Rack ceiling structures have become more and more popular lately for a variety of reasons. They look attractive, are versatile, last a long time, and are not very expensive. You can do their installation yourself, additionally saving.
Waterproof construction, light weight and easy maintenance. This is especially true for bathrooms. If you have minimal construction skills and have the appropriate set of tools, then you can do the installation of the rack ceiling yourself.
Design features
If you decide to install a slatted ceiling in the bathroom with your own hands, you must first familiarize yourself with the design of such a system. It is a kind of suspended ceilings and can consist of panels based on:
- steel;
- plastic;
- aluminum.
Included is a system for fixing rails on the wall. Products can have a thickness of up to 0.7 mm, whilewidth varies from 50 to 300 mm. The maximum length is 6 m. It is noteworthy that slatted ceilings are quite often made to order according to individual sizes, in this case the length can be selected to the nearest millimeter.
Suspended rack ceiling in the bathroom is installed at the very last turn, after finishing the surfaces. This also applies to the draft base of the ceiling, which must be plastered.
Additional information about preparing material
Before you go to the store for the material, you should measure the parameters of the room and decide what kind of lighting will be in the room. If there are several spotlights, then you need to decide on their type. This will allow you to understand to what height you need to lower the suspended ceiling. This value should be 20 mm greater than the height of the light source.
The slatted ceiling for the bathroom is equipped with products that are selected in length. Manufacturers offer panels for sale at 3 and 4 m. If the width of the room is 1.5 m, then it is better to purchase three-meter rails, which are divided in half during installation, which allows you to get the required width. The waste will be minimal. When buying a ceiling rail, you must increase the amount of material by 10%. Another important point is the number of corners in the room. If there are more than 5, then you should purchase an additional carrier bar.
Choosing the type of rails
Before you buy a ceiling rack covering, you should understand its varieties. It can have a glossy or matte finish. Sometimes the slats are perforated. If you want to make the room unusual, you can choose slats that imitate wood, leather or other natural materials.
The shape of products can be rectangular or rounded. The colors of the ceilings are offered in many types, so you can choose a shade for the interior. During installation, the structure can be positioned along or across, a rather interesting solution is diagonal installation. This allows you to visually adjust the size of the room.
Ceiling structures of the described type may have intermediate joints. If they are open, then the width of the gap will be approximately 1.5 cm. In this case, the installation is completed by fixing the decorative profile to the gaps. If the joint is closed, then the slats will go behind each other. Another variety is a joint without slots, in which case the products are mounted closely.
So what material to choose
Many buyers, once in a building materials store, are at a loss when deciding which material to choose for rails. Aluminum products are moisture resistant and perfectly tolerate temperature changes. They hardly corrode. Aluminum panels successfully combine the properties of picky plastic and durable metal. This system is most popular in the arrangement of the bathroom.
As for the restceilings, they can usually be found in warehouse conditions. Steel is good in that it provides sound insulation and acts as an excellent reflector. But this material is susceptible to corrosion, so it can only be used in dry rooms.
Universal finishes are plastic panels, which are widely used. They can be installed not only in the bathroom, but also in the warehouse, as well as in commercial premises. Such systems do not perceive dampness and do not require additional care.
Mounting features: instructions
If you want to install a rack ceiling in the bathroom with your own hands, you should know that such a system consists of a universal carrier rail, which is also called a comb, traverse or stringer. Comes with corner profile and adjustable hanger.
The tire is a bar made of galvanized steel, which is supplied with grooves. Rails are mounted there and fastened by snapping. The suspension consists of a rod and a bracket. The latter is attached to the rail, while the rod is fixed to the main ceiling.
The distance to the suspension system usually varies from 5 to 12 cm. You can determine this parameter yourself, and it will depend on the availability of communications. Installing a slatted ceiling in a bathroom requires the following tools to be prepared:
- drills;
- perforator;
- building level;
- scissors onmetal;
- rulers and tape measures;
- self-tapping screws;
- sharp knife;
- dowel marker.
Installation of rails and hangers
To install guides that will be located around the perimeter of the room, you need to mark the places with a marker. Using the building level, the mark is transferred around the perimeter of the room. You can then prepare the corner profile by cutting it to size. The standard length of this element is 3 m.
When cutting, use metal shears. A guide profile is applied to the wall, which should be in the place where you previously marked the line. Counter holes are drilled through the holes in the element in the wall. A screw with dowels is screwed into them.
The profile is fixed in increments of 60 cm. Its evenness is checked by a level. At the inner corners, the profile is fastened end-to-end, while at the outer corners - at an angle of 45 ˚. Having examined the photo of the slatted ceilings in the bathrooms, you can understand which version of the suspension system is right for you. After choosing a design, you can proceed to installation work. They are carried out according to a certain algorithm.
At the next stage, suspensions are installed. Tire attachment points are marked with a tape measure. Stepping back from the wall about 40 cm, you must put the first mark. The next one will be located after 100 cm. The suspensions are fastened with screws with dowels. Pre-drill holes for them with a drill. The position of the plumb lines is checked bylevel.
Installation of load-bearing rails and the ceiling itself
After looking at the photo of the slatted ceiling in the bathrooms, you can understand how to carry out the work. At their next stage, you can do the fastening of the load-bearing tires. A distance of 1.2 m should be provided between the traverses. The tires will be perpendicular to the rails. The places of their attachment are on the same level with the profile, which is attached around the perimeter. The tires are screwed to the hangers with a screwdriver. At this stage, it is important to eliminate any errors in order to end up with an even design. The appearance of the ceiling will depend on this.
