Many for arranging their own homes choose rack ceiling design. Such a system is sheathed with environmentally friendly material and has a number of advantages over other analogues. The finishing element has a beautiful appearance, is resistant to temperature changes, is not afraid of high humidity and fire. In the article, we will consider how the installation of lamps in a rack ceiling is carried out. This task is not easy, however, if you follow the instructions and recommendations, you can do the job yourself.
Recommendations
Installation of devices must be carried out in accordance with the instructions, such structures should not be overloaded with heavy and bulky devices.
Usually, the installation of fixtures in the rack ceiling is done in a built-in way, the color is selected separately.
For a bathroom or kitchen, lighting elements are provided with special caps that protect them from high humidity.
In some cases, a situation arises when the light element has a height of about a meter, and stringers - about four centimeters. Such a match is notallows you to embed the lamp in the ceiling. To correct the situation, you will need to use a wooden block, which will allow you to add the missing height to the device. Remember to create a special nest for the location of the wiring. The size of the bar is selected individually.
As a rule, the height of the stringers and their shape differs depending on the production. Luminaires for slatted ceilings on the modern market are presented in a wide range. Therefore, choosing the right option will not be difficult. When choosing parts, you should pay attention not only to the configuration and design of the product, but also to the reputation of the manufacturer and consumer reviews.
LEDs
The choice of fixtures for ceilings is quite wide. The main thing is to decide on the option that is suitable specifically for your case. To do this, consider the features of the proposed light elements. Let's start the review with LEDs.
The built-in luminaire in this type of slatted ceiling is beneficial in that it has a long service life at a minimum cost. The design of such a device does not contain spirals, glass bulbs and other elements characteristic of traditional lamps. In addition, with excellent lighting quality, there is a minimum consumption of electrical energy. LEDs fit perfectly into any interior, are not afraid of voltage drops. Such lamps are made of high quality materials, do not harm he alth.
Fluorescent and spot version
Installationluminaires in rack ceilings with fluorescent lamps are most often used in the design of trading floors, office premises, and production workshops. This type of lighting is bright and uniform. Another plus of this type of fixtures is significant energy savings. Additionally, users respond positively to such light elements due to the possibility of their installation in rooms with high humidity.
Point counterparts for slatted ceilings are best suited for decorating halls and interiors in an original decorative style. The installation of such devices allows you to get both additional and basic lighting. The main advantage is the ability to change the direction of illumination. The market offers a wide range of point models of classic, decorative or original direction (for example, imitation of the starry sky or a standard incandescent lamp).
Installation of fixtures in the rack ceiling
The installation of the structure in question is carried out during the assembly of the rack-type ceiling. Most often, a special niche is used for strengthening, which is planned even when designing the ceiling. It is worth noting that LED lamps have one feature - a bluish lighting color. This must be taken into account when arranging. Many users testify that such light becomes annoying over time. The optimal use of LEDs is additional lighting or operation in low-traffic areas.
Installation of fixtures in the rack ceiling is carried out at a height of about 70 mm for LEDs and at least 120 mm for standard incandescent lamps. Built-in halogen elements have the potential for high heat. This feature sometimes provokes deformation and damage to the suspended ceiling. When choosing such lighting, you need to consider in detail all the pros and cons of the design.
Where to start?
Installing large ceiling lights in a slatted ceiling will require the following tools:
- Calipers.
- Electric jigsaw.
- Stationery knife.
- Pencil.
- Directly one of the types of lighting fixtures.
Before starting work, you need to consider the wiring diagram. The fact is that after installing the ceiling, it becomes almost impossible to stretch the hidden version of the wires. In addition, it will be very problematic to bring the ends of the wires to the right place with the correct conclusion. We will consider the installation features of this node in the next section.
How to install a luminaire in a slatted ceiling?
No strobe is required for installation. Instead, special plastic channels are used for cable engineering communications. Wiring is placed in their nests before the cladding is arranged. In addition, you should consider in advance the location of the lamps. Following from this, the design should begin long before the start of finishing the ceiling, simultaneously in conjunction with the choice of itsconfiguration.
The use of metal sleeves greatly facilitates the subsequent operation of the structure. Such a solution will allow you to repair or replace part of the fixtures without resorting to dismantling the entire ceiling. The cross section of the wires is selected after calculating the loads. For the same indicators, the cross section of the aluminum element must be larger than that of the copper counterpart. The second option, although more expensive, is of better quality and durability.
The standard option is copper wire with a cross section of two square millimeters. Such wiring will cope with any lighting, given the fact that modern lamps consume a moderate amount of energy.
Installation nuances
When installing recessed ceiling lights, the main thing is to follow the installation and operating instructions clearly. Depending on the type of device selected, its installation may be required directly during the assembly of the ceiling or installed after completion of work.
In any case, when choosing which lamps for the rack ceiling to choose, remember that a prerequisite for work is the preparation of holes for lamps or LEDs. Therefore, it is necessary to consider in advance the exact installation locations of the lighting elements, as well as the placement configuration. This process is easy to do, armed with a caliper and a simple pencil. Marking is carried out by applying circles of a suitable size in the places where the fixtures are mounted.
This procedure can be performedusing prepared templates. The most accurate holes for the lamps are obtained by cutting them with an electric jigsaw. Alternatively, you can use a clerical or sharp can opener for this purpose.
This is important
When installing fixtures in a slatted ceiling in a bathroom or other room, the main thing is to prevent violations in the processing of hole diameters. Any mistake will lead to unplanned and unnecessary costs. In order for the nests to be invisible, their size must be made smaller than the dimensions of the mounted light elements. As additional lighting, it is possible to provide for the installation of side lighting elements on the walls.
There are analogues that work exclusively with the use of step-down transformers. This feature should be clarified directly in the store before buying products, and even better, do it at the design stage.
Extra
Wires must be cut off with a margin. This will allow you to lengthen them if necessary. It is rather problematic to perform absolutely accurate calculations, so you should not save on this process.
If the quality of lighting from spotlights leaves much to be desired, use side lights on the walls as an addition. When designing the design in question, corner lamps look beautiful, capturing not only part of the ceiling, but also a fragment of the wall. For decoration, they are finished with special panels.
In closing
Before proceeding with the installation of fixtures in the rack ceiling, you should de-energize the house or apartment. This is one of the most important work safety tips. It is immediately necessary to determine the places where point variations or their analogues will be located. Proper and timely design will avoid most of the problems associated with possible repairs or adjustments to the structure.
