Floating ceilings: the pros and cons

To create an original interior, designers use various methods, one of which is floating ceilings. Such decoration creates an indescribable feeling, as if the ceiling covering is floating in the air. Recently, designers have developed a system for the soaring ceiling, which allows you to decorate the ceiling covering with a highlight and taste. In this article we will take a look at the description of the design of the soaring ceiling and its varieties.

The design of the ceiling covering with the effect of soaring consists of such elements as:

• film or fabric material;
• fastening tools;
• specialized flexible profile;
• translucent masking tape;
• LED Strip Light.

It is possible to carry out the special effect of the soaring ceiling by 3 methods:

• installation of a floating structure, which is carried out on baguettes having grooves for a light-ribbon and gaps for the implementation of a diffusing special effect;
• mounting the stretch ceiling, which is done with the use of drywall;
• the use of eaves hidden concealment, which are made of polyurethane for decorating the ceiling.

The main material of the soaring ceiling is a tension canvas. Matte, glossy and satin elements are well recommended for ceiling finishing. Modern methods (photo printing and lighting) make it possible to realize any wishes for decorating the ceiling surface.

Frosted glass material is ideal for creating the effect of floating in the air. It is made of various colors from glass or acrylic. Looks impressive in any room, no matter where it is installed. The best option is to use fiber, under which you can hide the wiring inside the structure.Transparent panels are not mounted, as through such materials there will be visible defects in the ceiling and wires.

Radiance and shine visually increase the space, they are mainly used in small premises. When the light is on, the expansion effect is enhanced. For large and spacious rooms apply matte or semi-matte materials, thereby creating coziness and comfort in the room.

The base of the soaring ceiling system is a profile for fasteners, which allows you to create gaps of 10-20 cm in height between the levels of ceiling coverings. At these intervals, LED or linear lighting is fixed using spotlights and ribbons. Their mechanisms are hidden in the contours of the levels, thereby creating the impression of soaring.

There is another way to mount floating decor. In this case, the LEDs hide the canvas, resulting in excellent light scattering, directed along the perimeter. The only disadvantage of this method of installation is that when replacing electronic mechanisms is the dismantling of the canvas.

Profiles that create glowing lines can be installed in any position.To visually increase the space of the room, it is necessary to arrange the lines on the horizon. To increase the room should be fixed lines vertically. Such lighting is perfect for the corridor, hallway. Also with the help of luminous lines it is possible to create geometric shapes.

Floating suspended type ceilings are fabric and film.

• Film materials are made of polyvinyl chloride. The basis of this material is vinyl. Service life not less than 10 years. Advantages of vinyl are moisture resistance, durability and practicality. The only drawback can be called susceptibility to mechanical damage. Experts recommend installing PVC film at temperatures above +5 degrees.

• The basis of fabric ceilings are polyester yarns. Such materials are twice as expensive as film coatings. The main advantages of this coating are high temperature resistance and vapor permeability. The only disadvantage is low moisture resistance. Fabric surfaces quickly become soiled and absorb foreign odors.

Stretch ceilings with lighting perfectly combined with plasterboard materials. With their help, you can level the base of the ceiling surface.

Advantages of drywall:

• environmental friendliness of the material;
• the installation of the draft ceiling for plasterboard material is not performed;
• it is possible to create structures of any complexity;
• drywall can be easily repainted in various colors;
• resistance to mechanical damage is higher than that of film and fabric coatings.

Disadvantages:

• low resistance to moisture, water leakage leads to the destruction of the material;
• to work with plasterboard, you must have construction skills;
• the height of the ceiling after installation is reduced by 10 cm.

Ceilings are also divided into multi-level, single-level and two-level systems.

The simplest option for installing such a coating is a single-level design. Installation is carried out with the help of a cloth stretched along one plane. These systems are mounted using PVC film or plasterboard. Multi-level constructions are constructed by a complicated method. The main frame is installed first, and subsequent layers of the coating are mounted on top of it. Level fixing is performed using special mounts. Multi-level systems require additional tools: spotlights, baguettes, inserts for decoration.

This method of ceiling decoration has a huge number of varieties that define designer whims. The greater the number of levels of coatings, the more sophisticated and original the floating ceiling will look.

There are Armstrong ceilings, which are subdivided types:

• Attached to the base of the ceiling surface with cables. Models of such systems are different.
• Concave and curved. Durable designs, characterized by originality and unusual models.
• Production of forms of panels occurs on special technologies. They can be forms of a circle, quadrangle, triangle. With the help of such installations, you can allocate some territory. Mirror coatings perfectly reflect the light and muffle noise.