With a small distance, the tire is mounted on the base ceiling, and not on suspensions. A distance of 1 cm is left between the tire and the profile. If the tire is shorter, it should be extended. To do this, the suspension is attached at the beginning of the next traverse. The second will be screwed end-to-end with the first.
The slatted ceiling in the bathroom not only looks spectacular, but is also ready to serve for a very long time after installation is completed. During the installation of the suspension system, it is necessary to free the rails from the protective film and cut them to fit the room. To do this, measure the distance between opposite walls and subtract about 0.5 cm from this value. The resulting figure is measured on rails. They are inserted into the guides and snapped lengthwise onto the clamps of the traverse.
If necessary, the height of the tires can be adjusted by changing the screwing depth of the screws. This recommendation is correct if the tire is fixed to the ceiling. Before you install a rack ceiling in the bathroom with your own hands, you should find out that the last rail in width may not fit. In this case, it is cut off. The required distance is marked along the entire length of the panel. With a knife and a ruler, you can draw a straight line. The product must be unbent and bent until it breaks.
If the length is quite impressive, then it is better to make transverse cuts, and then break off the individual parts. The cut product is installed and fixed with wooden spacers. Profile pieces are an alternative solution for this.
Installation of a slatted ceiling in the bathroom involves the installation of skirting boards. These decorative elements are able to give a neat finished look to the structure, hiding the gaps between the walls and the suspension system. If the walls are uneven, then you should purchase a wide plinth, which will make the structure more even visually.
Price and description of rack ceiling kit
By purchasing a slatted bathroom ceiling kit, you free yourself from the need to look for accessories and consumables. An aluminum suspension system with a matte surface costs 1,170 rubles. per square meter. The final cost will depend on the size of the room.
In order to eliminate waste, the manufacturer offers a kit for individual sizes. You receive upon delivery:
- rail;
- insert;
- stringer;
- wall profile.
The width of the rail will be 84 mm. It has rounded edges. Inserthas a width of 16 mm. It was developed by Italian designers. The kit also comes with a stringer, or comb, which is an element for inserting the rail during installation.
If you look at the photo of the rack ceiling in the bathroom, you can understand that the system is installed using the starting U-shaped profile, which is also called wall. It also comes with the kit. The whole structure is completely ready for installation after purchase.
Lights for suspension system: installation recommendations
A lot depends on which lamp will be installed in the ceiling. Different devices differ in the shade of light, as well as in size and power consumption. Ceilings are set to the height of the luminaire, but about 1 cm must be added to this value.
Lamps for slatted ceilings in the bathroom should be installed taking into account that the room has enough light. This recommendation is especially true for spot lighting. For every two square meters, one lamp will need to be installed.
Point devices should not be located randomly, but according to the principle of composition or functional convenience. In the latter case, it is important to consider which zone should be made lighter. When installing a slatted ceiling in the bathroom, you must emphasize another important plus of this system, which is that the material is not afraid of exposure to high temperatures. This indicates the possibility of using the most powerful lamps, with which you can create a bright atmosphere in the room. It is important to follow the uniform distribution of light.
Why Choose LED Downlights
LED lamps are durable and low operating temperature. Fluorescent lamps cannot boast of this. The LED light will not heat up the structure if it is made of plastic, making it easier to use.
The light of such a device is similar to natural. However, the spectrum of the diode is large. When installing equipment in a ceiling system, LEDs with daylight are more often used. When choosing a model, it is important to take into account the service life, but it is better to trust expensive devices, as they will pay for their cost with a long service life. Installing a slatted bathroom ceiling, you can not be afraid that the LED lighting will be exposed to moisture, because it is resistant to water.
Features of making holes for light sources
The issue of making holes for light sources can make not only a novice master, but also an experienced builder worry. The main thing is to do the work carefully. You can mark the circle with a caliper by measuring the diameter. However, you can make a template by applying it to the required place. This solution is more convenient.
To cut a hole with scissors, you need to drill a hole in the center of the marked circle. Otherwise, the rail may be deformed when it is pierced. The whole circle is cut into thin slices, and then each part is broken off from the circle. To do this, it must be swung from side toside. As a result, it will be possible to obtain even holes for installing the lamp.
Algorithm for mounting an LED device in a rack ceiling
Before you install the fixtures, you should consider where they will be located. Fasteners are carried out on the base surface, while holes are made in the suspension system. The choice in the direction of LEDs is due to the fact that they are durable, bright and of high quality.
These devices do not take up much space, so you can fit them even in a cramped space. Before installing a slatted bathroom ceiling, you must run the cables and lay them in the corrugation. Instead of the latter, you can use other insulation, which is fixed on the rough surface. Holes are made in the rivers for appliances, and then the ceiling is installed in accordance with the location of the lamps. After making sure that the fixtures are in place of the holes, you need to add thermal rings to the last ones and install the necessary devices.
Lighting fixtures IP54
Slatted bathroom ceiling can be equipped with IP54 lighting fixtures, which are high-end fixtures. Each number in the marking has its own meaning. If we consider the advantages of such lamps, we can distinguish: efficiency, protection against dust, moisture and splashes, ease of installation, the ability to undergo voltage surges.
In closing
When you visit the building materials market, you will be able to understand that cladding is offered in a wide variety. However, for the bathroomrooms, it is necessary to select such a material that will endure the negative effects of moisture and temperature changes. One such solution is suspended ceiling systems made of slats.
