The technology of creating stretch ceilings has been used by decorators for several years now. With the optimization and improvement of consumables, it has become noticeably simpler, without losing its advantages. The owners of houses and apartments can still count on obtaining an original aesthetic effect while maintaining technical and structural advantages. How are ceilings of this type stretched? The operation consists of several stages - of course, delicate and requiring certain knowledge. However, an ordinary home master familiar with a typical set of construction tools can handle the installation technique.
What is a stretch ceiling?
Such ceilings are formed by two main components - the supporting structure and the fabric web. As for the load-bearing elements, in the simplest solutions it can be an ordinary profile frame. In fact, these are metal strips, on which the fabric is subsequently fixed. The canvas, in turn, is stretched and fixed at the prepared mounting points. In more complex designs, plastic baguettes are used. These are almost ready-made supporting structures that only need to be fixed. They are specially tailored to the dimensions of a particularpremises.
How are multi-level ceilings stretched? Such a solution is rarely used in ordinary apartments, but it can also be implemented on its own. For this, a two-stage frame is created - from the same profile elements or a baguette. The first level is attached directly to the ceiling or wall surface, and the second - to the already installed frame of the first level.
Types of fabrics used
There are several classifications of fabrics used in the construction of a stretch ceiling. For the consumer, the differences in surface texture are especially pronounced - glossy, matte or satin. The first option is different in that the coating gives a reflection and mirrors the decor of the room, and the second two have a rough surface without glare. The question of how much the ceiling is stretched depends to a large extent on the material of the fabric, but on average the work is completed in 1-2 days.
More common is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. Thanks to its practicality, work is done faster. However, the alternative solution in the form of polyester fabrics offers more practical benefits. In particular, it is a lighter and thinner material that is processed with special compounds. Due to the secondary coating treatment, it is able to withstand high temperatures and high levels of humidity.
Features of seamless ceilings
In terms of aesthetic and decorative value, seamless fabrics are the most advantageous. These are fabrics that are made from polyester yarn, formingknitted weaving. Also, to obtain a completely monolithic surface, the fabric is impregnated with a polymer mixture, and then squeezed out and calendered. This is done in the factory, but in the future you can stretch such a canvas yourself.
How to stretch ceilings with a seamless surface? At the time of starting work, rolls with an individual size adjustment should be prepared. Installation is carried out using a mounting profile - by tempering with a pre-calculated molding. In terms of texture and textural characteristics, woven fabrics have practically no drawbacks compared to film analogues. The variety of colors is just as wide and allows you to personalize any room.
Preparation for work
In the process of preparatory work, the performer is required to complete several points. First of all, measurements are made of the area that should be framed with a stretch fabric. Further, the material is purchased in accordance with the requirements - the supporting structure is selected, as well as the canvas. After that, they begin to prepare the tool and consumables.
Here it is worth considering in more detail the technical side of how ceilings are stretched and what devices will help with this. Installation is carried out with a power tool - the main one will be an electric drill-driver. With its help, you can create holes in the walls into which load-bearing profiles will be integrated. You will also need a hand screwdriver, pliers, a level and a pencil with a ruler. In addition, forworking with the canvas will require a spatula and thermal equipment that will melt the structure of the fabric.
Profile installation
Mechanical fixation of the carriers is carried out with the help of hardware, slats and corners. The choice of installation scheme is determined by the configuration of the room. Fastening can be made both to the ceiling and to the walls. It is important that the attachment points are secure. You should first evaluate how durable the surface is and allows you to perform installation operations. Holes are made in the marked places with a screwdriver - either dowels with anchors or mounting strips are fixed in them.
The question of how to stretch the ceiling correctly will largely be determined by the type of fastening and the frame itself. In some cases, the canvas is attached in nodes adjacent to the fixation zones of the profile itself. Experts still recommend separating the technical areas of fastening. The best option is the basic fastening of the bar to the hardware and the separate installation of the blade.
Fixing the web
First of all, the fixing points are outlined on the base ceiling with a coloring cord and a hydraulic level. After that, the fabric in the package is heated with a heat gun and straightened out. With the help of special clamping clips, the canvas is fixed to the profile structure or to the baguette. With a spatula, one of the corners is fixed in the frame using the harpoon connection method. Further, according to the diagonal scheme, the canvas is heated to 70 degrees and stretched over the entiresquare.
How to stretch the ceiling yourself without a special tool? It is extremely difficult to implement this operation alone - except perhaps by using basting clips. If there is no third-party help, then it is advisable to initially use rolls with polyester fabric. It is more pliable in terms of stretching and allows you to provide an elastic surface. At the final stage, it is necessary to bring the harpoon into the groove of the baguette or profile element.
Installation of fixtures
To begin with, it should be noted that the stretch ceiling makes it possible to lay communications in the subceiling niche, which is formed by the frame. LED spotlights are installed in the stretch ceiling system. It is undesirable to introduce more massive devices into such niches. In addition, a base with cartridges must be pre-created, which will provide mechanical fastening of the device. Here we must return to the question of how stretch ceilings are stretched at the stage of fixing the profiles. They must be prepared with special sockets with a connection to the cable wiring. Further, the integrated luminaires are framed with a special edging, on which the canvas is superimposed.
What are the benefits of stretch ceilings?
These are practical to maintain and simply beautiful coatings that also have physical endurance. For example, when flooded from above, they are able to withstand large volumes of water. As for mechanical damage, PVC is more justified in this regard - it is not afraid of accidental impacts and stabbing effects, althoughexperimenting with such manipulations is not worth it.
The only drawback is the tightness, due to which the canvas does not allow air to pass through. Hence the question - is it possible to stretch the ceiling so that it provides a ventilation effect? Unfortunately, this is not possible in stone and panel houses. Concrete walls and ceilings by themselves do not allow this possibility. However, in wooden buildings it is advisable to use a ventilated fabric, which through the wood will also provide optimal regulation of the microclimate.
Conclusion
Installation operations for stretch fabrics are performed without special equipment, and their quality will depend only on the skill of the performer. How to stretch the stretch ceiling with your own hands so that it lasts as long as possible? To do this, first of all, you need to use high-quality materials. This also applies to baguettes with profiles, and the fabric itself. The quality of fastening and the configuration of the connecting nodes also matter. They should be rationally distributed over the entire area - so that there are no "empty" zones. As a rule, large gaps between attachment points become weak points of the entire structure in the future.
