Stretch ceiling chandelier, how to choose?

It is believed that for stretch ceilings special fixtures are required, since the specific features of the tension structures do not allow the use of traditional chandeliers. In reality, this is not so. Lighting devices for this type of ceiling must meet certain requirements related to the design, type and power of the lamps, as well as the method of mounting, but there are no strict restrictions. We will figure out how to choose a chandelier for a stretch ceiling that does not harm the new ceiling and gives the interior of the room a complete look.

Requirements for luminaires for a stretch ceiling

PVC film or synthetic fabric, which form the basis of a stretch ceiling, are quite delicate materials. They are united by instability to the effects of high temperatures: a PVC sheet when heated to 70-80 degrees begins deform, yellow or black may appear on the polyester web due to improperly selected lighting spots. In this regard, when choosing fixtures, several requirements must be taken into account.

1. To protect the ceiling from strong heat, it is better to choose a chandelier, which will be located at some distance from the canvas. If the lamp shades are directed downward, the distance between them and the ceiling should be at least 20 cm, if the horns look up, it increases to 40 cm. The distance will also depend on which lamps are used in the device.
2. An overhead plate-type chandelier should be equipped with a special protective plate at the base that prevents heating of the ceiling. Lamps located close to the ceiling should be made of materials that do not heat up from light bulbs.
3. Slippers should have little power and should be placed in closed shades. The power of incandescent lamps should be no more than 60 watts with a vertical arrangement of the lamp and 40 watts with a horizontal one. The power of halogen lamps should not exceed 35 watts. There are no special restrictions for low-heat energy-saving or LED bulbs.
4. To avoid damage to the coating, it is not recommended to use lamps with open lamps directed to the ceiling.

Features of mounting the chandelier

Since the stretch ceiling is a decorative canvas stretched at a small distance from the ceiling, the lighting fixture cannot be attached directly to it. The luminaires are attached to the old ceiling, so the weight of the lighting device, the type of mounting and the nuances of the connection do not have much significance.

Important! The most significant feature of the installation of the chandelier is the need to prepare the mount for it before installing the stretch ceiling.

Preparation for installing the chandelier will be as follows:

• after planning the lighting scheme on the old ceiling, markings are made;
• preparing wiring and equipment;
• fasteners are installed in place of the future chandelier;

Specialists who will be engaged installation of a stretch ceilingwill leave in the desired place a hole reinforced with PVC tape or rim, which will prevent the web from breaking.

Important! Due to the fact that the fixture must be installed before the installation of the false ceiling, you must choose the type of chandelier in advance.

Pendant chandelier mount

Most classic chandeliers have a pendant mount. When choosing such a lamp, before installing the stretch ceiling, you need to fix a strong metal ring or hook on the ceiling. When installing it, consider one small but important nuance:

• if the future chandelier has a fastening pin of exclusively functional value, the fastening element can be located at the very base;
• in the event that the hairpin plays the role of an important decorative element, the fixing hook may be lowered a little lower.

Consignment note

Since the laid-on chandelier must be positioned close to the stretched canvas, a special mounting plate must be prepared before installing the stretch ceiling. It should be fixed at the required level, taking into account the distance from the main ceiling to the stretch. To do this, you can put a wooden block under the bar, the thickness of which will be 5-10 mm less than the distance between the ceiling surfaces.

Tip: mounting plates for large and heavy overhead lights require significant openings in the tightened canvas, which may adversely affect its appearance and quality, so their use, although possible, but undesirable.

The shape and size of the chandelier

Depending on the plane in which the chandelier is located, it can be horizontal and vertical. For rooms with low ceilings or ceilings of average height not exceeding 3 meters, a horizontal chandelier with a diameter of within 1 meter is suitable. It can be a multi-track lamp or a design with a modern design that has a uniform distributed light sources far enough from the center for high-quality lighting of the entire area rooms.

For a hall with a high ceiling, it is better to choose a vertical chandelier having a diameter of 30 to 50 cm and a height of about a meter. A hanging lamp is much better than a horizontal one, it will illuminate the space of such a room.

To illuminate a large hall, the area of ​​which exceeds 20 square meters. m., the light of one chandelier will not be enough. In an elongated room, you can install two chandeliers, in a room having a shape close to a square, the main lamp will have to be supplemented with spotlights.

Lamps for different types of stretch ceiling

Gloss

The main feature of the glossy surface is its excellent reflectivity. What lamps are able to emphasize this feature by exposing it in a good light? A hemisphere chandelier, a two-tier or cone-shaped design in combination with its own reflection will create the feeling of a complete finished object.

Lamps look good on such a surface with an abundance of elements interwoven in the horizontal plane: flowers, branches, threads, geometric shapes.

A traditional crystal chandelier is perfect for lighting a hall with a glossy ceiling. The light reflected in the glossy surface will make the crystal faces beautifully sparkle with glare and color splashes.

A design with horns pointing vertically upwards or with very bright bulbs, reflected in the canvas will create too bright and glare eyes, so such designs should be to avoid.

Tip: since the reflection of the upper part of the chandelier is clearly visible in a glossy canvas, it should have an aesthetic appearance and not contain protruding wires.

Matte ceiling

Since the texture of the matte stretch ceiling has much in common with a traditional ceiling surface, you can choose a chandelier of almost any kind. Such a surface perfectly combines complex fixtures with several levels, minimalistic designs, and fixtures with upward-facing shades.

The matte surface absorbs and scatters bright streams of light, transforming them into soft and uniform lighting.

Tip: for sufficient room illumination, the power and number of lamps for a matte ceiling should be greater than for a glossy surface.

Fabric surface

For a fabric ceiling, picking a chandelier is quite difficult. Here it is necessary to achieve not only good illumination, but also a harmonious combination with the color and pattern of the canvas. Recommendations for choosing the brightness of the lamps are the same as for a matte surface.

Layered Designs

Multilevel tension structures can be combined with different lighting options, complementing a central chandelier with perimeter lighting or spotlights located on another ceiling level.

Lamps for lighting fixture

What bulbs are suitable for fixtures that are used in combination with stretch ceilings? A lighting device with conventional incandescent lamps does not fit well with a stretch fabric due to the high level of heat generation and low light output. Such a chandelier will have to be placed at least 25 cm from the surface, which is not the best option for an apartment with a standard ceiling height. Halogen lamps are heated even more, but have one advantage over incandescent lamps - the creation of lighting that is close to natural.

The optimal solution for tensile structures would be LED or energy-saving lamps with high efficiency and low heat dissipation.