Which solution comes to mind first, if you need to update the ceiling quickly, as inexpensively as possible, and preferably with your own hands? Of course, glue the ceiling tile.
What to buy?
Produce a ceiling tile made of expanded polystyrene, leaving it white or painting( completely or partially), applying a vinyl film with a pattern of marble or wood. The surface of the elements is smooth, with a small implicit pattern or a large imitation of stucco, so this option may well become an alternative to a modular ceiling. Everyone chooses the color and texture, of course, to their own taste and in accordance with their interior, but a number of recommendations should be taken into consideration.
- If the coating will be glued to a flat ceiling, for example concrete, then you can choose a seamless tile. It will give the ceiling only a light texture, with its help you can even simulate a smooth painted ceiling.
- For a ceiling with roughnesses, differences it is better to stop on a thicker tile with a relief pattern. He will hide the defects that can not be removed.
- Psychologists advise that the ceiling in the room should be lighter than the walls, then it is comfortable in it. If you absolutely want to use the tiles for dark marble, it is better to combine small areas with a lighter finish material. An exception can only be made for a picture under a tree, such a "wooden" ceiling looks good with matte light walls.
When buying material repel the size of the ceiling. Since this is an inexpensive material, you can simply divide the ceiling area by the number of tiles and add 10-15%.With the most common tile size 50 * 50 cm, the area of one element will be 0.25 sq.m. For more accurate counting, you can use the same method as for counting ceramic tiles for the bathroom. Before buying, all the details have to be checked for broken corners and dents. If the angle is broken off during transportation, do not throw away the tile, it may be useful to you for those sections of the ceiling where the material will have to be cut off. Together with the tiles, you should immediately buy a ceiling skirting board, so you can choose the most suitable for the style.
In addition to the material itself, glue is required. You can use several options.
- Liquid nails are the most durable option.
- Universal adhesive for expanded polystyrene Titanium or Dragon. They have a more "liquid" consistency and are consumed more economically. After applying this glue on the tile gently wait a little until it gently grasps. This glue will need 1-1.5 liters per room area of 10 sq.m.
- Clay Moment "Decokil" or "Econ Polymer" - not the most economical option, but reliable and safe.
In addition to the materials, you will need tools:
- tape measure, and a good simple pencil for marking the ceiling, also a corner piece,
- sharp clerical or construction knife for cutting,
- metal ruler 50 cm( or something replacing it), which will be cuttile,
- flat brush for glue.
How to prepare a ceiling?
Before finishing, the ceiling must be prepared, only so the tile will hold firmly for many years. Ceiling tiles will be perfectly glued to concrete and painted ceiling paint with water-based paint, it only needs to be thoroughly disassembled from dust. Old wallpaper can be left if they do not go anywhere, if they have already started to lag - you need to remove them. The most difficult thing is to glue the elements to the lime whitewash. Such a coating is better to clean, but if this is not possible, then the ceiling must be treated with a primer of deep penetration( in principle, the primer will not be superfluous for any coating).Glue the elements only after the primer has dried completely.
Then on the prepared ceiling it is necessary to put a marking. Doing this is necessary, since without guides, it is very difficult to glue the tile. There are several ways of layout:
1. From the chandelier - it is applied if it is suspended. In this case, the glue is started from the lighting fixture so that it is at the junction of 4 tiles, in which the corners are cut. From the chandelier draw lines perpendicular to the walls, along them and stack the first rows.
2. From the opposite wall of the - so it will take less to prune the tile and look like the ceiling will be better. This method can be used if the chandelier can be removed or it does not yet hang.
from the center - the first tile is located strictly in the center of the ceiling. This method is considered the most professional, but also costly - there will be a lot of waste left. It can be used in the same cases as the previous one. To mark the ceiling for this layout, you need to find the center. You can do this by pulling two strands diagonally, their intersection and will be the center of the ceiling. From this point to the sides of the walls lay a distance equal to half the tile and draw lines parallel to the walls. The square in the center is the place for the first element, and the first rows are laid out along the lines.
3. Using the chessboard or the , the tiles are offset from each other by half or less.
diagonally is an unusual way when the sides of the tile are not parallel to the walls. The easiest way is to mark the ceiling for it by finding the middle of the walls using a tape measure and connecting the opposite walls with lines. The intersection point is the center of the ceiling. The first tile is glued in this place so that its corners fall exactly on the line, then straight lines are drawn from it, along which the remaining elements are fastened.
Adhesive tiles correctly
Adhesive is applied to the tile itself."Moment", "Titan" and the like, it is enough to apply "envelope" - along the perimeter and diagonals, liquid nails - dotted around the perimeter of the tile in 1-2 cm increments and inside every 5-6 cm. Then it is set aside for 3-4minutes, so that the glue stiffens a little and presses for 10-15 seconds to the ceiling. It is convenient to first apply glue to 5-6 tiles, and then glue them.
Too much pressure is not necessary, because the surface may remain traces. The adhesive is immediately wiped, since after drying it is very difficult to clean it. Work better in knitted gloves: on the tile there will be no stains and greasy marks from the hands, which can interfere with subsequent staining.
Begins from a chandelier or from a central tile if this type of layout is selected. Glue the central rows, and then fill the ceiling towards the walls. If you choose a layout along the wall, then start gluing from the opposite corner from the entrance. When gluing each subsequent tile, make sure that its sides form straight lines with the sides of the previous one. Also pay attention to the drawing and the orientation of the element. Initially, glue the whole tiles, cropped rows and corners are left at the end.
To trim the tile, it is necessary to mark on it the required length on the reverse side, and then, applying a metal ruler on top, with a knife cut off. A hole for a chandelier or a wire is best cut with a circular pattern( glass, etc.)
It is best to frame the ceiling with a plinth made of expanded polystyrene, the montage of which was written here. He will hide the defects resulting from cutting the tiles, and give the ceiling a complete look.
