Lamps for stretch ceilings

The practicality and appearance of modern stretch ceilings makes them increasingly popular. For such a ceiling, there is no need to level the surface, and the special reflective effects of the material can, with the right choice, expand the space. Such a ceiling will retain its cleanliness and attractive appearance for a long time, however, in order for the ceiling to please as long as possible, it is necessary to choose the right type of fixtures.

A stretch ceiling is a canvas fixed along the perimeter of the ceiling on a special baguette. The material from which the canvas is made can be any. Most often, fabric or special PVC film is used. These materials are sensitive to high temperatures, therefore, to illuminate a room with stretch ceilings, it is necessary to carefully study the characteristics of the luminaire, as well as choose the correct design.

If you choose the wrong type and power of the lamp, you can ruin the ceiling. The use of incandescent lamps will lead to a rapid yellowing of the canvas, cracks may disperse along it or the elasticity of the stretch will disappear. Based on this, for stretch ceilings it is more advisable to use LED lighting sources for built-in lamps, but in the case of pendant options, you can pay attention to halogen or luminescent energy-saving elements. For the same reason, intolerance to high temperatures when choosing lighting elements, restrictions are imposed on their power. So, it is best to choose bulbs with a power of no more than 40 watts. In addition, if the choice fell not on the built-in lighting elements, then the distance from the ceiling to the light bulb should be at least 15 centimeters, respectively, the more power, the greater the distance should be laid during installation.

All lamps used in conjunction with stretch ceilings can be divided into types according to several features. First of all, of course, you can divide all the luminaires into groups according to the type of their fixing to the ceiling. So, there are:

• Suspended. Well-known and familiar standard chandeliers. Their fastening is carried out by installing a special hook into the room's own ceiling, after which a chandelier is suspended on it, and the attachment point is tightened under the tension structure. Most often, it is this type of lamp that performs decorative functions in the room.
• Overhead. This type of luminaire is installed directly on the canvas, to which a reinforcing base is pre-attached, on which the lighting elements are installed. When installing this option, it is necessary to carefully consider the choice of bulbs, since they will be in close proximity to the ceiling material. It is best to opt for LEDs, they are able to provide minimal heating.
• Recessed ceiling lights. Such options are built into the ceiling at the time of its installation. Such lamps are usually installed flush with the ceiling surface, they do not imply a rich volumetric decor and in most cases are used only for their intended purpose, as elements of space lighting.Such lamps are perfect for any type of stretch ceiling, be it glossy or matte.

Luminaires can be divided into groups according to the number of light elements on a particular model:

• Spot. This type is designed exclusively for one light bulb, while the distribution of the light beam in it is not more than 30 degrees, therefore, for sufficient illumination, several such light elements must be used. This type includes a huge number of designs and variations. So, here you can note ultra-thin models, which are an almost flat light element or special models with backlight.
• Cascading. These are constructions with several light elements fixed on them. So, this includes linear and double luminaires. They can have both built-in lighting elements and suspended rotary models.

The most common types of lamps used in ceiling luminaires are LED lamps, halogen lamps and energy saving fluorescent lamps:

• LED lamps or LED. This type of light bulb is based on a semiconductor - an LED. This type of luminaire has a significant advantage for embedding into a stretch ceiling. They practically do not heat up and have the longest possible service life. In addition, LEDs have low power consumption. The light emitted by LED can be warm and cold, so it will not be difficult to find the right one for a particular room. The only drawback of this type of lighting is its high cost.

• Halogen bulbs. As close as possible to a standard incandescent lamp option. However, the service life of a halogen lamp is twice that of an incandescent lamp. The glow will be provided by burning inside the glass flask of a special gas with which this flask will be filled. It is also worth noting that the halogen lamp will have the most clear color rendition of the illuminated object, as well as maximum brightness, which will become an indispensable advantage in rooms where there is little access to daylight from the street. to the disposal of used light bulbs. Incorrect disposal can lead to the evaporation of hazardous gas with which the flask is filled. It should also be remembered that most models of halogen lamps have a type G base, which is not suitable for all existing lamps, so when buying, you must pay attention to this characteristic.

• Fluorescent or energy saving lamps. In this case, the glow is formed in the process of ultraviolet radiation, which is formed by the movement of an electric discharge in mercury vapor. In this case, the glow becomes visible when reflected from the inner phosphor coating of the lamp. Such light elements have a high percentage of light output, while saving energy. In addition, fluorescent lamps have a wide assortment of colors; there are both various warm colors and cold ones of various intensities on sale. The disadvantages of such elements include their relatively high cost, the presence of hazardous material such as mercury inside, which requires special disposal measures, as well as flickering in low-quality models.

There are various options for placing recessed luminaires on the ceiling.

