How to install a suspended ceiling yourself. Do-it-yourself stretch ceilings: installation technology How to make a suspended ceiling yourself - what you need

Is it possible to install suspended ceilings with your own hands?

This question arises for many people, because nowadays most of them try to carry out repairs in apartments on their own.

Some people just want to save money this way, others like to see the results of their work.

The installation of suspended ceilings is one of the modern and widespread methods of ceiling finishing, due to the speed of the installation process and the design.

Painting the surface of a wall or re-pasting wallpaper is a simple process, but here’s how to do it yourself suspended ceiling- it's worth thinking about.

Where to begin?

Before you start installing suspended ceilings with your own hands, you need to complete several steps:

take measurements from the ceiling surface;
install the mounting profile;
prepare stands for lamps;
install stretch ceiling film;
install lamps.

You will also need the following tools to complete the job:

perforator;
stepladder or sawhorses;
putty knife;
heat gun (for heating the canvas and the room);
level;
anchor;
dowels;
assembly adhesive;
hammer;
screwdriver;
construction stapler;
knife with spare blades.

Having prepared these tools, you need to purchase the following consumables:

baguette - these are plastic or aluminum profiles on which the tension fabric will be attached;
wooden blocks;
film or fabric material;
screws or dowels;
soundproofing materials for ceiling surfaces.

The latter materials are needed if noisy neighbors live above you.

Such slabs will protect you from noise and insulate your room, as this type finishing is not endowed with soundproofing qualities.

Aluminum baguette is stronger and more durable, while plastic baguette is cheaper.

Therefore, the choice of the type of baguette will be yours.

The size of the profiles depends on the total length of the room in which the suspended ceiling will be installed independently.

What is the perimeter of the room? This is the length you should buy a baguette, but it’s still better to take it with a reserve.

The number of bars is calculated in the same way as for a baguette.

Buy more self-tapping screws and dowels than normal, because the better the profile is attached, the stronger the entire structure will be.

Which material to choose?

Tension covering exists in two types:

made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is fastened using a glazing bead, harpoon or wedge method;
fabric (made of polystyrene), it is attached using the cam method.

Installation by yourself tension fabric making PVC is a rather complicated process, unless, of course, you have special skills.

If the installation technology is violated, the ceiling surface may end up with folds, and even worse, it will need to be thrown away.

It is easier to install a fabric stretch ceiling with your own hands.

For material would be better suited calico, as this material is dense and durable.

To know how much fabric to buy, you need to take measurements of the ceiling.

You choose for yourself which method and what base you will mount the ceiling with your own hands.

Installation and dismantling of fabric ceiling

As mentioned above, the work begins with the fact that you need to correctly measure the ceiling surface.

This includes the length, width, and height of the room.

Measure using a tape measure.

In order not to climb on a stepladder, you can measure the floor of the room, because it has the same indicators as the ceiling surface.

The correct measurement of the canvas plays an important role, because if you do it incorrectly, you can damage the entire structure.

The installation of this type of ceiling begins with fastening the bars to the walls along the entire length.

To do this, in advance, you need, using a level, to draw a horizontal line on the walls in order to evenly and correctly fix the bars along it.

The line should be drawn 50 mm below the ceiling surface.

The fabric covering involves making a hole in the suspended ceiling for anchors.

To do this, marks are made on the bars with a marker.

Afterwards, a certain number of holes for anchors are drilled in them.

Then - each of these wooden skirting boards is applied to the demarcated line and marks are made on the wall through the drilled slots.

Using these marks, holes are made in the wall.

After all, the bars themselves are attached.

Unlike a vinyl stretch ceiling, which has all four sides attached at once, you need to secure the material on one side.

Apply assembly adhesive to the bars and secure the canvas with a stapler.

You should start from the center and, stretching the fabric equally, move to the edges.

As a result, the entire fabric will be attached to one wall.

You will need help to properly attach it to the other side.

From time to time it becomes necessary to dismantle a stretch ceiling with your own hands.

The reasons for this can be very varied: you need to replace wiring or pipes, or restore damaged communications that are located under the ceiling surface.

Removing such a ceiling with your own hands is done in reverse order from installation.

First, carefully bend the profile with a spatula, then use a screwdriver to pull out the glazing bead.

The main thing is not to spoil the canvas and baguette itself.

Most often, this covering must be removed with your own hands to drain the water that has entered through the ceiling.

Sometimes it is enough to remove the lamps and drain the water through the holes.

This is what do-it-yourself stretch ceiling repair consists of.

Installation of a ceiling in two tiers

You can also install multi-level stretch ceilings yourself.

You ask, how to make a two-level stretch ceiling?

This procedure occurs in the following sequence.

First you need to take measurements and draw a drawing of the ceiling surface.

How to measure a stretch ceiling in this case? Multi-level ceilings have a slightly different measurement scheme than single-level ceilings.

Metering two-level ceiling different from single-level.

Here you will need to mark the boundaries of the first and second ceiling levels.

They begin to assemble multi-level stretch ceilings from the box itself.

Before you install a two-level tension covering yourself, you should attach a baguette profile to the walls that will hold the canvas.

Then, with the help of corner hangers, this panel is stretched.

To do this, turn on the heat gun (70ºС).

The heated canvas is secured into profiles using spatulas.

At the final stage, you need to make a hole in the stretch ceiling for the lamps.

At this point, the installation of a suspended ceiling in two tiers will be completed. Thus, multi-level ceilings You can do it yourself, following the instructions.

It is possible to install a stretch ceiling yourself, but it is still better to turn to specialists if multi-level structures are your choice.

They will help you take properly qualified measurements and advise you in the installation of this type of coating.

