Ceiling options: traditional and new

Gusevsky Andrey Anatolyevich

Any finish requires strict lines.

In modern apartments and houses, these are not only ordinary ceiling systems with which you can create attractive interiors, in some cases, they are whole engineering structures. Today, there are many types of ceilings, but many of them are very simple, which do not provide an extended opportunity to hide all utilities and perform interesting lighting.

Types of Ceiling Finishes

In complex overhauls, there are complex types of ceiling finishes (seeHow to decorate the ceiling: types of ceiling decoration), which create a special microclimate in the room and special requirements are imposed on them, since the ceiling structure turns into a complex structure that can hide all utilities, but at the same time there should be free access to them.
From simple and inexpensive materials for quick repair, ceiling decoration with foam and wallpaper is suitable.

For reference. In some rooms, ceiling decoration methods must tolerate changes in temperature and humidity. In other rooms, with the help of a ceiling design, problems of creating an optimal acoustic atmosphere are solved.

In basic cases, when choosing a ceiling, the decisive role is played by the price and the level of complexity of installation.
Ceilings are divided into different types and forms, a variety of finishing methods can be divided into:

• Installation on the base ceiling (this is whitewashing, painting, polystyrene ceiling decoration, wallpaper).
• Installation on suspended profiles (these are modular, cassette, trellised and rack designs).
• Solid ceilings (plasterboard and suspended).

And we will consider in more detail the original design options for finishing ceilings.

Proven Solution - Laminate

Laminate battens with decorative cross members

Finishing with a laminate ceiling is a rather interesting design decision. Indeed, many associate this material with the flooring. It’s no secret that the laminate is decorated with doorways, apron for the kitchen, so why it is impossible to finish the ceiling with material, the more so with the corresponding texture the material looks very harmonious.

Characteristics and material description

Given that the material is also made for flooring, it has all the load-bearing properties that make it very stable under difficult operating conditions.
So:

• The material has a long operational period.
• Resistant to mechanical damage.
• It has a wide range in color and relief.

For reference. The basis of the laminate is a well-impregnated MDF tile, which gives the material strength, and a protective melamine layer protects the decorative texture from damage, dirt and moisture.

The inside of the laminate is saturated with a water-repellent, but not in all cases.

Tip. If you buy inexpensive material, then it is not always saturated with a special moisture-resistant composition, so you need to be sure that they will not flood from above.

Longitudinal arrangement of rails

The edges of the laminated elements are equipped on one side with a longitudinal ridge, and on the other, with a tongue-and-groove lock, thanks to the lock fasteners, connections are made between the panels.
Laminate Features:

• Considering that wood is used for the production of laminate, it has numerous properties of this material.Thanks to the laminated surface, it is more resistant to mechanical damage, moisture, temperature extremes.
• Laminate is durable and does not require special care. Thanks to a wide range of colors and textures, the material can be easily selected for any interior.
  In principle, the floor and ceiling can be finished with the same material, only pick up a contrasting shade.

Tip. Laminate has an excellent soundproofing and heat-insulating property, and if you finish using the frame method, you can perform additional insulation in the ceiling plane. Installation of such a coating can be done if desired with your own hands.

When installing the laminate on the ceiling, it is recommended to make high-quality waterproofing with any moisture-resistant material. But in any case, the laminate is not recommended to be installed in a humid room.

Subtleties of laminate ceiling decoration

Mounting to a aligned metal profile frame

Before installing the laminate on the ceiling, it is necessary to study the ceiling bearing base for strength and evenness. In addition, even before installation, it is necessary to determine the lighting, if these are built-in lamps, then a frame will need to be installed.
Laminate can be mounted directly on the ceiling (glued), if it is decided to maintain the height of the structure. Then you need to take care of the evenness and strength of the ceiling structure.
You can align the ceiling in 2 ways:

• Use sheet material (which will still take part of the height).
• Apply special mixes.

Mixing involves a long finishing process of leveling and priming.

Attention! Frameless ceiling finish with laminate involves the use of two-component toxic glue. It is especially dangerous at the time of drying.
There is a special instruction for its use, which should be strictly observed.

