Ceiling: criteria for choosing finishing materials

The existing variety of finishing materials and variations in the design of ceilings from the most elementary and affordable to complex in performance and expensive can be confusing. But this abundance opens up truly endless possibilities for the implementation of any design ideas and allows you to make your dreams come true.

You can become the owner of the ultra-modern carved tensile structure Apply, an LED panel with a view of the cosmos, an actual solution with massive decorative beams, a colorful caisson ceiling in the Renaissance style ... There are a lot of options. Today we will talk about finishing and decorating the ceiling zone.

Under the ceiling decoration should be understood the creation on the basis of the ceiling surface of the protective and decorative layer of various materials.Compared with the floor or walls, ceiling is much more difficult because of the complexity of the work. It is possible to deal with the draft and finishing of the ceiling zone only when all vital engineering systems have been completely installed and tested for operability and hidden electrical wiring has been installed.

Modern types of ceilings are classified based on the technology of creation, depending on what they are:

• Plastering (basic). They are obtained when applying a decorative coating on the base without the air gap through the traditional "wet" methods of finishing - whitewashing, pasting wallpaper, decorating interior paints, textured plaster mixtures or artistic painting.
• Suspended / lined in the form of suspended suspended, panel, plate, lath, self-adhesive, plasterboard structures. At their device, “dry” technologies of organization of the ceiling space are used, with the exception of GCR ceilings, which require additional “wet” finishing.

When choosing a ceiling device, you need to take into account:

• Type of layout - open, closed or intermediate option between them.
• The area and geometry of the room, especially in the attic apartments, where the roofs have a broken base or are inclined and country houses such as a chalet with an attic.
• Ceiling height. In apartments with a standard wall height of 2.5 m, it is necessary to plan the design of the ceiling surface very carefully, so as not to overload the space above your head.
• Humidity regime, which directly depends on the purpose of the room.
• Style performance of the room.
• The level of repair - class "Economy", "Comfort" or "Elite". It is repelled by the possibilities of the budget.

For the decoration of the ceiling surfaces are used a variety of types of finishing materials - from the traditional, which are well known to everyone, to the innovative type of liquid wallpaper.

One of the most optimal solutions for the finishing of the ceiling zone is decorating with water dispersion paint. This material is a water-based foaming agent, the main component of which is water with the addition of an emulsion of any polymer.

Pros:

• eco-friendly composition;
• fire safety;
• ease of application with a roller or spray gun;
• good coating resistance to mechanical stress due to compacted polymer film;
• excellent covering ability;
• a rich palette of colors and a huge selection of interesting textures, which allows you to get an expressive design of the ceiling area with a matte or glossy finish.

Work with structural plaster occurs in three stages - the application of the base layer, the formation of relief trowel, painting and glazing. After treatment of the base with textured plaster, the surface immediately acquires a finished relief and a certain shade, with the exception of cases of applying white mixtures that require additional staining. The type of relief pattern is determined by the filler in the composition of the mixtures - quartz, granite or marble chips and particle size. Advantages - aesthetics, high-quality masking of base defects,durability and simplicity in service.

Wall-to-ceiling ceilings remain relevant. The widest choice of designs, colors and sizes of canvases offered by domestic and foreign brands simplifies the choice of a suitable option for interiors of the most different stylistic styles - from classic to industrial style.

Benefits:

• the ability to hide minor defects of the base with dense coatings or natural wallpaper made from plant fibers;
• wallpaper for painting allow you to change the design of the ceiling without radical transformations;
• paintings with a 3D effect illusively correct the proportions of the ceiling, making it more voluminous due to promising scenes.

Minuses:

• fragility;
• the need to thoroughly prepare the base;
• it is almost impossible to stick wallpaper on a large area without attracting an assistant.

Liquid wallpaper sold in the form of a powdery mixture based on natural fibers with the addition of acrylic dye and adhesive component. The main composition can be decorated with crushed mica, stone chips, glitter and even gold threads.

Benefits:

• just applied and have good maintainability;
• durable - service life is 8-10 years;
• vapor permeable, which guarantees the creation of a healthy microclimate in the room;
• fireproof - self-extinguishing in case of fire and prevent the spread of flame;
• seamless;
• With the help of a homogeneous layer, it is convenient to decorate various volumetric elements from corners and arches to niches and plinths.

