The ceiling can be finished in almost any way building material, however, every owner tries to choose the most practical and easy-to-use option. One such material is polyvinyl chloride panels. Among its advantages, the possibility of self-installation attracts special attention, so you should study in more detail the rules for choosing this material and how to attach it to the ceiling.
Polyvinyl chloride, from which the ceiling panels are made, is a plastic with a low flammability rating and resistance to chemical compounds. The design of PVC panels consists of two thin sheets of plastic, which are connected to each other by a large number of stiffeners. The edge along the length on one side of the panel is made in the form of a large mounting shelf, on the other side - in the form of a small mounting shelf. The purpose of the large shelf is to fasten the polyvinyl chloride panel to the sheathing on the ceiling; the second shelf is used to join the panels together.
The popularity of polyvinyl chloride panels is explained by the following advantages:
To create a reliable and attractive structure on the ceiling, you need to choose the right polyvinyl chloride panels. First of all, determine the dimensions of PVC panels for the ceiling; they can be made in the form of plastic lining or in the form of a rectangular slab.
Moreover, each type is characterized by the presence of certain standard sizes:
When choosing, it is very important to learn to distinguish good material from low-quality panels that can quickly become unusable or lose their attractiveness.
Therefore, you should adhere to the following rules:
In addition to PVC panels, which are the main elements of the ceiling structure, an installation profile will be required. Such products have two shelves, with the help of one the profile is fixed to the ceiling, the other shelf is connected to PVC panels. When choosing a profile, you should pay attention to the thickness of the shelves and the absence of defects.
You should also purchase items for decorative design suspended ceiling made of plastic panels. Most often in this case they use ceiling plinth, with which you can close the gap between the ceiling and the wall. The ceiling plinth is also made of polyvinyl chloride; special glue is used to fix it.
Concerning color scheme PVC panels, then the design of the room and the taste preferences of the owner are taken as a basis. IN construction stores products from the most different colors, which allows you to create not only monochromatic surfaces, but also combine several colors.
To properly and securely fasten plastic panels to the ceiling, you need to prepare a set of certain tools. It is worth noting that to complete the task you do not need to purchase expensive or very complex equipment and mechanisms; the tools from the list can be purchased at any hardware store.
In particular, installation of a suspended ceiling made of PVC panels is carried out using the following tools:
To create the frame you will also need material. Most often in this case, wooden blocks or metal profiles are used. Don’t forget about fasteners, hammer drills, screwdriver attachments, dowels and profile hangers.
Preparation for installing a suspended ceiling with your own hands from panels begins with creating a plan or diagram of the future frame, and this must be done before going to the store for tools and accessories. In the plan, it is necessary to note the length and width of the room, and also draw the location of the frame or sheathing elements. The drawn lines will help you correctly cut the frame elements and PVC panels.
Also, the dimensions of the room will help when calculating the number of panels to create a PVC suspended ceiling. Planning will allow you to do the job efficiently and prevent unpleasant moments in the process of attaching plastic panels.
Another important stage of preparation is the removal of old finishing material. This is especially true if there is a thick layer of plaster or paint composition. Neglecting to clean the surface in this case may cause damage to the frame and panels.
At the end of the preparatory work, the level of location of the future frame is determined. For this purpose, you need to use a tape measure, with which you measure the height of each corner of the room. Then choose the smallest height, measure down another 5 cm and mark a line along the entire perimeter of the room. The best option in this case, a laser level will be used.
Along the drawn line in increments of 5-10 cm, holes are drilled with a puncher, and a dowel is inserted into each of them. Then they take the U-shaped profile and attach it to the wall using self-tapping screws, screwing them into the prepared holes. During the process of fixing the profile, the horizontality of the frame elements is controlled, using a building level for this purpose.
Next, using hangers and guide profiles, they create a suspended frame for the ceiling from PVC panels, onto which they will be directly attached. The distance between the guides should be approximately 50 cm; install it with the lid facing the floor.
The finished frame is additionally checked for horizontalness and absence of differences in height. Only on condition quality installation frame, you can get a perfectly flat ceiling from plastic panels.
Further actions involve installing electrical wiring for spot lighting devices. All wires should be laid in a plastic corrugated pipe, which will protect communications from moisture.
To save money, the ceiling frame made of plastic panels can be made from wooden blocks. However, in this case, it is imperative to protect the structure from moisture.
