Which suspended ceiling is best to make in the bathroom - types, features, selection rules

When starting to repair the bathroom ceiling, you need to think carefully about how and what to finish it with. This room in the apartment has a difficult microclimate. Finishing materials for the bathroom are required to be particularly resistant to high humidity and temperature. These two factors can quickly restore to its original state what was recently sparkling and pleasing after renovation.

Therefore, experts recommend searching websites for information about suspended ceilings in the bathroom, reviews for those who are interested in suspended installations. Only having a full understanding of all the problems on this topic, and having read the positive and negative opinions, can you make a final decision on installing a stretch ceiling in the bathroom.

Fabric

The fabric version of the panel can be called a more modern material, since it appeared a little later than PVC film. The option very quickly gained popularity due to its increased strength and resistance to various influences, including mechanical load. Such characteristics are provided by polyurethane impregnation, which was developed specifically for polyester fabric used in tensile structures.

In most cases, fabric stretch ceilings do not have seams, but if necessary, you can order and install a prefabricated version. In this case, the cost of the panel increases significantly, since the manufacturing technology of a glued stretch ceiling is more complex and requires additional effort and time. Such suspended ceiling structures can be made to order.

Fabric sheets are characterized by the following advantages:

• Fabric is one of the materials that gives a kind of warmth to the room, so they are more familiar to the interior and more suitable for the living room. Thanks to this decoration, the room is filled with coziness and comfort, and the interior becomes unique. In addition, the impregnations used do not pose a threat to human life and health.
• Fabric sheets are able to “breathe”, so air circulates freely in the space under the ceiling. Consequently, there is no accumulation of condensation, no mold smell is formed, and a comfortable microclimate is created in the room. This also has a positive effect on the service life of the suspended ceiling structure.
• The fabric is considered more resistant to strong drops in temperature; it does not crack or shrink when frozen. This allows you to use fabric stretch ceilings to decorate balconies, loggias and verandas that do not have a heating system.
• High strength characteristics are a significant difference between fabric and PVC film. A fabric ceiling prevents accidental damage from sharp objects, which cannot be said about polyvinyl chloride ceilings.
• You can install a stretch ceiling in a bathroom using fabric sheets yourself; installation does not require special equipment.
• The ability to dye the fabric allows you to regularly update the interior of the room. This process can be repeated five times.
• The standard width of the panel is about 5 meters, which makes it possible to simultaneously finish large areas. In most cases, the material is rolled into rolls, which greatly facilitates its transportation to the installation site.

But even with so many positive aspects, we should not forget about the disadvantages of a suspended ceiling in the bathroom, due to which there are a number of restrictions on use:

• The presence of impregnation does not prevent the accumulation of dust particles on the surface of the ceiling, which clog the pores of the fabric and prevent free air circulation. Therefore, the ceiling must be regularly cleaned of dust using certain means.
• The fabric perfectly absorbs vapors and odors, therefore, it is better not to use such ceilings for decorating bathrooms and kitchens.
• A fabric ceiling cannot protect an apartment from water flow from above in the event of an emergency in an apartment on the top floor.
• Fabric panels have only matte colors.
• If the fabric is damaged or deformed, restoration work or re-installation is not possible.
• The cost of fabric suspended ceilings is at a higher price level than structures with polyvinyl chloride film.

Types of paintings

In total, 2 types of materials for suspended ceilings have been developed to date. The first, most common, is PVC film.

The second one has recently become more popular and resembles to the touch a fabric similar to that used in the production of women's tights. Each option has both advantages and disadvantages, so the final choice will depend on individual preferences.

PVC

This ceiling material is not as durable as fabric, but it can stretch significantly. This property of the film is very useful if neighbors above often cause floods.

The maximum width of PVC sheets is no more than 2 meters. With a larger area, the adhesive seam will be noticeable in the structure.

Before installation, the canvas is heated to 70 degrees. and is mounted on a special frame. After the material has cooled, the film will be smooth and taut.

Fabric

A fabric ceiling can retain water, but in much smaller volumes. After drying, such a canvas will return to its previous shape if the water was clean. If dirty liquid penetrates, the texture will most likely deteriorate.

You can correct the situation by repainting the material. This property of fabric structures distinguishes them favorably from film ones, since you can update a boring interior by constantly changing the color.

