What kind of fabric ceiling there is - types, features, finishing rules, do-it-yourself fabric stretch ceiling, how to stretch a suspended ceiling. Fabric ceilings: methods for making tension and decorative ceilings Making a fabric ceiling with your own hands
The arrangement of the ceiling area is a fairly broad topic that is included in the concept of repair. Today, the development of technology pleases millions of people with the availability of original ideas that allow them to solve individual design problems on their own. And at the same time, by the way, save money, and at the same time receive moral satisfaction from the creative process.
Few people will have to dispute the fact that it is high time to abandon whitewashing and painting (at least if we are not talking about closets, entrances of houses or outbuildings). This means that new methods must replace “grandmother’s” methods. And they are. These are suspended ceiling structures.
Around the same time they came to the market stretch ceiling made of PVC and ceilings made of fabric impregnated with a polyurethane composition. What are they? fundamental differences, pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages? Let's compare.
The elasticity of PVC film is definitely a plus. Some users have already encountered the legendary water bubble, which forms when the room is flooded from above (a call team arrives and releases the accumulated water, after which the ceiling returns to its previous shape). Fabric ceilings do not have this advantage.
But unlike PVC, fabric stretch ceilings can be repainted many times with water-based paint. The polyester thread is woven in such a way that painting layer upon layer is carried out without any visible defects: the ceiling fabric looks like new.
There is another important advantage of fabric ceilings. To install them, you do not need to heat the room with heat guns to a temperature of +60…+70 °C. This means that your decoration (decor and wallpaper), furniture, and other household items will not be damaged. Agree, this is an important “detail”, especially when you consider that in some apartments and offices quite a lot of money is spent on furniture and finishing materials.
Fabric ceiling structure can easily be placed in rooms where there is little heating or no heating at all. Polyvinyl chloride clearly does not agree to such conditions - give it a temperature of +18...+20°C, not lower! In a cool atmosphere, it simply becomes deformed and deteriorates irreversibly. As for fabric ceilings, they easily tolerate temperature Range-40…+80°C without compromising its performance characteristics.
Ceilings made of fabric are durable, they are practical, have high fire safety, and are functional. In addition, manufacturers offer a fairly wide selection of design designs (color, pattern). In stores, ceiling fabric is sold in rolls 5 m wide. It is easy to calculate the required footage and buy as much as you need without waste.
And finally, the most important advantage: a fabric stretch ceiling is easy to install yourself, without resorting to the services of a professional team. This, if two or three people work, will take a maximum of 2-3 hours.
Video - Installing a fabric ceiling
Work order
There is a simple order of steps that need to be performed sequentially one after another, without getting ahead and without mixing one with the other. If you want to get high-quality results as quickly as possible, follow the recommendations.
We prepare a baguette, screws, and a decorative plug in advance
A baguette is a fastening profile for mounting a frame around the perimeter of a room. The frame will hold the ceiling fabric. Material: wooden plank, metal corner or plastic strip. Both the purchased version and the product are suitable self-made(many men are interested in carpentry, so they often have everything they need at their disposal). Optimal sizes 40x50 or 50x50 cm.
The decorative plug plays the role of a border that is visible from the outside. It is stuffed after stretching the fabric at the point where it joins the walls. The function is the same as that of the plinth, which covers the edge of the pasted strips of wallpaper at the bottom of the walls.
Self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws are needed to ensure point fastening of the fabric to the walls. Using a drill, holes are pre-drilled into which factory-made items are placed. plastic bushings or homemade wooden plugs. It is easy to drive self-tapping screws into them using a screwdriver. With a large area, it is certainly better to use a self-tapping screw, but in a 5-meter “Khrushchev” kitchen you can do it manually, using an ordinary screwdriver.
Calculate the area of the canvas
As mentioned above, no special wisdom is required to stretch fabric ceilings. No heat is needed to stretch the fabric. All you need to know is how to correctly calculate the area. We offer a simple, time-tested formula: (room width + 15 cm) x (room length + 15 cm) = fabric area in square meters.
It is easiest to work when the ceiling has a strictly square or rectangular shape. But sometimes there are protrusions on the ceilings; the room may have bay windows, columns, decorative niches, ceiling embrasures, windows and other “non-format”. Also remember to cut small holes in the places where the electrical wiring will be located. pendant lamps and chandeliers.
