Glue ceilings are square or rectangular panels (slabs). The material for the manufacture of tile sheets is expanded polystyrene or polyurethane, the surface of which imitates stucco decor, natural stone or different types of wood. The panels are designed for installation on any surface, including brick, concrete and drywall. Due to its light weight and compact dimensions, the material in question is easy to install and transport.
Calculation of ceiling tiles
Glue ceilings are quite easy to install. To avoid unnecessary expenses, you must first calculate the required materials. This process begins with measuring the room, taking into account the number of whole panels that fit in width and length. The resulting numbers are multiplied, one tile is added to mask large gaps and one panel to smaller gaps, if any. The final result will be the required number of sheets required for arranging the premises.
It is advisable to purchase tiles with a margin (about 10%). This is due to the possible deformation of the material during transportation and processing. If several sheets are cut incorrectly, the remaining part will be enough for pasting.
Varieties of panels
Adhesive ceilings according to technological parameters are divided into three types: injection, stamped and extruded. The first version of the tile is made of polystyrene by pressing under high temperature. This technology makes it possible to obtain a material with a beautiful appearance, and a wide range of patterns, reliefs and colors allows you to mount the product in any room, including rooms with high humidity.
The thickness of the panels varies from 9 to 14 millimeters, they are packed in compact blocks of 8 pieces, 500 x 500 mm in size. This approach greatly simplifies the calculation and installation of products. One package covers two square meters of surface.
Stamped ceiling tiles for adhesive ceilings (photo below) are made of polystyrene. This economical and high-quality material is pressed on special equipment under thermal influence. The sheets are 6 to 8 millimeters thick.
Extruded version is made from parts of polystyrene, laminated with a film. The smooth part of the panels can be in one tone or with different textures applied. The material is resistant to various influences, recovers after light pressure by hand, does not require special care, and is durable. Additional ease of installation is provided by a slightly curved edge.
Features
Styrofoam tiles for adhesive ceilings canbe laminated or not. In the first case, it is covered with a white or colored thin protective film. The surface is made with imitation of plaster relief or woodcarving. Laminated panels are more resistant to moisture, dust and soot. Experts advise to mount such products in kitchens and bathrooms. Non-laminated variations are smooth tiles with a grainy white color scheme. After installing such products, they must be painted with acrylic paint of the desired shade.
Recommendations for selection
When choosing adhesive tiles for the ceiling, you need to pay attention to the surface of the panel. The material should not be porous, but moderately granular. The clearer the structure, the better the finished construction will be.
In addition, you should check the dimensions of the sheets in the package, comparing the control dimensions and indicators from different batches. They must be identical. Even a small error will cause marriage when finishing the room. You also need to take into account the corners of the panels. Too rounded edges will not allow you to achieve a perfect fit. If the material is made with technological violations, it becomes brittle. To check this parameter, take a corner of the sheet and gently shake it. As a result of such manipulation, it should not break.
Adhesives
For fastening panels often use glue such as "Moment Installation" or special mastics. For example, the composition "Econaset Extra" is applied to the back of the tile, after which it is left for a couple of minutes to enhance adhesion. Then the element is gently pressed against the ceiling, held for a couple of minutes for secure fixation. Panels are attached in a similar way using Dragon glue.
The characteristics of Brozex mastic for adhesive ceilings are optimal for finishing rough surfaces. The composition is made on the basis of styrene-acrylic. Additional fixation of the material is not required, just apply the mastic by the point method in a checkerboard pattern. Universal glue "Titan" is made on a polymer basis, it is characterized by increased resistance to various natural factors. The SW series is not afraid of frost, which is great for decorating country houses and other rarely heated buildings.
How to make a glue ceiling?
Before starting the process, you need to clean the surface of the early layers of finishes and dirt. If necessary, the ceiling is leveled with putty. If the area is sheathed with chipboard or plywood, it is treated with a primer.
The adhesive composition is applied exclusively to the tile, it is not necessary to process the ceiling part itself, since the load of the product will be small due to its low weight. It is impossible to make an absolutely seamless ceiling from the materials in question, but it is quite possible to bring the joints into a neat state. If you use panels with patterns and wavy edges, the seams will be almost invisible.
Adhesive polystyrene foam ceilings are mounted starting from the center of the room. First you need to measure the diagonals, followed by marking. The first panel is fixed clearly in the center of the room. A similar method is used if it is planned to finish the surface in a checkerboard pattern with tiles of two shades. In the process itself, you should not be too zealous, because due to excessive pressure, the panels may be deformed.
Installation nuances
In some cases, starting the installation of the structure in question from the center is irrational in economic terms. If the room is small, it is better to finish from one of the wall corners, located opposite the entrance to the room.
Mastic or glue is applied pointwise to the tile: in the central part and at the corners of the panel. After the product has “rested” for several minutes, it is fixed to the ceiling. Excess composition is removed with a dry rag or napkin. The panel in the places of gluing is held for 2-3 minutes. It is worth noting that even a difference of a few millimeters can cause certain difficulties when combining the pattern. Before mounting the panel, it must be attached to the already fixed elements and cut off the excess with a clerical knife. It is better to cut the product on a sheet of corrugated cardboard under a metal ruler. If there are irregularities on the ceiling surface, small gaps will remain in any case. You can mask them with acrylic sealant.
Ceiling plinth
When performing work, it must be borne in mind that the gaps between the edge of the tile and the wall should not be more than the thickness of the baseboard. Ceiling fillets are usually made of polystyrene or polyurethane, have different textures and colors. Elements are glued all overthe perimeter of the surface to be treated.
Large visible seams can be hidden with a small panel strip. When installing skirting boards, there are often difficulties when joining corners. Therefore, it is recommended to use a miter box for cutting fillets. The element is placed in it and after a tight pressure is cut off. Installation of skirting boards can be carried out both before painting or wallpapering, and after. The first option is preferable, because it allows you to remove the gaps between the wall and the plinth by means of putty. But in the second case, at the finishing stage of finishing, it is easier to remove small defects when pasting wallpaper.
Cornices, sockets and other household accessories similar to stucco molding are mainly used when decorating large rooms. Additional decorative details can be in white color or with a color pattern. Plain products are best painted with acrylic paint, as they turn yellow under the influence of the sun.
How to care?
The design of adhesive ceilings (photo below) is better and better in operation, if you follow a few simple rules:
- Regularly wipe the panels with a damp cloth to remove dust as they get dirty.
- Traces of fat should be removed with alcohol-based formulations.
- It is not recommended to use solvents for the treatment of tiles.
- Laminate panels are cleaned with warm soapy water.
- Do not leave polyurethane or polystyrene tiles near open flames. Despite the protective coating, such materials are subject to melting.
Glued ceilings have a number of obvious advantages. They are easy to install and maintain, are presented on the market in a wide range, and are not expensive. The right choice and competent installation of panels will radically change the interior of the room for the better.