The popularity of adhesive ceilings explains two factors. This method of finishing is resorted to when they want to get something more than banal whitewashing and wallpapering the ceiling, but they are not ready to spend a lot of money. Under these criteria just fit ceiling tiles. They differ in material of manufacture. The most common of them are foam, polyurethane foam, extruded polystyrene foam. The latest material is the most durable.

By execution they can be:

• without / with a pattern;
• in the form of photo wallpapers, when a large image is assembled fragmentary on the principle of a puzzle of tiles with parts of a common picture.

Plates can have a different surface:

• smooth;
• embossed with a variety of carved patterns;
• with imitation of artistic carving or stucco.

Advantages of glue ceilings:

• universal - suitable for decoration of any premises;
• keep the height of the room;
• masks minor local defects of the base;
• just mounted.

Disadvantages:

• flammable, and "double", since the burning of the plates is accompanied by the formation of fiery "rain";
• form a non-uniform surface with seams;
• affected by fungus and mold, with low vapor permeability.

Dressing with matter is a convenient and simple option for finishing the ceiling zone. This design looks original and allows you to improve the acoustics in the room. There are two ways of finishing textiles.

• Pasting The gluing of cloths of matter on the base takes place according to the same principle as wallpaper on paper basis, but on a special adhesive composition that is harmless to fabric fibers.

Pros:

• esthetics;
• environmental friendliness;
• promotes proper air exchange in the room due to the breathable properties of matter.

Minuses:

• it is required to level a draft basis;
• cannot be removed to clean or wash;
• you need to carefully select the fabric and print.

• Cloth ceiling on a stretcher. This option involves stretching the fabric parallel to the ceiling surface like a canvas on a wooden frame. Advantages - saving on costly plastering of the base and the ability to hide its defects due to tightly stretched matter. It is best to finish the ceiling with sateen and viscose, as well as chintz, linen, tapestry, various types of upholstery furniture fabric.

Such a finish involves draping the ceiling zone completely or separate surface fragments. This is a great opportunity to customize the interior.

Methods of fixing draperies:

• on wooden rails with furniture clips;
• using adhesive tape;
• first on the baguette, which is then attached along the closed contour of the ceiling zone.

Pros:

• no need to prepare the base;
• easy installation;
• just keep clean: detach the cloth and wash.

Minuses:

• a strong lowering of the ceiling level;
• any matter quickly ignites;
• susceptibility to odors.

There are different ways to integrate wood, as well as materials that successfully imitate it in the decoration of the ceiling zone. At the device of systems of podshivny type use lining - a natural wooden board, or finishing MDF of a plate with a covering from an interline interval, plastic or laminated by a PVC film. Their advantages are durability, safety and moisture resistance. Textured variety and a huge range of colors allow you to choose a solution to fit your needs and budget possibilities.

Types of wood trim:

• Solid wood. A costly finish is considered to be a coffered ceiling made of alder, oak and other wood species. A distinctive feature of this ceiling - elegant square grooves. An alternative to an array can be a block house that realistically imitates a tree.
• Timber. Finishing of ceilings with a bar looks more advantageous in country or country houses, but not in apartments, where the wooden ceiling may seem out of place. Bar has the same qualities as lining, but it also has enhanced strength characteristics and a longer service life.

• Laminate.Finishing the ceiling with laminate just can not be attributed to the traditional ways of decorating the space above your head. Although the use of laminated panels allows you to become the owner of high-quality, expressive and durable ceiling with excellent soundproofing ability.
• Ceiling beams. Ceiling ceiling beams have become an interior classic. When choosing a design of beams in natural execution or painted reference point serves the interior style. The same applies to their geometrical shape - in the form of rough ungrounded logs, bars with a regular square or rectangular cut.

Suspended ceilings are one-, two-, three- and multi-level, the creation of which uses certain materials.

Flat ceilings are considered flat ceilings with a single level of smooth or textured decorative coating without gradation, as in multi-level structures.

