Subtleties of installation of a two-level stretch ceiling

Two-level stretch ceilings are a modern type of decorative finish that is very popular when creating design projects. Thanks to the chic assortment of textures and colors, these designs fit well into any style design and allow you to create an unusual interior in rooms, filling them with an atmosphere of home comfort and warmth. For self-installation of such ceilings, it is enough to select the necessary building materials, tools and master the minimum knowledge of installation.

The two-level suspended ceiling consists of a polyvinyl chloride film, which is fixed to the frame profiles, after which the canvases make the surface perfect. Such structures are in great demand in decoration, since they are characterized not only by an aesthetic appearance, but also allow you to visually increase the space. Depending on the desired effect and the height of the room, you can choose a canvas with a glossy or matte surface.

Before you start installing a two-level stretch ceiling, it is important to consider the following features:

• Location. In the event that the canvases are planned to be hung in a room with high humidity, then you will need to purchase a moisture-resistant drywall. For rooms where there is no accumulation of condensation, and a normal temperature regime is constantly present, ordinary sheets of drywall are suitable.
• Construction form. At first, it is recommended to create a projection of the future view, and only after it matches all dimensions, you can start making two-tier compositions, which often consist of arcuate contours.
• Frame type. For its installation, both wooden beams and metal profiles are chosen. At the same time, the latter allow you to create any shape, bend easily and are characterized by high wear resistance.

It is also worth noting that bunk ceilings have many advantages, among which are:

• installation speed;
• providing a perfectly flat surface;
• beautiful appearance;
• protection of premises from flooding.

As for the shortcomings, they include the fragility of the canvas and the high price.

Two-tier compositions are a special type of construction that is made of two steps and has a different configuration. Compositions can be made from any canvases, while combinations of several textures and colors look unusual in the interior. Before making such a ceiling, first of all, you will need to build a frame with a base coating. Depending on the construction model, various materials can be used: most often plywood, wooden beams, profiles and metal tires are used for this.

Bunk ceilings are of the following types:

• Regular. They are a surface consisting of a tension material laid out in two tiers.
• Combined. Structures are made of plasterboard boxes and canvases.
• Backlit. They can be installed as one stretch canvas or supplemented with plasterboard inserts.

For the installation of each type of ceiling, a scheme is preliminarily drawn up, according to which an accurate measurement is made, and all the necessary components are calculated.

Conventional structures are usually made from a profile, plywood or wooden frame. Combined compositions need a solid foundation, so a reliable frame is chosen for them that could withstand drywall boxes. Steel profiles are perfect for this.

As for the backlit two-level ceilings, their base is made of metal corners and tires. In this case, the installation must be calculated in such a way that there is free space in the frame for laying hidden lighting and cords. For such an installation, a special instruction is applied to avoid errors.

Installation of bunk ceilings is not particularly difficult, but it should be carried out according to certain rules. All work and assembly require a sequence of execution. Therefore, for novice craftsmen who want to hang the structure with their own hands, it is first recommended to make sketches of the ceiling, and only then proceed with the installation. Installation usually consists of the following steps:

• Assembling the frame. To do this, choose the shape of the structure, make rough sketches and attach the elements to the main ceiling. In order for the two tiers to overlap correctly, they are connected in turn and everything is exactly measured. The frame must be durable in operation, therefore, an aluminum profile is often chosen for it. The fastening technology is simple: the guides are fixed, and then the profiles are attached to them using self-tapping screws.

• Fastening the upper tier. Contours are outlined along the perimeter of the room, along which it will be possible to see the proposed installation site of the ceiling. The plane should turn out to be horizontal, and in order to simplify the marking process, it is recommended to use a laser level. At the same time, the regulating hangers allow you to set the profiles strictly according to the level, they must be fixed at a distance of 0.5 m from each other. For profiles, a distance of 30 cm is maintained. Then drywall sheets are laid: they are fixed to the frame with self-tapping screws.

• Fastening of the second tier. When installing it, it is important to consider the location of the first level. If the structure will consist of rectilinear parts, then the work will not be difficult, and to design curvilinear figures will need to "fit" the profile to the shape. To do this, they are simultaneously trimmed in several places and bent along the lines. The fastening of the profiles starts from the wall, while the guides must be placed in the center, thus, the frame will turn out to be stronger. At the end of the work, it remains to sheathe the structure with plasterboard and stretch the canvas.