Installation of a wooden frame for a ceiling made of PVC panels is carried out according to the following scheme:
When using a wooden frame to fasten polyvinyl chloride panels, it is best to purchase staples and a construction stapler as fasteners rather than self-tapping screws and a screwdriver. In addition, the option of using “ liquid nails" This construction adhesive is capable of firmly bonding plastic panels to the frame. This design can withstand quite large loads.
It should be remembered that when installing large lighting fixtures or when installing multi-level ceiling, the frame needs to be strengthened. For this purpose, it is enough to arrange the guide rails with a smaller pitch. This rule is also important to follow for a metal frame.
The first step in this process is to install the starter profile, which is secured with a large shelf to the guides. The starting profile can be installed only in the places where the first and last panels are attached or directly along the entire perimeter of the room.
Next, the panels are measured and cut, taking into account the ability of the plastic to expand when heated. For this reason, the length of the panels may be slightly smaller sizes rooms. Neglecting this rule may cause deformation of the panels during operation of the finished ceiling structure. Also, we must not forget that in low temperature conditions plastic becomes brittle. Therefore it is not recommended to perform installation work in the cold season.
For the spot lighting used, it is necessary to make holes of the appropriate size in the PVC panels.
After full preparation material proceed directly to the installation of PVC panels. The first panel is inserted into the starting profile and secured with fasteners on the guides. When screwing in self-tapping screws, do not use much force to avoid damaging the PVC panel shelf.
The joining of the next panel is carried out using a fastening shelf, which is inserted into the groove of the first plank. Fastening is also performed using the selected fastening element. When adjusting panels, it is not recommended to leave gaps and cracks; elements should be adjusted using a rubber mallet.
Installation of the last strip may vary slightly, since the remaining space rarely matches the width of the panel. Most often, it is necessary to trim the panel along its entire length, and it is necessary to ensure that the cut edge is as smooth as possible.
The completion of all work is gluing the ceiling plinth and installing lighting fixtures. The question is how to do it suspended ceiling made of plastic panels can be considered solved.
Home / Types of ceilings / Made from plastic panels / Procedure for installing a ceiling made from PVC panels
No renovation will be done well unless it is carefully planned first.
This applies to any operation - be it simple painting walls or ceiling. The order in which all operations are performed is especially important if you are planning to install a ceiling made of PVC panels, then planning all stages of work in advance is simply necessary. This way you can protect yourself from all possible mistakes.
It all starts with selecting the material necessary for finishing. In our case, PVC strips from which the decorative fabric of the future ceiling will be assembled. They may differ from each other in thickness, width, length and appearance of the front part of the panel.
There may be many opinions regarding the last point, but there are basic rules for decorating and designing ceiling surfaces that should not be neglected:
The easiest way to understand how to install a suspended ceiling from PVC panels is by watching the video below, which shows the process in all details.
If this is not enough and some questions remain, then the entire process will be considered step by step, with maximum attention to all the details of assembling such a coating.
The floor plane that will be hidden by the decorative fabric of the new coating must be carefully prepared and processed in advance. To begin with, remove all the old coating. Contaminants are removed at this stage.
After cleaning the working surface, you can treat it with antibacterial and antiseptic impregnations. They will not allow mold and mildew to appear in the closed ceiling space.
Next important stage– drawing all the points and lines necessary for installation of the base. The easiest way to do this is to use a laser or water level. If there is no laser device on the farm, then it can be successfully replaced by a regular building level paired with a water-based version of this device.
To apply the first mark, you must select the lowest available corner of the room. It is applied at a distance of 5 to 15 centimeters from the ceiling plane - depending on how uneven the ceilings are and the distance to which the coating plane must be lowered to install all the lighting fixtures.
The mark made using a water level is transferred to all other corners. All marks are connected by straight lines. The easiest way to do this is to use a special marking cord, which can be purchased at any hardware store.
The installation of the frame begins.
The profile around the perimeter of the room will be installed first. It should be positioned strictly horizontally and adjacent to the wall as tightly as possible. A plastic profile is attached to it, which will simultaneously serve as a fastening element and mask the junction of the wall and the ceiling sheet.
When all the parts are secured around the perimeter of the room, you can begin installing the transverse components of the frame.
Depending on the complexity of the design, hangers may be needed. They are mounted on the floor plane at the rate of one hanger for every 60 centimeters of the profile. From the wall, the distance to the first element is about 30 centimeters.
The last step will be the installation of all the strips that make up the ceiling fabric. They are installed extremely simply and questions or ambiguities with this point never arise. How it is produced pvc installation panels on the ceiling, shown in the video below.