The peculiarity of the two-level ceilings is the creation in the same room of two elevations due to a pronounced degree formed by the structure on the ceiling surface.Under the skin it is convenient to hide engineering communications, and to mount spotlights in the body of the skin. The disadvantages include the fact that they visually reduce the height of the room and cost more than options with one level.

Their form is absolutely any. The easiest way to focus on the volume of simple geometric shapes: square, circle, triangle, ellipse. And it is possible to complicate the task by integrating a bent-shaped giprochny box with niches for light sources in one part of the ceiling zone and installing a stretch fabric in another part. With the help of two-level constructions, it is good to perform accent zoning, visually marking the boundaries of functional zones.

For the construction of multi-level ceilings in the form of stepped structures with three or more level differences, any modern systems are suitable - podshivny, tension or suspended. Very often, architects use a combination of materials, using several technologies at once.

Multilevel ceiling provides the ability to mask serious defects of the upper floors (height differences at the joints of concrete slabs, protruding bolts), construction flaws and communications. Such designs of ceilings differ in various architectural forms.

Let us dwell on current types of ceiling systems.

Today, suspended ceilings are one of the most common ways to design the lower surface of floors, due to their aesthetic appeal and the fact that they have not had time to pall the Russians.

Their device involves the use of polyvinyl chloride film or fabric treated with impregnation with polyurethane and a special gas gun for forcing hot air at a temperature of about 70 ° C, the effect of which provides the tension of the fabric. It is held at the expense of the profile, pre-mounted along the entire length of the closed loop of the room.

Depending on the texture, they can be:

• Glossy or with a smooth surface. Such solutions have excellent reflectivity and illusively give the room a volume.
• Classic matte with restrained colors.
• Satin with a smooth relief, due to which the canvas looks snow-white with a gentle pearl shimmer.
• Suede - the cloth imitating the structure of pile leather.

In addition, film coatings differ in design and are:

• With photo printing.The most popular 3D images are the sky with clouds and the theme of space.
• Carved - this is a double stretch system Apply. Their design is a pair of independent tension canvases: the first with shaped holes, and the second - one-piece.

Advantages:

• decorative qualities;
• suitable for installation in any premises;
• hermetic;
• clean installation;
• durable.

Of the minuses worth noting:

• high cost;
• reducing the height of the walls;
• susceptibility to damage by any sharp objects;
• non-ecological composition.

They are prefabricated structures that are mounted at a distance of at least 10 cm from the floor. Such structures are mainly found in offices or public places, as it is rather difficult to integrate them into apartments.

Benefits:

• the possibility of masking communications and installation of various lighting fixtures;
• clean installation;
• hide base defects;
• fireproof, due to the refractory properties;
• provide good sound insulation.

Disadvantages:

• "Eat up" height;
• time-consuming installation of multi-level ceiling;
• restrictions on use - not suitable for rooms with high humidity conditions.

When their device uses small slats, which explains the name of this type of ceiling. To assemble the frame, they use metal profiles called “comb” or stringers, U-shaped end plinths located along the walls and special suspensions.

Based on the material of manufacture, they can be:

• plastic, which are recruited from PVC slats;
• metal - in this case, use aluminum or steel chrome or galvanized slats.

Benefits:

• stylish design;
• masking communications and natural uneven ground;
• the possibility of installing electrical appliances;
• resistance to wet environment and antifungal properties;
• good strength characteristics;
• durable - able to serve 25-50 years.

Disadvantages:

• steal height;
• from them blows "cold";
• complexity of dismantling.

Modern construction is hard to imagine without drywall. This material is an active participant in the organization of suspended ceiling structures.

Advantages of GCR systems:

• allow you to hide any communication;
• provide the ability to create interesting lighting design by installing different types of electrical appliances;
• fireproof, as the core of the gypsum board consists of non-combustible gypsum;
• have good vapor permeability, as drywall is a “breathable” material.

Disadvantages:

• lower the ceiling level at least 10 cm below the floor plate;
• labor-intensive installation;
• the process of creating the ceiling includes dirty types of work - cutting sheets, sanding, painting.

The decor of the ceiling allows you to customize the design of the ceiling area, which always distinguishes the interior from hundreds of others, sometimes faceless and very boring precisely because of their uniformity. Beauty has nothing to do with it, just an eye in such an environment has nothing to cling to. Even fashionable “special effects” in the form of 3D drawings do not always save the situation, although this method of finishing, of course, should not be neglected either.

