MDF panels for the ceiling: the subtleties of selection and installation

MDF panels are one of the options for decorating walls and ceilings, which you can do yourself, even without having the skills. In America, this material appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century, in Russia - at the end of the nineties, and, nevertheless, quickly conquered the construction market.

MDF panels have many good qualities. They have sound insulation, which is important for multi-storey buildings. Also, such panels hide all the flaws of the ceilings. They are not made from wood, but from wood fiber board, well pressed and having one glossy side.

Panels are available with or without drawings. Thanks to this, you can choose panels for every taste and make the design of the premises very diverse. A common option is panels styled like natural wood. They are often used in country, loft or Provence interiors.

Like any other material, this one has its advantages and disadvantages. Knowing them, you can easily determine which type of panels to choose for a particular room.

MDF panels have a lot of positive reviews, so they are in great demand:

• The ceilings finished with MDF panels have sound insulation and also keep heat.
• Perfectly washed by any means, are not afraid of moisture. In order for the panels to look well-groomed, sometimes it is enough to wipe their surface.
• They have an affordable price, which is much lower than the cost of wood panels. So this option is definitely suitable for those who want to save money, but do not want to do it to the detriment of the quality or attractiveness of the interior.

• They are easy to install, so anyone can handle them. Even if one of the planks is damaged, it can be replaced and it does not require much work.
• After installation, no additional processing is required.
• This process is clean, and as a result, only dust can form.
• The panels will perfectly fit into the interior of any room.

This type of cladding also has several disadvantages that must be taken into account when working with them:

• Like any wood, MDF does not like moisture, with the exception of waterproof panels. Moisture can cause mold and mildew in wood. Therefore, they are not recommended for decorating bathrooms and saunas. Indeed, due to excess moisture, they can deform. If the ceiling is flooded with water, it will be unusable and the repair will have to be completely redone. For rooms with high humidity, the use of PVC panels will be relevant.
• Unlike wood, MDF is easily damaged by piercing objects. But for the ceiling, this is not scary.
• Highly flammable. Therefore, during its installation, it is imperative to use a corrugation for wiring, which will protect the panels from sparks.

Ceiling panels come in several varieties. White panels without any trim are inexpensive. Shiny ones with a glossy surface will be more expensive. Each type has its own advantages.

Such panels are not cheap. In the process of their manufacture, natural wood is used, which is used for the front covering of the material. The appearance of MDF panels is no different from wood products. The palette of colors, as well as the texture imitates wood.But if you look closely, you can immediately see the difference.

The dimensions of MDF sheets are selected depending on the width and length of the ceiling. Such panels will look great and serve for a long time in the living room or bedroom. But in the bathroom or in the kitchen, they will quickly lose their appearance.

Ceiling waterproof panels have a laminated surface. They are covered with a polymer film with waterproof performance. The technology for their creation is in many ways similar to the manufacture of laminate, so they are considered one of the most durable. Such panels are made in the form of an artificial covering for a stone or wood. Due to their moisture resistance, many use such panels in kitchens. Compared to veneer, they are much more practical and cheaper.

Painted panels are one of the cheapest types of MDF. They, unlike laminated panels, do not have a protective film. Therefore, they are often used to decorate living rooms, where they will be easy to care for. These types of panels are both matte and glossy. They have a wide range of colors. It is yellow, white, blue and others. The panels are perfectly combined with other materials.

Such panels have a paper base on the front side. They are used in dry rooms, because they are very afraid of moisture. For example, on verandas, in living quarters. They are very easy to install and adapt to any ceiling parameters. The panels are in great demand due to their low price.

Ceiling decoration is an important step in decorating a room. After all, he immediately catches the eye. Often the ceiling made of MDF panels can be called a work of design art. Therefore, their choice must be approached with all seriousness. There are three types of this material:

• Rack panels. They are very easy to install. Most often used for the ceiling in a wooden house.

• Panels in the form of squares and rectangles most often used for finishing ceilings in office buildings or shops.
• Panels with 3D effect are the most expensive. Choosing them, you need to pay attention to the coating, which is performed by machine. With the help of such panels, you can even make a curly ceiling. However, it is better to entrust the installation to specialists.

Regardless of what kind of material is chosen, there are several simple rules that you should adhere to before finally deciding on a purchase:

• The surface of the panel board must necessarily be flat, without flaws, otherwise the cracks in the ceiling will be visible.
• You need to carefully choose the picture so that it is clear and not blurry. Failure to do this can ruin the appearance of the ceiling.
• Selected plain or patterned panels must be combined with the rest of the interior details.