This video shows the main method for installing not only PVC panels for ceilings, but also for walls. Fundamentally, these two operations will differ only in that in one case the assembly is carried out in a horizontal plane, and in the other, they work with vertically located parts.
In general, all operations look like this:
The assembly of the ceiling covering is completed and now all that remains is to take out the existing trash, tidy up the room and enjoy the structure you assembled with your own hands.
2. Advantages of PVC ceilings 3. Installation of a frame for PVC panels 4. Installation procedure for plastic panels
One of the most inexpensive ways to finish a base floor is the installation of PVC ceiling panels. This design option is distinguished by its ease of installation and cost-effectiveness not only in terms of money, but also in time.
The characteristics of ceilings created using PVC panels determine the properties of the materials used in the process of their production. Plates for ceiling mounting are made of plastic, usually polyvinyl chloride. Plastic ceiling panels are shaped very much like clapboard; on one of the edges along their length there is a spike, and on the opposite side there is a groove. Thanks to this design, installation of ceiling panels is carried out quickly and the result is a strong, continuous joining of surface elements.
By appearance and characteristics of PVC panels for ceilings are:
If you plan to install panels on the ceiling in residential premises, experts recommend using colored or textured products, since an absolutely white surface, such as in the photo, looks uninteresting.
Finishing the ceiling with wall panels is undesirable, since they are much stiffer and heavier.
Professionals know how to make panels on the ceiling so that it looks impeccable. But since the work of installing plastic panels on the ceiling is not difficult, every owner can do it if desired.
Fastening panels to the ceiling, according to experts, has the following significant advantages:
Before installing panels on the ceiling with your own hands, you need to prepare tools and materials for work:
When all of the above is prepared, you can begin attaching the panels to the ceiling. First of all, the frame is built.
To do this, mark the ceiling and walls in the room. This work must be done efficiently, since the strictly horizontal position of the frame determines how good the surface of the future structure will look.
For this:
The frame is installed in the same way using wooden beams. Sometimes wooden base more preferable because it is easier to attach plastic panels to it.
Installation of plastic panels on the ceiling, watch the video:
PVC panels are fastened in the following sequence:
Depending on weight and type finishing slabs use different fasteners. If you are attaching wall panels to the ceiling, although this is undesirable due to their weight and rigidity, they use clamps, you can use staples for a frame made of wooden beams (read also: “PVC tiles for the ceiling: self-installation”).
There is a way to glue panels to the ceiling, for this they use adhesive composition, which is called “liquid nails”. When joining elements, it is necessary to leave small gaps, allowing the coating to easily withstand temperature changes and not deform.
Very often the ceiling and wall surfaces are exposed to harmful effects during the operation of the premises. It could be high humidity heat and its changes. Such conditions contribute to the appearance of fungus and mold, as well as other unpleasant problems.
When choosing a finish for the ceiling, many people opt for plastic panels, because when cleaning, they can simply be wiped with a damp cloth.
Installing plastic panels on the ceiling with your own hands allows you to cope with such consequences, extend the service life of the coating and minimize repair costs.
In addition, plastic panels solve problems with crumbling and yellowing of the ceiling surface, and are not afraid of moisture and transportation.
The process of installing plastic panels on a ceiling surface with your own hands consists of the following steps:
Before installing plastic panels on the ceiling, it is necessary to clean the working surface of paint, chalk and crumbling layers old plaster. Next, the ceiling is treated with a primer, which must have an antifungal additive. This will eliminate the possibility of mold.
The sheathing for plastic panels can be made of metal or wood, depending on the humidity in the room.
IN preparatory work also includes wiring electrical wires, because after installing the plastic ceiling, such a procedure will be too labor-intensive. When making the wiring, the electrical wiring must be firmly attached to the main ceiling. Bends will need to be made in places where lighting fixtures are installed.
When selecting spotlights, be sure to take into account the lamp power, since exceeding this value can cause deformation and melting of the ceiling panels. The permitted power of lighting devices is always indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging of the material.
To install ceiling panels yourself, you will need the following tools:
Materials:
Modern technologies have stepped far forward. Today construction market as an alternative to the usual materials for finishing the ceiling, we can offer PVC. Plastic panels are cheap, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to install with your own hands.
PVC ceilings have a number of advantages:
Cheapness. The price of PVC is lower than that of other analogues. Light weight, which allows you to save on profiles.
Easy to install. Finishing the ceiling with plastic is simple, which allows you to make such ceilings yourself without resorting to the services of specialists.
