The modern building materials market offers a large selection of ceiling finishes. They differ in many characteristics. Such a variety of materials allows you to choose the best option for decorating any style of interior. Today, plastic ceilings are quite popular. The features of this type of finish, as well as the rules for its installation, will be discussed later.
Material features
Plastic ceilings (photo below) are assembled from panels of certain dimensions. It is a safe and practical material. Panels are made of PVC. This material is used for finishing in different rooms. With the right choice of texture, pattern and color of the panels, a PVC ceiling will be in harmony with almost any style of interior design.
It should be noted that plastic panels are on sale, which are designed for wall and ceiling decoration. They differ in a number of characteristics. Therefore, you should not purchase panels for walls for finishing the ceiling. The main difference between these materials is their weight. Ceiling panels are much lighter. If wall panels are mounted on the ceiling, they will exert high pressure on the frame. They may fall off over time.
The light weight of the ceiling panels does not allow you to install this material on the walls. It is less durable. Lightweight and fragile material for the ceiling on the walls can deform over time. This type of finish is mounted on a frame made of wood or metal.
Advantages of plastic
Plastic ceilings and walls look aesthetically pleasing. This material has many advantages. It is not affected by moisture. Plastic panels can be mounted even in bathrooms, swimming pools and saunas. If the neighbors from above flood the apartment, plastic ceilings will not require rebuilding. They will retain their spectacular appearance.
The surface of the ceiling after the installation of the panels will be perfectly smooth. Under it, you can hide all the irregularities of the base. The material is easy to care for and retains its appearance for a long time. He is not afraid of temperature changes. In the ceiling, you can equip several spotlights.
A huge selection of textures and shades allows you to choose the right option for any interior. At the same time, the cost of the material will be acceptable. Most often, such structures are installed in the bathroom or in the kitchen. If the ceiling height is low, it is better to give preference to other types of finishes (for example, painting orwhitewash).
Features of the choice of plastic
When equipping a plastic ceiling in a room, in a kitchen or in a bathroom, it is necessary to correctly calculate the materials for installation. First you need to measure the area of \u200b\u200bthe base. Then you can go to the store.
Package with plastic panels must indicate how much area one PVC strip covers. Their length may be different. It is chosen according to the dimensions of the room. Next, you need to divide the length of the room by the width of one panel. Get the number of strips that you need to purchase to create the finish. It is worth considering that the material must be purchased with a margin. This will trim the material.
On sale are white and colored panels. The first option is the cheapest. However, the ceiling of colored panels looks more interesting. In the package, all panels must have the same shade. The pattern (if any) must clearly match when connecting the strips of material. If the difference in hue is visible to the naked eye, such material should be set aside.
Profile types
Installation of a plastic ceiling is carried out using a special profile. It can be made from metal or wood. There are several most common types of profiles. They differ in configuration and purpose. The starting profile is used during the installation process more often than other varieties. It is fixed around the perimeter of the room. Also, with its help, the ends of the panels are closed.
A profile that resembles the letter H in cross section is called a connecting profile. It is used if the length of the panel needs to be increased. At external corners, it closes the ends of the F-profile.
For internal and external corners, a plastic corner is used. A universal profile is also on sale. It is suitable for finishing all types of corners. However, its appearance leaves much to be desired. Plastic skirting boards for the ceiling look much more spectacular. They essentially resemble the start profile. However, outwardly, the skirting boards look more presentable.
Calculation of the number of profiles
The plastic false ceiling is mounted on profiles of a certain configuration. It is necessary to perform their correct calculation. To select the correct types of profiles, as well as calculate their required number, you will need to draw a finishing scheme.
The starting profile should be 60 cm apart from each other. In accordance with this requirement, the number is calculated and the type of profiles is selected. The frame will be attached with hangers.
Special profiles will be fixed along the perimeter of the room. These strips will be fixed to the wall with dowels. They are purchased with a margin. If, when finishing the ceiling, a wooden beam is used instead of the starting metal profile, you need to fix it with metal corners.
To calculate the number of profiles, you need to divide the perimeter of the room by the length of the corners. Materials must be purchased fromsmall stock.