The article tells you how to create multi-level or single-level stretch ceilings with your own hands without the help of specialists.

Currently, stretch ceilings, developed in Europe for interior decoration, are in fashion. Multi-colored, glossy, matte, fabric or PVC film - they can truly decorate a room. Moreover, in modern world Anyone can install suspended ceilings with their own hands in a matter of hours.

Features and Benefits

Stretch ceilings are a combination of materials made from fabric or vinyl and metal profiles, which decorates the ceiling, hides all the unevenness and other defects made during the construction stage. These ceilings can be stretched in any room: living room, kitchen, bathroom, hallway or work office.

Stretch ceilings have their undeniable advantages:

they will help to create an ideal and even ceiling of various colors and textures in a very short period of time;
huge scope for imagination and design approaches;
strength, resistance to moisture and dust, environmentally friendly materials;
there is no need to clean the room for a long time after installation;
they give you a chance to experiment with lighting in your living space;
ability for additional sound insulation and improved acoustics.

However, such canvases have some disadvantages:

ceilings can tear under a single mechanical impact, so they require careful use and care;
can lower the ceiling level by at least 3-5 cm or more;
if there are temperature changes in the apartment, then such ceilings (most often polymer) will sag or wrinkle - this fact is especially noticeable in places where there is a draft.

Also, these ceilings have other properties that depend on the fabric used and their design, which is very important to take into account when creating a project, ordering and installing the ceiling. Therefore, you need to understand what types there are ceiling structures.

Types of structures

There are several types of tension fabric designs:

Single-level. This classic look. They are very economical and suitable for both large and small rooms. To connect several canvases at the same height, there are dividing profiles that have an intermediate decorative plug or backlight.

Multi-level. They are used to create several different zones in a room or to cover obvious ceiling irregularities. They can also give scope for design creativity. But multi-level canvases are only suitable for spacious rooms with high ceilings, and installing them is several times more difficult than the option described above. For them, it is better to use transitional level profiles, which will help ensure a smooth joint and height difference. Do not forget that the bead fastening system is not used when installing structures with multiple levels.

Soaring ceilings. They are a kind of modification of suspended structures with a built-in strip of LEDs, the light from which is soft and diffused, which creates the effect of a “floating” ceiling. In such cases, the lighting is placed along one wall, along the entire perimeter of the ceiling, or around its individual parts. Creating floating ceilings requires special baguettes, which, in addition to recesses for installing fabric, have a special niche designed for LED strip. Also, this variety requires special profiles: wall and ceiling, dividing and for level transitions, because they can make the location of the lighting more convenient.

Preparation

This is the first and very important stage, without which you cannot install the tension fabric yourself. It is divided into several points that must be completed.

First of all, you should remove all furniture and equipment from the room., where it is supposed to stretch the ceilings, since the space should be as free as possible so that the installation takes place quickly and without the possibility of mechanical damage to the canvas. If it is impossible to remove some objects from the room, then they need to be moved to the center of the room and covered with protective film.

Then you need to delete old plaster from the ceiling, as it can fall off and leave unsightly marks on the canvas.

Pre-treat the walls and ceiling with disinfectant and antiseptic to avoid the appearance of mold, mildew and unpleasant odor after installation of the structure. Also, the surface on which the fabric will be stretched must be coated with a primer, preferably in several layers.

Joints between concrete walls It is best to glue it with fiberglass tape along with PVA glue. If there are already cracks in the ceiling, they can be filled and leveled with cement mortar, and for large depressions - polyurethane foam or plaster. This is necessary so that there are no holes on the canvas after shrinkage.

Laminate or parquet should be laid only after installing the ceiling surface. But if such delicate floor coverings are already installed, then they need to be covered with thick cardboard so as not to damage them with a stepladder.

It is necessary to prepare the walls in advance before installing the canvas: plaster, hang wallpaper - do all the “dirty work”. It is not advisable to do this after installing the stretch ceiling - dust may settle on the fabric.

Select the number of levels, designate in advance the number and location of lamps.

Calculations

After preliminary preparation, you need to calculate and mark the lowest point of the structure, because it is from here that the installation of the profile with which the canvas will be attached will begin. It is necessary to set aside approximately 6 cm from the base - this distance will be considered the minimum height tension structure.

If the ceilings have many levels, it is best to make calculations and markings for each position individually. It is very important to comply strict geometry premises and its layout, since this is a crucial and difficult moment at the marking stage. When installing a ceiling with several levels, the distance from the initial base should increase.

In addition to marking the lowest point facing material, it is necessary to calculate the size of the tension fabric.

There are several important tips that even a beginner can use to install a ceiling.

It is necessary to measure only with the help of instruments that give the most exact result. A laser meter or tape measure works well for this.
The measurements need to be displayed on a drawing that will show the room from above and have a convenient scale that reflects the proportions of the room in centimeters in the drawing.
Mark the corners of the room on the drawing and name them with clear and simple symbols, for example, Latin letters.
The perimeter and diagonals should be measured as close to the ceiling as possible and these results should be recorded in the drawing.

Only after these steps should you go to purchase the canvas.

Materials

Stretch ceilings can be divided into two categories depending on the type of material used.

Fabric seamless. These ceilings are made of polyester. The fabric is not entirely dense, but resembles a mesh in structure. Because of this, such ceilings can “breathe”, that is, they allow air to pass through themselves, thereby creating a cozy microclimate in the room. To ensure that the canvas holds its shape well, it is impregnated with a polyurethane mixture at the production stage. Such canvas is made in 5-meter rolls - for this reason, during installation there is no need to fasten the canvases to each other.
Vinyl. Tensioners PVC ceilings They are made on special machines in sheets up to three meters wide. They are waterproof, very cheap and easy to clean. However, they have some disadvantages: they can be damaged by any sharp object, and they are also not resistant to cold weather.