Hygiene. Plastic is not afraid of water, temperature fluctuations, fungus and mold; there are no pores in it where dirt and germs could accumulate. PVC panels are easy to clean, they are not afraid of non-abrasive detergents. For these reasons, ceilings made of plastic panels are relevant in the kitchen, balcony, and bathroom.
Safety. PVC panels are made from the same material as syringes and product containers.
Masking of irregularities. The space between the slabs and the ceiling will allow you to hide both surface defects and communications or additional insulation.
Durability. With proper care, PVC panels will last up to 15 years, and if necessary, they can be removed and reinstalled.
However, there are also disadvantages:
Appearance. Ceiling panels are usually made in plain colors, in white or similar colors, and when installing cheap options, even with correct installation the joints will be visible.
Fragility of the material. Plastic ceiling panels, unlike wall panels, are more fragile, and low-quality ones can be easily damaged by careless finger pressure.
Limited design options. The design of a PVC ceiling is simple; it is difficult to do something unusual. Reducing the height of the room.
After weighing the pros and cons, you can decide whether you want to install plastic ceilings.
The market for plastic panels is wide and represented by a wide variety of models. They can be classified according to a variety of parameters.
According to the type of connection, plastic panels are:
According to the type of coating, plastic panels are divided into:
Matte is unprocessed and therefore the cheapest.
Glossy - coated with a special varnish and have good reflective characteristics. As you can see in numerous photos of ceilings made of plastic panels, visually they help to increase the space.
Colored. Thermal film is used to make cheap models. More expensive ones use other technologies (for example, direct printing), and the image in them has a higher resolution.
The choice of PVC panels is very large. Therefore, it is vital to know a few rules that will help you choose quality material:
Remember that only high-quality panels will serve you reliably and for a long time.
Even non-professionals can install PVC panels. But you need to pay attention to each stage of the work so that the result satisfies you.
Calculation rules:
All results obtained should be rounded up.
You may also need joining profiles.
You will also need to do some preparatory work:
Then you can start making the frame:
Mark the ceiling by measuring the level around the perimeter and drawing lines on the walls. If you are making a ceiling in a bathroom where there are even tiles, you can measure along the seams of the tiles.
Immediately note the location of the lamps: they may require additional space. At temperatures above +90C, plastic does not burn, but can be deformed, so it is better to purchase LED or halogen lamps.
Cut the starting profile to the length of the walls and make holes every 50 cm.
Attach it to the wall and, following the prepared marks, drill holes in it at the mounting points. Before work, be sure to check if there are any wiring in the drilling areas. Otherwise, you risk damaging the power supply or the hammer drill, or even getting an electric shock.
Attach the profile to the wall using dowels. Cut off required quantity plastic profile. Please note that the panels must be fastened at right angles to its direction.
Insert the plastic profile into the guide. Too large a distance between the supporting profiles will cause the panels to sag, so it is optimal to measure 40 cm each.
If the profile is longer than one and a half meters, it must be secured with metal hangers and screwed together with self-tapping screws.
Then prepare to install the fixtures:
Now you can mount the panels:
Attach the rail to the guide profile. You can use not a lath, but a ceiling plinth, gluing it to liquid nails. Cut the panels to fit the wall.
Insert the panel into the guide rail at one end, bend it slightly and insert the other end, lightly press it against the wall and screw it. Mount the remaining panels in the same way, tightly joining them with the previous one and making sure that they run the same along the entire length. Do not apply too much pressure, otherwise the panel will become deformed.
Once you have reached the location where you want to install lighting fixture, mark the mounting points on the panels and drill holes. Then install the lamp and panel.
The last panel is cut to fit the actual dimensions of the rest of the ceiling and inserted in the same way as the others. If necessary, treat gaps and joints with acrylic sealant.
Connect power to the lighting fixtures.
Ready! As you can see, installing ceilings made of PVC panels is within the reach of everyone.
Can be used to finish the ceiling different materials, But most practical PVC panels are distinguished by their availability and ease of installation.
Anyone can make a ceiling from PVC panels with their own hands. home craftsman, for this you need to purchase or rent the necessary tools, study the installation sequence and recommendations of specialists.
In order to do it yourself, you first need to correctly calculate their number and the required length, figure out how to install the supporting structure and the panels themselves, after which you can begin to carry out the work.
Before starting to calculate the quantity necessary materials, you need to decide which PVC panels you will use, since they have different sizes. pay attention to the fact that the panels are ceiling-mounted and not . Since they are not subjected to serious loads on the ceiling, their strength will be less, and the cost will be correspondingly lower.