Textile fabrics are 15 times stronger than PVC, making the risk of damage to the ceiling much less. Also, there will be no welds on such a surface, since it is manufactured up to 5 meters wide.

However, it will not be possible to achieve a glossy effect here, so if this is a fundamentally important criterion, you should turn to PVC.

To install the fabric, you do not need a heat gun, and the whole process takes place “cold”. The price of such material will also be lower.

PVC cloth

PVC film is presented in the retail chain in roll form with a width of 1.4 to 5.6 meters. These parameters allow you to stretch a seamless fabric in a fairly large room.

The average film thickness is approximately 0.22 mm, but the material is quite elastic and characterized by high strength. According to experts, 1 m2 of polyvinyl chloride sheet can withstand a load of about 100 kg.

As for cost, it is the width and integrity of the film that is important. A wide seamless stretch ceiling in a bathroom will cost more to install.

Like all finishing materials, PVC films have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Among the positive characteristics, the following attracts attention:

• Variety of shades and patterns. Using a film stretch ceiling, you can hide defects on the surface and give the room an aesthetically attractive appearance that matches the overall design.
• Using photo printing, any image can be applied to polyvinyl chloride film, but it should be noted that the cost of this option will be much higher.
• The surface of the film ceiling can be matte, glossy or satin. The canvas can imitate plaster, paint, gloss or weave of threads.
• The film ceiling prevents water from penetrating into the apartment if the neighbors on the top floor experience a flood.
• Fungi and mold do not form on the surface of the film sheet, despite the fact that the material is waterproof.
• The service life of a film stretch ceiling is about 15 years, provided that the installation work is carried out with high quality.
• Simple and easy maintenance does not require the use of special detergents or cleaning agents; you can regularly wipe the ceiling with a damp cloth.
• There is no need to pre-level the main floor to install suspended ceilings in the bathroom.
• Complete safety of the film ceiling for health and humans. Even when heated, the material does not emit an unpleasant odor or toxic substances.
• Easy installation and dismantling of a stretch ceiling allows you to carry out repair work on the main ceiling or use the removed film for installation in another room of a similar size.

There are also disadvantages to polyvinyl chloride sheets; they must be studied before installing a stretch ceiling in the bathroom.

Firstly, stretch film ceilings are not suitable for installation in rooms where the temperature drops below 50C. Under such conditions, the elasticity and strength of the material becomes minimal, which can lead to disruption of the integrity of the fabric.

Secondly, in order to save money, many consumers buy narrow sheets, which are glued together during the installation process using special equipment. However, in this case, you may end up with not entirely neat seams, which attract attention and spoil the appearance of the ceiling. The solution to this problem is to choose a textured surface of the fabric, on which the seams are quite difficult to notice. By the way, the technology of gluing narrower canvases allows you to combine different colors on the ceiling.

Thirdly, despite the simplicity of installation work, the process is carried out only with special equipment and special skills. Therefore, the installation of suspended film ceilings is most often carried out by professional craftsmen. If you do the work yourself, you can easily ruin expensive material.

Types of PVC film surfaces and their features

The surface texture of a polyvinyl chloride stretch ceiling can be different. Each of them is characterized by certain features, including pros and cons. When choosing film sheets to decorate the ceiling in the bathroom, you should carefully study the features of all types of PVC surfaces.

Why can a suspended ceiling be installed in a bathroom?

Feedback for this choice is based on the following advantages:

1. No condensation on the ceiling surface. The tension fabric has the ability to take the temperature of the room, and condensation appears from the temperature difference. Therefore, it is present on the mirror and tiles, but not on this ceiling. A small bathroom and a large swimming pool are equally suitable for finishing with a suspended ceiling.
2. Anti-flooding. A very durable material in case of an unpleasant situation associated with flooding will withstand a load of about 100 liters of water per 1 m2. The installers, upon your call, will drain the water through the dismantled corner and carry out the installation again without harm to the material. Even after such an accident, the canvas will remain clean, without rust stains. Its surface will again take on a taut and even shape.
3. After installing the linen, the bathroom acquires a microclimate favorable to health. The quality of the tension material complies with environmental standards. Dust and static electricity do not collect on the ceiling, and microorganisms such as mold and mildew never multiply.
4. Stretch ceilings are non-flammable and do not support combustion.

