Ceiling panels: selection criteria

The need to repair the ceiling is difficult for many. However, today there are many options to renovate the ceiling without much difficulty. An easy and quick way is to use ceiling panels made of various materials.

The ceiling panel market has grown rapidly in recent years. There are innovative materials, new technologies, and most importantly - a huge number of design variations. The ceiling in a modern house can be white, colored, resemble a starry sky, and illuminated from the inside. You can choose the option that is right for your home.

Before starting finishing work, you need to assess the possibilities of floors: whether the ceiling will withstand the additional load and what kind, whether it will not crumble, whether it is necessary to change the wiring. It is recommended to remove old whitewash and plaster from the base ceiling if it falls off. If the ceiling is very uneven or crumbling, then the surface must be cleaned and primed.

If after installation you have any finishing material, save it. If you have to change the finishing element, then you do not have to run to the store in search of a “similar piece”.

The paneling of ceilings has many advantages:

• a variety of finishes will allow you to choose the best price / quality ratio for you;
• the sizes of the elements are different, so you will choose an option for both very small and large rooms;
• interior decoration can be combined with insulation. For example, sandwich panels will become a real boon for a cold room in a loggia or a summer cottage;

• most of the materials from which modern finishes are made are not afraid of moisture, so they can be used in a damp room;
• panel decoration is indispensable where there are visible floor defects - cracks, seams and height differences;
• the easiest way to hide wiring and other communications is under the square elements installed in the "cassette way";
• such a finish is within the power of almost everyone;

• no need to buy any special tools. Installation of finishing does not require the use of expensive or rare construction equipment;
• if one element for some reason turned out to be damaged (this can happen by accident due to an unsuccessfully fired champagne cork, a ball thrown by a child or a leak), then you can independently and quickly replace it;
• most modern finishing materials for walls and ceilings are easy to clean and wash;
• even plastic products are classified as "ecological", as they do not emit any harmful substances, have no smell and are resistant to sunlight. Modern technologies and quality control make these materials absolutely safe for people and animals;

• many finishing materials for ceilings are very light and practically do not exert pressure on the ceilings;
• finishing materials for the ceiling have many textures and shades, so you can choose the right option for any interior;
• plastic has good soundproofing qualities.

The paneling also has some disadvantages, which, however, are few:

• on large areas, such a finish looks "rustic";
• the cheaper the finishing material, the less it will serve you;
• accidental scratches or bumps will easily ruin the panel finish;
• manufacturers' promises are not always true - unfortunately, the sun's rays can affect the color of both white and colored materials, and some finishes can begin to crumble over time.
• panels are often associated with office furnishings and some people do not want to use them solely for aesthetic reasons.

Today there are a huge number of types of ceiling panels. The easiest way to divide ceiling panels is by such a criterion as the method of installation:

• Known to many "cassette suspension". Such a ceiling is a cage of metal corners with square cells from 50 square centimeters to 1200. Thanks to the corner, squares with sides are formed, on which the ceiling panel is laid.

• Rack mounting. Narrow slats, fixed on a wooden or metal crate, can be found today in the decoration of the ceilings of bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms in private houses and apartments. Between themselves, the rails are mounted end-to-end or by joining into a groove.

• Bonding panels. Sheathing made of polystyrene and polyurethane is often simply "planted" with glue. If the ceiling is even, then any light finishing materials, for example, MDF and plastic sheets, can be glued to it with a special glue, the main thing is that they have an even base. Decorating with gluing will save the low ceiling from lowering even further, especially if there is no need to hide the wiring or other communications.

It should be said that decorative panels made of the same materials can be mounted in different ways.

Natural wood finishes remain popular today. The lining (wooden slatted board) still looks great on both ceilings and walls. The lining comes in various sizes and colors, but the general rule has been known for a long time - this finish is attached to a wooden or metal frame (from a metal profile) using cleats.

Square wood panels are not as common as slatted trims as they are much more expensive (eg carved oak trims) and require a sturdy timber frame to be installed.