In these areas, you need to carefully take measurements and cut the fabric accordingly. If possible, it will be done without any seams. However, on large areas, sometimes you have to install complex seam structures - this is not a problem, you just need a little more time and more attention so as not to make a mistake with the cut.
Video - Complex installation of a fabric ceiling
Don't forget about lighting devices
In places where lighting fixtures are removed from the ceiling, it is necessary to install a thermal insulating gasket. It has a round slot through which the electrical wire will pass. The gasket ensures fire safety.
Plastic liners are installed before the tension of the overall web begins.
Checking the set of tools for work
Once again, carefully check the list of necessary tools:
- water or laser level;
- electric hammer drill or hammer drill;
- screwdriver (screwdriver);
- hammer;
- scissors;
- roulette;
- grinder or hacksaw (for metal or wood - depending on the material of the baguette);
- construction knife.
Now let's act
Step 1. Using a level, mark the line for attaching the baguette. The appearance of the future ceiling in tension will depend on the accuracy at this stage. Determine the height in such a way that the fabric is as close as possible to the “original” construction ceiling, unless you want to visually lower the height of the room for some reason. Although this also happens (in the case complex structures, consisting of several levels).
Step 2. Stuff baguette around the perimeter of the room.
Step 3. Temporarily remove chandeliers and lamps.
Step 4. Stretch the pre-cut ceiling fabric.
Step 5. Pull the electrical wires from the ceiling light fixtures out through the holes in the thermal insulating rings. Place chandeliers and lamps in their places and secure them carefully.
Step 6. Carefully nail a decorative cap onto the entire frame.
Step 7. Install a decorative plug in the places of bay windows, ceiling embrasures, windows, etc. (If there are any). Sometimes on the sloping ceilings of private houses or country houses there are windows that have special frames - they need to be removed before stretching the fabric ceiling, and then put back after the work is completed.
Stretch fabric ceilings do not require special care. They are unpretentious, and at the same time ready to please you long years. The production uses knitted weaving technology. This means that the elasticity is sufficient for the fabric to “breathe”. But painting it a different color is quite possible. Use water-based paint. It fits well, there are no cracks or sagging on the surface.
Today we will talk about the installation of fabric stretch ceilings, and also understand the features of this time-proven material.
New technologies - new opportunities
Like everything in the world, construction technologies don't stand still. Many still remember the first proposals for the installation of suspended ceilings, and how the novelty soon became one of the standard decorative elements in the renovation and decoration of premises.
A huge advantage of such ceilings is the wide selection of shades and colors that allow you to select the canvas to suit your needs. different interior and for almost any room. Possibilities of modern photo printing, which is used in the production of suspended ceilings. We have reached such a level that we can purchase ceilings of various styles.
Vinyl - main advantages
Before describing fabric ceilings, let's first talk a little about its direct competitor made of vinyl. This stretch ceiling is essentially a vinyl film.
The fact that vinyl is not afraid of water is its undeniable advantage; it is easier to make. Imagine that after a renovation has just been completed, a leak appears in the apartment due to a forgotten open tap or a burst pipe in the neighbors above. The repair will be ruined.
Nervous tension when talking with neighbors, spoiled mood, household items and the need for new repairs - all this can be avoided if a high-quality stretch ceiling is installed. Water will simply collect on it, it will bend, and after the water is drained, it will return to its original shape.
Our information is that a stretch vinyl ceiling can withstand 100 kg per m2.
But of course, like any element, a vinyl ceiling is not without its drawbacks. First of all, this relates to certain skills when selecting and installing it.
Installation - main difficulties
As for installation, this is not an idle question. Of course, a person who decided to install a vinyl stretch ceiling himself most likely has certain construction skills. It will not be difficult for him to drill holes for fastenings and mount baguettes.
- But then you will need to use certain installation techniques and have a special tool.
- While almost everyone has a hammer drill, screwdrivers, keys and knives, not everyone has a special spatula for threading vinyl. Of course, you can purchase it at a specialized store or make it yourself, but then the question arises, where to get a heat gun?
- During installation, you will need to raise the temperature of the canvas to 40°C to increase its elasticity.
- Purchasing such a tool for installing one ceiling is completely unprofitable and makes no sense, since the price of this unit is quite high.
- It is worth adding one important point to this: if you violated the technology during installation, you run a high risk of getting untidy folds on its surface.