Another review for the stretched fabric is its ease of care, ability to retain color, shape and shine for many years.

Every positive review from those whose bathtub is decorated with a suspended ceiling will help make a decision in favor of installing it.

Matte ceilings

The matte surface can be compared to a high-quality applied layer of decorative plaster. The canvas looks natural and does not give a glossy shine, which is not always pleasing to the eye. It is this property that allows such ceilings to increasingly win the hearts of consumers. A stretch ceiling with a matte panel can be installed in rooms decorated in a classic style with a predominance of straight lines.

For lovers of smooth plastered surfaces, matte canvas will be an excellent option for decorating a bathroom, while the color scheme depends entirely on the preferences of the apartment owner. Unlike plaster, the surface of a matte stretch ceiling can be used immediately after installation, without waiting for the working facing surface to dry.

The advantages of a matte stretch ceiling in the bathroom are the following characteristics:

• The ability to diffuse light, making it softer and more pleasing to the eye. Such conditions create a feeling of a warm and cozy atmosphere.
• Drops of moisture, small stains and dirt are practically invisible on the matte surface. Therefore, this ceiling does not require special care.
• Most matte stretch ceilings have antistatic properties, due to which a lot of dust does not collect on them.
• If we compare matte canvas with other types of surfaces in the price range, we can note the lower price of a matte stretch ceiling in a bathroom with installation.

Among the disadvantages of this type, attention is paid to the following:

• Small width of the canvas, up to 3 meters. This property should be taken into account when finishing ceilings in a large room. However, this option is quite suitable for use in the bathroom, since most bathrooms are not large.
• It is not allowed to install matte canvases in rooms with low air temperatures, in which case the ceiling will begin to crack.
• To tension the polyvinyl chloride panel, a heat gun is required; without this equipment, installation work cannot be completed.
• All types of PVC are easily damaged by sharp objects; stretch ceilings made of this material are no exception.

Installation Features

At the first stage of installing a stretch ceiling, you need to make markings using a level and attaching a special rope. This will allow you to form straight lines around the perimeter. Next, marks are made on the wall with a reference to the drilled holes in the attached profiles. Then you can start unpacking the film in a preheated room to 50˚C. There should be no sharp objects nearby that could damage the material. Warm air from a cannon should be directed onto the hung ceiling, warming it up to 80 °C, so that the film is more elastic. Then you can remove the clothespins, fixing the canvas at the corners using a special spatula.

Glossy PVC ceilings

Glossy canvases have their fans; most often they are preferred by owners of small spaces. This ceiling allows you to create separate zones by combining two or three colors. The ability to reflect light objects or lighting fixtures makes glossy ceilings indispensable in corners with insufficient light. In this case, a source of additional illumination appears.

Installing a glossy stretch ceiling on the ceiling in the bathroom allows you to get the following advantages:

• Visual expansion of space due to the reflection of furniture. Thanks to this effect, the room becomes visually higher, which is very important for small bathrooms.
• A variety of colors, patterns and designs allows you to decorate the bathroom ceiling space in any style, bringing to life bold design projects.
• On ceilings with a reflective effect, it is recommended to place lamps with powerful lamps.

The disadvantages of glossy ceilings are the following:

• Drops and stains are clearly visible on a glossy surface, so this type of ceiling requires more effort and time to clean and wash. The process of removing contaminants from polyvinyl chloride film is complicated due to the insignificant thickness of the material; you should not apply force during the washing process. Specialists from the company that installed the glossy stretch ceiling help solve this type of problem. However, additional costs for such events should be taken into account.
• On a glossy ceiling, the welding seams that are formed when assembling multi-colored canvases are more visible. Therefore, for a small bathroom it is better to use solid sheets of the required width, even at a higher cost of the material.
• It is also necessary to stretch the glossy fabric using special equipment.

Main disadvantages

Reading reviews about suspended ceilings for the bathroom, you will understand that such coatings also have their drawbacks. They should definitely be considered before purchasing the material. Among other disadvantages, one should highlight rather low strength. If the polyvinyl chloride film is carelessly touched by something, it can be pierced. In rooms with such ceilings, you must move extremely carefully with tall pieces of furniture. If you love holidays, then during such events a champagne cork may pop. Children should also be warned that they should not shoot toy bullets at the ceiling either. Fabric ceilings, although they have higher strength, are not very suitable for bathrooms and toilets.

