Stretch ceilings in the bathroom pros and cons

Nowadays, more and more innovative materials are emerging every year that can transform the interior of the house. The developers try to make them not only aesthetically attractive, but also as simple to install, convenient for daily maintenance.

Stretch ceilings in the bathroom, the pros and cons of which have become particularly debated when this type of finishes appear, deserve special attention if it is decided to install them during repairs. This kind of decoration of the room is becoming more popular, as it is able to make the ceiling surface perfectly smooth and smooth without any significant efforts - this is one of the numerous advantages of such a unique design. However, not all stretch ceilings have the same qualities, and in order not to be mistaken in the choice, it is necessary to know what materials they are made from, and how they differ from each other.

Types of stretch ceilings according to

The basic design of any stretch ceiling consists of a fabric and a special frame, onwhich stretches the material.

Modern stretch ceilings are made of two types of material - a polyvinylchloride film( PVC) and a special fabric that has undergone a certain impregnation. The materials are fundamentally different in terms of physical qualities and performance characteristics, so when choosing the finishes for this factor, you need to pay special attention.

Fabric stretch ceilings

Fabric stretch ceilings appeared relatively recently, much later than film ceilings. They have become widely used due to the fact that special polyurethane impregnations have been developed for polyester fabric, which can make this material more durable and resistant to many external influences, including mechanical ones.

As a rule, fabric stretch ceilings are made seamless, that is, they consist of a single solid cloth. However, it is possible to order a prefabricated variant.

Taped fabric fabrics will cost much more than those made up of a single canvas. This is understandable, since work on them takes more time and effort of the master. Usually, these options are carried out under the individual order.

Fabric fabrics have a number of positive and negative characteristics.

The has the following qualities for :

• Fabric - much more "warm" and familiar for the interiors of the house material. It is much more harmoniously fits into the interior design and creates a comfortable microclimate in the room. The compounds used in impregnating the tissues are completely harmless to human health.
• Fabric ceilings are "breathable", which allows air to circulate freely in the interstitial space, which means that the possibility of condensate and mold spots over them decreases. This feature significantly increases the service life of the finishing material.

• Fabric ceilings, in contrast to film ceilings, tolerate negative temperatures. Under the influence of frost, the fabric does not crack or shrink, so it can be used to decorate unheated rooms, such as balconies or verandas.
• This type of cloth is strong enough - it is quite difficult to accidentally damage it with a sharp object, unlike PVC ceilings.
• Fabric fabrics can be installed independently, as their installation does not require additional equipment.
• A similar type of stretch ceilings can be painted. Moreover, this process can be repeated up to five times, which makes it possible to change the color solution if necessary or to update the interior - to "fit" it to the general style of decorating the room.
• The material is produced by rolls, the width of which can reach five meters, which allows you to cover a very large area with one cloth.

There are some defects in this type of and its limitations , which limit its use in certain rooms:

• Despite the impregnation of the material, its micropores are clogged with dust over time, therefore the ceiling requires periodic cleaning.
• Fabrics tend to absorb odors and vapors, therefore it is not recommended to install ceilings in kitchens or bathrooms.
• Fabric cloths are not able to hold water in case of an emergency - flooding the apartment with the upper neighbors.
• Stretch ceiling made of fabric, unlike PVC film, can only be matte.
• In case of accidental damage to the web or its deformation, re-installation is not possible, because the material can not be repaired.
• The prices for fabric types of ceiling are much higher than for film cloths.

PVC film

For sale, the ceilings produced by their PVC films come in rolls having a width of 1400 to 5600 mm. Such linear parameters are enough to decorate the ceiling surface of even a very large living room.

The film itself has a very small thickness - on average, it is about 0.22 mm. However, despite this, the material is very durable and elastic, which allows it to withstand a load of up to 100 kg per 1 m².

It should be noted that the wider the whole fabric is purchased, the more expensive it will be. If the stretch ceiling will be glued together from several smaller canvases, the price will be much lower.

PVC film has its advantages and disadvantages, but the positive side of this material is much more than negative.

The following qualities of this material can be attributed to to the :

• A wide range of tone performance and a wide variety of drawings and images. This allows you to not only align the ceiling surface with a cloth, but also decorate it. Film stretch ceiling can be easily selected for any design of the room.
• Possibility to order reproduction on a film of any chosen drawing which is put on a cloth by means of a photopress. However, it should be borne in mind that this option will cost a lot and cost about 100-150 USDfor 1 square.meter.