• A small portion of the ceiling is lubricated with glue, and glue is also applied to the material from the wrong side. The groove of the locking joint is treated with a sealant, which will significantly extend the operational period of the material.
  The panel should be well pressed to the ceiling in the corner of the room so that you can not hold your hands for a long time, you can install a support under the panel.
• The next panel is lubricated with glue, connected to the comb using a lock connection (inserted into the groove of the comb), then pressed to the surface.

Tip. This type of work needs to be done with an assistant, since complexity can appear when gluing, especially with a large area of ​​the room.

The wireframe method will avoid all of the listed difficulties:

• Before starting all work, it is necessary to clean the surface of the old plastered surface and prime.
• The frame is attached directly to the draft ceiling using self-tapping screws (in a wooden house) or a nail dowel.

Tip. As a frame, you can use wood, since with such a crate it is easier to install. The bars are installed across the panels, in increments of not more than 50 cm.

The laminate is attached to the frame using small studs or kleimers designed for lining. Between the laminate and the walls it is necessary to leave a gap of 10-15 mm.
After all installation work, they are covered with a special baseboard. In addition to the material read, it is recommended to watch a training video on this subject.

Blockhouse ceiling in the interior

Block house plank shape

Decorating the ceiling with a blockhouse will help to add naturalness and uniqueness to the interior. The ceiling coating in this case will imitate a wooden blockhouse made of expensive wood.
If you decide to create a country style in the room, then such material as a blockhouse is most suitable for these purposes.
So:

• Most often, for interior decoration, including the ceiling, a material with a thickness of 20-25 mm is used.Finishing is mainly carried out in such rooms as an office, living room, kitchen, and nursery.
• Finishing work begins with the calculation of fittings and material. Having calculated the area of ​​the ceiling and the required number of panels, it is recommended to purchase everything with a small margin.

Tip. For the decoration of one ceiling, it is recommended to buy material from the same batch, as one manufacturer, but different batches may vary slightly in shade.

• Before proceeding with the installation, it is recommended to pull out and hold the block house in the room for several days so that it takes the necessary temperature and humidity of the room.
• Before installation, it is recommended to clean the plane from the old material and repair unevenness and bumps. For a high-quality finish, it is also recommended that the ceiling be soaked with water-repellent material and primed.
  Large-scale work with start and finish putty is not necessary.
• Decorating the ceiling with a blockhouse is a wireframe method, so you will need a crate. Depending on the room and if necessary, it is possible to lay a heat insulator (expanded polystyrene or mineral wool) and a vapor insulator (a special film is bought together with the facing material).

Tip. For the supporting frame, you will need bars with a thickness of 25-30 cm on the ceiling. In this case, you should pay attention that the beam is dry, otherwise, the lathing can be deformed.

• The crate is installed strictly vertically, in increments of 50 cm. The installation and evenness are checked strictly and a building level will be needed.

After the crate, a blockhouse is mounted, starting with the starting bar from the window. Self-tapping screws are used as fasteners.
Fasteners are recessed approximately 3 mm deep. Then the fastener is decorated with a special plug.
The panels are installed together by connecting a groove-tongue. Corners are decorated using special corner elements that are purchased with the material.

More about False Ceilings

The category of false ceilings includes lining (seeCladding the ceiling - all the main "tricks"), which for a long time remains popular and the finish of the chipboard ceiling.
Lining can be divided into several types:

• MDF.
• Wooden.
• Plastic

This is a frame view of the finish, therefore, it also provides for the installation of the lathing, then the rails are mounted. Each material provides fasteners that are suitable for each type of material.

Laminated particleboard sheet

Chipboard ceilings have their own specific features:

• Excellent sound absorption.
• Excellent thermal insulation.

The material is used in rooms where there is no dampness. The most suitable premises are a corridor, an office.
Recently, this material has been used for the most part in country houses in a garage, a barn and other similar premises. Another thing is MDF panels, which are more adapted to a humid environment and have less restrictions in use, but their weight is slightly more.
We have listed the original methods of decorating ceilings, but there are also traditional ones such as plasterboard constructions, conventional painting of the ceiling or other decoration. The choice of material directly depends on the purpose of the room, design ideas and financial capabilities.