Preparation for installation
How to make a plastic ceiling? Experienced builders and repairmen will answer this question. They argue that all materials and tools must be prepared in advance. In the process, you will need a stepladder. You should also prepare a puncher and drills.
To mark the ceiling, you need to use a tape measure, ruler and pencil. You should also purchase a building level. With its help determine the position of all structural elements. You also need to prepare a hacksaw for metal (if an appropriate profile is used), a wallpaper knife before starting construction work. In addition to a puncher, you may need a drill, paint cord, ceiling profiles and suspensions. In the process of installing panels and frame, dowels and self-tapping screws, suspensions are used.
If the panels are installed in the bathroom or in the toilet, be sure to treat the ceiling surface with antibacterial compounds.
Getting Started
When installing a plastic ceiling in a bathroom or kitchen, you need to correctly determine its level. If spotlights are not installed in PVC, this distance may be minimal. In this case, the ceiling is lowered 5 cm lower than the base. If there are fixtures in the ceiling, this level should already be 10 cm.
Under the plastic panels there will be other communications. These can be wires, ventilation ducts, pipes, etc. Their size also needs to be taken into account. Similarcommunications should not interfere with the installation of panels. Therefore, when marking the ceiling, this must be taken into account.
Communications are carried out in advance. They must be mounted on the ceiling surface before marking is done. When this work is completed, measurements are taken. In this case, the building level is used. You need to find the lowest angle. The required distance is set aside from it (5-10 cm).
Profile mounting
Do-it-yourself installation of plastic ceilings is carried out on the corresponding profile. Begin its installation with corner starting strips. With the help of a paint cord, markings are made. A profile will be mounted on it. On the strip that is formed after applying the masking cord, you need to drill holes for the dowels. To do this, use a puncher or drill.
In order not to be mistaken in the process of drilling holes, you should apply each plank to the wall and make a through, but shallow hole. Deep holes are drilled along these marks. Most often, a 3 m long profile is on sale. They can be connected if the room is large enough. Fixation is carried out with self-tapping bugs.
After that, the corner profile is mounted. It will be possible to mount a transverse profile on it. It must be supported by suspensions. Therefore, the clamps are mounted in accordance with the developed ceiling plan in advance. Each suspension is 60 cm apart.
Installing the cross profile
To prevent plastic ceilings from sagging, you will need to mount transverse profiles. Before you get busyinstalling them, you need to pull the fishing line. It should run diagonally across the room. The fishing line is fixed in the corners, attaching it to the dowels. It should be tight.
When the thread is mounted, they begin to install a transverse profile along it. It needs to be mounted with an assistant. The second person must maintain the profile at such a level that it does not touch the surface of the tensioned thread. At the same time, the bar should come as close to it as possible.
The master must fix the profile at this time. For this, the suspensions are bent. The procedure is performed for all profile strips. After installing them, you can proceed with the installation of panels. They are fixed with small self-tapping screws (bugs). Even small seams need to be sealed with silicone. Its color must be chosen in accordance with the color of the panels. Excess silicone is removed with a spatula. So the ceiling will look monolithic.
Recommendations for panel installation
Installation of plastic ceilings does not cause any particular difficulties. Before proceeding with the installation of panels, you need to inspect the ceiling of the room. If the base is uneven, the first strip is cut off only after careful measurement. This will hide the flaws of the room. Subsequent strips must be fixed at right angles to the profile.
Most often, panels are mounted across the room. However, other techniques can be applied. So, in some cases, stripes are installed along and even diagonally. The second option is more difficult to implement. It will require more material acquisition costs, since in this case there is a lot of waste.
Installationpanels
Cut the panels before installation only after careful measurement. To do this, use a jigsaw for metal. The first panel will be shorter than the width of the room (by 3-5 mm). It is fixed with self-tapping screws on the profile. This continues until the end of the room is reached.
The last panel needs to be carefully measured. Its width must be made 1 mm less than the distance from the wall. It is inserted all the way into the corner of the profile. Next, the panel needs to be moved and inserted into the profile of its second end.
Having considered the features of the choice and installation of plastic ceilings, you can perform the entire procedure yourself. The surface will be smooth and the finish will last for many years.
