Hello, friends. Today we are going to find out which ceilings exist, what materials they are made of, and what features to consider when choosing one or the other. Consider their pros and cons. Also talk about the cost of the ceilings.
For many people, choosing a ceiling is a real problem. Some people like a certain material, but experts have long since set all the priorities in this regard.
Let's sort it out. To begin with, we need to understand what kind of ceilings we can buy in general. Conventionally, we can divide them into five basic types: stretch ceilings, grid ceilings, plasterboard ceilings, various suspended ceilings like Armstrong and just a plastered ceiling. What does plastered ceiling mean?
It means that the monolithic slab is simply levelled with plaster with a minimum layer and then it puttyed and painted. Or if your heart's desire for beauty is not enough, you can additionally decorate it with polyurethane panels. However, experts do not recommend this. You may end up with a style that is too weird and confusing, which is not what we want.
This is an option if you're doing a minor repairs. In this case, you don't touch the wiring or change the number of lights.
In case you still decided on a large-scale repair, this option is not very suitable for you. Let's explore why this is the case. In order to completely change the wiring, change the number of outlets and deal with all the other subtleties, you will need a lot of knowledge and time
It is not a good idea to open up the slab, as the basic wiring in all old flats was done before the finishing work. As a rule, power cables go in the floor between the slab and the finished floor, in a so-called noise insulation layer made of sand and construction debris.
It is not a good idea to open up the slab, as the basic wiring in all old flats was done before the finishing work. As a rule, power cables go in the floor between the slab and the finished floor, in a so-called noise insulation layer made of sand and construction debris.
We also need to consider that in most modern renovations we use different types of lighting fixtures of all kinds. And if you want to use lighting that is mounted in the ceiling, you need to consider the mounting depth of these products. You should also leave a couple of centimeters for ventilation and cooling.
So it turns out that if we are doing modern interior design, then the option of just plastering the ceiling and painting it is not suitable for us.
So what's the better choice? A stretch ceiling, a plasterboard ceiling or any other options?
The rack and pinion ceilings were in fashion not so long ago, and they are still sold in construction shops, but due to the fact that they do not look very good and are not used in modern design, we will not dwell on them.
Armstrong ceilings are suitable for offices or technical premises due to their low price and appearance, but I would not consider them as a ceiling for a flat or a house.
Essentially we have two options to choose from: stretch ceiling or plasterboard, let's break down each one in more detail.
Reputation
Stretch ceilings came after plasterboard ceilings as a cheaper option. There is a certain stereotype in our minds that stretch ceilings are quite cheap, somehow bad and only suitable for budget renovations. Until recently, it was so, it is impossible to imagine anything more depressing, dreary and simultaneously smiling interior in the usual style with a cheap stretch ceiling.
But now we're facing a bright future, with new systems for web fastening, shadow gaps and slotless connection. There is also a much wider choice of stretch ceilings. They have improved in quality.
ut the ceiling made of plasterboard, according to many people, it is more expensive, it means a higher quality, more environmentally friendly. And in general, if we have the money, we should only do that and choose plasterboard. This stereotype existed for some time.
In fact, it turns out that stretch ceiling and plasterboard ceiling allow us to hide an empty space behind the ceiling. Their function is the same. But their appearance is slightly different.
Visual aesthetics
A stretch ceiling will be aesthetically more pleasing to the eye than a plasterboard ceiling. This is due to the fact that the stretch ceiling is a finished material, it does not need to be painted, which means that you will not have visible stains or anything else that normally accompany a painted surface.
The stretch ceiling will not crack due to poor installation or any other defects that appear over time. This is often the case with plasterboard ceilings.
The installation speed of a stretch ceiling is considerably higher than a plasterboard ceiling. This is also a great advantage.
The abutment
Now ceilings with a wall connection without profiles are becoming more and more popular. These are so-called KRAAB 3.0 ceilings, or ceilings with a shadow gap. This is a gap of approximately 1 cm between the ceiling and the wall.
Such ceilings look significantly more modern and beautiful than stretch ceilings with decorative cords.
Such ceilings will be somewhat more expensive, approximately 2 to 3 times more expensive than conventional stretch ceilings. This is due to the difficulty with which such ceilings are installed.
Material.
Ceilings are available in two basic types, fabric and PVC. Fabric ceilings are considered to be more ecological and natural.
PVC itself is not harmful, but when heated to 65 degrees, it begins to emit harmful and toxic substances.
Another thing to consider the manufacturer, stretch ceilings can be Chinese and European. Chinese will be cheaper, but in quality worse. The main difference between them lies in the fact that the European must meet fire safety standards. That's why the manufacturer adds flame retardants to them. The Chinese ones ignite easily and uncontrollably.
Another thing to remember is that the width of the fabric can be a maximum of 5 meters. Therefore, if you want to make a seamless ceiling, and the width or length of your room does not allow for it, you can go two ways.
Either install a profile for lighting or a busbar at the joint, which means you can run the ceiling on one side and on the other. Or you can install an architectural element at the joint between the two panels. All in all, don't forget about these points and small details when you do the renovation yourself. Or check your designer's drawings, if you have one.
There's another important benefit of fabric stretch ceilings. It's also something to keep in mind when renovating.
Consider a normal fabric ceiling. It looks like a plain white ceiling. To some, it might even look like plasterboard. With simple and local lighting, it really does look like plasterboard. But you have to look at the way the light shows up on the textile ceiling. It's really quite remarkable, very pleasing to the eye.
There are a lot of different types of textile ceilings. So it looks like a simple ceiling, but there is a very interesting lighting solution. It's called a soaring ceiling. What's the beauty of it? The light is distributed along the wall. It's like a ceiling floating in the air. And it provides just the right amount of light.
Conclusion.
If a suspended ceiling has so many advantages, why is a plasterboard ceiling necessary at all?
In general, I would recommend avoiding it altogether and only using it where it is necessary to make any complex constructions. For example, to hide ventilation equipment. Although this can also be done with a stretch ceiling.
So I only find it disadvantageous to use plasterboard. It is quite complicated in terms of installation and operation in general. Pay attention to cost and appearance, make the right decision.
The only undeniable fact is environmental friendliness. Plasterboard is made from gypsum and cardboard, and this is essentially the cleanest, most natural and environmentally friendly raw material.
So, let's recap.
If we're doing a modern renovation with multilevel lighting, the ceiling will have to be lowered. If you are not going to heat up the temperature in your flat above 65 degrees, you can safely use a stretch ceiling. We can choose fabric, matt, European stretch ceiling.
We can also choose stretch ceiling with a shadow gap without any decorative cords.
Cost
Now I want to tell a little about the cost. For example, for a flat with 60 square meters such a ceiling will cost $ 1600-1700, the masters will make it completely in 1-2 days.
A plasterboard ceiling will cost you the same amount including materials: plasterboard, racks, rails, hangers, putty, wallpaper, paint and finishing work. And it will be another month or even a month and a half before all the work is finished. And even after that time, you may not like the final result. That's the nature of this material. It's worth thinking about.
Now set your priorities, draw your conclusions and make your choice. What kind of ceiling do you need in your flat? I think the answer is obvious.
Of course, you can choose the more difficult route. However, in today's world, in my opinion, you should choose the most practical and expedient solutions. This is the only way to achieve a good result in any important matter. And renovating your own flat is always very important.
If you have any questions, write to me, I'll try to answer them. Goodbye to everybody. Good luck and have a good renovation!