Standard sizes of ceiling panels will be as follows:
Ceiling in the bathroom
A parameter such as the width of the material is of great importance. If you veneer, there will be fewer seams, so the surface will look more seamless. Narrow panels have their advantages: they are much easier to work with, but they result in a large number of seams. Experts recommend using medium-width material for finishing the ceiling, so it should be 250 mm.
When you decide on the length and width of the panels, be sure to pay attention to the quality of their manufacture. When choosing a material, pay attention to the following characteristics:
To calculate the number of PVC panels, you first need to determine the area of the room in which the ceiling will be finished. To determine the area of the ceiling, multiply its length by its width. The packaging of PVC panels must indicate the area of one element. All you have to do is divide the resulting ceiling area by the area of one element, and you will get the number of required panels.
When determining the number of panels, you usually get a fractional number, round it up, add 15-20%, which will be spent on cuts, and you get the number of panels you need to purchase. You need to focus on the length and width of the room, decide how the panels will be installed, lengthwise or crosswise, and, in accordance with this, select the required length of the elements.
Ceiling with LED lights
In addition to the required number of PVC panels, the number of metal profiles used for lathing is calculated. To do this, make a diagram of the room on paper and draw parallel lines along the wall at a distance of 0.6 mm from each other. Calculate and obtain the required length of the profiles.
The standard length of a galvanized profile is 3 m, so the resulting length is divided by 3 and the number of profiles is obtained. If the area of the room is more than 6 m2, then transverse strips are also installed, the number of which is calculated separately, in accordance with their installation diagram.
Ceiling finishing option
A more rigid profile is installed on the walls along the perimeter; to determine its quantity, it is necessary to calculate the perimeter of the ceiling. Calculations are being carried out for dowels for attaching profiles to the ceiling and self-tapping screws with which PVC panels are attached to the sheathing. For every 50 cm of profile or panel you will need one dowel or self-tapping screw.
To determine the length of the ceiling plinth, you need to divide the resulting perimeter of the room by 3 (the length of the plinth), round it up to a larger integer, and you will get the required number of elements.
Instead of galvanized profiles and self-tapping screws, when creating sheathing in a room with normal humidity, you can use wooden elements and staples.
Regardless of the material used to create the frame, the markings are done the same way. Typically, the distance between the profiles is 60 cm; marks are made on the ceiling across the direction of laying the panels on opposite sides, and markings are applied using a tapping cord.
Ceiling installation
If the frame will not be attached to the ceiling surface, but on suspensions, then the line marked on the walls around the perimeter of the room is lowered to the required distance. In addition, marks are made on the marked lines for the profiles every 50-70 cm for attaching hangers.
If the PVC ceiling is lowered, then first hangers are fixed at the marked points, this is done using dowels. At the next stage, a metal profile is attached to the wall along the perimeter of the room. First, it is installed on the marked line, then holes are made in the wall at a distance of 30-40 cm, they are made through the profile and immediately fixed with dowels.
Now the ends of the profile cut to length are inserted into wall profile, and it is fixed with self-tapping screws to the hangers; for the reliability of the design, this must be done on both sides of each hanger. After this, the ends of each element are fixed with self-tapping screws.
Headlining
After installing the frame, electrical wiring is carried out; for this, corrugated pipes are attached to the hangers, and the cable is laid in them.
If the room area is more than 6 square meters, then between the longitudinal load-bearing profiles it is necessary to install crossbars, which are needed to enhance the rigidity of the structure.
Regardless of what material was used to create the frame, the installation of PVC panels is carried out according to the same scheme. Please note that working with wood is easier, but metal elements are lighter and more durable.
Installation of PVC panels is carried out in the following order:
Advice from experts when finishing the ceiling with PVC panels:
If you decide to finish the ceiling yourself, then the most the best option, having a beautiful appearance and low cost, will be the use of PVC panels. Installation of this material is easy, so you can do the job without outside help, it is enough to study the installation technology and follow all the recommendations of specialists.
Plastic has many supporters and no less opponents. But if you need an inexpensive, quickly installed and attractive finish, then one of the most popular options is plastic panels. Every year their range is increasing. There are plain, striped, checkered, with flowers and plant elements, imitating brickwork, natural stones, etc. Of all this variety, the ceiling made of plastic panels is usually made of a single color. And most often - white or very close to it - with light shade, such as “baked milk”, ecru, Ivory and so on.
