Ceiling panels: selection criteria

The need to repair the ceiling in many causes difficulties. Nevertheless, today there are many options to update the ceiling without much difficulty. A quick and easy way is to use ceiling panels made from various materials.

The market for ceiling panels has been growing rapidly in recent years. Appear innovative materials, new technologies, and most importantly - a huge number of design variations. The ceiling in a modern house can be white, colored, resemble a starry sky, highlighted from the inside. You can choose the option that is suitable for your home.

Before the start of finishing work it is necessary to evaluate the possibility of overlapping: whether the ceiling will withstand the additional load and what kind, whether it will crumble, whether the wiring needs to be changed. It is recommended to remove old whitewash and plaster from the ceiling-base in case it falls off.If the ceiling is very uneven or showered, then the surface must be cleaned and primed.

If after installation you still have finishing material, save it. If you have to change the finishing element, you do not have to run to the store in search of a “similar piece”.

The finishing of the ceiling panels have many advantages:

• a variety of finishes will allow you to choose the best ratio for you in terms of price / quality;
• the sizes of the elements are different, so you will choose the option for both very small and large premises;
• interior trim can be combined with insulation. For example, sandwich panels will be a real find for the cold room of a loggia or cottage veranda;

• Most of the materials from which modern finishes are made are not afraid of moisture, so they can be used in a damp room;
• panel finish is indispensable where there are visible defects in the overlap - cracks, seams and height differences;
• hide wiring and other communications are easiest under the square elements set by the “cassette method”;
• this finish is capable of almost everyone;

• No need to buy any special tools. Installation of decoration does not require the use of expensive or rare construction equipment;
• if one element for some reason has been damaged (this may happen by accident due to unsuccessfully firing cork from under the champagne, a ball thrown by a child or a leak), then you will be able to replace it quickly and easily;
• most modern finishing materials for walls and ceilings are easy to clean and wash;
• even plastic products are included in the category of "environmental", as they do not emit any harmful substances, are odorless and resistant to sunlight. Modern technologies and quality control make these materials absolutely safe for people and animals;

• many finishing materials for ceilings are very light and practically do not exert pressure on the floor;
• finishing materials for the ceiling have a lot of textures and shades, so you will find the right option for any interior;
• plastic has good sound insulation qualities.

There are some panels in the finishing of the panels, which, by the way, are few:

• on large areas, such decoration looks "rustic";
• the cheaper the finishing material, the less it will serve you;
• accidental scratches or bumps will easily ruin the panel finish;
• manufacturers' promises are not always justified - unfortunately, the sun's rays can affect the color of both white and colored materials, and some finishes may eventually begin to crumble.
• panels are often associated with office decoration, and some people do not want to use them solely because of the features of aesthetic perception.

Today there are a huge number of types of ceiling panels. The easiest way to divide ceiling panels according to such criteria as the method of installation:

• Known to many "cassette suspension." Such a ceiling is a cage of metal corners with square cells from 50 square centimeters to 1200.Thanks to the corner, squares with sides are formed, on which the ceiling panel is laid.

• Rack mounting. Narrow slats, fixed on a wooden or metal crate, can be found today in the decoration of the ceilings of bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms in private houses and apartments. Between the slats are mounted butt or joint into the groove.

• Gluing panels. Polyurethane foam and polyurethane linings are often simply “planted” on glue. If the ceiling is even, then with a special glue to it you can glue any lightweight finishing materials, for example, MDF and plastic sheets, the main thing is that they have a smooth base. Finishing with gluing will save a low ceiling from further lowering, especially if there is no need to hide wiring or other communications.

It should be said that the decorative panels of the same materials can be mounted differently.

Natural wood trim remains popular today. Wall paneling (wooden batten) still looks great on ceilings and walls. Lining is of various sizes and colors, but the general rule has been known for a long time - this finish is attached to a wooden or metal frame (from metal profile) with the help of clamps.