There are the following most common design schemes that are applicable in rooms with a standard ceiling height:

• Oval scheme. According to this scheme, the arrangement is carried out along the perimeter of the ceiling in the form of an oval, while the center remains in the shade or is equipped with an independent light element such as a chandelier.
• If you need to place a light accent in the center of the room, while darkening the corners, the circular type will be the ideal option for the correct placement in this case.
• Accordingly, when it is required to focus on the corners, the angular placement of lighting elements is recommended, they can be located both in all corners of the room, and in one.
• Luminaires located on the projection of two semicircles, located opposite each other, will allow you to achieve maximum illumination of the corners. If the room is large enough, it is worth complementing it with a central lighting element in the form of a chandelier.

• The lighting can be centered when the luminaires are arranged crosswise.
• If you need to expand the space, rectangular placement is the best option for placing light elements.
• The "arc" scheme will be ideal for a room where space zoning is required. Accents need to be placed on the places that need to be highlighted.
• Rooms of non-standard shapes and sizes accept interesting non-standard options for the placement of lamps, for example, in the form of a wave.
• In addition, you can create a certain pattern from spotlights, which will act as a separate decorative lighting element and will help to give originality and exclusivity to the interior.

The entire range of modern lamps can be divided into several types according to their shape. For example, the most common form is considered to be the standard one. Standard luminaires are a conventional recessed light element that is flush with the ceiling material. The shape itself in this case can be completely varied: round, square, oval, rectangular and triangle. In addition, there are unusual shapes such as a star or a heart, however, such options can not be found in all points of sale, most often these models are delivered at the request of the buyer.

The location of such light elements on the ceiling will depend on the size and purpose of the room.

The most popular placement options are circle, semicircle and rectangle around the perimeter of the ceiling:

• Elongated shape. In this category, the most common shapes are candles and lamps with glass shades. Such models can be both static and rotary, these options allow you to adjust the direction of the light beam and get concentrated illumination of a particular element of the interior.
• Volumetric. As a rule, this shape is small recessed lamps or chandeliers. In addition to the basic shape, which will be one level below the ceiling, these shapes of luminaires can be additionally equipped with decorative elements that will adorn the luminaire, which will allow it to be used as a decorative accent of the interior as a whole.

• Spherical. This option is a glass hemisphere. This type includes the popular form of the tablet today. The material from which this type of lamps is made can be either matte or transparent, due to which the intensity and diffusion of the light beam will change. In addition, decorative spraying of sparkles, drops or a pattern can be applied to the glass.
• Sometimes manufacturers allocate a special group of forms: non-standard. This includes various figured lamps, which, in one way or another, have signs of several varieties of lamp shapes or completely contradict them.These lamps usually have an asymmetrical shape, and their colors are very creative and varied.

Plastic and glass, metal and even wood - there are a lot of materials used today for the production of lamps for stretch ceilings.

All of them have different resistance to high temperatures and different features of external perception:

• So, today, the most common material for the manufacture of built-in lamps is, of course, metal. It has increased wear resistance, has an attractive appearance, long service life. In addition, it is not affected by high temperatures, which means that it is such a material that should be used in tandem with incandescent lamps or halogen light elements. Stopping the choice on metal lamps, you can expect options with engravings and spraying of various pigments or metals, which gives the models a special chic. It should be noted that metal lamps are quite expensive.
• A cheaper option, which can be analogous to metal, is a high-quality plastic with a metal coating. Such material, although it is afraid of high temperatures, quite harmoniously gets along with LED lamps and has a fairly presentable appearance.

• Colored versions of recessed luminaires also usually have a plastic frame. They also come with an LED element. The cost of such models is low, and when using high-quality color spraying, this option can serve its owner for a long time.
• Glass and crystal models, although they are the most fragile options, still have a significant advantage in terms of decor. When switched on, they are capable of projecting interesting sparkling highlights onto the ceiling, which will reveal themselves as much as possible on the glossy surface of the tensioning element.

The size will directly depend on the type of lighting fixture selected:

• So, the central pendant chandelier can be quite large. It can consist of several branched horns with shades fixed to them. A fairly common option is an eight-arm chandelier model. Usually, the average length of the horn is in the range from 30 to 50 cm, respectively, such a chandelier will reach 1 m in diameter.
• But for a recessed spotlight there is a size limitation. So, the maximum diameter should not exceed 15 cm, otherwise too large holes will have to be made in the canvas, which will affect the tension, service life and quality of the coating. Most often on the market you can find recessed luminaires, the diameter of which lies in the range from 5 to 10 cm. They will be standard, therefore it is in this size range that the maximum number of types of designs and shapes will be presented.
• The number of installed elements in the room will directly depend on the diameter of this type of luminaire. So, the larger the diameter of the luminaire is chosen, the smaller the number you can get by. Very small LED lamps, the diameter of which does not exceed 3 cm, can be used in large quantities to create an imitation of the starry sky in the bedroom or nursery.

Modern manufacturers can offer lighting fixtures in completely different colors and shades. Today, you can choose absolutely any color, for example, one that will perfectly match the color of the ceiling covering, because more and more often the design uses a stretch ceiling of non-standard colors. Standard light ceilings are no longer so popular, so manufacturers are forced to expand the color range of fixtures.