Depending on the type of surface, they can be glossy or matte. There are collections with a rough surface - for those who prefer original solutions. Also available with shiny inserts. But since ceilings made of plastic panels are almost always made in technical rooms - kitchen, bathroom, toilet, balcony - small sizes, as a rule, force you to choose glossy surface: it visually raises the ceiling, and due to reflection the room seems more spacious. Also, reflections on the ceiling increase the illumination - with a matte ceiling it is necessary to take large quantity lamps or increase their power.
You can often hear that plastic has no place in the house. Perhaps, but we have plastic almost everywhere. They even package goods in it; many of our products in the kitchen and bathroom are also made of plastic. PVC panels are made from the same group of plastics as syringes and food containers. What’s nice is that this material does not have pores in which bacteria and other microorganisms can settle. If there is a nutrient medium on the surface and the conditions are favorable, they will multiply, but they can be removed with one movement of a rag soaked in soapy water or a disinfectant solution. Plastic panels are truly hygienic. Proof can be considered the fact that the sanitation station allows them to be used in medical institutions.
There are plastic panels mirrored or with mirrored parts - stripes
The second point that stops many: the flammability of plastics. They really are burning. They begin to maintain the flame at a temperature of +360°C. For comparison: fiberboard also begins to burn at +250°C. If we compare these materials in terms of the amount of smoke they emit, plastics emit 40-50% less smoke.
Another argument: the ceiling made of plastic panels does not breathe. If you live in a private house and have a ventilated attic above, air exchange is important. If you live in a high-rise building, you still need to install a ventilation system, which is a must in both the kitchen and the bathroom with toilet. To prevent condensation from accumulating behind the ceiling, build a pair of ventilation grilles into the ceiling in opposite corners. Although, the ceiling is still not airtight and with sufficient air exchange no problems arise.
All PVC panels are divided into two categories: wall and ceiling. They are distinguished by their rigidity and weight: on the ceiling it is not important mechanical strength, therefore the material is made lightweight, with thin walls. You need to handle them carefully: you can crush them even with two fingers. Is it possible to mount Wall panels on the ceiling. It is possible, but they are more expensive, and their higher strength is not in demand. In addition, they are heavier, so the load on the frame (if there is one) will be slightly increased and this must be taken into account when installing it.
Now about the sizes of the panels and the types of their surfaces. There is a material whose appearance resembles clapboard: the same stripes, only made of plastic. A ceiling made from such panels is also called slatted because the surface is very similar in appearance.
An almost flat, crack-free surface with hardly visible joints is obtained from seamless plastic panels. The joints of such panels are almost invisible: front surface it is even and smooth, and on the sides there is a tongue and groove, like on a regular lining, with the help of which the sheathing is assembled.
Is there some more sheet plastic. It is more difficult to work with and is rarely used: it is necessary if columns or other non-linear surfaces are finished, and it is more convenient to assemble the ceiling from slats.
The advantages of ceilings made of plastic panels include ease of care: almost any dirt is washed off with warm soapy water. The appearance remains unchanged for about 5-10 years - depending on the quality of the plastic.
When purchasing PVC slats, you will also need finishing profiles - moldings - with which you decorate the ends and joints. Their choice depends on the configuration of your room and how exactly you are going to make the ceiling. There are two options: make a suspended ceiling or attach the plastic directly to the main one.
On the one hand, a suspended ceiling allows you to covertly lay communications without having to drill walls. On the other hand, it “eats” some height. It will take a minimum of 3 cm. But this is the case if the lamps are installed with ordinary ones, and not built-in ones. To install a built-in lamp, the false ceiling must be lowered from the main ceiling by 8-12 cm. You will not find smaller lamps, except furniture or LED ones. If you put them in sufficient quantities and separately illuminate the mirror, then there should be enough illumination.
When installing a suspended ceiling, a frame is assembled from guides. Most often, profiles are used for working with drywall. If you are making a ceiling in a bathroom or kitchen, take galvanized profiles and fasteners. In drier rooms this is not critical. They also assemble a frame from wooden blocks of 30*30 mm or larger cross-section.
First nail the planks or profiles around the perimeter, placing them all level. Then on standard hangers (there are two types) or wooden blocks intermediate guides are attached in increments of 50-60 cm. They are also aligned so that they are in the same plane as the previously installed ones (it’s easier to do if you stretch the threads between the already installed ones and align them).