Some people prefer to install plasterboard ceilings, but they, unlike tension ones, have a number of disadvantages.

To achieve the desired ceiling color, you must paint the drywall yourself.
In a plasterboard ceiling there are many more visible seams that are unpleasant to the aesthetic eye than in stretched sheets.
Drywall is not a moisture-resistant material, so it will not save you from a flood that neighbors upstairs might accidentally cause.

Stretch ceilings are treated with an antistatic agent, so dust does not settle on them. They are also able to repel fat and do not absorb odors, while plasterboard ceilings do not have such properties.
Standard drywall does not have good sound insulation, which stretch fabrics can offer.
Installing drywall is a very complex and labor-intensive process that can take more time, involve several people and special, expensive tools. The same cannot be said about stretch fabrics. Such ceilings can be installed by one person, and the installation procedure itself takes only about 2 hours. In addition, complete with fabric you can get a kit for self-installation of a stretch ceiling.

Tools

Professionals in the field finishing repairs Those with a set of special tools can stretch ceilings in just a few hours. But this does not mean that installation of canvases cannot be done by an ordinary person who does not have the specific skills of a repairman.

To do this, you just need to have a set of certain tools for the job.

One or two stepladders. They are very convenient to use when you need to do work at height. In addition, it has a small platform that allows you to keep the necessary tools at hand.
Extension. It is used when you need to connect an instrument to convenient location, far from the outlet.
Hammer. Necessary when preparing holes for dowels. It is important to remember that the holes in brick wall are being done impact drill, and concrete can only be drilled with a hammer drill.
Laser roulette. It is needed for accurate measurements.

Cordless screwdriver. It is used when you need to screw in self-tapping screws, and they are used in large quantities during installation.
A special spatula for mounting canvases. The raw material for it is usually stainless steel. Such spatulas have various shapes, length and angles of inclination to the rod. They are also very durable and do not bend under mechanical stress. It is worth noting that ordinary spatulas will not be suitable for such a responsible task.
Availability of a thermal gas gun and the cylinder for it is very important point in stretching fabrics. Without this tool, it is impossible to install vinyl canvases. The price of the device is extremely high, so it is best to rent this device.

Most often, during the installation of ceilings, special guns with a power of about 10 kW or more are used. They are fed with liquefied gas from a cylinder. Also, during self-installation of stretch fabrics, a room heater is used to warm up the space, and a hot air hair dryer is used to smooth out wrinkles and folds on the fabric. It should be noted that soldering sheets even with a gas gun at home is impossible. This process is carried out exclusively in production conditions on special equipment.

Detector for measuring gas level. It is used to control the gas level in a room during operation of a heat gun. Rules must be followed to save own safety when using devices powered by gas, since it may leak from the cylinder through a damaged hose.
Metal detector. Used to find electrical wires, metal profiles and hoods that may be damaged when drilling.
Breaker thread or cord. It is used when it is necessary to mark the lines along which guide profiles should be fixed. It is a small box of paint that needs to be applied to the thread. Then the thread is washed out and secured at the required level.
Clamps - fastenings for fixing the fabric. They help to temporarily secure the canvas in the required position. Such devices are most useful when a person works alone.

Manual hole punch. The tool is designed to punch holes in aluminum moldings. Holes can also be made with a drill, but they will have burrs and look completely careless, but with a hole punch you can make the same type and neat punctures.
Miter box- this is a device necessary for cutting baguettes at an angle of 45 degrees to join them in the corners of the room.
PVC mounting rings or mortgages. They are characterized by high heat resistance. They are used to strengthen canvases around pipes, lamps and other engineering communications. They also make special mortgages for cornices.
Also, to stretch ceilings it is necessary the presence of pliers, a good hammer, a high-quality laser or water level, a circular saw, masking tape, files for metal and wood, drill bits for a drill or hammer drill with a diameter of 3 to 6 millimeters, self-adhesive insulation, electrical tape and a diamond needle file.

Installation

The procedure for stretching the ceiling is a rather complicated task, but if you follow all the rules, you can install the canvas with your own hands.

First, you need to understand what methods of fastening panels exist.

Fastening method using glazing beads. This type of installation was invented by Russian craftsmen and is used most often in Russia, as well as neighboring countries. This is a very economical method of installing a stretch ceiling, as it does not require any special production or special technical devices. With this installation, the distance from the ceiling to the canvas itself will be minimal and will be about 1.5 cm. In addition, the use of fasteners of this type frees you from the need to make careful calculations.

There are a large number of disadvantages in this system of fastening tension fabrics:

after inserting the glazing bead, the canvas undergoes deformation, and after this the fabric cannot be dismantled and hung again;
the ceiling may sag greatly, and the seams may be curved, because the installation itself is carried out only approximately, without precise measurements;
After some time, the glazing beads may begin to shrink and fall out of the structure.

You can also install suspended ceilings using a harpoon. First, the canvas is cut out exactly to the size of the room, but by 7-10% less area ceiling. In this case, it is very important to make the measurements correctly. After this, you need to weld a harpoon to it. HDTV machines are designed specifically for such purposes.

Assembly is carried out using a specific spatula or spatula for installation. The structure begins to be assembled from ceiling corners: insert one corner, then the one that lies diagonally on the opposite wall, and do the same with all the others. At the moment when all the corners are tucked into baguettes, the middles of the walls are placed. After stretching, you just need to install a decorative insert, and the ceiling will be ready.

If this fastening system is used, the canvas will sag minimally, since it is initially cut out to be slightly smaller than the area of the room. It is worth noting that the fabric can be repaired, unlike the one where glazing beads are used. However, this pleasure will cost more.

