How to sheathe ceilings with plastic panels: work order, materials and tools

2024 Author: Aaron Duncan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 03:30

Today, there are many ways to decorate the ceiling. One of the most common is plastic surface finish. Due to the affordable price category of the material and ease of installation, this option is not inferior to other decorating methods. In the article, we will consider how to sheathe ceilings with plastic panels.

Material specifications

Finishing panels made of plastic, for the most part, are two thin, connected plates of a certain width with stiffening ribs located between them. They unite the outer and inner sides and make the structure more rigid. On the side along the entire length there are elements for joining parts with each other, their device is based on the "thorn-groove" principle. They are designed for ease of installation and strong holding of the panels together in the same plane.

General information:

1. PVC panels are used for wall and ceiling decoration. Their lengthranges from 24 cm to 6 m, and the width is from 10 to 50 cm. The thickness is usually 5-12 mm.
2. Their surface can be very different: glossy or matte, white or multi-colored, smooth or textured. Wood effect panels are very often used.
3. For the perfect finishing of the ceiling with plastic panels, it is necessary to use special fittings that allow you to hide joints and transitions, arrange external and internal corners.
4. The material from which PVC panels are made is tested for quality standards and is completely safe for residential use.
5. The surface of the material is lightweight and easy to clean and maintain. It can be washed with a damp cloth or dry cleaned.
6. With proper care and respect, the life of the panels is 10-12 years, while retaining the external qualities.
7. Installation can be done by anyone with minimal skills in working with construction tools, it is not necessary to involve professional craftsmen in the process.
8. Affordable price allows you to replace one or more panels in case of unsuccessful installation.
9. If, for any reason, the surface of some elements is damaged, they are replaced without affecting the rest of the parts.

Selection criteria

Before sheathing ceilings with plastic panels, you need to decide on the amount and type of material. Professionals advise to pay attention to the following criteria:

1. Panel size (length, width,thickness). If we talk about the first parameter, then it is calculated in such a way that there are as few residuals as possible. For example, if the length of the room is 2.40 m, then you should choose an element with a size of 2.50 or 5.0 meters. The calculation of the width follows a similar principle: so that as a result there are fewer scraps and for ease of installation. The thickness depends on the location of the paneling: for walls, it should be more.
2. Value for money. Since the assortment in hardware stores is huge, people often face the problem of choosing. Cheap material has poor performance.

A good product can be identified by the following indicators:

1. Appearance. The panel should be smooth, without roughness and scuffs. Stiffening ribs should not appear on either side, the pattern should be clear and uniform.
2. In high quality material, the wall thickness should be at least 1.5 mm, the same applies to stiffeners - the thicker they are, the more stable the material. When pressed, the panel should not deform, which indicates its high level of wear resistance.
3. Tactile surface should be uniform, without deflections, waves and notches.
4. If possible, it is advisable to try to connect the two parts together. Ideally, they will be easy to join, there will be no gaps between them, the tenon will go completely deep into the groove without any external traces of docking.
5. Another nuance when checking the quality of a building material is flexibility. It is necessary to bend and unbend a small corner,protruding beyond the borders of the mounting strip. If after such a manipulation there are no visible marks left on the surface of the plastic, it means that high-quality material was used in the production and manufacturing technologies were followed.

It is also worth paying attention to the room in which the PVC will be installed. If the question arises about which ceiling is better in the kitchen, then the answer is unequivocal. It should be smooth, without relief. That is, PVC plastic is best suited here, since plaque is easily removed from it.

How to calculate?

To make the ceiling with plastic panels with your own hands, it is important to choose the right amount of material. To calculate, follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Calculate the surface area and one panel.
2. After that, by simple calculations, the ratio of the first value to the second is found. The answer is the piece quantity of PVC material.
3. To account for possible waste, add 15% to the final result and round up.
4. To calculate the length of the fitting profile, add two lengths and two widths of the surface, and then also add 15% to the result.

To determine the required amount of material to make the crate for plastic panels, the calculation is as follows:

1. The length of the frame elements is calculated according to the same principle as the similar parameter of the fitting profile.
2. After that, the surface dimensions are divided into equal segments from 40 to 60 cm long. Through these marksguide rails will pass. They are needed to determine the amount of timber or metal profile required. Its length will correspond to the length or width of the room, depending on how the installation will take place - across or longitudinally to the surface. This is especially important when designing the ceiling in the hallway and bathroom. Indeed, in these rooms it is possible to lay panels in both directions.