• The ceiling can have different surfaces - glossy, matte or satin. According to the structural pattern, the canvas is divided into imitation of plaster, painted ceiling, ideal gloss or interlacing of threads.
• PVC film is capable of detaining a large amount of water in emergency situations, for example, when the apartment is flooded by the upper neighbors. This quality of the material will help to protect the interior from spoilage, as the water collected in the film can be pumped out, then dry the surfaces and re-stretch the canvas. Thus, not a single drop will fall on the furniture and decorative floor coverings. This "rehabilitation" process is usually carried out by the master of the same firm that installed the stretch ceiling.

• Despite the water resistance of the material, its surface does not start a fungus.
• Qualitatively produced installation will make the stretch ceilings sufficiently durable - they will last for no less than 15 years, which will allow for this time to forget about the repair work and the crumbling, poorly applied plaster.
• Material, with careful handling, does not require special care - it is enough to periodically clean with a damp sponge.
• Before installation of a tension cloth it is not necessary to spend labor-consuming process of leveling of a surface as the capital ceiling will be completely hidden.
• PVC ceilings are absolutely safe for human health and do not emit toxic substances and unpleasant odors during operation. During installation, the canvas can produce a special smell, but it will necessarily erode, approximately 20 ÷ 24 hours after the end of the work.
• Stretch ceilings are not only easy to install, but also easy to dismantle, and can be used again - for example, for installation in another room, if the canvas is suitable for size.

For , the drawbacks of PVC film ceiling include the following:

• Stretch ceilings of this type can not be installed in unheated rooms, as they can not withstand temperatures below five degrees. If this situation occurs, the film may lose its elasticity and begin to crack.
• The high price of seamless film often causes for reasons of economy to choose a narrow cloth, from which, with the help of special equipment, a single piece is glued together. Depending on the quality of the gluing, the seams can be neat, but it happens that they stand out strongly, immediately striking the eye. If the textured surface of the canvas is chosen, the seam on it will be almost invisible.

• can be seen at the junction point. However, in some cases the gluing technology turns out to be a positive quality of the material, since two or more canvases of different colors can be joined in this way.

• To install the tension structure from the PVC film requires not only knowledge, but also special equipment. Without experience in this area, you should not undertake self-assembly, because you can easily damage valuable material /

Video: Compare fabric and film tension ceilings

Types of surfaces of stretch PVC ceilings - "pros" and "minuses"

As mentioned above, stretch ceilings made of polyvinyl chloride can have a different texture of the surface. Each of them has its own characteristics, and the more they differ - you also need to know the one who decided to give preference to this method of finishing the ceiling in the bathroom.

Matte surface

The matt surface very often resembles a quality applied plaster. Such ceilings are the most popular among all existing ones, since they do not give an excessive glossy shine and look natural. In addition, matte stretched canvases are well combined with classical interiors, in which even lines predominate.

For those who would like to have a normal, perfectly aligned "plastered" ceiling in the bathroom, matte canvas is the best choice, especially since its color can be chosen at its own discretion. Another advantage of the stretch ceiling, in contrast to the usual plastered surface, can be called the speed of installation, as there is no need to wait for the final drying of each plaster layer.

Advantages of opaque surfaces:

• This type of surface has the feature of diffusing light, making it softer and more pleasing to the eye. This effect contributes to the creation of an atmosphere of coziness and warmth.
• It is easier to take care of the matte surface, as on it, unlike the glossy ceiling, drops or insignificant dirt will not be noticeable.
• Stretch ceilings with matt surfaces have an antistatic coating, so they do not attract or collect dust.
• The lower cost of such fabrics, compared to other types of PVC ceilings, can also be attributed to the "pluses" of this material.

Disadvantages of opaque ceilings:

• Matt matting has a maximum width of 3000 mm, so if the room has a large area, you will have to glue it. However, for bathrooms this disadvantage is not particularly important, since they are rarely so large.
• Matt matted PVC can not be installed in unheated rooms, because at a temperature of minus 5 degrees they lose their elasticity, and cracks begin to diverge on them.
• Installation of this type of ceiling requires additional equipment, since without a heat gun it will not be able to pull.
• The stretched fabric is easily damaged by contact with sharp objects, as well as all other PVC ceilings.