Fabric ceiling is your right choice
It is much easier to install a fabric stretch ceiling with your own hands, which will be discussed later. Anyone with the desire and a little skill in handling standard home craftsman tools can assemble and install fabric ceilings with their own hands.
Installation – the most important thing is strength and practicality
To make a stretch ceiling we will use calico. Why?
The main difference between calico lies in the method of its production. Cotton threads are woven using a special linen method, which adds strength. Clothes made from calico are practical and can withstand numerous washes without loss of quality, shape and color.
The issue with the material has been resolved. Before purchasing it, you need to measure the ceiling to determine the amount of material to purchase.
Advice! Don’t try to simplify the task and measure the floor instead of the ceiling, hoping for the same results. Sometimes the walls have significant differences, which can play a cruel joke - the fabric is like PVC film you won't stretch it. We take a margin of 7-8 centimeters for each wall.
You need to purchase undyed calico, with a rough structure. This is much cheaper and better for further processing of the ceiling. Typically, specialized stores sell calico 1.5 meters wide.
Installation tools
The material has been purchased, it is necessary to prepare the tools and additional materials.
We will need:
- Construction stapler;
- Hammer or drill— it all depends on the material from which your walls are made;
- Stationery knife and scissors;
- Level— it is best to use laser or water;
- Dyeing thread;
- Tension tool.
Materials
From the materials we will need:
- Calico fabric.
- Wooden blocks measuring 40x50 or 50x50 mm. Their total length should be equal to the perimeter of the room in which the suspended ceiling is installed.
- Anchor. Their size and quantity directly depend on the room and the material from which its walls are made. In any case, the bars secured with their help must hold firmly.
- Assembly adhesive. An ordinary shoemaker works well.
- Tracing paper.
- PVA glue.
Installation process
It is worth noting that when installing suspended fabric ceilings, installation is best done with an assistant.
- First, from the existing fabric you need to sew a panel the size of your ceiling, leaving an appropriate margin for fastening; 100 - 150 mm will be quite enough.
- The next stage is attaching the bars to the walls around the perimeter of the room. To do this, you must first draw a horizontal line on the walls along which they will be installed.
- First, using a level, we find the lowest point of the existing ceiling.
- We step back the required distance from it and transfer it to the remaining corners.
- Next, using a dye thread, we connect the marks, forming even horizontal lines.
Do-it-yourself fabric ceiling involves making holes for anchors. Special care is important here.
- First, use a marker to number the bars in the order in which they were installed.
- After this, drill in each required amount holes for fastening anchors.
- Next, apply the bars one at a time to the line marked on the wall and through drilled holes make marks.
- Thus, the holes on the bars and the wall will completely coincide.
- We drill holes in the wall according to the marked marks.
Our help - Let us repeat, it all depends on the material from which your walls are made. Some people may have walls made of wood, in which case attaching the bars will not be a particular problem for them. Anchors are not required here; strong self-tapping screws of appropriate length will be sufficient.
Someone may doubt the advisability of using anchors and want to simplify the task of installing the bars using wooden or plastic dowels (chops) and screws. This option is not suitable because it is good for fastening elements in which the load is located strictly vertically - from top to bottom.
In our case, in addition to the vertical load, there is also a horizontal load associated with the tension of the panel, so anchors are justified. Now you can attach the bars. Since they are numbered, this will not be difficult.
Stretch fabric ceilings - installation of supporting beams
Unlike a vinyl stretch ceiling, which has four corners attached at once, we need to secure the panel on one side. Let's start with the most long wall rooms.
- Apply to the bars assembly adhesive and the panel is attached using a stapler.
- In the future, the staples will be hidden with a baguette.
- You need to start strictly from the middle and evenly stretch the fabric, moving towards the edges.
- Next, the fabric is attached to the opposite wall - here you will definitely need an assistant.
Our advice is to make a device in the form of a mop before installation. It is made from a metal rod with a diameter of 20 - 25 mm. The result is a kind of letter T. For convenience, bend the handle to form two parallel rods adjacent to each other.
- Let's start from the middle.
- Spread glue on the bars.
- Attach the fabric to the block and press it with a device at the corner of the joint with the wall. This is where the extra 100 - 150 mm left will come in handy.
- Pull the free part while holding the tool. The cloth will stretch. At this time, the assistant will shoot him with a stapler.
- After removing the device, you can shoot again - closer to the wall.
- This way the entire side is covered.
- Make sure that there are no wrinkles in the fabric.
- After that, attach all the other sides.