Wood finishes feel better in dry rooms, but the modern construction market offers a large number of impregnations, paints, varnishes to protect wood from an aggressive environment.

An alternative to traditional wood finishes would be cork and bamboo planks. Bamboo panels relatively recently came to us from Asian countries, but have already become popular, because they have many positive qualities. Made of pressed bamboo slats, bamboo panels are elastic, durable, beautiful, not afraid of moisture and temperature extremes.

Cork plates, like bamboo, look very original., besides, they have excellent soundproofing and heat-insulating properties.

Mineral panels made from sawdust and wood dust are becoming more and more popular thanks to the use of special polymer bonds, which allow panels to be given a different texture and shape. Mineral finishing materials can imitate natural wood, various types of stone and brickwork.

Metal ceiling panels vary greatly in price and appearance. Painted in vibrant colors, composite aluminum panels are lightweight and durable, but not cheap. Budget panels made of nickel-plated or galvanized steel look no worse, but heavier in weight. It should be noted that the lightweight and durable polymer-coated metal finish will last you a long time - many models are warranted for over 50 years.

Metal ceiling finishes are now available in both mirror and matte finishes., perforated and smooth, with and without polymer coloring, can be mounted both in a rack and in a cassette way. There are even wood-like metal panels. Designers suggest using metal panels in any living space, but most often they are used when decorating kitchens and bathrooms.

The gap between the ceiling sheet and the wall is necessary, because metal panels do not allow air to pass through, and the space of the main ceiling must still be ventilated. In addition, if you have to disassemble the ceiling, the gap will help you easily detach the panels.

PVC panels are very common in the interior of an apartment. A variety of shapes and textures, colors and shades, digital printing capabilities give life to the most fantasy projects. At the same time, the price for most of the models is low. The plastic finish is not afraid of temperature changes and moisture, does not fade and does not change color over time. Installation of plastic is similar to the installation of lining and even a novice master can perform it.

There are also disadvantages to plastic panels that need to be mentioned. Firstly, plastic and polymers cannot be used in rooms where the temperature can rise above 70 degrees (for example, in a bath). Secondly, plastic panels are fairly easy to damage and require careful handling.

Ceiling and wall panels made of polyurethane or foam are suitable for simple DIY finishing. Usually they are simply glued to the ceiling, although, of course, you can put them in a cassette way. This finish can withstand repainting up to 7 times, so you can easily "update" them when needed.

Sandwich panels consist of three layers, where the middle layer is insulation, the top and bottom are plastic. An excellent solution for loggias, balconies and summer cottages, which allows you to solve two problems at once - to insulate the room and give it a decorative effect.

There are mirrored polystyrene and mirrored glass tiles on sale. Polystyrene is lighter in weight and will not break when dropped, but the mirror looks more solid, and it looks more beautiful, since the reflective effect is created on this tile in the same way as on ordinary mirrors - by applying amalgam. Mirror finish looks great in a wide variety of rooms, visually expanding and "adding height". Modern mirrored tiles can vary in shade from silvery gray to warm golden tones.

Decorative acrylic panels are most often a spectacular substitute for glass. Looks good in any room and looks very elegant when illuminated from the inside. Combines with wood and metal, suitable for both classic and modern interiors.

Ceiling design is not an invention of modern masters. Suffice it to recall the frescoes and mosaics of Ancient Greece and Rome, decoration with carved panels of ceilings in medieval castles, art painting of baroque palace interiors, elegant interior solutions of Art Nouveau decor. Indeed, a lot of attention has always been paid to the ceiling. Modern finishing materials are so diverse that even a novice craftsman with his own hands can create a real masterpiece - durable, practical, and, of course, very beautiful.

Most trim panels can be divided into two main categories - matte and glossy. Glossy finishes will make the room more spacious, and low ceilings visually higher.If the room is very small, then glossy panels will look good with spot lighting - numerous glare of light and a mirror surface will give a small bathroom or hallway the effect of "mirrors in mirrors". An interesting solution for the bathroom would be the use of narrow panels with shiny inserts.