Glossy surface

Glossy canvases also have their admirers. Especially, such surfaces are appropriate in rooms with a small area, because with their help it is convenient to zonate the room, combining in one canvas two, or even three colors. Excellent glossy surfaces for poorly lit corners, as they reflect light objects or lighting devices, creating additional illumination.

Advantages of glossy ceilings

This surface is able to visually expand the space due to the fact that it reflects all the objects located in the bathroom. This effect makes the room higher, which is especially true in bathrooms with a very small area.

Glossy canvases are presented in the widest color range, which allows you to develop the most incredibly bold interior design solutions.

On ceilings that have a reflective surface, the lamps with powerful lamps look great.

Disadvantages of glossy surfaces:

• The glossy ceiling clearly shows traces of droplets and stains, so they require more thorough care, since removing these impurities from the surface will not be an easy task. This process will be difficult to carry out also because the PVC film has a very small thickness, and completely remove the stains, putting some effort - will not work. In this case, of course, you can resort to the services of companies that install and maintain mounted ceiling structures - they often clean their surfaces, but this process will entail new costs.
• If the glossy ceiling is assembled from canvases of different colors, the welding seams will be clearly visible on them. Therefore, for a bathroom with a large enough area, it is best to use imported products having the required width. However, their cost is several times higher.
• Glossy PVC ceilings are also stretched using special equipment.

Satin Surface

A satin surface is a cross between a matt and glossy fabric. If the matte version is more reminiscent of plaster, then satin looks like a painted surface that has a slight muffled shine. It is used as a background element of the interior, which will work to highlight other, more significant bathroom accessories. Satin canvases are perfectly combined with gipsokartonnymi structures, so if a multi-level ceiling is conceived, it is better to choose this option for mounting.

Advantages of satin ceiling surfaces

• The blade has a soft reflective effect, which does not glare, but allows it to blend harmoniously with the interior made in any style.
• Satin canvases have a wide range of color shades, and this can also be called a "plus" of this material, as they can be selected for any color design of the bathroom.
• Ceilings with a satin surface do not attract dust and do not accumulate it, so they are easy to care for. Due to this quality, such a variant of the canvas is perfect not only for bathrooms, but for any other rooms in the house.
• This type of ceiling has a surface that mimics the weave of fabric threads. It is this effect that preserves the original color of the canvas from fading.
• When applied to the satin ceiling of the selected pattern, it will visually be almost indistinguishable from the more expensive, fabric fabrics.

Disadvantages of satin surfaces

Since this kind of fabric is made of PVC, it has, in principle, the same drawbacks as the gloss or matt option.

Forms of tension ceilings

Stretchable PVC ceilings can be given various, sometimes - quite intricate shapes, which allows you to create an exclusive design of the bathroom. The original configurations of stretch ceilings are certainly much more difficult to mount than a smooth surface, since the direction and shape of the surface will determine the frame. If the base is made qualitatively, then the web is stretched, due to its elasticity, for the master it will not be very difficult.

Arch form

The arched design of the stretched ceiling dramatically changes the appearance of the room. Typically, this arrangement of the canvas is used in the bathroom, which creates a smooth transition of the ceiling into the plane of the wall. The film can be fixed, as in this case, at the bath or pool level, or the distance between the highest and lowest points is chosen arbitrarily.

With this design, it is possible to rationally use the space between the tension ceiling and the capital as well as the wall. In this gap, you can hide communication wiring, and also install LED backlight components that can create an open space effect, such as a starry sky or a sunny day with floating clouds over the blue surface.

If the design will fit close to the pool or bath, then during the reception of water procedures you need to be careful not to damage the canvas.

Wavy form of the ceiling

The undulating shape of the stretch ceilings uniquely transforms the room, creates a sense of space expansion and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, especially if the correct soothing tones are selected. Eyes rest on turquoise, greenish and blue tones, used in a complex with calm milky-white tones. Any soft pastel colors can be used.

The combination of a two-color variation perfectly imitates the movement of sea waves. It will be very comfortable, lying in the tub, to contemplate not a bored flat ceiling, but intricate compositions.

The height, width and number of waves, as well as the interval between their vertices, can be ordered at their discretion. Waves can be located along or across the bathroom, only near the walls or across the entire surface of its ceiling.

Cone shape

Cone in a tension ceiling, as a rule, is placed in the center of the structure, since the completion of this figure is usually a lighting device mounted on a rigid support fixed on the ceiling. The lighting device can have any shape - oval, round, square, triangular, etc. The choice of this element of ceiling construction will depend on the preference of the customer interior.