Square wood panels are not as common as slatted finishes, as they are much more expensive (for example, carved oak trim) and require the installation of a solid wooden frame.

Wood finishing feels better in dry rooms, but the modern construction market offers a large number of impregnations, paints, varnishes, allowing to protect wood from an aggressive external environment.

An alternative to traditional wood trim will be the cork and bamboo plates. Bamboo panels recently came to us from Asian countries, but have already become popular, because they have many positive qualities. Made from compressed bamboo slats, bamboo panels are elastic, durable, beautiful, not afraid of moisture and temperature changes.

Cork plates, like bamboo, look very original, besides possess excellent sound-proofing and heat-insulating properties.

Mineral panels made from sawdust and wood dust are becoming more and more popular due to the use of special polymer ligaments, which allow the panels to be given a different texture and shape.Mineral finishing materials can imitate a natural tree, various breeds of a stone and a bricklaying.

Ceiling panels made of metal vary greatly in price and appearance. The painted panels in composite aluminum are light and durable, but not cheap. Low cost panels of nickel or galvanized steel look no worse, but heavier in weight. It should be noted that a light and durable metal finish with a polymer coating will serve you for a long time - many models have a warranty of more than 50 years.

Metal ceiling finish today produced as a mirror and with a matte finish., perforated and smooth, with polymeric painting and without it, can be mounted both in a rack and cassette way. There are even metal panels under the tree. Designers suggest using metal panels in any residential premises, but most often they are used in the decoration of kitchens and bathrooms.

The gap between the ceiling and the wall is necessary, because the metal panels do not allow air, and the space of the main ceiling must still be ventilated. In addition, if you have to disassemble the ceiling, the gap will help to easily unfasten the panel.

Panels of polyvinyl chloride in the interior of the apartment are very common. A variety of forms and textures, colors and shades, the possibilities of digital printing give life to the most fantasy projects. At the same time, the price of most models is low. Plastic finish is not afraid of temperature changes and moisture, does not fade and does not change color with time. Installation of plastic is similar to installation of lining and even a novice master will be able to perform it.

There are plastic panels and cons, which need to be said. First, plastic and polymers cannot be used in rooms where the temperature can rise above 70 degrees (for example, in a bath). Secondly, plastic panels are fairly easy to damage and they require careful handling.

Ceiling and wall panels made of polyurethane or foam are suitable for simple decoration with their own hands. Usually they are simply glued to the ceiling, although, of course, you can put them in a cassette way.This decoration can withstand repainting up to 7 times, so you can easily “update” them if necessary.

Sandwich panels consist of three layers, where the middle layer is insulation, the upper and lower layers are plastic. An excellent solution for loggias, balconies and dachas, allowing to solve two problems at once - to warm the room and give it a decorative effect.

Mirror polystyrene and mirror glass tiles are available. Polystyrene is lighter in weight and will not break when dropped, but the mirror one looks more solid and looks more beautiful, since the reflective effect is created on this tile as on ordinary mirrors - by applying amalgam. Mirror finish looks great in a variety of areas, visually expanding them and "adding height." Modern mirror tiles can vary in tinting - from silver-gray to warm golden tones.

Decorative acrylic panels most often represent a spectacular substitute for glass. Look good in any room and look very elegant with lighting from the inside. Combined with wood and metal, suitable for both classic and modern interiors.

Ceiling design is not an invention of modern craftsmen. Suffice it to recall the frescoes and mosaics of ancient Greece and Rome, the trimmed carved panels of the ceilings in medieval castles, the artistic painting of the palace interiors of the Baroque, elegant interior solutions of modern decor. Indeed, the ceiling has always received much attention. Modern finishing materials are so diverse that even a novice master with his own hands can create a real masterpiece - durable, practical, and, of course, very beautiful.

Most of the finishing panels can be divided into two main categories - matte and glossy. Glossy finish will make the room more spacious, and low ceilings - visually higher. If the room is quite small, the glossy panels will look good with a spotlight - numerous glares of light and a mirror surface will give the effect of “mirrors in mirrors” to a small bathroom or hallway. An interesting solution for the bathroom would be to use narrow panels with shiny inserts.

