. On average, the cost of installing a standard economy-category ceiling with an area of up to 20 sq. m is 22000-26000 rubles.
Required tools
At the preparation stage, you will need a metal brush, metal spatula, chisel, grinder (if necessary). For marking, a tape measure and a metal ruler are required, and for multi-level systems - a protractor, a square. The installation of the baguette is carried out using a perforator, electric drill, hammer, screwdriver, screwdriver. A grinder and a hacksaw for metal are used to cut the profiles. When stretching the blade, you need: spatulas, angle blades, a screwdriver, a construction knife, pliers. Installation of PVC cloth is impossible without heating devices (heat gun or fan, hair dryer of increased power). The construction level allows you to control the quality during the installation process.
Installation technology
Installation of any type of stretch ceiling is conventionally divided into a number of stages: surface preparation, marking and cutting, mounting a baguette, stretching the canvas, finishing and decorating (if necessary).
The main parameter taken into account when buying is the area of the canvas and the corresponding length of the baguette profiles. The need is estimated by the real ceiling area and the margin required for fixing in the frame. Usually a stock of about 14-16% is provided.
Preparatory stage
An important advantage of stretch ceilings is that there is no need to level the ceiling base.
The canvas is stretched at a certain distance from it, and therefore irregularities up to 2-2.5 cm do not affect the quality of the final ceiling and are masked. It is important that they cannot damage the canvas (push through, cut, puncture). With this in mind, it is necessary to remove from the surface everything that can crumble over time (old coating, poorly fixed plaster) and sharp defects. Do not leave large cracks either, because. To. they can become a hotbed of gradual destruction of the floor. Such defects must be putty.
Particular attention is paid to places where floods previously occurred from above. First of all, these areas should be well dried. If traces of mold and fungi are visible, then an antiseptic treatment is necessary. Usually a solution of copper sulfate is used.
The next important step is cutting the baguette. The canvas must be stretched evenly and horizontally, and it must be aligned not relative to the ceiling, but parallel to the floor surface. To do this, you will have to measure the height of the room in all corners and choose the lowest of them. In it, departing from the surface of the ceiling of 3-6 cm, the initial mark is marked. The distance from the ceiling depends on the need for laying communications and installing protective covers. Next, the height of the location of the mark from the floor is measured, which is transferred to all corners. The marks are connected by lines. They usually fight off with a dyed cord.
Fastening the frame of the baguette
A baguette for a tensile structure is made of a metal (aluminum) or plastic profile, in which the fastening element for the canvas is located. Fasteners can be of several types:
Baguette profiles are attached to the wall using dowels (on wooden walls - with screws) strictly according to the markings. First, they are alternately applied to mark the installation locations of the dowels. The fixing step is 50-70 cm. At these points, holes with a diameter of 8-10 mm are drilled with a perforator or electric drill. Plastic dowels are driven into them. Profiles are fixed with screws. As they are installed, using the building level, the horizontal arrangement is controlled.
In addition, it is necessary to place the profiles strictly in one line with the observance of parallelism on opposite walls. They should not repeat the defects ("waves") of the wall surface. Alignment is ensured with spacers and, if necessary, with a layer of plaster. The resulting gap between the frame and the wall will subsequently be closed with a decorative overlay.
Stretching the plastic sheet
A fairly common option is the use of PVC film as a stretch fabric. It cannot be pulled evenly by a simple mechanical method due to the large elongation of the plastic when stretched. High-quality stretching is provided by the thermal method. The web is fixed in a heated state when it is expanded evenly in all directions. During the cooling process, the film shrinks, which provides tension without wrinkles.
Before installing the PVC cloth, the air in the room is heated to a temperature of 30-35 degrees. The film itself heats up to a temperature of 60-65 degrees and, when heated, is fixed in the baguette fastener. How stretch ceilings are stretched, the photo clearly shows. Heat guns, special hair dryers or fans are used for heating.
The stretching of the PVC sheet starts from the corners of the ceiling with a gradual movement towards the middle part. The entire installation process can be viewed in the video below. The end of the web is pushed into the fastener using a narrow spatula or a screwdriver with maximum care so as not to damage the film. When using a glazing bead (wedge), it gradually (starting from the corner) fits tightly into the profile channel, fixes the canvas. For corners, use an angled spatula or a special angled spatula. It is recommended to trim the excess web after the film has cooled.
Stretching the fabric ceiling
For a fabric, seamless ceiling, a knitted fabric made from polyester yarns with polyurethane impregnation is used. It is stretched exclusively mechanically, manually, without heating. For it, most often glazing bead fasteners are used. Modern models are equipped with clips, and fastening is carried out according to the "Clipso" system. In this case, as a rule, plastic profiles are used. The ends of the fabric are pushed into the fastener and snapped into place.
Unlike film, the fabric is stretched starting from the middle. First, the center of the canvas is fixed on one wall, and the second fixation point is on the opposite wall. Next, the fabric is attached to 2 other walls. In other words, the initial fixation of the fabric ceiling is provided in the form of a cross. After that, with the help of a spatula, the canvas is pushed into the fasteners, there is a uniform movement to the corners.
The lighting system should be planned in advance by drawing up a detailed layout of the luminaires (especially the point type).
Before installation, this scheme is transferred to the canvas, places for lamps are marked. Holes are carefully cut into the fabric for the reinforcement of the point equipment before stretching.
The installation is completed by cutting off excess canvas and installing a decorative overlay. When installing the fabric, an important feature should be taken into account. The fabric practically does not stretch, and therefore, if it is necessary to remove it and reuse it, it is necessary to leave a margin for fixing in the clamps. With this in mind, cutting off the surplus should not be carried out "end-to-end".
Features of multi-level structures
Multilevel tensioning systems are especially attractive. In particular, a two-level ceiling allows you to zone a room or make inserts of an unusual shape and pattern. Installation of such a structure is rather complicated, and usually it is not done independently.
Installation of the ceiling is carried out in the following order. After the preparation of the base surface, a site for the location of the 2nd level is outlined on it. Along the border, a special profile (T- or U-shaped) is attached to the ceiling. The lower cut of the profile should be clearly aligned with the height of the first level so that when stretched, the canvas lies on the profile without disturbing the evenness and horizontalness of the surface, without protrusions and wrinkles.
After stretching the canvas of the 1st level along the entire ceiling, a baguette of the second level is attached to the ceiling profile. Further, his canvas is stretched in the usual way. Levels can have either a regular rectangular shape or an original shape (circle, oval, drop, leaf, etc.). NS.). To create unusual shapes, ready-made curved profiles are used or the desired bend is provided with your own hands. On the side, the baguette of the 2nd level is closed with a decorative strip.
Conclusion
The question of how to stretch the ceiling is decided depending on the type of its canvas. Installation requires certain skills, and therefore you need to realistically assess your capabilities. A specialized team will do everything efficiently, with a guarantee, "turnkey". If you decide to install the ceiling with your own hands, then you must strictly follow the recommendations of the instructions and take into account certain installation rules.