The hand-painted ceiling surface looks very beautiful, just remember the magnificent vaulted ceilings with frescoes painted by Renaissance masters.This finish can not be ignored, especially when a professional artist had a hand in its creation. Stops in this case, only one thing - the issue price. Wizard services are appropriate.

For those who have long been "on you" with paints and a brush, it will not be difficult to use any of the techniques of artistic painting and bring it to life. All the rest is recommended to use ready-made stencils, which, by the way, you can do yourself. It remains only to fix them on the ceiling surface in various combinations with scotch, arm with a brush and paint over.

This is one of the most democratic, fast and simple ways to decorate ceilings. Of course, one cannot count on the aesthetics that ensures the creation of artistic painting. The advantages of such decor are minimum expenses, ease of implementation and convenience of masking minor cosmetic defects.

This finish is ideal for classic, antique and gothic interiors. A distinctive feature of these styles - ceilings with stucco. Polyurethane baseboards are indispensable for creating its imitation.With the help of other shaped elements - sockets, borders, moldings and cornices, you can achieve maximum similarity with the authentic stucco ceilings of the Middle Ages or the times of Ancient Rome.

Creating a border with a decorative edging (cord) in the form of a twisted rope is a great alternative to galtels. There are no special rules for the use of the cord, but it is most advantageous to use the cord on tension and plasterboard structures, as the edging of it provides an ideal masking of the technological gaps in the joints of the ceiling with the walls. And also it will lie evenly on the complex curved and stepped portions of the ceiling.

The world of interior design, although it lives by its unwritten laws, but it does not have a clear set of rules, which lists the points that can be done and what cannot be. The only condition that the decorators observe when drawing up the interior is the development of a harmonious design concept that most closely reflects the preferences of the customer and is close to him in spirit and lifestyle. The choice of ceiling zone design is no exception.We offer to consider the distinctive features of ceilings in different styles.

Ceilings characterize the abundance of arbitrarily curved lines and rounded shapes, as if flowing into each other without clear visual boundaries. This is a design with a predominance of plant motifs and a harmonious arrangement of all elements of the composition. The decoration is allowed to use coarse materials, metal, wood, glass.

In this case, not so decorativeness is important, but the adjusted proportions of the ceiling and a well-thought-out lighting system. To create a futuristic atmosphere, luminous Apply ceilings or stretch structures with a glossy or translucent canvas are perfect. In open-plan apartments, multi-level GKL ceilings with a beautiful box, LED lighting and a balanced color scheme are appropriate.

So that the ceiling perfectly matches the style that originated in the province of Provence in the south of France, You can resort to the device:

• classic white ceiling with rough texture beams;
• stretch ceiling pastel, white or beige shade with a translucent illuminated "window".Such an insert will give the interior lightness and create the effect of weightlessness;
• multi-level stretch ceiling with spotlights around the perimeter of one of the levels.

If we talk about luxurious classical interiors with elements of pompous palace styles, then You can consider such design options ceiling zone, as the device:

• Two-level white or slightly bluish ceiling with curved moldings in the rococo style. On the perimeter is mounted interior lighting.
• Suspended plasterboard construction of golden hue with the installation of a two-level sculptural border.
• Three-level suspended caisson openwork ceiling framed with mirrors.
• Ceiling with inlay insert from gypsum board, decorated with vinyl wallpaper of silver color.

If this is an interior in a modern classic style, then the installation is appropriate:

• Tensioned single-level printed canvas with an abstract pattern in gentle colors. The texture of the film coating is desirable satin with a subdued shine, which perfectly matches the spirit of neoclassicism.
• Two-level stretch canvas with a combined canvas to createa spectacular contrast matt exterior with an internal glossy. Gloss will give the room a gloss and volume.
• Stretch ceiling with 3D volumetric pattern or PVC plates with photo printing. It is better to give preference to neutral images: flowers, plants, frescoes, classic paintings.

When choosing the color of the ceiling is always taken into account the design and color temperature of the room.