If you are in doubt about the appropriateness of colored or patterned panels, then use the versatile white classics, suitable for interiors of different styles. A white ceiling is perfect for a bedroom, especially a small one, white textured wall panels and matte white seamless ceilings will help to make a room more spacious and airy with a lack of natural light.

Today, a large number of finishing panels are produced with imitation of the texture of expensive wood species, so even classic interiors and interiors with antique furniture can be decorated with spectacular finishing panels.

The panels allow you to make the ceiling two-level and zone the space in a studio apartment or in a spacious room.

The design of the hallway or corridor is the "face" of your apartment. Backlit acrylic panels are ideal for finishing the ceiling. By the way, they can be a "checkerboard" (alternation of white and black panels), which can be duplicated or reinforced in the decoration of the floor and walls. Black and white finish is always spectacular, it makes the space interesting, bright and stylish, but you should avoid the predominance of black and think carefully about the lighting of the hallway. Also, the black and white finish goes well with mirrored surfaces - these decorative elements in the hallway are simply necessary.

New in modern design is the use of so-called 3D panels for finishing. They are used for both the ceiling and walls. This is a special type of finish that allows you to create a kind of three-dimensional image. You can choose panels that are smooth, but with a printed pattern in 3D. The use of modern digital printing technologies for images on finishing materials allows the drawing to look three-dimensional.

There are also panels with a texture that will look like a three-dimensional decor on the ceiling. - waves, honeycombs, floral designs and much more. This is an original and modern finish, which has one significant drawback - dust will inevitably collect in the folds of the relief ornament. It is also worth remembering that excessive saturation of space with 3D elements can cause fatigue and stress, creating a strain on vision, so do not decorate the entire ceiling with such panels - combine 3D with a smooth finish, enhance the effect of decor depth with small bulbs, add elements of bright decor , respecting the principles of harmony and elegance.

There are so many finishing panels that it is sometimes difficult to navigate in such a number.

Our tips will help you make the right choice:

• The smaller the space, the "quieter" the finish should be. An exquisite carved ceiling is appropriate in a living room or a large dining room, but it is absolutely useless in a small kitchen, no matter how beautiful it may seem to you.
• Finishing dark shades requires additional spot lighting.

• Lining (both wooden and metal) looks best in the kitchen, bathroom or loggia.
• For a hall or living room, choose panels that match the overall style of the interior, while wood-like panels in light colors will suit almost any style.
• Finishing panels are very light and weighty enough. Be sure to evaluate floors for their ability to withstand the construction of a new ceiling.
• Simultaneously with the purchase of ceiling panels, immediately buy all additional elements (plinths, screws, profile, wooden blocks, and so on).Based on the finishing material that you have chosen for your ceiling, experienced consultants in the hardware store will help you choose whatever else you need.
• If there are children and animals in the house, choose strong, dense materials that are resistant to mechanical stress.

Classic cassette wood paneling is not out of style. This is a durable and beautiful finish, suitable for both an apartment and a private house.

Even an economical finish can look elegant with modern, light-colored ceiling panels.

Scandinavian minimalism is a style loved by many. The rack-and-pinion ceiling finish will perfectly complement such an interior in an apartment and not a summer cottage.

Acrylic panels look good in any interior. This is a versatile finish that looks good in the kitchen, bedroom and hallway.

Lining, both plastic and wooden, is a finishing material that is not only economical, but also easy to install. Even a novice master will make a beautiful and neat ceiling from it.

The modern foam plastic ceiling trim looks original and beautiful, and it is very easy to install - it is simply glued to the ceiling.

Finishing the ceiling with panels allows you to embody a variety of ideas, including the dream of multi-level ceilings. For such ceilings, an individual project is developed and the installation presents a certain difficulty, but the result is also wonderful.

How to mount PVC panels on the ceiling, see the next video.