Another new invention in decorating the ceiling surface with the effect of air soaring is the use of a hidden eaves for curtains. Such a curtain creates the impression of unity between the design of the ceiling and the horizontal plane of the wall.

Translucent hidden cornice is attached directly to the profile of the stretch ceiling, thereby not taking the usable area. The cost of a conventional cornice is more expensive, given the additional elements of decor and technological work. Curtain rails do not need to pick up the colors and elements of decoration, they require only installation.

The advantage in the use of such structures is that they can be installed not only on flat surfaces, but also on curved, oval, U-shaped.

Lighting along the contours of the soaring ceiling is performed using LED strip. LED lamps are manufactured in very small sizes, and the surrounding space does not heat up. Light tapes have their own varieties that you need to know when buying lighting fixtures. Tape rolls are produced (maximum length up to 5 meters).

You can adjust the lighting using the remote control. The one-tier mechanism can be simply turned on and off.

Two-level and multi-level ceiling are regulated:

• by zonal parameters;
• on intensity of a luminescence;
• on color palettes;
• by way of lighting, which can be constant or impulsive.

The LED tape can be used both the main, and additional lighting of the room. For small spaces such a glow is quite enough, and in the living rooms and other rooms it is necessary to additionally install lighting devices. In the hall it is recommended to use the central lighting in the form of a large exquisite chandelier and spotlights that are mounted in the canvas.

The most crucial moment when installing such a decor is the choice of lamps, because they create the entire effect created. LEDs are very popular. The characteristic qualities of LEDs: simple installation, cost-effective, small heating of materials. When choosing certain types, you can stop by purchasing simple tapes that are only turned on and off. If the budget allows, you can buy a special lighting kit with a control system.

For rooms with high humidity (kitchen, bath), you must choose the LEDs with protection from moisture.A classic variation is considered to be the use of a white canvas with a highlight of any shade. It is also allowed to use bright colors of the film coating. The result is a game of contrasts.

Experts recommend to make out the soaring ceiling with multi-colored paints. Dark can not be used: such shades will create a feeling of squeezing and discomfort.

The current generation after the acquisition of the soaring stretch ceiling system with a special effect of illumination leaves numerous positive reviews.

As a result, we can note the advantages of such finishing works:

• installation of finishing mechanisms takes a small amount of time (about 2 hours);
• low cost of the LED mechanism;
• the soaring ceiling system perfectly conceals the defects and flaws in the base surface of the ceiling;
• the special effect of soaring creates coziness and comfort in the room;

• 100% safety of the structure;
• long service life;
• environmental materials;
• it is possible to install in rooms of non-standard shape (curved or rounded walls);
• wear resistance to pollution: materials have antistatic properties;
• soaring system creates a solemn mood.

Negative reviews are rare. Usually they come from customers who have encountered problems when installing a system made using the wrong technology.

There are some disadvantages:

• Installing the ceiling cover reduces the height of the room by a few centimeters. Sensibly it will be in small-sized rooms.
• So that the result is not upset, it is necessary to strictly observe the installation technology.
• Mechanical damage (punctures, cuts) cannot be repaired. In this case, the entire ceiling covering or a specific level is being replaced.

A floating ceiling is a great way to create space and comfort in an apartment. The above-described varieties of the soaring system fit perfectly into the styles of interiors: avant-garde, minimalism, hi-tech, pop art, constructivism, minimalism, techno.

A large spacious room allows you to apply a multi-level design of the floating ceiling and divide the room into zones. Some parts of the ceiling can be decorated with photo printing, which is in perfect harmony with satin canvas.Decorating the ceiling with lights and soaring curtains creates a festive mood.

For sleeping areas it is recommended to use plain matte or glossy fabrics. It is recommended to hover not only with LED strips, but also with additional light fixtures (spotlights).

Decorating the ceiling surface of the children's room can be created in various ways. The basis of the coating is better to choose soft delicate shades (blue, blue, white). Images of cartoon characters on a colored background will look great. Blue clouds and a starry sky will delight the little astronauts.

For the kitchen is best to use materials for which care does not require much difficulty. It is recommended to use matte or glossy PVC film webs. As an additional finish it is possible to use spotlights. If the room is large, the multi-level design of soaring lighting is a great option.

How to install floating ceilings, see the next video.