If you doubt the relevance of color panels or panels with a pattern, then use a universal white classics, suitable for interiors of various styles.A white ceiling is perfect for a bedroom, especially a small one; white textured panels for walls and matte white seamless ones for the ceiling will help to become more spacious and airy, with a lack of natural light.

Today, a large number of decorative panels are produced with imitation of the texture of expensive woods, so even classic interiors and interiors with antique furniture can be decorated with spectacular decorative panels.

The panels allow you to make a two-level ceiling and zone the space in a studio apartment or in a spacious room.

The design of the hallway or corridor - the "face" of your apartment. Acrylic panels with illumination are ideal for finishing the ceiling. By the way, they can be a “chessboard” (alternation of white and black panels), which can be duplicated or reinforced in the decoration of the floor and walls. The black and white finish is always spectacular, it makes the space interesting, bright and stylish, but the dominance of black should be avoided and the hallway lighting should be considered. Also, black and white finish goes well with mirror surfaces - these elements of the decor in the hallway are simply necessary.

New in modern design - application for finishing the so-called 3D-panels. They are used both for the ceiling and for the walls. This is a special kind of finish that allows you to create some kind of three-dimensional image. You can select the panels are smooth, but with an applied pattern in 3D. The use of modern digital printing technology for images on finishing materials allows the pattern to look like a volume.

There is also a panel with an invoice that will look on the ceiling as a three-dimensional decor. - waves, honeycombs, floral ornament and much more. This is an original and modern finish, which has one major drawback - dust will inevitably gather in the folds of the relief ornament. It is worth remembering that excessive saturation of space with 3D elements can cause fatigue and stress, creating a strain on the eyesight, so you should not trim the entire ceiling with such panels - combine 3D with a smooth finish, enhance the effect of the depth of the decor with small lights, add elements of bright decor , respecting the principles of harmony and elegance.

There are so many panels for decoration that it is sometimes difficult to navigate in such numbers.

Our tips will help you make the right choice:

• The smaller the space, the "quieter" the decoration should be. Exquisite carved ceiling is appropriate in the living room or large dining room, but absolutely nothing in a small kitchen, no matter how beautiful it might seem to you.
• Finishing dark shades requires additional spot lighting.

• Lining (both wooden and metal) looks best in the kitchen, bathroom or loggia.
• For the hall or living room, choose panels that are combined with the overall style of the interior, while the panels “under the tree” of light colors will suit almost any style.
• Finishing panels are quite light and quite weighty. Be sure to evaluate the overlap in terms of the ability to withstand the design of the new ceiling.
• Simultaneously with the purchase of ceiling panels, immediately buy all the additional elements (skirting, screws, profile, wooden bars, and so on). Based on the finishing material you chose for your ceiling, experienced consultants at the hardware store will help you to find everything else you need.
• If the house has children and animals, choose strong, dense materials that are resistant to mechanical stress.

Classic cassette wood paneling does not go out of fashion. This is a durable and beautiful finish option, suitable for both an apartment and a private house.

Even an economical version of the finish can look elegant thanks to the ceiling trim panels made of modern materials of light colors.

Scandinavian minimalism is a style loved by many. Rack ceiling finish perfectly complement such an interior in an apartment and not a cottage.

Acrylic panels look good in any interior. This is a versatile finish that looks good in the kitchen, in the bedroom and in the hall.

Lining, both plastic and wooden - finishing material is not only economical, but also easy to install. A beautiful and neat ceiling from it will turn out even for a novice master.

Modern foam ceiling trim looks original and beautiful, and is very easy to install - just glued to the ceiling.

Finishing the ceiling panels allows you to translate a variety of ideas, including the dream of multi-level ceilings. For such ceilings, an individual project is developed and installation presents a certain complexity, but the result is remarkable.

How to install PVC panels on the ceiling, see the following video.