If you decide to make a minimum indentation, just to lay the corrugated hose - 3 mm, then the planks are nailed directly to the ceiling. If necessary, the level is leveled using pads - pieces of plywood, wood wedges, etc. In this case, the frame looks something like this.
After the frame is assembled, you can begin installing the plastic panels. It starts with setting up a starting profile. In the case of a ceiling, ceiling molding is also used.
It is attached close to a profile or strip fixed around the perimeter of the room. The edges are filed at an angle of exactly 45°. The length must be measured very accurately: the slightest discrepancy leads to the appearance of gaps. Against the background of a white ceiling and white profiles (or colored, it doesn’t matter), the cracks turn black very clearly. If they are small, it will be possible to cover them with putty, but it is better to cut them off clearly: exactly along the length of the wall or with a slight spacer of 1 mm.
The cut strip can be glued or screwed with self-tapping screws. It is better to glue ceiling molding (with liquid nails). This way the joint turns out perfect: when gluing you press the bar tightly, when screwing it onto the “bugs” you cannot achieve this effect, since it is twisted forward a little.
On the side that goes to the wall, apply a thin strip of glue in a zigzag. The surface of the wall is degreased (you can use 646 solvent). After drying, the piece is set in place, pressed tightly along its entire length and torn off. There should be some glue left on the wall. Leave it to dry for a few minutes (4-8 depending on the viscosity, the bar should not float, and the glue should stick well) and then put it in place. To be sure that the plank is level, take a rule, a ruler, an even block and check the level of the glued starting profile. If necessary, until the glue has completely set, the bar is adjusted.
Having glued the starting profiles on three sides (letter P), they are left to dry, otherwise, when installing the planks, they can be moved from place. After 8-12 hours the glue will harden and installation can continue.
If during gluing “liquid nails” are squeezed out somewhere, do not clean it. Wait until it is completely dry, then pry it off with a sharp knife. The glue will simply break off and there will be no traces left. If you try to remove it liquid, it will only smear and stain everything around.
After the glue has dried, you can begin installing the plastic panels themselves. Measure the size from one joint of the already installed skirting boards to the other, add 1.5-1.8 cm to this value. Cut the panels to this length. There is no need to make them across the entire width or length of the room - they will not appear in profile. If the geometry of the room is ideal, you can cut a lot at once. If there are deviations in size, make several pieces at a time, adjusting the length as you go. You can cut plastic with a jigsaw or grinder.
The first panel fits into the previously installed molding on three sides. It is placed with the spike forward - in the bar. Sometimes, if the trim profile is made of soft plastic, the top part (mounting flange) will sag, making installation difficult. To reduce the deflection, this edge can be secured with self-tapping screws. This will make it easier to insert the plank, otherwise you will have to correct it with a spatula, putting the panel in place. It should fit into the plinth or starting profile exactly along its entire length. The inserted strip is secured to each guide with a self-tapping screw. For attachment to wooden frame you can use a stapler with staples (if you are installing it in a bathroom or kitchen, then take the staples from stainless steel or galvanized).
The installation of subsequent stripes is the same. They are installed first with one edge - into the molding (it goes into the baseboard by 6-7 mm), then insert the other edge. After that, the bar is leveled by lifting the middle with your hand and eliminating the deflection, tapping the edge with your palm, driving the lock into the groove. It doesn't take much effort, just to make sure it fits tightly. From below you will see that there is no gap at the junction, which means the strip is normal.
If there is an assistant, he supports installed panel so that it does not fall out while you are securing it with screws (staples). If you work alone, you can eliminate the sagging by gluing small pieces of double-sided tape to the profile. They will hold the bar until you secure it. This is how you assemble all the panels.
During the installation process, do not forget to cut holes for installing lamps. You can do this with a ballerina or a ring attachment, you can try with a jigsaw, but if you are good with the tool and can make a round hole. As it turns out, you can make a hole a regular drill with a thin drill...how? Watch the video. There are a couple more good tips there.
Having installed the strip or strips in which there is a hole for the lamp, you immediately mount it, connect it and check it. If this is not done right away, problems may arise later: how can you connect the wires if the entire ceiling is already assembled? Just disassemble part of it. What if you put the last strip on glue? We'll have to break it. That’s why we install and check its functionality right away.
The most difficulties arise when installing the last strip. It usually has to be trimmed. Measure the actual distance on one side of the ceiling and on the other. The difference can be several centimeters. There is nothing unusual or complicated about this. But then there are two options:
The installation of a plastic ceiling made of PVC panels is almost complete. It remains to install the last plastic plinth. First, the mounting strip on it is cut off: you leave only the baseboard. Afterwards, you also cut it at the corners at 45°, try it on, and cut it exactly. After trying it on again “dry” and making sure that the size is correct, apply glue to the plinth, only on both shelves: the one that will be glued to the ceiling, and the one that will stick to the wall.