- The main thing is to move from the center to the edges.
“Installation of a fabric stretch ceiling” video will help you become more familiar with the described process.
Finishing the canvas
Of course, it’s good if there is a panel without seams of the appropriate size. As a rule, when installing fabric ceilings. The fabric has to be sewn. So it's time to hide the seams.
Hiding the seams
For this we will use tracing paper. But first, let's prepare the glue.
- To do this, you need to cook the paste - you can easily find the recipe on the Internet.
- Add PVA glue to the resulting paste in an amount of 1/3 of the volume of liquid.
- The mixture is thoroughly stirred.
- Next, you need to bring our glue to the state of very liquid sour cream. To do this, simply add the required amount of water while stirring constantly.
- Be very careful when gluing tracing paper onto the seams.
- The strips of tracing paper are glued overlapping.
Our advice is to make the edges of the tracing paper and overlaps invisible, bend them when gluing so that they do not stick to the fabric. When the glue has dried, carefully tear off the edges so that the tracing paper on the edges becomes thinner and the seams become completely invisible.
- To obtain high-quality joints, the edges can be processed sandpaper, zero.
- After processing, the seams are covered with PVA glue and the ceiling is left for final drying. At this time you can stick on the baguettes.
- When the glue has completely dried, you can prime the surface with a primer and paint it with a special paint.
- It is better to apply the paint in several layers, allowing each layer to dry.
A detailed examination of the video instructions about the installation of fabric stretch ceilings allows you to fully master all operations.
If you have a question about mounting a chandelier or other lamps, then in this case everything is done exactly the same as in any stretch ceiling - first the thermal rings are glued with special glue, and then the fabric inside them is cut through.
Almost anyone can install fabric stretch ceilings with their own hands, the main thing is desire and accuracy in work. When the ceiling is ready, you can start finishing it, but we will talk about this in other articles. Best wishes.
Many people choose stretch fabric for the ceiling. This material has a number of advantages compared to film. But there are also disadvantages, one of which is a higher price. To reduce costs, you can install the canvas yourself. This article provides detailed instructions How to install fabric ceilings with your own hands. Some construction skills and an assistant will be required.
Features of fabric for suspended ceilings
For production, polyester fabric is used, which is impregnated with polyurethane. Properties are determined by the characteristics of the material. Fabric stretch ceilings withstand temperature changes from -50º to +100ºC. The fabric can be stretched to unheated rooms: verandas, gazebos, houses for temporary residence.
The maximum roll width is 5.1 m. This is enough to create a seamless ceiling in a room of standard sizes.
Polyester does not burn, does not electrify, does not emit harmful substances even when heated. Fabric fabric is much stronger than film. An accidental blow with a sharp object or a flying champagne cork will not damage the surface.
Disadvantages include poor color scheme- only about 20 tones. But the fabric can be dyed (up to 3-4 times), draw patterns or apply a decorative textured layer.
Polyester ceilings are more expensive than vinyl ceilings. But the canvas does not need to be heated for installation. Installing a fabric stretch ceiling is easy to do with your own hands. This will save you a lot of money.
The most popular manufacturers are:
- Clipso (France);
- Descor (Germany);
- Cerutti (Switzerland).
How the fabric is attached
A frame of profiles is fixed along the perimeter of the walls. For fabric, take a plastic baguette with a clip fastening, which in cross-section resembles the letter “A” with curved lower ends. The canvas is inserted between them and held using the principle of clothespins.
The baguette itself can be ceiling or wall. The first one takes up less height, but if the room is not too low, it is better to use the second option. As a rule, the base floor is not perfectly level, so it is easier to set the ceiling level with a wall mount.
The fabric is fixed at a short distance from the edge, so it is purchased with a reserve. It is enough to add 10-15 cm from the length and width of the room. The excess is later trimmed off.
What is required for installation
In addition to the stretch ceiling kit, before starting work, you must prepare the following tools:
- stepladder;
- hammer drill or impact drill;
- screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver;
- hammer;
- laser or water level;
- hacksaw;
- pencil and tapping cord (can be replaced with a tape measure);
- construction or stationery knife;
- screws and plastic dowels;
- spatula with rounded ends.
To install lighting you will need:
- chandelier;
- built-in lamps;
- thermal rings of suitable diameter;
- wires;
- platforms or plywood or timber for mortgages.
