Which ceiling is better, stretch or plasterboard: which is cheaper

Stylish, comfortable interior is not only high-quality furniture, carefully selected decor, but also high-quality, functional, modern finish on all surfaces. High demands are placed on it in terms of reliability, safety for residents of the apartment, durability and attractiveness of appearance. That is why the debate about which ceiling is better - stretch or plasterboard, do not subside.

What to choose, a plasterboard or suspended ceiling, because in popularity they are not inferior to each other? These types of ceiling coatings have high strength, sound insulation, durable, and allow you to create extraordinary, multi-level composition. You can find the right solution for each particular room only by carefully weighing the advantages, disadvantages and installation features of both.

Design features of stretch and drywall ceiling

Before proceeding to a detailed comparative analysis, we suggest sorting out some of the design features of these types of finishes.

Stretch ceilings are a special canvas, stretched between mounting skirtings located around the perimeter of the room.

Currently, the following materials are used as material for the stretch fabric:

• PVC film
• fabric impregnated with polyurethane.

The final cost of finishing the ceiling largely depends on which material is chosen.

The basis of the suspended ceiling structure is a metal profile frame, rigidly fixed to the walls and ceiling of the room. Drywall sheets fixed from the bottom of it, and already they put the finish layer of finish.

Let's try to compare the suspended and suspended ceilings by key parameters.

Ease of work

Without the availability of special equipment, you will not be able to mount the stretch ceiling. But even with a heat gun, the installation is quite complicated and will require great accuracy and certain skills.

Run installation of drywall construction quite possibly on their own using the simplest tools. However, it is better to invite an assistant for work, since wide sheets of drywall are difficult to lift to the ceiling, they can break.

The need to vacate the premises

At installation of a tension cloth the amount of dust and construction debris is minimum. Only objects that poorly tolerate heat will have to be taken out of the room.

Before installing the plasterboard ceiling, the removal of furniture can not be avoided.

Speed ​​of work

The simplest single-level suspended ceilings are mounted in just 4 hours.

The installation of drywall ceilings usually takes 2-4 days, depending on the characteristics of a particular room and the complexity of the design.

Loss of height

When fixing a baguette for installation of a ceiling covering, about 3-5 cm are lost. This value may be larger depending on the presence of communications passing under the canvas and lighting features.

It is unlikely that it will be possible to make the distance between the drywall and the base ceiling less than 10 cm. Consider this fact during installation in rooms with low ceilings.

Built-in backlight

Built-in lights and wiring to them in both types of finishes are mounted without problems. For point light sources intended for stretch ceilings, there is a huge range of thermal rings, plates, glasses, making this process absolutely safe.

Care

PVC cloth requires minimal maintenance: dry cleaning every few months and wet once every six months.

Drywall ceiling will need to periodically "refresh".

Resistance to mechanical stress

PVC film is prone to punctures with sharp or hard objects, children’s toys, furniture corners during rearrangements, etc. can harm it. Sealing the puncture site reduces visual appeal and nullifies the effect of water resistance.

Damaging the suspension structure is much more difficult, but throwing heavy objects into the ceiling is still not worth it.

Fire resistance

Both coatings show good results. They are not flammable, but will be damaged during a fire.

Bay Resistance

Stretch ceilings made of PVC film can hold up to 100 liters of fluid per 1 m2. You just have to wait for the master to drain it and restore the original appearance of the ceiling.

Flooding can have fatal consequences for drywall.

Lifetime

With proper use, manufacturers of PVC films claim that it will serve faithfully until a quarter century.

A 10 year warranty is given on plasterboard ceilings, but it will be necessary to update their finish before.

Design

Stretch ceiling can have almost any color. They can be matte, glossy, velvet, pastel or bright, decorated with ornaments or photo printing.

Suspended structures can also be designed as you wish, thanks to wallpaper, paint or the use of ceiling tiles. However, creating the effect of a mirror surface still does not work.

GKL and stretch fabric provide completely different design possibilities

Price

Which is cheaper, suspended or suspended ceiling?

Installation of suspended structures will cost you around $ 20-35 per 1 m2, depending on the skill and ambitions of the installers, as well as your location.

The spread in prices for suspended ceilings is somewhat wider, from 10 to 100 dollars. It all depends on the texture, type and color of the material, its manufacturer and the prices of the installer team. The canvas with photo printing will cost several times more expensive than monophonic.

What ceiling to choose anyway?

The decision about which is better, stretch sheets or drywall, can be made only by carefully reading all advantages and disadvantages of both types of structures and considering how each of them is essential for a particular renovated apartment.

Stretch ceiling is the best choice in the following cases:

• the room is small in height;
• indoors is likely to flood;
• the ceiling needs to be done quickly;
• the design is planned to operate for a long time;
• there are no restrictions on funds;
• repair is carried out in an apartment in a new building.

Important! Plasterboard ceilings are strictly not recommended for installation in new buildings. The building will inevitably shrink, resulting in cracks on the surface.

Drywall is the best fit if:

• installation will be done by yourself;
• access to the space behind the ceiling is required.

With a limited budget for ceiling surface finishing, it is also more rational to choose a drywall design. And you can add a painting or a thematic drawing to it, repaint it in any soul-pleasing color later.

Combined Options

You can implement the most interesting design ideas and achieve amazing results using combined structures, where drywall and stretch fabric are combined on the ceiling in the following variations:

• Gypsum plasterboard with illumination along the perimeter of the ceiling + suspended ceiling inside the plasterboard frame.
• A wide plasterboard box in the shape of a circle or an oval + a stretch fabric in the middle.
• Plasterboard circle in the center of the ceiling + stretch fabric over the entire surface.
• Plasterboard constructions of complex sinuous shape (ovals, sinusoids, winding paths) + stretched canvas between them.

To realize all these options, and especially the last one, is quite difficult and not cheap: only real professionals can do such work.