If the crate is made of timber, its cross section should not be less than 2 × 5 cm. It is also necessary to purchase self-tapping screws with a wide hat. With them, the panels will be attached to the profile or timber. The calculation here is approximately the following: 1 screw per 50 cm.

What is needed to carry out the work?

In order not to be distracted every time in search of the necessary tool, before sheathing the ceiling with plastic panels with your own hands, you need to prepare the following in advance:

1. First of all, it is directly PVC panels in the right amount, taking into account waste.
2. In order for the surface to be even, of course, you will need a hydraulic level.
3. Ceiling plinth for PVC panels.
4. Beam or profile. If insulation is planned, the width of these materials is taken into account based on the thickness of the mats. When choosing a metal profile, you will also have to prepare suspensions.
5. For fastening and drilling holes, you cannot do without a puncher, screwdriver and dowels.
6. It's good if the master has a special device for the correct cutting of the cornerceiling plinth.
7. You will also need a square, pencil and grinder.

Surface preparation, marking

Before installing plastic panels on the ceiling, it is important to properly carry out the preparatory work:

1. First of all, it is necessary to make an external inspection of the surface. Then you need to get rid of the old coating. To do this, you can use a metal brush. If the ceiling was previously whitewashed, then before removing this layer it is treated with a paste or primer. So the chalk will flow less.
2. After that, the coating is inspected for the presence of peeling of the plaster, if it was applied. If there are any, they are cleaned. A hammer and chisel or a wide spatula will come in handy here.
3. Then the surface is treated with antiseptics, they are in any building department. To many, it may seem that there is no reason to do this. But such measures will never be superfluous, especially since such solutions are not expensive. But if the fungus nevertheless appears, in order to get rid of it, you will have to completely disassemble the plastic panels and redo the work.
4. After complete drying of the surface, start applying the primer. Here you will need a sprayer or a brush.
5. Next, set the level to mark the desired mounting height of the panels.
6. The hydraulic level is best suited for this job, it will not be difficult to find it on sale, and if you wish, you can make it yourself. Thanks to this device,the work will be much more accurate.
7. When choosing the height or width of the installation plane, an important nuance should be taken into account. If you plan to make insulation, there should be a gap of several centimeters between this material and the finishing panels. This is due to the fact that when deformed, the insulation mats lose their qualities.
8. After all the marks are made, they are connected in one line. This can be done using a nylon thread, which simply beats off around the perimeter. The markup is ready.

Installing the frame

Those who do such work on their own for the first time are wondering how to fix plastic panels to the ceiling. Most often, surface finishing with these parts is carried out by attaching to the frame. It is made using metal guides or wood. When choosing the second option, the bars must be treated with an antiseptic before use in order to extend their service life. This is especially important if the bathroom is being renovated with plastic panels. This is a damp room, so treatment with moisture protective agents must be done.

The sequence of steps for installing the frame is as follows:

1. The profile or wood is cut to the desired length. According to the mark, proceed to fastening. If the surface is made of wood, the installation is carried out using self-tapping screws. If it is concrete, the holes are made with a perforator, and fastenings are carried out using dowels.
2. The cladding has its own weight, respectively, and the frame must be strong andreliable. Do not use dowels left over from any kits. Mounting materials must be selected for a specific design. Only then will the fixation be tough and of high quality.
3. The next step is marking the transverse stripes. Here it is important to consider the following: the fastening of the panel is done strictly perpendicular, so you need to choose the correct mounting direction. The distance between wooden guides must be at least 50 cm. A calculation is made. The edges of the panel must be placed on a rigid surface of the frame.
4. Then, the fishing line is pulled along the diagonal of the planes. It will determine the height of the mount. This method is highly accurate. Otherwise, if the frame was made unevenly, the panels will repeat this relief.
5. The profile is cut according to size and fastened in the specified way.
6. Shims can be used to adjust the height. Connections close to the wall and to each other are not recommended. From this, when the material expands, the coating may lead.

Then a layer of waterproofing is applied. The material is cut according to the calculated dimensions made in advance and fixed with a construction stapler. It should be noted that the butt joint in this case is not done, but is overlapped. After that, a heater is laid. Place it tightly, but evenly. With the help of plastic fungi, the material is fixed. At the same time, at least five pieces should be spent on one mat.