Preparatory work
Surface draft ceiling no alignment required. But if pieces of plaster, putty, etc. fall off, they will stick out unsightly on the tension fabric. And heavy parts can even damage the fabric. Therefore, the base ceiling is prepared before installation.
If the chandelier is already hanging, it needs to be removed. The apartment is first de-energized. The wires are removed from the ceiling.
Remains of paint and plaster are removed from the surface of the ceiling. If there is mold, the affected areas are removed. The surface is impregnated with a composition that will not allow the fungus to reappear. This is also useful for prevention. After drying, the ceiling is covered with a primer (preferably deep penetration). It strengthens the surface.
The next step is laying out the electrical wiring for lighting. The wires are laid in a corrugated pipe and secured with clamps and dowels. Putty is not used, as it may fall off later.
As a rule, a chandelier is used for lighting, sometimes in combination with built-in lamps. But the fabric will not support the chandelier, so a mortgage is being prepared for it. Take a piece of plywood or wooden block slightly larger than the chandelier mount. The mounting platform is mounted at such a height that Bottom part was at the level of the future ceiling. If the thickness of the plywood or timber is sufficient, they are fixed with dowels. Otherwise, a frame is made from metal profile, which is attached to the ceiling. And a mortgage platform is screwed to its lower part. Recessed lights are also attached to pre-installed platforms.
Fastening baguettes
First you need to mark a place on the walls. Retreat from the draft ceiling:
- 10-15 cm if built-in lighting is planned;
- 3-5 cm if there is only a chandelier.
Markings are made at the corners with a pencil at the required height.
Using a level, achieve the same distance from the floor. So the ceiling will be completely horizontal.
Then the tapping thread is pulled along the wall along two marks and released. A straight line remains on the surface. The operation is repeated for the remaining walls. Holes are drilled along the line every 10-15 cm. After this, the profile is attached.
To get around the corners of the room, the baguette is cut with a hacksaw at an angle of 45 degrees. The profile joints must fit closely to each other. Sometimes baguettes are produced with holes for screws. If they are not there, you will have to drill them. Then the frame parts are attached to the walls with screws and plastic dowels.
Fabric stretching
The installation technology is simple, but it is much more convenient to work with an assistant. Installation of a fabric ceiling begins from the middle of the walls of the room. The material is carefully tucked into the baguette with a spatula, then the tool is removed.
The canvas is inserted in the corners in the same way. The entire ceiling is gradually stretched. This installation technology avoids distortions.
At the next stage, excess fabric is trimmed from the edges. Small remnants of the canvas are tucked into a baguette. The stretch ceiling is ready.
On last stage install lighting fixtures. To protect the material from overheating, thermal rings are used, which are glued directly to the fabric. Then cut a hole for the wire. The lamp is fixed and connected.
Homemade fabric ceiling option
Specialized material may be too expensive or not suitable for other reasons. In this case it will be useful step by step guide for installing a homemade fabric ceiling.
For work you will need following materials and tools:
- textile;
- planed timber (preferably 30x30 mm)
- drill and dowels;
- sealant;
- staples and construction stapler for driving them in;
- masking tape;
- ceiling plinth and polyurethane glue;
- Chipboard or boards.
The fabric must be strong enough. It can be pre-painted (with acrylic) or a pattern can be applied using a stencil.
The factory width of the roll is about 2.8 m. If this is not enough for the entire ceiling, it is divided into zones. Wires can be laid between them. In addition, it will be more convenient to stretch the fabric not over the entire surface at once, but in parts.
Installation of fabric stretch ceilings begins with preparing the base. This stage is the same as in the previous case.
In the second step, a beam is attached around the perimeter and from the walls to the chandelier. Holes are first drilled in it every 40-50 cm. Then the part that will be adjacent to the surface of the ceiling is covered with sealant. This is done to protect against fungus and possible wood-boring insects. The beam is attached to the ceiling with dowels. It is placed in one row near the walls, and in two rows towards the center (with a distance of several centimeters).
“It’s mind boggling! Just finished the renovation! And she - “I want a new ceiling, something fabulous!” – Alexey was indignant. “There are a lot of ways to decorate the ceiling on the Internet. Even draping the ceiling with fabric will add zest,” I reassured my friend. “It takes a lot of money!” He did not let up. “Don’t worry, we’ll make a fabulous fabric ceiling with our own hands!” He said he would have to help. Well, let's get started!