If the ceiling in the bathroom is standard, then it is not too low to lower the cone, as it will not only help the visual decrease in the ceiling, but also a real reduction in space.

For the cone-shaped part of the ceiling, it is best to choose a light, and preferably white, shape by one of the pleasant shades for the eye, which will harmoniously coexist with the background of the cone.

If desired, you can make two or three cones along the length of the bathroom, placing them at the same distance from each other.

Smooth surface

The traditional option still can be considered equal stretch ceilings, stretched over the entire surface area. It should be noted that installing them is much simpler than all other designs, since the frame under the canvas is installed on all walls on the same level, so it does not require complicated calculations - it is enough to smooth out equal horizontal lines at the right height. This type of ceiling will make the surface perfectly smooth, which will give the room a neat appearance, and if you pick the right color, it will visually make the room higher.

. A flat suspended ceiling can be equipped with overhead, recessed or concealed luminaires. All this can simulate a starry or cloudy sky, as well as spatial( 3D) images.

It can be said that, despite the ease of installation, smooth tension surfaces look no less impressive than other intricate configurations. For the bathroom they can be called the best option.

Multi-level constructions

It is often enough to design multi-level multi-colored designs of stretch ceilings for the design of bathrooms. This option looks very impressive, especially if it is equipped with a rationally placed backlight. It should be noted that, when arranging this design, it is very important to make sealed joints of surfaces, so that wet steam does not penetrate through them to the capital ceiling. Considering that with this approach the ceiling will drop at least 100 mm, it is best to choose light colors for the surface - they are able to smooth out this effect somewhat. If you choose a dark color of the surface, it will create a crushing impression.

A multi-level ceiling is able to distinguish different zones of a bathroom if they are supported by interior decoration. But still for a standard bathroom so voluminous design seems superfluous.

Additional selection criteria for stretch ceilings

To choose the right stretch ceiling for a bathroom that will last a long time and ideally fit in the interior of the room, you need to pay attention not only to the "pluses" and "minuses" mentioned above, but also to other criteria.

• Manufacturer of products. Depending on the financial possibilities, you can choose products of domestic and foreign manufacturers. The market presents stretch ceilings made in Belgium, Germany, France, China, and, of course, in Russia.

The most high-quality and expensive products are products of French and German companies, followed by the producers of Belgium. The most affordable are the canvases produced in China, but the quality of such ceilings, respectively, leaves much to be desired. Therefore, if there is a desire to acquire really high-quality material that will be operated without problems for many years, then do not save too much on this acquisition.

. Making a choice, it should be noted that the suspended ceilings produced in Germany and France have a maximum width of 2000 mm, so if the room has a large width, the film will have to be glued together.

Other manufacturers present variants with a maximum width of 4000 ÷ 5600 mm, and this factor is also very important to consider when purchasing a canvas.

• Next, what you need to pay attention to is the color of the canvas, as it should harmoniously fit into the rest of the bathroom finish, complement it or become a backdrop for individual interior accessories.

Therefore, the shade of the canvas is chosen in tone or in a harmonious combination with the finishing material of the walls or the decorative frieze. Beautifully look options based on the contrast of colors - it will be more original than choosing different shades of the same base color.

Some designers prefer to choose a ceiling cloth to the color of sanitary ware, if it has an unusual design.

If the bathroom wall decoration includes several colors, the color of the film can be matched to one of them.

Sometimes the floor and ceiling of the bathroom make one color. This option is original, however, if a dark shade is chosen for this, the ceiling will create a crushing impression.

If we summarize all of the above about the color solution, we can say that all the planes in the bathroom should be combined with impregnations of the same color or by applying identical elements having different sizes and enclosed in different shapes.

Now, having studied all the "pros" and "cons" stretch ceilings to install them in the bathrooms, you can safely say that the canvas, made of PVC, are excellent for wet rooms. They will not only protect the capital ceiling from getting wet steam on it, but also reliably keep the water flow from above in emergency situations, without letting it ruin the rest of the interior space.

Therefore, stretch film ceilings can be safely installed in the bathroom, but you should abandon the fabric options.

And at the end of the publication - a small video compilation of the design of bathrooms using stretch ceilings.

Video: design ideas - bathroom with stretched ceiling