Actually, the installation is finished. But sometimes another operation is necessary: covering all the gaps with white acrylic. This operation is not necessary if you bought high-quality panels that have ideal geometry - French and Belgian. After their assembly there is no need for correction: there are no saggings that form due to the fact that the panels are uneven. Otherwise, take acrylic sealant, insert the tube into mounting gun, and fill all the cracks and gaps. Usually these are joints and corners, as well as the junction of the plastic baseboard with the ceiling. Often there are so many cracks that you have to go through the entire perimeter.
Fill the cracks in small sections of 30-40 cm, removing all excess and leveling the seam. Acrylic is well leveled until it sets, and this is a matter of seconds. Therefore, they smeared the piece and corrected it. If everything is fine, continue to apply. You can remove excess acrylic with a soft cloth, but sometimes it’s more convenient to use your finger - for some reason it turns out smoother. Having covered the piece, take an object with a sharp and even edge (a small spatula) and a damp sponge. Excess putty is cut off evenly with a sharp corner of a spatula, then rubbed with a damp sponge until it is clean, otherwise you won’t be able to wipe it off later. So go through the entire perimeter and leave to dry for 8-12 hours.
After the acrylic dries, it can be drawn into the seam. You have to take the tube again and fill the cracks that appear, rub it in, remove the excess and wash off the smudges. This second time is usually the finishing time. After this layer has dried, plastic ceiling divorces remain. Wipe them with a damp, clean sponge and then rub gently soft cloth to shine. Now the ceiling made of plastic panels is ready, and after installing the lamps, the repair can be considered complete.
If the ceiling is already level and does not need level correction, plastic panels can be attached directly to it. The procedure is the same: first the starting profile, then strips cut to size are inserted into it, securing at least every 50 cm.
You choose fasteners depending on the material from which the ceiling is made. You can hit wood with nails or staples from a stapler. It’s more difficult with concrete: self-tapping screws won’t work, and you’ll have a hard time drilling a hole for a dowel for each fastening. Then it’s better to assemble the frame with a minimum distance from the ceiling and then assemble everything as described above.
Another option is to glue it on liquid nails. The technology is well-known, but its disadvantage is that such a ceiling made of plastic panels turns out to be non-removable and will have to be completely dismantled if something happens.
We are not talking about design or quantity - here everyone decides for themselves, but about the type of lamps and power supply. There are two options: install conventional lamps at 220 V or with a step-down transformer at 12 V. In the first option, ordinary incandescent or housekeeper lamps are installed, in the second - halogen or LED. In any case, a separate circuit breaker with an RCD should be allocated for lighting the bathroom or kitchen, which will turn off the electricity supply in the event of a short circuit.
If you install 220 V lamps, and install even low-power (40-60 W) incandescent lamps in them, you will have to somehow take care of the thermal insulation of the housing. As the lamp heats up, its body also gets very hot. The heated body causes the plastic to darken and warp over time. Therefore, glue a layer of some flexible heat-insulating material onto the body.
The second point concerns electrical safety when working with 220 V lighting. In the bathroom, it is necessary to install lamps with a high degree of protection: not lower than IP44. This means that the lamp body is protected from water jets. Such lamps cost a lot: the technology is complex. Second point: most of them are quite bulky, since the body is usually ceramic. Simply hanging it on plastic will not work: you will need mortgages. They are installed when assembling the frame: these are additional jumpers in the places where the lamps will be attached.
Since lamps of this type require only 12 V, the electrical safety requirements are lower. In principle, any design is suitable. Power from the panel after the machine is supplied to the transformer, and from it to the lamps. Up to 4 lamps can be powered from one transformer, but there is a limitation in the instructions for them: maximum length The wire to the lamp should not exceed 2 meters. The lamps also work normally at a distance of 2.5-2.7 meters. At a higher voltage the voltage drop is already significant and the glow is weaker.
If you decide to place the transformer outside the bathroom to improve safety, this is a serious limitation, especially if the bathroom is quite large. Then you will have to carry it into the bathroom and hide it behind suspended ceiling made of plastic panels (device thickness is about 3-4 cm).
Sometimes each lamp has its own transformer. This is normal, it just costs more, but long distance between the lamps is justified.