Routing

The next step is the installation of electrical wires. Wiring is an important process. Especially you need to pay attention to this when thinking through the design of the ceiling in the hallway. After all, here, as a rule, are the main nodes of the wires. If there is no special knowledge, you need to entrust the matter to a professional. Lighting should be taken care of in advance to hide the wires behind the plastic panels. You also need to think about what light sources will be used.

Sequence of work:

1. First of all, they select a place to place the junction box. It should be in an accessible place so that you can open it in case of a problem.
2. The cross section of the groove for electrical wiring is calculated with special care, it should not be taken back to back. The clearance must be increased by 30%.
3. With the help of the terminals, connections are made, thanks to which they will be reliable. Twisting must not be used as this is a fire hazard. After completing the necessary manipulations, go to the wiring fasteners.
4. Then they connect the lamps and check if the light is correctly distributed throughout the room. Can still be redone at this stage if necessary.

How to sheathe ceilings with plastic panels

When all the preparatory work is completed, proceed to the installation of the finishing material. This work is not difficult, but requires special attention:

1. Installation starts from the window of the room, from the corner. This is due to the fact that the lighting here is the brightest and all errors will be visible to the naked eye.
2. Fitting is best suitedclimbers. They are made of metal with further chromium coating. Due to this, they are more resistant to high levels of humidity. Connections with the help of such hardware are reliable and durable.
3. Panels must be properly spaced before installation. Often they do not enter completely, so it is desirable to form a pattern at an early stage of sheathing.
4. Parts are fastened with self-tapping screws, while the installation of the first one is of fundamental importance, since they are equal to it, performing the installation of all subsequent ones. Laying is carried out parallel to the wall, otherwise there is a high probability of obtaining an incorrect configuration.
5. Each subsequent part is installed strictly in the groove of the previous one. Connections must be tight.
6. Then measure the desired length and form the corners of the ceiling plinth. This is easy to do with a classic miter box. If not, you will have to use ingenuity and knowledge of geometry.
7. Next, glue the ceiling plinth for PVC panels.

Pros and cons of the material

The undeniable advantages of plastic panels are:

1. Affordable price and wide range of sizes and shapes.
2. Among the specimens presented, there are moisture resistant models. This is especially important when repairing bathrooms, kitchens or balconies with plastic panels, where air humidity is high.
3. Resistance of the material to external influences and temperature changes.
4. Unpretentious care. In order to refresh the surface, it is enoughwipe it with a damp cloth without using abrasive products.
5. Could be used as an inexpensive soundproofing or aesthetic coating.
6. Easy to install, no professional skills required.
7. It doesn't take long to decorate.
8. Due to its versatility, it allows you to turn any design idea into reality.
9. The material is safe, durable, plastic. Allows you to work even in hard-to-reach places.

It will be fair to note the shortcomings of this material:

• the first couple of days after installation, an unpleasant smell in the room is possible;
• with a sharp temperature difference, there is a possibility of deformation of the coating;
• not mechanically resistant;
• artificial material.

Types of panel laying

One of the most common mounting methods is frame mounting. This method is optimal for facing uneven surfaces. The basis of the frame is the crate. Thanks to this design, installation can be carried out in any room.

Hanging frame requires great precision and accuracy. Most often, such sheathing is used in rooms with high humidity and poorly heated rooms. Otherwise, the panels will quickly deform or fall off in vain. For the manufacture of a suspended frame, suspensions and a metal profile are used, less often a beam.

The simplest, but not the most reliable, surface cladding is considered to be a frameless method. That is, the adhesive is applied directly topanel, and it is attached to the prepared and cleaned surface. The main disadvantage of this method is the impossibility of installing spotlights, LED strips and other elements. Often this method is used to install the ceiling of plastic panels in the toilet.

Possible installation errors

Often, when installing, novice masters make mistakes. To avoid them, you should familiarize yourself with the most typical of them:

1. The occurrence of an unpleasant odor shortly after plating the surface. This is due to the appearance of fungus or mold under PVC panels. Therefore, before installation, it is recommended to treat the surface with an antiseptic solution.
2. If the frameless method is used, the panels should not be glued to the concrete. There must be a ventilated space between surfaces.
3. Wiring must be carried out before installing the PVC plates themselves.

Before buying a beam to perform the crate, you should carefully consider everything. Sometimes this results in high costs. The use of wood in rooms with high humidity is not desirable.

In the article we looked at how to sheathe ceilings with plastic panels. The final result is affected by the quality of the selected material and the installation work itself, so each stage should be treated with responsibility.