Fabric ceiling
Choice of color and material
Both silk and synthetics, veil, and even velvet or satin are great for decorating the ceiling. The choice of material dictates the result. Organza will make the room airy, and luxurious velvet will help create a cozy atmosphere.
Which color should you choose? Pink will slightly reduce the height and add a youthful style. Orange will fill you with a cheerful summer mood. Lilac relaxes and helps relieve tension and stress after have a hard day. Delicate beige adds airiness.
It's time to go to the fabric store. To make a fabric ceiling, we decided to use organza in several colors of calm lilac and soft beige colour. That's what the nice girl-consultant called these colors. We men don’t really understand where it’s soft lilac and where it’s calm beige. They understood one thing for sure: they will add comfort and fabulousness to the interior of the bedroom.
Fabric ceiling in the bedroom
Preparation
How to calculate the quantity? With a suspended ceiling, everything is simple - you can measure the floor of the room, because the area of the ceiling and floor are the same. In our case, 12 m2. But what about drapery? We decided that the fold step would be equal to half the step between the folds. So in theory we need twice as much fabric as the ceiling area. And so they did. According to the drawing, we will alternate lilac and beige in different ways. Therefore, we bought 14 meters of lilac and 10 meters of beige fabric.
Fabric stretch ceiling
Note. You need to calculate the strips with a slight overlap. The width of our strip is 1.2 m. those. overlap approximately 20 cm.
Now it's worth visiting a hardware store. What do we need. For the frame of our structure along the perimeter of the walls, a 4x5 cm block with a total length of 50 meters (perimeter 48 meters) and a piece of plywood 35x35 cm, 1.5 cm thick. For fastening the bars, there are 160 dowels, for the staple fabric there are several packs. Plywood is needed for the center. In the nearest carpentry workshop we will cut a circle with a diameter of 35 cm.
Let's make a circle at the nearest carpentry workshop
Tools:
- Construction stapler;
- Perforator for walls and ceilings. We rented it. Since I have a small household drill, and such a floor slab cannot be overcome;
- Last (wallpaper spatula) doubles as a template;
- Construction knife and scissors;
- Level. Laser is best.
It is worth noting what to do fabric ceiling better with an assistant.
Execution of work
Let's transgress. First, we attach the bars to the walls around the perimeter of the room. If the ceiling height allows, you can experiment with the height. You can add additional airiness to the room. But, when the ceiling height of a standard panel is 2.6 m, there is no other option but to mount the frame at the very top. The first circle of plywood was secured in the center. As expected, brick walls The partitions gave up without a fight, but the slab took a lot of strength and sweat.
First, we attach the bars to the walls around the perimeter of the room.
The next step is to start marking and cutting the strips into pieces of 3 and 4 meters. It's simple. You need to draw a circle into 14 parts. There were 4 lilac three meter stripes, 2 beige stripes. And four meter stripes, four of each color.
Finally, we move on to attaching our strips. We stretch it along the perimeter of the walls without folds, and wrap the ends of the strip inward. It is imperative to overlap about 10 centimeters, otherwise lumbago will be visible. Then we place the fabric on our section of the circle and assemble it. We carefully secure the whole thing with staples. The pattern is as follows: there are lilac stripes at the corners. Inside - beige. There is one beige stripe on the three-meter wall, and two on the four-meter wall.
how suspended ceilings are installed
We managed to secure several strips. And then it dawned on me. If you fix LED strip along the perimeter of the frame, you can get original lighting. And now, we are already going to the construction hypermarket. The LED strip was connected to distribution box to one of the switch keys. We had to give up adjusting the light in the main lamp.
To be honest, it is not difficult to fasten the fabric to the block - one pulls it, the other fastens it. But I had to “sweat” with the circle. We drew marks on the template with a marker so that the waves of the drapery were the same. Less than two hours had passed before all the elements were secured. Draping the ceiling with fabric was a success!
If you attach an LED strip around the perimeter of the frame, you can get original lighting
We attach the lamp to a plywood circle. That's it, it seems. But, something is missing. Exactly! The fastening brackets around the perimeter are not hidden in any way. Another trip to the supermarket for a polypropylene curtain rod. We bought the baseboard coated so as not to waste time on pre-painting.
Advice. Prepare material in advance for decorating the junction of the ceiling and wall. And you also need to paint in advance. Otherwise, there is a high risk of staining the fabric.
The fillets were glued only to the wall. That's all, actually. The fabric on the ceiling looks beautiful and truly fabulous, especially with lighting.