It should also be noted as a minus that it is completely sealed. Some consider this quality a plus, because it is thanks to this that you can save a room from a flood. But all surfaces of the room must breathe. This should not be expected with PVC ceilings. You should also be prepared for the fact that there may be a seam on the ceiling. It is not noticeable enough unless you look closely at the surface. If the bathroom is not too large, then you can choose a seamless coating.

A new stretch ceiling may emit a specific smell, similar to the smell of a new pair of shoes or jacket. Within a few days, not a trace of this shortcoming will remain. The smell will evaporate. If this is not the case, you should think twice, because an unpleasant aroma that does not disappear over a long time may indicate that this is a low-quality fake.

Another disadvantage of such coatings is that you cannot install them yourself. Additionally, you will have to pay specialists who will carry out the installation. But even here you can find advantages, because you don’t have to do complicated work.

Ceilings with satin surface

Satin fabric is a middle ground between gloss and matte shade. This is a kind of painted surface with a slight muted shine (more details: “How to use satin stretch ceilings in different rooms, types and characteristics of the material”). This ceiling is used as a background element in the overall design, with its help the more significant pieces of furniture in the bathroom stand out. A good combination is made of satin stretch fabrics and structures made of plasterboard sheets. When installing multi-level ceilings, it is recommended to use options of this type.

Among the characteristics of satin stretch ceilings in the bathroom that attract the attention of the consumer, several points can be highlighted:

• No sharp reflective effect. Satin fabric, unlike gloss, softly reflects light and bright objects, so it is suitable for any interior design style.
• The variety of color shades also allows you to choose the canvas to match any color scheme in the bathroom.
• The satin surface has an antistatic effect, therefore, practically does not attract dust particles. This allows you to not have to put a lot of effort into washing and cleaning the ceiling.

If repairs are required...

Despite the fact that the reliability of suspended ceilings, in general, is not in doubt, damage to the coating occurs quite often. Careless handling and poor-quality installation are the main reasons for this.

If the damage is small (no more than 15 cm) and is located near the wall, you can deal with it on your own. Scotch tape, scraps of fabric, appliqué stickers, accuracy and a little free time - and the defect was gone.

In all other cases, it is better to entrust the issue to professionals.

In addition, it is worth remembering that damage caused by defects during installation or the use of low-quality fabric is subject to warranty repair. Possible warranty cases include: defective welding seam, tearing of the baguette, excessive tension of the canvas and tearing of the material in the corners as a result.

It happens that the damage to the canvas is quite serious - no glue can be saved. And there is no opportunity to contact a specialist. What to do? You can try to organize additional spot lighting at the rupture site

Arch shape

Arched stretch ceilings can completely change the look of a bathroom. Thanks to this design, the impression of a smooth transition of the ceiling into the plane of the wall is created. The lower part of the polyvinyl chloride sheet is fixed at the level of the bathtub or at an arbitrary height. If the PVC sheet is in close proximity to the place of water procedures, care and caution should be exercised so as not to damage the sheet.

Arched ceilings in the bathroom are one of the rational approaches to using the space between the main and tension structures, where communication wires fit perfectly. It also becomes possible to install LED lighting elements, thanks to which various effects of open space are created, from a starry sky to floating clouds.

Final comparison: which is better, fabric or PVC for the bathroom?

So, let's now combine the debit with the credit, and you can finally decide.

PVC in the bathroom

Pros:

• Low cost
• Does not absorb moisture
• Cleans well
• Doesn't allow a flood

Minuses:

• It's not always possible to choose the right color
• It is impossible to install spotlights
• It is impossible to finish a large bathtub due to visible seams

Fabric in the bathroom

Pros:

• Expensive look
• Possibility to install spot lighting
• Any photo print looks good
• Possibility of DIY installation

Minuses:

• Not cheap
• Doesn't wash well
• Absorbs moisture
• Not a flood barrier

Wavy ceilings

Wave-shaped ceiling structures make the room unique, visually expanding the space. In combination with soothing tones, wavy stretch ceilings have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. The combination of turquoise, greenish and blue tones with milky white shades helps to relax the eyes. All pastel colors have the same effect.