In addition to the two methods listed above, there is a third - this is a clip fastening system, which is used only for fabric ceilings. The difference is that in this case there is no need to make a decorative insert and use gas gun. Fabric panels are inserted into a baguette using the “clothespin” principle. The fabric baguette is made of durable and strong plastic to ensure that the clamp is secure.

Here, too, there is no need to accurately measure the dimensions of the ceiling, because the canvas is cut out with a margin of 20-30 cm. The canvas is tucked into a baguette with a spatula for installation. The fabric is inserted and the excess protruding pieces are cut off - now the ceiling is ready. A pleasant bonus is the fact that in this fastening system, as in the first case, there is a minimum distance between the ceiling and the canvas itself. But the clip system also has all the disadvantages of the bead fastening method.

Below is step by step instructions, which will tell you how to properly stretch fabrics. By observing strict order and consistency in steps, you can achieve a successful result - a flawlessly stretched ceiling.

Step #1

It is necessary to find the location of the lowest point of the stretch ceiling, and then calculate the required level at which it will be convenient to install light bulbs. Then you should mark the height line using a pencil or a plumb string. After this, the baguette must be fixed.

On the other hand, the baguette needs to be sawed at the points where it should come into contact with the corners. After this, fix it with self-tapping screws, having previously driven plastic dowels into the walls near the ceiling, with an interval of 20 cm from each other - if the walls are strong, or from 8 to 10 cm - when the walls are unstable. The joints should be sealed with masking tape.

Step #2

At this stage, wiring and mountings for single lamps are installed. To secure the mounting rings to the ceiling, it is necessary to use metal hangers; they are also used during preparation frame structure for plasterboard ceilings. After this, you need to mark the location of the lamps on the ceiling, install boxes for the branch and run the wires.

To prevent the wires from rubbing against each other and causing a short circuit, you need to pull them through corrugated tubes. After this, you should attach the mortgages to the ceiling along with the wires, having previously hammered glazing beads into the holes and secured the hangers from the second edge. The height of the lower suspension line must correspond to the level of the suspended ceiling.

Then the wires should be placed in a loop just 10-15 cm below the laying platform, and a cut should be made from the bottom, which will divide it into two equal parts. Then you need to clean, insulate the wires from each other and sort them by color. Before this, you need to install the terminal blocks. You need to do this so that the insulation is slightly covered by the plastic platform, and there is no short circuit. Then you should lay the wires with terminal blocks on the mounting ring - after this manipulation it will not interfere with the tensioning of the panels.

Step #3

A chandelier needs to be mounted in the center. To install it you will need a mortgage big size, as well as screws and metal hangers. We must not forget about the height of the structure - it must coincide with the level of the stretch ceiling. Then you should mark the future location of the chandelier, draw the wire from the branch box and pull it through the corrugated pipe. After this procedure, you need to strip and wrap the ends of the wire with insulating tape.

Step #4

Now you need to install the cornice. To do this, it is worth preparing mortgages in advance.

You can do this as follows:

Drill holes and insert dowels;
Secure straight hangers with self-tapping screws;
Stretch a vertical cord from one wall to another so that it matches the height of the stretch ceiling;
Measure the required length of the wooden beam and mount it at the location of the cord, secure it with metal hangers. In order for the wood to last a long time, it is recommended to impregnate it in advance with a moisture-repellent composition.

Step #5

After installing the curtain hanger, you should start stretching the fabric. Before doing this, you should hang clamps specially designed for such purposes in the corners. Thanks to this, the canvas will not slip off during installation, and a special gasket will protect it from defects. After completing these steps, you should place it indoors heat gun and prepare a spatula with rounded corners in order to insert the canvas into the groove. Then you need to unwind the burner sleeve and connect it to electricity.

Step #6

Unpack the canvas and inspect it from all sides - it is important to ensure that it is completely intact, without cracks or tears. Then you need to attach the edges of the fabric to clothespins previously secured in the corners. Secure the canvas at some points with clothespins and insert it into the baguette using a rounded spatula. Fill the panel, strictly following from the periphery to the middle of the ceiling, and continue heating it with a heat gun.

Strips of fabric that will hang down must be carefully separated with a sharpened knife. Before doing this, it is better to make sure once again that the tensioners are firmly secured.

After successfully filling the corners, you should warm up the canvas and fill the middle. At this time, the temperature in the heat gun should reach 60°C. It must be brought to the panel at a sufficient distance. After some time, the clamps need to be removed. When installing, you should hold the canvas with one hand while tucking it into the baguette to avoid slipping. It is also best to involve an assistant - this way you can complete the task faster and better.

After stretching and fixing the canvas with baguettes, you need to start circling the pipe, if there is one on the ceiling.

This happens as follows:

First, mark the place where the incision will be located. To do this, you need to select a point where the pipe passes through the ceiling. The canvas is pressed very tightly against it without forming folds.
They cut following the direction where the pipe comes closest to the wall. It is better to make the cut with scissors or a knife.
After this, useless pieces of fabric need to be hidden behind the suspended ceiling and the ends tucked in, heading towards the pipe.
Then, in the place where the pipe is visible, they put a decorative plastic overlay that can hide these small defects, and make this fragment of the ceiling pleasing to the eye.

Step #7

On the panel you need to find the points where the mortgages for future lamps are installed. It is worth taking rings that are resistant to high temperature(they are also called thermal rings), specially designed for these purposes, and coat them with strong glue used in installation work Oh. The use of simple glue can render the fabric unusable. Thermal rings are inserted into the designated points, the glue sets and fixes the rings in the right places.