Fabric stretch ceiling with lighting
All work required:
- work day;
- two enthusiasts;
- minimal tool;
- a little fantasy.
Try it and you will understand that sometimes original ideas do not require much time and effort!
We solve a controversial issue: first, suspended ceiling or wallpaper
Do-it-yourself high-quality ceiling repair in an apartment
Why are many of us attracted to the opportunity to do the renovation, or at least part of it, ourselves? There are probably several reasons. This is a pleasant satisfaction from something done with your own hands. quality work, which can be shown to guests with special pride, and the opportunity to get exactly the kind of interior design and quality of finishing that invited specialists cannot do for some reason.
And most often it is the desire to achieve the desired result with the least financial cost. Look at the ceiling - isn't it time to tidy it up?
If such work seems difficult to you due to large differences level, the need for dirty processes of washing and puttying, do not despair: there is a much simpler, faster and cheap way make the ceiling absolutely smooth and clean with your own hands.
The idea is to do high-quality repairs materials accessible to everyone, using them in a non-trivial way.
Required materials and tools
No, we don’t need a construction supermarket yet - we’re going to a fabric store. That's right, because we will make the ceiling from curtain material. There are several important points here:
- Curtain fabrics have standard height 2.8 or 3 m. Most rooms have several large sizes. Hence the conclusion - the panels will have to be sewn together. if you have sewing machine- this is a matter of a couple of minutes, if not, any studio will certainly help you. It is better to add two narrow stripes along the edges to make it symmetrical, but in general the seams are practically invisible on the finished ceiling.
- The fabric can be any - matte or with a slight tint, colored, with patterns. This is especially true for children. But, if you have to make seams, choose a plain material.
- If you want to avoid seams, you will have to build a plasterboard structure around the perimeter of the room so that the width of the material is enough to cover the remaining area. If you dreamed of two-level ceiling- this is a great chance to make your dream come true.
- The finished length and width of the panel should be approximately 20 cm larger than the corresponding dimensions of the room.
The material for the tension has been purchased - now it’s time to take care of the fasteners. We need very little:
- Plastic cable channels with a single lock, which are sold in any electrical goods store. There are also plastic tubes to protect the cables. We select cable channels and tubes of the same caliber, for example, 16 mm. total length each material is equal to the perimeter of the room.
- Beam with a section of 25x30 or 25x40 mm. They can be of a different size, which depends on how many centimeters the ceiling plane needs to be lowered. The footage is also equal to the perimeter of the room.
- Wood screws, small, for example, 16 or 19 mm, at the rate of 1 pc. for every 0.5 m of perimeter.
- Plastic dowels and screws for them, the length of which depends on the cross-section of the beam. Quantity - 1 pc. on linear meter timber.
- To give the finished ceiling a finished look, ordinary polyurethane foam baguettes are used. Their number can be easily calculated based on the footage of the remaining running materials.
- Masking tape (paper).
- Hook with thread for hanging a lamp.
The tools you will need are: a drill, a screwdriver or a screwdriver, a hacksaw, a construction level, a tape measure and a beating cord.
Installation of the fastening system
First you need to determine the location of the future ceiling. To do this, we use a building level and a painting cord to mark straight lines.
To understand what the reduction in ceiling level will be, it is necessary to carry out simple calculations: a + b = c, Where A- beam cross-section, b- caliber of cable channels and tubes, With- the height of the entire structure. For example, if we took 25x30 timber and 16 mm cable channels, the ceiling level will decrease by 46 mm.
Almost always, the geometry of our premises is far from ideal, and the walls may differ from each other in height. In order for our ceiling to be horizontal, we will have to measure the height of the walls; for this we measure each one in several places. We find the point where the wall is the lowest - at this place we retreat 30 mm from the ceiling and beat off a horizontal line through this point using a dye cord. We check the horizon with a building level.
To be sure that the markings are correct, we check: we connect the corners of the room crosswise with cords attached to the line. If the cords touch in the center, everything is fine. If they are at a distance or bend over each other, there are errors in the markings.
We prepare the beam: it must be attached along the broken line to the walls. We drill holes for screws in increments of about 1 m, mark points for drilling holes for dowels on the walls.
We remove the covers from the cable channels - we don’t need them. We attach the boxes to the beam from below in the longitudinal direction, departing 0.5-1 cm from the edge. In the corners we join them in a T-shape, with a gap of 2-3 mm. Fastening is done with small self-tapping screws in increments of about 50 cm. The screws are screwed into the “crossbar” of the U-shaped box.