Compliance with the basic principles of color selection allows you to become the owner of a beautiful ceiling:

1. If you plan to create a color ceiling, then the maximum number of colors used is three. The exception is the design using different gradient variations, i.e. smooth color transitions.
2. To maintain the balance of colors in the interior, the colors of the ceiling should not contradict the overall palette and maintain the shades of the background finish, flooring, furniture and decor.
3. When the priority is to use saturated, rich colors on the ceiling, try to use a neutral palette of shades when decorating the walls.
4. Dreaming of a two-color ceiling? Be prepared to spend time selecting the winning color combination specifically for your interior.Moreover, even a duet of green and red can be successful and stylish, and not just a classic contrasting color pair of white and black.

Summarizing all the above, we list the most appropriate solutions for ceiling structures, depending on the functionality of the room, as well as on the basis of practical and aesthetic considerations:

• Living room. Any variations of stretch ceilings, including composite materials, plasterboard systems, coffered, basic ones with painted plaster decoration, glue options as a budget option will do. If the interior of the living room is made in the eastern style, then you should look at the draped ceilings or to the version with a smooth tightly stretched fabric in cases where the design is maintained in the trends of French country.
• Bedroom. It is appropriate combined ceilings of gypsum plaster with satin or frosted canvas with one level, and different levels. Glossy caller is good in living rooms, but here you need a more intimate setting, which is facilitated by the elegant glow of satin or a noble matte surface.If the room is spacious and you want something non-trivial, then you should try the original laminate ceiling with a transition to an accent wall.

• Kitchen. Tension structures with a bright glossy canvas, when the room is compact, are considered a universal solution. Here you can also use the capabilities of suspended cassette systems, if you choose the option with matte white translucent squares in the center. At the same time, the overhead lighting is mounted in the technological niche between the floor slab and the ceiling structure, which allows for an interesting lighting effect.
• Bathroom. Here fit rack-mounted ceiling ceilings, single-level or multi-level, provided the walls are of sufficient height, stretch glossy.
• Attic. When making the ceiling zone in the attic apartment or drawing up the interior of the attic in a private house or at the cottage, it is recommended to use plasterboard, hemming or hanging systems. For finishing the last two options, it is good to use wooden paneling, timber or its imitation, floorboard or flooring (profiled sheet), larch wood.

The main guideline in the selection of light sources and the organization of ceiling lighting is the functional load of the room.

Here the task is to create sufficient illumination, close to the natural light, it is in such conditions, we experience emotional and psychological comfort, and our eyes rest. Whether a central chandelier is needed here or enough sources of local lighting will depend on the planning decision and room footage.

In open-plan apartments it is advantageous to use accent light zoning. Thus, a chandelier or a composition of lamps on suspensions is placed above the guest zone, and diode or spot lighting is made in the remaining functional segments. If the room is very large, then additionally use wall or floor lamps.

The main illumination is a central chandelier with a soft light, the local one is a ceiling light plus a pair of floor lamps or wall sconces. Lighting zoning is a common design technique, which also saves on electricity, if you get a triple switch and illuminate that part of the room,which is used at a particular moment.

In this case, you need to remember that the quality of lighting depends on the color of the ceiling. Cold shades of a light palette - gradations of blue, white, pale yellow, lamps with warm color temperature make neutral. The cold glow of light bulbs enhances the color of the coating, which will reflect the light rays, coloring all the "contents" of the kitchen space from objects to ready-made food.

The ideal option for those who prefer a dark color scheme - the installation of a set of LED point light sources that create the effect of the starry sky and provide the desired illumination. In kitchens with high ceilings, lamps with adjustable hanger or elongated lamps look great. For compact rooms with a low ceiling, there is nothing better than a spotlight on the ceiling in combination with a simple-shaped chandelier.

Since the windows in the bathrooms - a rather rare phenomenon for typical apartments, you have to be content with artificial lighting. Depending on the location it is ceiling, floor, wall, built-in.Usually, the first two types are enough, when installed LED strips are supplemented with floor lamps.

You can use a combination of all the options, by all means highlighting the functional areas of the bathroom or shower, sinks and mirrors. Modern bathroom lighting design can not be imagined without decorative light. This may be flashing or colored contour lights, lighting with the effect of "starry sky" in the ceiling zone over the jacuzzi, etc.

The choice of the ceiling - a responsible matter.