After this, you should cut the fabric construction knife in such a way that with inside rings appeared round holes. It is worth doing this procedure with other future light bulbs as well. Then you need to pull out the insulated wires connecting to the lighting fixtures. Do the same with the lamp cord in the center.

Step #8

After this you should install lighting. For stretched ceiling they can be LED, energy-saving or halogen bulbs. It is helpful to follow these guidelines.

The lamps should not be more powerful than 40 watts, otherwise the panel will become unusable within a year due to overheating. Single lighting fixtures must have a rim made of plastic or metal and cover the thermal ring. It is best to purchase LED bulbs with a projection small size, which extends beyond the border of the light bulb and has a wide lighting angle. When selecting light bulbs for a tension structure, it is important to focus on the presence of a grille, which promotes cooling and maintains the longevity of the radiator. At the end of installation of all lamps, they should be checked for operation.

Step #9

The last stage of work is the installation of a protrusion for curtains and decorative inserts. Mask the gap that may form between wall panels and stretched canvases, stands with the help of a plinth for the ceiling. It will look perfect in rooms with any layout. It is necessary to fix the plinth only along the walls of the room, and not to the stretched fabrics, otherwise ties may form on the fabric, which are unpleasant to the eye.

In addition to the baseboard, flexible tape is also glued to the ceiling to mask the seams. This device can be simply inserted and removed from the groove. Masking tapes also have a large number of color options, so they can satisfy anyone, even the most picky person. Additionally, you can insert the cornice onto a pre-prepared wooden beam, hang the curtains and enjoy your own achievements.

At this point, the installation of tension fabrics with your own hands is over.

Uneven, cracked ceilings can spoil the impression of any renovation. Fortunately, there is an alternative replacement for whitewashed surfaces, which will not only level the ceiling, but also make it decorate the entire room. These are tension structures. Easy to care for, variety of textures, wide choice color shades– few advantages of suspended ceilings. And if you follow the rules and work technology, it will not be difficult to install a suspended ceiling with your own hands.

Advantages and disadvantages of tension coverings

This type of ceiling is represented by a strongly stretched PVC film or fabric fastened to special profiles. Compared with ordinary surfaces, finished with plaster, suspended ceilings have a lot of undeniable advantages:

Creates the effect of a perfectly flat surface.
Hides flaws draft ceiling. Under them you can hide electrical wiring and communication systems.
Depending on the texture and color, they can visually enlarge or reduce the room.
Moisture-resistant, have good sound and heat insulation properties.
Safe for health.
They look great indoors, highlighting its design.

However, such coatings are not without some disadvantages. The disadvantages include:

Fragility. The surface of a stretch ceiling can easily be damaged by a piercing or cutting object.
Some materials are afraid of too high or low temperatures, as well as sudden temperature changes.
A high price, which includes not only the cost of materials, but also payment for the work of specialists if they install the ceiling.

Modern stretch ceilings are presented in many variations in the form of arches, cones, waves, and can consist of one or several levels. Determining role in the choice appearance coatings depend on the wishes of the customer and his financial capabilities.

Tools and materials

It is better to entrust complex structures to professionals, but you can mount a regular single-level ceiling yourself, and even install lighting elements on it. The main thing is to act according to the instructions.

To install suspended ceilings with your own hands, you need to prepare the materials and tools that will be required for the work.

Tools:

hammer drill and screwdriver;
building level and tape measure;
heat gun (can be gas or electric);
devices for marking – construction cord, markers;
hammer, screwdrivers with curved working surfaces (flat or Phillips);
spatulas.

Materials you will need:

stretch fabric (fabric or PVC film);
profiles. They are available in two types - plastic and aluminum. The second option is much stronger, more beautiful, and can be used for a long time. To finish the ceiling in an apartment, it is better to purchase an aluminum profile.

In turn, profiles are further divided into types, depending on the surface to which they will be attached:

ceiling;
wall;
universal.

Despite the fact that the base ceiling is not visible under the tension covering, some measures will have to be taken to prepare it for work:

Remove all furnishings from the room and household appliances. If this is not possible, place the furniture in the middle of the room to provide unobstructed access to wall surfaces.
Scrape off all loose elements of whitewash or plaster on the ceiling with a spatula, and fill large cracks with putty. It would not be superfluous to apply a layer of antiseptic solution to the ceiling, which will protect the surface from fungus and mold.
Install wiring. It is necessary to securely fasten it to the rough ceiling. When installing lamps, all wires must be brought to the intended location of the lighting fixtures in advance.

After completing the preparation, you can begin installing suspended ceilings with your own hands.

Sequence of installation steps

It depends on the type of hanging canvas and comes in several types:

Harpoon(for PVC film). The versatility of the method makes it possible to install the canvas in rooms of any size. Its essence lies in attaching a plastic edging along the perimeter of the canvas with a small protrusion (harpoon), which is subsequently inserted into the groove of the profile.
Beading(can be used for both PVC film and fabric). The wall profile is made in the shape of the letter “U” and has internal latches. The edge of the canvas is inserted into the groove of the profile during installation. Beads or wedges attached to the canvas enter the profile and clamp the edge of the ceiling panel into it.
Clip-on The mount is equipped with only one fastening element - a wall profile-clothespin. The elasticity of the clothespin allows you to fix the edges of the fabric when inserting them into the groove of the profile. This design has low reliability due to weak clamping.

For independent the best option is a harpoon method of fastening. In this case, the harpoons are welded onto the canvas at the factory, so all that remains is to mount the coating to the profile.

Before installing the baguette, you need to find the lowest corner in the room and, stepping back from the ceiling at the required distance, put a mark.