If a few years ago the most popular options were white, black and colors that imitate metal, today you can find blue, red, green models.Separately, there are options in which several color schemes are combined or have a gradient color. In addition to the color of the body, you can also choose the color of the luminous flux. So, you can choose standard options with warm or cold daylight, or you can add zest to the space and opt for colored LEDs. The choice of color splashes will help to create a certain atmosphere in the room. For example, the addition of pink or blue will soften the space, add tenderness and tranquility, but red or orange, on the contrary, will add dynamics, the space will have a touch of festivity and club atmosphere.

Today we can say that the market for lighting devices is oversaturated with manufacturers offering their products. However, not all products on the market are worthy of attention. Not all products are truly high quality. There are several proven brands that have managed to establish themselves as manufacturing companies of high-quality and reliable goods:

• For example, you can highlight an Italian brand Lighstar... The design development is carried out by Italian designers, after which the sketches are sent to production. This company has two geographical points where factories are located. One of them is China, the second is the Czech Republic. From there, Italian lamps are distributed all over the world. It is worth noting that this manufacturer is noted not only for the quality of its goods, but also for an extensive assortment. Here you can find both classic models and the most suitable options for the Art Nouveau or loft style, special lamps with moisture protection for installation in the bathroom. A separate advantage of the organization is that when choosing a particular lamp, you can easily pick up various accessories and other components for it.

• Stunning author's models of lamps are presented on the market by Totci... The main difference from competitors at Totci is that they directly interact with such giants in the field as Swarowsky and Asfour and use their products in the production of their fixtures. High-quality crystals of various cuts allow the company to provide its customers with exclusive models developed by personal order. An individual author's product, of course, is quite expensive, and this is what will be the main drawback of this brand.
• Another manufacturer that occupies a leading position in the industry is a Russian company Ecola... This company presents many different models in different price segments. The main advantage of the models of this company is that they have a special size. Their height is 4 centimeters, which makes it possible not to indent from the base ceiling and to facilitate the installation of both it and the light element.

Since the stretch ceiling is based on a rather specific material, there is a special number of requirements for the luminaires used with it:

• The power of the light elements must be such that it will not provoke heating of the light element, and therefore the ceiling covering. If you need a higher power, you should pay attention to the chandelier-bulbs, which are located at a fairly large distance from the ceiling surface.
• The installation of light elements must take place simultaneously with the installation of the ceiling, and it must be carried out by a specialist, otherwise there is a risk of spoiling the canvas.And if you want to install additional light elements in the future, you will have to remove the canvas, and after installing the lamps, fix it again.
• If the room has a glossy ceiling, you should not choose models of lamps, the light of which will be directed upward to the ceiling, otherwise, reflected from the glossy mirrored ceiling covering, the light may turn into a blinding light beam.

The choice of a lamp will directly depend on the purpose of the room in which it will be located. For example, in the bathroom it is necessary to choose models with moisture protection, in the bedroom options that can provide soft, slightly dim light will be especially popular, but in the hall and living room, on the contrary, as much light as possible is required, which means that the brighter it is will be the better. The number and size of fixtures may also depend on the purpose and size of the room. So, when choosing lighting in the hallway, it is worth considering that it is usually small in size, and although it requires sufficiently clear lighting, it is enough to install 2-3 built-in lamps of a standard size on the ceiling, but for a long corridor, 7 and 10 may be needed. and more point light elements.

The amount will also depend on the type of ceiling. So, on single-level ceilings, it may be enough to install only a central lighting device, but multi-level options look much more spectacular with additional built-in spots. Ceiling height also plays an important role when choosing a chandelier. For example, if the ceiling is low enough, it is better to choose luminaire models that do not protrude much beyond the surface of the ceiling sheet.

Recessed luminaires and surface-mounted tablets are ideal for low-ceilinged spaces. But if the ceiling is high enough, you can place a three-dimensional model of a pendant chandelier, which will go down a certain distance, have a fairly voluminous decor and the most daring colors. The choice of luminaire design will also depend on the purpose of the room and its style. For example, for a classic nursery, ordinary recessed lamps without much decor are well suited. For a living room in the Art Nouveau style, rich lamps with gold trim, crystal splashes and interesting, unusual decor are suitable.

• The beauty of a modern interior primarily depends on its functionality, and only after that - on various technological gadgets, designer furnishings and other unusual items, so more and more people are turning to styles such as loft and minimalism. With a minimum of things, such interior solutions are as convenient and practical as possible.
• When you want to add a touch of softness and tenderness to the interior, you should take a closer look at the antique style or the Provence style. Various prints, soft muted colors and many natural materials will be present here.
• Do not forget about the styles of rustic and ethnic that are popular today. The choice of such interior solutions will help create an unusual, memorable interior.

How many fixtures you need to install so that there is enough light in the room, see the next video.