In order for the installation to be carried out without errors, it is recommended to first cut strips from solid sheets of drywall according to the sketches data, after which they are moistened with water and the desired figure is made. Thus, the material becomes flexible and simplifies installation work. When drywall is dry, it will gain strength and can be fixed to the surface with screws. At the end of the work, it is worth sealing the joints between the sheets and installing a lighting system; you also need to apply a primer to the base of the structure and lay a topcoat on it.

Bunk stretch ceilings are considered an ideal decoration for any interior, therefore, the issue of their installation must be taken with full responsibility, especially when it comes to installing structures that are carried out independently.In order for the ceiling to acquire an aesthetic appearance and complement the overall design of the room in an original way, it is necessary to correctly choose not only the material, but also the shape and color of the future composition, which directly depend on the design style.

Therefore, experienced craftsmen, when installing such ceilings, recommend:

• Use combinations of different shades. This will favorably emphasize the shape of the structure.
• Combine matte and glossy canvases.
• Supplement the tiers with plasterboard fragments.
• Apply original patterns, drawings, ornaments and photo printing.
• Choose unusual shapes in the form of waves, straight lines, circles, cones and ovals.
• Separate the tiers of the ceiling with various inserts and colored lamps.

Installation of structures is carried out in one of two ways: harpoon or wedge. The harpoon installation is recommended for beginners and is characterized by its simplicity. All that is required is to correctly measure the ceiling edging and connect all the parts as tightly as possible. If in the levels it is planned to make large differences, then it is best to choose the wedge method. In this case, the canvas heats up and strictly according to the markings is clamped under the baguette.

To make the canvas easy to level, you should use a construction hairdryer during installation - it will help to smooth the material, and the ceiling will acquire perfect smoothness.

Two-level stretch ceilings look good in any design; they are often chosen for decorating large and small rooms. At the same time, for small rooms you need to choose a white color - it visually expands the space and makes the room cozy. In order for a small bedroom to liven up and fill with an atmosphere of romance, you need to choose a light scale for it. It is best to make two tiers of the ceiling in one white color and install a hidden backlight. The lines of the structure should smoothly merge into the walls, which it is desirable to also decorate with pastel colors.

Ceilings with a glossy surface look special in small bedrooms, but if bright light interferes with rest, then matte canvases can also be installed. It is undesirable to install compositions of complex shapes in such rooms, since the details of the wrong textures will "steal" the area of ​​space. For spacious bedrooms, you can choose a beige color scheme, as it looks original on a glossy surface. It is best to highlight the center of the ceiling with a dark shade, which will be continued by furniture and other decor items.

Two-level ceilings open up great opportunities in the interior decoration of children's rooms. Thanks to the beautiful colors and drywall, various creative ideas can be translated into reality. The unusual design of such a ceiling can be done independently. In addition, designs in a children's room can harmoniously combine all types of lighting: from chandeliers to spotlights. Thanks to two illuminated tiers, it becomes possible to fill the room with light as much as possible and beautifully perform zoning, dividing the room into a place for sleeping, playing and relaxing.

For little fidgets, compositions are chosen depending on personal preferences. For boys, inserts with photo canvases, which depict their favorite cartoon characters, are well suited. From drywall sheets, you can make various shapes in the form of birds, butterflies, flowers and airplanes.

For girls, you need to install pale pink compositions, for boys - light blue ones. If you plan to decorate the interior of a teenager's room, then you can opt for neutral colors.

Stretch ceilings of simple shapes with inserts of canvases depicting the sky are very popular in children's rooms. They not only visually increase the area of ​​the room, but also fill it with a sense of freedom and weightlessness. In this case, the ceiling must necessarily be in harmony with the general interior in the room, not be too bright or, conversely, dull. It is allowed to install ceilings from several inserts, which will differ in texture and color. But we must not forget about the rules for combining shades.

Often in small apartments, the kitchen is combined with the living room - this design option looks modern and original. In order for the room to harmoniously combine a place for rest and eating, the designers recommend dividing the space into zones using bunk stretch ceilings. To do this, in the structures, you need to apply the installation of various geometric parts and make a distinction using straight lines.

In order for the kitchen-living room to have a festive look, it is best to decorate it with two-tier compositions in white, and install a glass chandelier and spotlights as lighting. Round and oval inserts are suitable for ceiling shapes. A good option is also to install a ceiling that combines white and light beige. In this case, two tiers are superimposed around the perimeter of the room, forming a volumetric square. Lamps are installed along the edges of the structure, the brightness of which can be adjusted.

For information on how to install a two-level stretch ceiling yourself, see the video below.