Important! For an aluminum profile (baguette), the minimum distance from the rough ceiling should be 3.5 cm, for plastic baguette the value can be reduced to 2.5 cm. If you plan to build in lighting elements, the distance from the ceiling must be increased to 10 cm, depending on the size of the lighting fixtures.

Next, using a level, points in other corners of the room are marked and connected to each other by a horizontal line. It can be done using wooden slats, if the room is small, or using upholstery cord.

Baguettes are attached from the corners of the room. Using a hacksaw, the back side of the baguette is cut in its middle part. The main thing is not to damage the front side. The corner bends neatly. For convenience, you can make several cuts on the back side every 5 mm.

The next stage is drilling holes in the profile. On the flat side, the step between the holes should be 10 cm, on the folds - 7 cm. After this, the baguette is applied to the wall and, through the holes made in it, holes are drilled in the wall surface. Then the baguette is fixed to the wall with dowels or screws.

The final point when installing the profile is processing the places where the baguette strips are joined to each other. Plastic profiles can be trimmed with a utility knife; aluminum profiles only need to be sanded with a file. On the front side, tape or adhesive construction tape is placed on the baguette so that the sharp edges of the profile do not damage the stretched fabric.

The first step is to determine which ones will be installed. Due to the fact that the canvas is not able to withstand the weight of the lamps, the latter must be mounted on pre-mounted racks. They are fixed to the base ceiling with screws or dowels.

The housing of the racks must be positioned so that there are no further obstacles to the installation of the tension fabric. Having installed the racks, you need to connect wires to them and project points corresponding to the centers of the lamps with plumb lines onto the floor. Subsequently, this will make the task easier when cutting holes for lighting fixtures on the stretched fabric.

All wires are fixed to the rough ceiling surface using mounting plates.

The situation with the chandelier will be a little more difficult due to its heavy weight:

The center of the ceiling is determined by drawing diagonal lines from corner to corner of the room, if there was no chandelier in the room before.
A piece of wooden beam corresponding to the dimensions is cut out.
Holes are drilled in the ceiling with a hammer drill, and holes are drilled in the block with a screwdriver.
The beam is fixed to the ceiling with screws. By thickness wooden element should not exceed the thickness of the baguette and extend beyond the lower level of the suspended structure.

The timber can be replaced with an aluminum profile. It then needs to be screwed to the ceiling using anchors. All edges of the metal substrate must be processed with a grinder.

Involves several sequential steps:

First, we heat the room with a heat gun to 40 degrees.
We unfold the film and install the harpoons with a spatula into the grooves of the profile in the corners of the room. The blade should not touch the tool.
We begin to evenly heat the PVC with a heat gun to 60 degrees.

Important! You should not bring the gun too close to the film so as not to damage the film.

According to the principle of the second step, we install the remaining sections of the canvas from the middle of the walls into the grooves of the baguette. Thus, we carry out work around the entire perimeter, maintaining the temperature at 60 degrees using a heat gun. If there are uneven areas, these places need to be exposed to hot air, then they will be smoothed out.
As the installation work is completed, it will become more difficult to tighten the canvas, so actions must be very careful so as not to damage the coating.

As the fabric heats up, it will acquire elasticity and begin to level out as it cools, making ceiling surface perfectly flat and smooth.

The last step will be the installation of masking tape or a decorative plug.

When choosing a profile for such a coating, you should purchase products marked “increased strength.” Its installation is carried out according to the installation type of conventional profiles for suspended ceilings.

Fastening the fabric to the ceiling is carried out in a different way:

We fix the corners of the panel with fasteners and attach them to the baguettes.
We attach the central places of each side to the ceiling using a spare cord or profile.
We stretch the canvas, moving evenly along each wall from the central fixed sections to the corners. In this way we pass along the entire perimeter, leaving the canvas unstretched at a distance of 50 cm to each corner.
After this, we eliminate the sagging and adjust the remaining sections of the fabric into the profile.
We trim the hanging remains of the canvas with a knife and install decorative elements on the ceiling along the wall surface.

On a note! If you are unable to tighten the sagging areas of the fabric, you can warm them up a little with a heat gun. As it cools, the wrinkles on the canvas will smooth out.

Installation of lighting elements is the same for any type of tension fabric.

Based on the marks that were made earlier, the central parts of the lamps are determined. Having attached a round profile to the canvas on the ceiling, you need to carefully cut holes for the lamps along its inner surface.

Important! Each hole for the lamp on the canvas must be closed with a reinforcing ring 4 mm thick. Use only special glue for this.

Then pull the wires out of the hole, attach the devices to the mounting racks, adjusting them in height, and connect the lamps.

The same procedure must be followed when installing a chandelier. But, since these products have an impressive weight, at the stage of installing the racks it is necessary to attach a hook under the device.

In fact, installing a suspended ceiling is not at all difficult. The main thing is to adhere to a certain order of actions and take your time. It's better to start with installation simple designs, and after training you can try to build a multi-level stretch ceiling.

Video of installing a stretch ceiling with your own hands

Installation of a suspended ceiling with a pipe bypass video

Do-it-yourself suspended ceilings, video tutorials will help you correctly complete all stages of the work. The canvas is a fabric with a polyester base or PVC. It is attached to the ceiling to special profiles. Despite the apparent simplicity of the ceiling, the technology for performing the work has its own difficulties and features.

Video lessons contain minimum required knowledge to perform self-installation. It is equally important to understand the characteristics of the materials and tools used.

Modern stretch ceilings, while beautiful, have high operational properties. They are perceived organically in large rooms. For small rooms it is better to choose a matte ceiling surface.