We offer several tips that may be useful in one way or another:

• If it is difficult for you to decide on the color of the stretch ceiling, choose one of the three classic colors - universal white, elegant beige or black with anthracite care. By the way, the neutral beige palette has more than 25 shades.
• When constructing the ceiling in a new building, it is necessary to leave a small margin - to make the increased distance between the tension or suspension system and the floor slab. When the building shrinks, the geometry of the ceiling structure will be preserved due to “spare” centimeters.

• For decoration of the ceiling of a narrow corridor in the apartments of the Khrushchev building, a mirror wall and a glossy ceiling with illumination will visually give the room a volume. The simultaneous use of gloss, mirrors and lacquered surfaces will create an optical illusion of 3D space.
• If the ceiling is suspended and you plan to install a chandelier, then a model with lamps in the lower part of the structure is needed. This will avoid severe overheating of the PVC coating and the release of toxic phenol.

Due to the increased interest in stretch and slatted ceilings, a stream of fakes has poured into the market. In order not to fall for the bait of unscrupulous competitors of reputable manufacturers, always check the quality certificates and try to deal only with trusted companies. We recommend to pay attention to the four brands occupying a leading position in the market of ceiling structures.

If you are looking for a high-quality slatted aluminum or steel ceiling, then take a look at the suspension systems with a protective, moisture-resistant dust-repellent coating. A variety of colors of panels and interpanel inserts simplifies the selection of a suitable ceiling model for anyinterior solutions.

The appearance of carved ceiling systems. Apply changed the usual idea of ​​a stretch ceiling. With Apply systems, the implementation of the most unusual design projects has become more accessible, simple and convenient. The trouble-free and quick installation of light art canvases has opened up new possibilities in the lighting design of living spaces. And when installing the ceiling, you can use a simplified version of the ventilation system. Another non-standard solution from Apply is a two-level design in the original contrast design.

One of the winning properties of woven stretch ceilings from this company is the use of seamless fabric for their production. Unlike film coatings with a maximum width of 2 m, the standard roll of fabric ceiling has a 5-meter width, so its installation does without soldering the structural elements. The manufacturer offers a variety of color, stylistic, functional solutions of tension structures, which simplifies the search for "his" stretch ceiling.

Under this brand, various types of modern ceiling systems are produced: cassette, rack, "Grilyato" from classical to heterocellular.Those who are concerned about finding the original version of the ceiling, you should pay attention to the design models in the Scandinavian and Canadian style. Modular systems are ideal for implementing the most courageous architectural solutions. This possibility is provided by profiles of different sizes, which are conveniently combined with the design of the ceiling space, and at the expense of a single system of fasteners, installation is also more convenient.

The ceiling surface is a platform for the implementation of a variety of design projects from simple to super complex, which solve many stylistic and planning tasks. We offer several inspirational ideas for decorating ceiling spaces in various styles and photo examples of integrating different types of ceilings into the interiors of apartments and private houses.

Unceasing interest in stretch ceilings is largely due to the huge color palette of film fabrics. In addition to the basic shades, there are many other universal colors. Blue and blue ceilings, outrageous red and green, which always refresh the interior, look very interesting.

The combined finish is an opportunity to play on the color and texture contrast of various materials. One of such solutions is the creation of a transition from the accent wall to the central part of the ceiling. It turns out a kind of "island", which acts as an element of accent zoning, focusing on a specific functional area.

Draperies on the ceiling are appropriate in those rooms where it is important to create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. These are living rooms, of course, bedrooms, children’s, as well as open verandas.

Multi-level ceilings with gilded stucco decoration, sculptural borders, inlays of draperies, mirrors or coffered tiles and built-in niches for cascading chandeliers with “tears” allow you to reproduce the atmosphere of luxury in the Baroque, Rococo or Empire style.

Ceilings "starry sky" is very beautiful, but if the "stars" with the effect of twinkling, then it is doubly beautiful. It is not known how long the aesthetic pleasure from contemplating the mysteriously glistening space above your head in your own home lasts and the feeling of novelty remains, but this radiant magnificence will definitely impress guests and, most likely, will even cause secret envy.

Which ceiling is better to choose and what to look for, see below in the video.