Let's not forget about the lamp. Near the exit electric cable We attach a piece of timber to the ceiling into which we screw a hook. Its bend should be approximately 2 cm below the level of the future ceiling. We stretch two cords diagonally through the center of the room - we find the required level.
Fabric stretching
To make the fastener more reliable, it is worth carrying out one more preliminary. Plastic tubes are covered with paper tape. There is no need to try to do this very carefully - the more folds and creases there are, the better.
At this point, we can say that the main part of the work is done - the simplest and most pleasant things remain. Before stretching, it is recommended to thoroughly remove dust from the floor, walls and ceiling of the room so as not to stain the panel. It needs to be ironed to remove wrinkles. It would also be a good idea to lightly spray the fabric with an antistatic agent so that in the future the dust that appears in each room does not settle on the ceiling.
Stretching is easiest done with two or three people, although one person can do the job quite well. The edge of the cloth is thrown onto a plastic tube, which, together with light fabric pressed into the groove of the cable channel and pinched in it. In this way, all edges of the ceiling material are raised and secured.
Now you need to stretch the fabric - you need to start from the middle of the wall and move gradually to the corners. With one hand the tube is held in the groove, the other hand pulls the edge of the panel down and towards the corner to gradually push all the folds there. Things will go faster if you pull two opposite sides of the perimeter at the same time. You need to pull firmly, but so that the tubes do not jump out of the grooves.
Before finally securing the fabric, you need to make a hole for the electrical cable and hook. It is clearly visible from below, as it stands out on the plane of the stretched fabric. The hole is made using any available device, such as a lighter. So we “kill” two birds with one stone - we make a hole and secure its edges so that the “arrow” does not run on the fabric.
When the hole is ready, remove the fabric from the fastener on one side of the room up to the hook, carefully pass the cable and hook through the hole, and then fasten the fabric back. Later, the hole will be covered with a decorative lamp cap. If you make a hole in advance, before tensioning, there is a danger of “missing”, and it will be more difficult to fit the hole to the hook. In addition, if you singe the edges of the hole in an unstretched state, when stretching there is a possibility that an “arrow” will still appear on the fabric.
Only the details remain. Carefully stretch the fabric again to remove all wrinkles. It would be a good idea to dampen the fabric with a spray bottle so that when it dries, it will stretch even more. To be sure of the reliability of the fastening, you can screw the screws directly through the tube to prevent it from rotating under the tension of the fabric. The pitch of the screws is about 0.5 m.
Masking fasteners
All that remains is to hide the fastenings using polyurethane baguettes. They are cut and glued to the wall in the same way as in a regular renovation, with the difference that they are not attached to the ceiling.
Before gluing, the hanging edge of the fabric must be rolled up and secured to the beam, for example, with tape or a stapler. It is better to use baguettes with symmetrical shoulders, i.e., having a cross-sectional shape of an angle with equal sides.
Painting of baguettes can be done in advance, or after installation. Then the ceiling panel needs to be protected with a long spatula.
Why do we need all this?
The ceiling is ready! Perfectly smooth, beautiful and... very inexpensive. The lion's share of its cost is fabric. If you have had renovations done before, it is quite possible that you still have extra scraps of building materials - you can use them and not spend money on buying timber. Every owner will probably also have screws and dowels.
- The most inexpensive fabric for curtains it costs about 200-300 rubles. We take 3.2 m, spend 960 rubles.
- Cable channels and tubes cost about 10-12 rubles per linear meter. 11 meters will cost 132 rubles.
- 25x30 timber is offered at a price of about 20 rubles. for a three-meter segment. Thus, lumber will cost us 80 rubles.
- Self-tapping screws can be bought by weight; a handful of these fasteners will not cost more than 100 rubles. The same applies to dowels.
- A regular molding for ceilings costs about 100 rubles. for a segment of 2 m. Accordingly, 6 shoulder straps - 600 rubles.
Let's do the math? We spent several hours and 1,972 rubles to bring the ceiling into perfect condition. As they say, comments are unnecessary...
Of course, like most other methods of ceiling repair, this method also has its own weak sides. The main one is the inability to wash the cloth without removing it. However, as you have already seen, this process is not very difficult. If the neighbors above behave peacefully, your ceiling will not be in danger!