Why stretch ceiling

The advantages of a stretch ceiling are as follows:

Achieving a perfectly flat surface. Elimination of surface irregularities and defects is included in the installation technology. The fabric used is solid, the soldering points are invisible. You can use seamless fabric.
Simple technology ceiling finishing, which does not require vacating the premises and removing construction waste. It is enough to warm the room and fix the material.
Long service life. Stretch ceilings last for more than years if the rules of use are followed.
Increased functionality: it’s easy to hide sound insulation, wiring and install any lighting fixture.
Moisture resistance. The canvas can withstand a lot of weight and can protect the apartment from flooding.

The listed qualities are confirmed by numerous reviews. Those who do the installation themselves write about simple and understandable technology.

Equipment

Installation equipment and components must be prepared in advance. This will greatly speed up and simplify installation. To secure the tension fabric you will need the following tools:

ladder;
perforator;
thermal cushion for heating the canvas;
gas bolon;
level (preferably laser);
hammer and screwdrivers;
special knife with replaceable blades.

Necessary materials:

Canvas. It is mounted at a short distance from the ceiling. The type of canvas (film or fabric) is chosen based on personal preferences. The amount of canvas will determine the area of the ceiling.
Baguette. Special metal or plastic profile. Plastic is cheaper, and aluminum is durable. A baguette is needed to secure the canvas. The required quantity is determined along the perimeter of the ceiling.
Dowels and screws. They are purchased with a reserve, since the strength of the structure depends on the frequency of fastening.
Soundproofing if necessary. Materials are placed in the gap between the suspended ceiling and the ceiling slab.

Types of stretch ceiling

To do right choice, you should understand the types and features of canvases for stretch ceilings:

Fabric based- made of polystyrene, and the cam method is used for fastening.
PVC fabric - made of polyvinyl chloride. This type of fabric is attached different ways: wedge, glazing bead and harpoon.

In addition to differences in material, the canvases are presented in a wide range color scheme and price range. These parameters are determined based on planned costs and personal preferences.

Stretch ceilings can have several levels. Multi-level structures are created using profiles and drywall, creating a frame.

Self-installation of a stretch ceiling

Surface ceiling slab imperfect - many cracks and differences. To properly fasten the profile, make markings using one of the following methods:

Measure the height of the corners and leave marks. Sometimes the difference reaches more than 5 cm. The marking should take into account the gap between the slab and the canvas - at least 3 cm.

The distance should be increased if used Spotlights. They should fit there.

Draw a straight line around the perimeter of the room. The profile is attached to the marks.

Marking is an important step, as it affects the entire structure.

Profile fastening

After marking, you can attach the baguettes to the walls using dowels and self-tapping screws. Minimum distance between them - 8 cm. Initially, attach the baguette near the walls.

The first screw should not be at the edge of the profile.

Now is the time to think about lighting. If a chandelier is purchased, then the profile is fixed taking into account its dimensions. After installation, the profile sheet cannot be secured.

Installation of the canvas

Before installation of the canvas, the room is heated to 40 degrees. A heat gun will help achieve the required temperature.

If self-installation of a stretch ceiling does not involve further work in this area, it will be more economical to rent a heat gun.

Installation occurs in stages:

The canvas is carefully unpacked. Hands must be clean, as it gets dirty easily and quickly.
The canvas is heated and secured in one of the corners.
Using “crocodiles”, opposite corners are fixed, having previously secured it.
Fix it in the remaining corners and warm the ceiling well. The instructions for each canvas indicate the angle from which work should begin.

Constantly heating the canvas, remove one of the clamps in the corner. It is inserted into the baguette with the side with the angled spatula. When securing the rest of the part, you need to hold the beginning. This is necessary until it is secured to the lock on both sides. The remaining corners are secured in the same way.
Straight sections are secured. If there is a seam, several locks are used. Next, a gap is maintained and a pair of locks is used again.
The remaining sections are being installed.

When folds form, straighten the fabric, making sure to heat it.

Hang lamps and cut holes for them.

For a complete understanding, you should watch the video lessons, starting from the first stage.

The fabric sheet is mounted in the same way. The only difference is that you don't need to heat it up.

A stretch ceiling can radically change a room with minimal investment of money and time. A lot of advantages explain its popularity. Self-installation of the tension fabric is simple and quick if you have mastered the technology.

Photo
A thin sheet of suspended ceilings is attached to a baguette installed around the entire perimeter of the ceiling in the room. Installation of a baguette does not require special preparation of the ceiling surface. It is cleaned with a brush in areas where whitewash may spill.

The stretch ceiling is attached to a baguette installed around the entire perimeter of the ceiling in the room.

A few words about stretch fabrics

On modern market There is a huge selection of canvases for installation on the ceiling, for example, glossy and matte, satin and suede, metallic and marble, translucent and glitter, fantasy and modern, exclusive and golden sparkles, chameleon and many others.

Corrugated, plain, colored, smooth stretch ceilings allow you to create complex architectural compositions of ceiling structures, that is, make a multi-level stretch ceiling with your own hands. The fabric for tension fabric structures is manufactured at French enterprises according to individual orders. Tension fabrics are made of vinyl.

The canvases are created in separate strips, the width of which is 1.6-2 m.

Tools for installing a stretch ceiling.

The strips must be soldered together. The use of a tension structure allows the greatest efficiency save money, because otherwise you would have to make constant repairs. The warranty on tension fabrics, which is given by manufacturing companies, is about 10 years.

The canvas will not allow water to pass through even if the top floor is flooded, since 1 m of ceiling surface area can hold up to 100 kg of water. The ceiling canvas does not accumulate static electricity and does not collect dust. The stretch fabric does not burn, but only melts without releasing toxic substances or an unpleasant odor. In general, the canvas is sterile.

