Decorating the ceiling with MDF panels

Due to their excellent operational and decorative qualities, MDF panels are increasingly used in the decoration of apartments, they are sheathed walls in residential premises and even on the balcony. If you are tired of standard solutions for the ceiling and you want to update the situation with minimal labor, you should pay attention to the ceiling made of MDF panels. This is an interesting, inexpensive and durable option for any room. To finish the ceiling surface with such material, it makes no sense to turn to professionals: all the work can be done easily and quickly with your own hands.

Pros and cons of using MDF panels for ceiling decoration

To achieve a good result, when choosing any material for decoration, it is necessary to take into account its strengths and weaknesses.

Material Advantages:

• Environmental friendliness. MDF panels are made of wood chips, which are pressed in a hot way. Phenol or toxic resins are not used for bonding, therefore the material does not emit harmful substances during operation.
• Panels can be used in rooms for various purposes: office, industrial, residential.
• Large selection of colors and textures. You can choose a material that imitates wood or natural stone.
• Easy maintenance: wipe the ceiling periodically with a damp cloth.
• Easy to install, repair and replace, all work can be done by yourself.
• Durability.

The disadvantages include the following features of MDF:

• Like all wood-shaving materials, it is afraid of direct ingress of water and steam, it can swell from dampness and deform.
• When washing, do not use household chemicals, this can lead to surface damage.
• Combustible material. Panels can easily light up when carelessly handling fire. For the same reason, all wiring must be carefully insulated.

Varieties of MDF panels

There are 3 types of MDF panels:

• veneered;
• laminated;
• uncoated, intended for painting.

In the first case, natural veneer of valuable species of wood is used to design the outside. In the second - PVC film, which can have any color and pattern, imitate wood, decorative rock. Laminated material is more resistant to chemical attack and moisture. Quality veneers are difficult to damage mechanically. The third type allows you to change the interior due to repainting the ceiling.

Panels vary in size: length and width. The standard is the size of 3000 x 250 mm, however, wider options can also be found on sale.

Necessary materials and tools

Before installing the ceiling from MDF, all the tools must be prepared before work is carried out, the necessary amount of materials, fasteners and additional elements must be purchased.

Instruments:

1. Pencil.
2. Level.
3. Screwdriver or screwdriver.
4. For concrete walls - punch.
5. Jigsaw or hacksaw for wood.
6. Roulette.
7. Scissors for metal.

Materials:

1. Guiding and ceiling profiles.
2. Suspensions.
3. Kleimers.
4. Self-tapping screws.
5. Dowels.
6. Ceiling baseboard.
7. Connector
8. MDF panels.

Attention! Suspensions are necessary not only for greater rigidity of the crate: they will not allow the panels to sag over time.

Frame manufacturing

Installation of MDF panels begins with the assembly of the frame. It is made of metal profiles.

• Perimeter marking. Indent about 5 cm from the ceiling and draw lines along the walls. Thus, the perimeter will be drawn. A start profile will be attached to it. Use the level to check the horizontalness of the drawn line.

It is very convenient to use a beating cord for marking.

• The starting profile with self-tapping screws (for wooden walls) or dowels (for brick and concrete) is attached every 40-50 cm around the perimeter of the room.
• A ceiling profile is inserted into the guides. The step frequency is from 40 to 60 cm.
• Then the installation of ceiling suspensions is carried out. A profile will be screwed to them. The distance between them along the length should be about 70 cm.

Advice! If the suspension is too long, the protruding parts can be bent up or trimmed with special scissors for metal.

• The profile is attached to suspensions from 2 sides. For this, metal screws are used. Especially convenient will be those in which the tip is specially pointed.
• Then proceed to fixation of the next transverse profile. Between them they are aligned in level.

In some cases, metal profiles can be replaced with wooden blocks. However, they should not be used in damp rooms, because they are prone to decay and deformation. Many people prefer wood in dry rooms, because it is easier to work with, and all operations can be easily done with your own hands.

Panel Mounting

When the frame is assembled, panels can be attached to it. And this stage can also be done with your own hands, since all actions are elementary.

• If the panels are too long, they need to be trimmed. This is most conveniently done with a jigsaw. You need to use a canvas that does not break the edges.
• The first panel is inserted into the guide profile. It can be fixed using self-tapping screws or kleimers. Fixation is made every 20–25 cm.
• Then insert the second panel and connect it to the first. Installation is carried out according to the tongue-and-groove technology. T. e. the spike of the 2nd panel is inserted into the groove of the 1st.

• The second MDF panel is attached to the ceiling profiles. It is possible to drill accurately, however, there is a high risk of cracking of chipboard material. It is safer to use a kleimer for installation. The plate is mounted on the panel, and nails can be driven into cuts or screws can be screwed in.
• Slots for the fixtures must be done in place, i.e. insert the panel, mark the location of the lamps, remove it and make holes. This procedure is most conveniently carried out using a special nozzle on a screwdriver - crowns. Then set fixtures and fix the panels to the ceiling.

• The last panel, most likely, will have to be cut in width. This is also done locally.
• When the entire ceiling is assembled, install the baseboard. It is necessary to give a finished look to the decoration of the room. You can also hide fasteners under it.

The paneled ceiling has been completed. No further installation steps are required. All steps can be done with your own hands. Such a ceiling can look very impressive, especially if MDF panels with veneer or PVC film are used that imitate expensive types of wood.