False ceiling made of aluminum panels today is quite widespread in our country, because for many people it is associated with such a concept as "European-quality repair". Initially, such structures were brought to us from abroad, so their cost was quite high.
A little later, the aluminum ceiling panels were slightly modernized, adding decorative inserts to their structure. Thanks to them, even the most daring design solutions can be realized during installation.
Varieties of suspended ceilings made of aluminum panels
It should be said that the process of assembling all suspended ceilings is almost the same, so you need to pay special attention to the details.
There are 2 main types of aluminum ceilings:
- Rack. When assembled, it is a plane made of slats of various sizes and colors.
- Cassette. The modular system is assembled from cassettes having a rectangular or square shape. Size and color may also vary.
Features of aluminum slatted ceilings
Rack ceiling refers to one of the types of suspended ceilings. Such a suspension system looks like a single surface, although it is made of separate planks, which are available in different sizes and colors. This makes it possible to create very original and stylish designs.
Installation of a false aluminum ceiling is carried out only after the plastering of the walls and finishing of the floor is completed. First, a false ceiling frame is assembled, on which aluminum panels are then attached.
Types of rails
The most popular among buyers is a false ceiling made of aluminum panels of two configurations:
- With smooth slats. After assembly, small gaps remain between the panels. Mounting a slatted ceiling is easy, but it doesn't look that impressive.
- With alternating profiles. Intermediate inserts are installed between the rails, which may differ in size and color from the main panels. This slatted ceiling looks very unusual and stylish.
The range of rails produced is so huge that it can satisfy even the most demanding customers. The panels are smooth and perforated, glossy and matte. In texture, they can imitate wood and even leather. The shape of the slats are rounded and rectangular. A huge number of colors and shades is simply amazing. Install rails along, across and evendiagonally, which allows you to visually increase or decrease the space.
The suspended ceiling made of aluminum panels also differs in the inter-rack joints. With an open mounting method, a small gap of 15 mm remains between them. Special decorative inserts are attached to it or left open. With a closed docking method, the panels overlap each other. Also sold are slats that are joined closely, which allows you to get a blind joint that does not have gaps.
What is the suspension system
The main components of the suspension system are comb, corner profile and adjustable suspension. A comb is a galvanized bar with special clamps into which the rails are attached.
The suspension consists of a bracket attached to the carrier comb and a rod, which is mounted directly to the ceiling. The aluminum ceiling is fixed at a distance from the main one from 5 to 12 cm (depending on personal preferences, as well as communications located on the ceiling).
Advantages of slatted aluminum ceilings
In terms of functionality and technical parameters, the suspended ceiling made of aluminum panels is superior to other ceiling systems:
- Their rails are quite resistant to various negative external influences, especially to excessive moisture and elevated temperatures. That is why they mount aluminum ceilings in the bath, in the kitchen and in otherrooms where other surface finishes are inappropriate.
- Safety. Slatted ceilings are made from harmless environmentally friendly materials that do not emit harmful compounds.
- Thanks to simple installation, you can assemble an aluminum ceiling in the shortest possible time with your own hands.
- This design can be installed on curved surfaces of walls and ceilings, since the aluminum strip easily bends and allows you to create a hipped or domed shape. To assemble a curved ceiling system, mounting rails are mounted at different levels.
- When decorating a room, aesthetic appearance is of no small importance. The suspended aluminum ceiling is assembled from panels painted with durable powder paints, so it has a very attractive appearance. A fairly wide palette of colors allows you to choose a shade that best matches the interior of the room.
Package
Before the preparation of the ceiling and the installation of aluminum panels, everything you need should be purchased.
The set of elements usually includes:
- fixing rails (traverses, combs);
- starting profile, which is mounted on the walls around the perimeter of the room along the intended line;
- rails that make up the surface of the structure (when installing aluminum suspended ceilings, 100 mm wide strips are most often used);
- intermediate inserts required to connect the main rails (not used in all railstructures);
- suspension - metal rods or plates;
- fasteners (self-tapping screws or dowels);
- recessed luminaires.
Tools
The following tools will be needed to install a suspended aluminum ceiling:
- roulette, level, ruler and marker (for marking);
- Puncher or drill (to make holes for fasteners);
- scissors and a knife for metal (for trimming rails);
- self-tapping screws and dowel-nails;
- pliers;
- screwdriver (for connecting all frame elements).
Marking
Installation of a false ceiling made of aluminum panels begins after everything necessary for the job is prepared. To make such a ceiling with your own hands, you must first mark the perimeter. This is done in order to determine the level of location of the suspended structure.
From the base floor, the minimum distance should be approximately 3.5–4 cm. The largest indent is limited by the length of the hangers. Along the perimeter of the room, according to the established level, a line is drawn, which will be the defining landmark when installing the suspension system. When marking is applied, the line must be checked with a level and the distance between the floor covering and it should be controlled at intervals that are from 1 to 1.5 meters.
Next, you need to mark the floor slabs. To install the frame, depending on the number of traverses, you shoulddraw the appropriate number of lines. The distance between the wall and the comb should be within 40-50 cm, between adjacent mounting rails - about 100-120 cm. Mounting the traverses with such a step provides the required structural rigidity. After the marking is completed, the assembly of the frame and the installation of the false ceiling made of aluminum begins.
Installation of rack system
Assembling the frame for the suspended rack ceiling is carried out in stages:
- First of all, along the perimeter of the room, a starting profile is mounted according to the markings. It is applied to a horizontal line and, using a perforator, holes are drilled in the plank and wall. This work should be done with an assistant, and not alone, since one pair of hands is needed to fix the profile, and the other to drill.
- At the next stage, plastic dowels are inserted into the prepared holes. Next, the final fixing of the profile is carried out, hammering special screws intended for express installation into them. Fastener installation step size - 50 cm.
- After the profile is securely fixed, they begin to mount suspensions on the ceiling for installing traverses.
- The next step is to assemble the surface of the ceiling structure. To do this, before mounting on the mounting rail, all aluminum rails are adjusted to the desired size. To do this, a notch is made along the cut line on the cut panel using a knife or an awl.
- Next, cut the edges of the plank with metal scissors and break off excess material. The prepared panel is lifted and snapped onto the mount on the traverse. At the same time, the ends of the rail are brought into the starting profile. Then intermediate inserts are mounted between the main panels. The last rail is cut not only in length, but also along.
- Assembly is completed by installing and connecting built-in lights. Corresponding holes are made in the rails for lighting fixtures.
Installing the suspension system is not at all difficult, the main thing is to carefully study the relevant instructions and information from the manufacturer.
Aluminum panels: price
The cost of slatted suspended ceilings made of aluminum profile varies significantly depending on the country of manufacture, type, texture, color and perforation. The cost of Russian-made panels is noticeably lower. The average price is from 300 rubles per 1 m2. Foreign material costs from 600 rubles per 1 m2.