The design of suspended ceiling structures can sometimes combine suspended fabrics simultaneously with plasterboard; it is carried out by a specialist in this field. The design of ceiling structures sometimes involves installing them at the same time as installing a suspended plasterboard structure to the ceiling. It is beneficial to use this combination.

Ceiling repairs and installation of canvas are sometimes done independently. Correct Application will preserve all tools and materials for a long time new design The ceiling, therefore, will not have to be repaired often.

Features of the technology for installing tension fabrics

The cornice for a stretch ceiling is attached to the beam using rings.

First, you should familiarize yourself with the technology of installing suspended ceilings. The implementation of all actions will require using special tools and understand the basic technological aspects of the installation.

Correct installation of ceilings involves installing moldings on the walls. Next, you need to determine all the places where the lamps are located in order to pre-install special holes for them. Then the material should be unfolded and the corners fastened. Making a suspended ceiling with your own hands will allow you to use a heat gun, which is necessary to heat the canvas. The film is fixed when it becomes more pliable. When the ceiling has completely cooled down, it can be considered to have a finished shape.

Hanging and tension options designs for repairing ceilings have their advantages and disadvantages, which are associated with installation technology. To two experienced craftsmen could install a suspended ceiling, it would take 3-5 working hours. To make a two-level suspended ceiling with plasterboard, you will need 2-3 work shifts.

The beginning of the installation of a stretch ceiling with the installation of baguettes

Baguette installation diagram.

The first stage of developing the installation of a ceiling structure involves marking, which is carried out using a level, which can be laser or hydraulic. If the stretch ceiling is two-level, then the markings are made at two levels: for the profile for plasterboard and the baguette for the tension fabric.

To get the exact perimeter of the ceiling surface, it is better to use a tapping cord, which can be used to outline even strips that allow you to install baguettes that hold the tension fabric. Installing moldings is a labor-intensive job. Usually baguettes are a profile made of plastic or aluminum. If the ceiling is flat, it is better to give preference to an aluminum baguette, and if there is a curvature in the ceiling, then a plastic baguette is more often used.

How to properly install tension fabrics with your own hands

Technology for installing suspended ceilings.

Baguettes are usually not equipped with special holes for the purpose of their installation; this can be done with your own hands using a drill and a drill bit (6 mm). Experienced craftsmen use a special hole punch that allows them to quickly make all the holes. Holes must be arranged every 15-20 cm, which depends on the material used to make the walls. If you need to install a suspended ceiling to plasterboard, then you need to drill more holes.

This is not all, as it is necessary that the corner turns be formed, since each of the corners may bear the greatest load. The cut edges must be thoroughly processed to remove all burrs that could destroy the film.

Usually they start strengthening baguettes from the corners, when at first it is necessary to strengthen the curved profile, and then all the others. When installing suspended ceilings into solid walls, plastic dowels with a diameter of 6 mm are useful. When installing sheets into plasterboard, without laying behind the profile material, turntables are used. If you need to lay an iron profile, then the baguettes are screwed with ordinary metal screws.

The connections of each profile are one of problem areas, since during the installation process you can accidentally catch on the canvas and tear it. Tape is usually used to protect all connections. It should be made of thick foil. The joints with the film at the points of contact are sealed with tape. It is usually better to cover the profile with foil tape on the outside and inside of the grooves into which the film must be tucked.

Stages of installing ceilings with your own hands

Scheme of the stages of installation of a stretch ceiling.

Installation tools are fairly straightforward, other than a heat gun or heat gun, which you can rent. You will need a spatula, the stainless steel from which it is made should be as thick as possible without sharp ends, you will need 4 clamps resembling clothespins.

Next, you can unpack the new canvas. Having straightened it, they begin to hang the canvas from the previously installed baguettes at 4 corners with clothespins. You need to tie small ropes that can be used to secure the canvas in each corner of the room. A small rope is passed between the wall and the profile, starting from the corner of the room.

Next, you should turn on the heat gun, which is installed under the tension fabric. With the windows and doors tightly closed, the entire room needs to be warmed up well. It will be very hot, but after some time the heated film of the stretch fabric will lose all wrinkles and folds, becoming more flexible. Only after the warm-up stage do they begin work.

Types of profiles for stretch ceilings.

You need to unfasten the clothespin on one of the corners. After this, using a spatula, press the corner of the tension fabric into the profile. The film is tucked into the baguette 10 cm on all sides. After this, you should move to the next corner, which is the opposite, to repeat this operation with a different corner. All these actions must be performed with the third and fourth corners.

Starting from the middle part of the canvas, select the wall you like so that in its center you can begin tucking the canvas into the baguette. The free section of the canvas should have a length of more than 10 cm. The same should be done with the remaining three walls. The next task is to divide any of the free areas into two parts and then tuck it behind the profile.

After completing the passage in a circle, the canvas is considered to be completely tucked. In order to maintain symmetry, so that unnecessary defects of the canvas do not appear, that is, screeds, it is necessary to tuck in the edges of the canvas that remain, dividing it symmetrically in half. If there is a cutout in the film, it should be tucked after the outer edges of the film.

The heat gun is turned off to wait until the room has completely cooled down. naturally. Windows and doors should not be opened. While the room is cooling down, you can leave it by going out onto the balcony to bring your body temperature back to normal after the heat in a room with a heat gun.

In about half an hour, all the work can be brought to the final stage, associated with the ability to insert a rubber molding into the groove of the baguette. It will hide the unsightly connection between the canvas and the wall. The work ends with inserting a corner cut at 45 degrees into the groove, which should not be stretched; on the contrary, the molding should be compressed. If the corner of the canvas is stretched, it will take its initial position when using it, and excess gaps will be found in the corners.