MDF panels are best suited for finishing the ceiling in a wooden house. They are environmentally friendly, easy to install, and also serve as a great addition to the interior.

Having decided on the type of panels, you can proceed to the installation work. Be sure to make a list of everything you need to finish the ceiling and make the correct calculations so that at the end of the work there is not a lot of waste left. Ceiling preparation will not take long. Indeed, for this it will be enough just to check if its surface is so strong and to remove excess plaster. If the ceiling is painted and in good condition, you don't even need to touch it.

The next step is preparing the tools. The first thing you will need is your markup materials. This includes a level, a student's ruler and a simple pencil, as well as a tape measure over three meters so that it is convenient to measure the ceiling.

You also need to pick up tools for installing the frame under the panels.It is imperative to take metal scissors, a perforator for installing the frame, a screwdriver for fastening parts, iron profiles or wooden beams for the frame, as well as screws of different lengths. For the construction of the base of the ceiling, you will need MDF panels, plinths for decoration, as well as all kinds of connectors and plugs

Then you can start marking. To do this, along the entire perimeter of the room, you need to make a line, stepping back from the ceiling by 4-10 centimeters, depending on the unevenness of the ceiling. It is imperative to determine with a special device where the wiring is located. After that, you need to mark with a pencil where it goes, so as not to hurt it during work.

The next step is to drill holes in the wall with an interval of 30-40 centimeters. To do this, you need to use a puncher. Then the profiles are attached with screws throughout the room. After that, another profile is fixed right in the middle of the ceiling. For this, its ends are inserted into the side structure.

Only then are the central profiles and profiles along the perimeter connected in the same sequence. If there were not enough solid parts, then the remaining area is filled with scraps using special connectors. All stages of the structure of the frame must be checked with a level so that there are no problems when finishing the ceiling. Anything that sticks out of the frame needs to be cut with metal scissors.

The next step will be to attach the rails to the already finished frame. To do this, the extreme slats are attached to the profile with screws at a distance of 30-40 centimeters - there will be one rail per frame element. If the room will be insulated, then it is at this stage that a layer of insulation is laid.

After that, you can proceed with the installation of MDF panels, which are attached by inserting the spikes on the edge of the panel into the grooves. The first element is attached with a screw or nail with a thorn to the corner of the wall. Then all these flaws will be closed by the ceiling plinth.

The next panel is installed in the groove in front of the one and is attached to the clip from the back. In this way, the entire ceiling is clad. But do not forget about the places where the lamps or lamps will be located. As soon as the panel is fixed in the required place, you need to bring out the wires. The last step is to install the skirting boards. From all this, we can conclude that the installation of ceiling panels is no more difficult than wall panels.

MDF panels can be used in different rooms. So that such an addition to the interior does not spoil the overall picture, you need to use the ideas of real masters of their craft as an example.

A beautiful living room in a modern style is a triumph of minimalism and restrained colors. The background in this room is contrasting - part of the room is dark, while part, on the contrary, is very light. In the dark area, the ceiling and wall are finished with MDF panels of the same color. The material is stylized as parquet masonry, which looks very interesting. Such a background adds coziness to the room and sets the whole family and guests to rest.

Textile products are also matched to the color of the wood. These are not only checkered curtains, but also stylish pillows.

The second example is a beautiful living room in a classic style. It is made in light colors. The floor is the darkest, the walls are coffee-colored, and the ceiling, made of MDF panels, is quite light. The beautiful decoration around the edges reminds us of the old houses in which the ceilings were decorated with stucco moldings. And the backlight allows you to feel comfortable in any part of the room. In the center of the ceiling there is a luxurious chandelier, which is a real decoration of this room.

Against the background of such a light ceiling, furniture made several tones darker also looks good. This is a sofa, armchairs, shelves, and everything you need for a comfortable stay in the company of loved ones.

A final example is a brightly colored room that serves as a place to relax or work. Colors that are too light are known to be relaxing. But the shade of yellowness present here, on the contrary, will charge the person who has entered with energy. Both the wall, ceiling and floor are designed in the same color, so the room does not seem too colorful. In addition, wood-styled inserts soften the white background of the wall.

The lack of wide windows next to the reading corner is compensated by good lighting. There are neat chandeliers along the entire perimeter of the ceiling, which provide pleasant light.

MDF panels are a good option for finishing a modern room. It doesn't matter if it's a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen - with proper care, they will last a long time, regardless of where they are used. Consider the manufacturer's recommendations for care, designers' advice when finishing, and then your interior will become unique and admirable for all guests who come to your house.

For information on how to mount panels to the ceiling, see the video below.