Using two-color stretch ceilings, you can create an imitation of the movement of sea waves. This creates a more comfortable environment in the bathroom, since taking water procedures is accompanied by the contemplation of intricate compositions. The waves can be located in any direction and have different widths and heights. The distance between the vertices and their number are selected individually.

Cone shapes

In most cases, such structures look like this: in the center of the stretch ceiling there is a cone, the end of which is a lighting device. The device is fixed on a rigid support installed on the main ceiling. The shape of the lighting fixture can be oval, round, square or triangular; it is chosen at the request of the apartment owner and in accordance with the overall style of the bathroom.

There are a number of features of installing conical ceilings:

• With a standard room height, you should not lower the cone too low, this will visually lower the ceiling and reduce the space of the room.
• The cone-shaped part of the ceiling should have a lighter tone. The best option is white, framed by a shade that is pleasing to the eye.
• When installing several conical structures, the same distance between them should be maintained.

Smooth surfaces

A flat white stretch ceiling in the bathroom, covering the entire surface area, can be called a classic option. Installation of such a structure is not particularly difficult due to the single-level arrangement of the frame for the main panel. The main thing is to correctly mark the horizontal lines at the desired height. A smooth, flat surface makes the room more neat, and correctly selected tones will visually increase the height of the bathroom.

On a flat stretch ceiling you can install overhead, recessed or hidden lighting devices. With their help, an imitation of the starry sky, floating clouds, as well as various spatial images is created. Thanks to this, a smooth stretch ceiling looks no less impressive than structures of complex shapes. For a bathroom, a simple shape is the most correct solution.

How to care for canvas

In order for the suspended ceiling to retain its original appearance for a long time, you need to follow certain rules for cleaning it. Since the material is vulnerable to mechanical stress, hard bristled brushes or abrasive scourers should not be used. It is also not recommended to use detergents based on acids and alkalis.

To safely clean stretched fabrics, you need a soft sponge or damp cloth. You can take a special composition for this type of surface or use ordinary household products: soap solution, mirror and glass cleaner.

Multi-level ceilings

Multi-level stretch ceilings of different colors are very popular when decorating bathrooms. The effectiveness of such a design is given by lighting, which should be placed according to certain rules. During the installation of multi-level suspended ceilings, it is necessary to pay attention to the tightness of the joints of the surfaces; it is important to prevent the penetration of wet steam to the main ceiling. Another feature of such structures is the reduction in ceiling height by about 10 cm. Therefore, when choosing the color of the paintings, preference should be given to light tones, which slightly smooth out this effect. You can install a gray stretch ceiling in the bathroom; the dark-colored surface creates the effect of pressure from above.

With the help of multi-level suspended ceilings and appropriate interior design, different zones in the bathroom are distinguished. However, for a standard-sized bathroom, the use of such structures will be excessive.

Tips for choosing a ceiling

To harmoniously fit a tensile structure into the bathroom interior, you need to choose the right texture and color. According to the degree of gloss of the material, they are divided into glossy, satin and matte.

Glossy ones have the most reflective surface. For small bathrooms, it is better to choose this type, as they will add light and volume to the room. This is an undeniable advantage, but when choosing lighting fixtures, you need to make allowances for the fact that the surface will reflect their light. The most suitable type is built-in lamps.

Satin has a noble silky shine, but is inferior to gloss in terms of reflection.

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Matte ones do not shine, so there are no restrictions on their use. They fit into any interior without distracting attention. Photo printing looks good on canvases of this type - extra glare does not distort the picture, allowing you to see it in all details. Fans of non-standard solutions will like panels imitating marble, wood, leather, plaster or silk.

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The color is chosen according to the taste of the owner, taking into account the rest of the decoration of the room. The general rule is that warm colors (yellow, orange, red) optically make the room smaller. Cold (blue, green, purple), on the contrary, increases it. Classic white suits any style.

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Pastel colors (sand, light green, pink, light gray) are suitable for small spaces. The traditional design of bathrooms in a water theme allows the use of blue-green tones (blue, turquoise, emerald) in the decoration. Dark shades hide height, so they are recommended to be used in spacious rooms.

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Bright rich colors are used in the bathroom with caution so as not to create emotional tension in a small enclosed room. The ceiling should be thoughtfully combined with the rest of the room's design. You can make one wall an accent, decorating it to match the top, and leave the rest neutral for the background.

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