Which skirting boards are best for suspended ceilings: overview, dimensions, installation features

• April 1, 2020
• Ceiling
• Marina Cosmic

During the finishing of suspended ceilings, decorative skirting boards are installed. This element is used to make the space look organic and holistic. There is such a huge range of profiles for decorating the ceiling that choosing the right type is not difficult. But it is still necessary to figure out which skirting boards are best for suspended ceilings. Carefully installed, it effectively masks cracks and complements the interior.

Classification

A high-quality installation of a stretch ceiling looks good even without a decorative ceiling plinth, and some designs do not require additional elements at all. Thanks to new technologies, the range of materials used in residential design has significantly expanded. It’s easy to get confused in such abundance, and which skirting boards are best for suspended ceilings is not always clear. In addition, decor installed on a suspended ceiling is also called:

• Baguette - carved plank.
• Molding is a convex strip.
• A fillet is a narrow cornice.
• A cornice is a protruding element.
• A border is a decoration around the edges of something.
• Frieze - stripes, ribbons.
• Skirting board - strip, panel.

In essence, any element is a decorative strip that masks the joining seams. In the case of tensile structures, this is a “wall-ceiling”. The beautiful element is installed very quickly and absolutely without construction dirt. Before attaching the border, you need to paint the walls, and if you plan to wallpaper, then the baseboards need to be glued before the canvases are applied.

Different types of plinths for suspended ceilings are classified according to many characteristics: they can be wide or very narrow, have a richly designed front side or be completely smooth, but the main difference will be in the material from which they are made. Construction hypermarkets have a huge selection of different materials:

• gypsum;
• PVC;
• metal;
• Styrofoam;
• tree;
• marble;
• polyurethane.

Plaster, marble and wood are used quite rarely. Usually they are replaced with imitation polystyrene foam. As a rule, the plinth is about 2 m long, and the width varies from 1 to 20 cm or more.

Comparison and conclusions

For convenience, we have prepared a comparison table from which you can quickly compare the main characteristics of methods for masking a ceiling joint.

Summarize. Masking tape and decorative cord are more suitable for smooth walls with slight curvature. Due to their flexibility, these materials are more convenient for finishing rooms of non-standard configuration (with bay windows, columns, etc.). And if access to the ceiling space is periodically required, then only a tape and cord will allow for repeated dismantling and reinstallation.

Ceiling plinth provides more space for implementing design ideas, but such decor is much more difficult to install, especially when it comes to non-standard layouts. If there are communications located behind the tension fabric that may require access, then it is better to abandon the fillets.

When skirting boards are not required

For suspended ceilings, a base is installed that is designed to secure the edge of the canvas. In fact, it does not carry an artistic load. But, depending on the design, after installation the frame can be completely hidden between the wall and the canvas in the profile groove:

• Aluminum guides with locks need decoration.
• Plastic - used for fastening not very large PVC shells. The system allows you to repeat the configuration of the base, hiding the gaps at the joints and eliminating the need to use a decorative masking plinth.

When the question arises about which skirting boards are best for suspended ceilings, it is more advisable to choose a design that does not require additional elements at all. For example, the joints of clip-on plastic fastening of fabric sheets with a fastening edge do not require additional decorative design.

Installation features

Fastening is quite simple: the cord is pushed by hand into the gap formed between the wall and the tension structure. It is better to start inserting from the corner; it is also worth making the joints of two separate segments there. Then it will be easy to disguise the joining areas. If there are no corners, experts advise starting to lay the cord at the point of the steepest bend.

Installation of decorative cord Source i.ytimg.com

The rope is fixed using acrylic sealant, the color of which matches the tone of the ceiling finish or heat gun. The craftsmen do this in the following way: they first fill the gap with sealant, then insert a rope into it. When the sealant is completely dry, it will ensure reliable fastening of the accessory.

The two ends are attached to each other using the “joint” method. They do not need to be placed on top of each other: the bump will immediately catch your eye. If you use a ceiling cord instead of a baseboard, it installs effortlessly, without pressing hard. Therefore, it is so important to select the required diameter of the rope and buy one that will easily fit into the gap with one third of its part, while the remaining side will reliably cover the joint.

Designers advise purchasing decorative material with a reserve, so that if an error occurs, you can quickly redo the damaged section.

Foam models

If a standard profile is used, and the wall defects are insignificant, then a foam ceiling profile will work well. In addition, finishing suspended ceilings with skirting boards is easy. They are a smooth overlay 4–5 cm wide. On the reverse side, the edges are beveled for a better fit.

The foam type has a lot of advantages:

• imitation stucco;
• light weight;
• low cost;
• Can be cut with a utility knife.

Minuses:

• fragile;
• fragile;
• afraid of solvents.

There are expensive and budget skirting boards for suspended ceilings. Which ones are better? Foam ceiling profiles are difficult to maintain, as they become deformed under the influence of certain chemicals. Some adhesives can completely dissolve the material, so not just any adhesive will work. Foam types are produced by various methods: the extruded type has smooth contours and a dense texture; the injection type has visible foam balls, which cannot always be disguised. Therefore, high demands are placed on the quality of evenness of walls and fasteners. It is no longer possible to unstick a part that is incorrectly attached to the ceiling.

Decorative cord

This is an original option for hiding a technological gap. The decorative edging is made of thick textile and has large rope knitting in various design solutions. The color palette of cords is very wide, from monochromatic to weaving several threads of different shades. All this allows you to give the room a more expensive and sophisticated look. But such finishing will not be appropriate in every interior.

Read more: Decorative cord for suspended ceilings

Advantages of decorative edging:

• flexibility;
• noble appearance;
• easy installation;
• possibility of re-installation;
• a huge variety of colors and their combinations;
• does not cover the wall and ceiling, thanks to which it favorably emphasizes the size of the room.

Minuses:

• the cord will not hide large uneven walls;
• textile finishing retains a lot of dust;
• the cost is noticeably higher than traditional options.

It is also important to understand that the cord does not fit every type of design. It looks much more advantageous in a classic interior than in a loft or modern style. But if you choose a discreet white or black edging, then it can be used in almost any room.

The cost of decorative braid starts from 80-100 rubles. per meter and reaches 200-250 rubles, which is twice as much as the previous options.

For installation you will need a glue gun. The edging is covered with glue and placed in the technological gap between the ceiling and the wall along the entire perimeter. At the corners the cord is simply bent, and at the junction of the ends you need to carefully cut and adjust the edges so that there are no overlaps or noticeable joints.

If you choose the right thickness, the edging can be installed without glue, simply inserting it into the gap. This is a simple job that can be easily done on your own.

PVC ceiling curbs

PVC trim strips are available in a variety of beautiful colors and designs and are inexpensive. Strong and durable, they are not flammable, are not affected by putrefactive bacteria, and can imitate stone, plaster, wood or other materials. Experts suggest using this option when decorating a ceiling with a square or rectangular configuration, which is due to low flexibility.

Pros:

• lungs;
• durable;
• abundance of colors and textures;
• low cost.

Minuses:

• turns yellow quickly;
• does not bend well;
• For cutting you need to use a hacksaw.

Some variations of plastic fillets have detachable connections, this allows them to be fixed in a hidden way using self-tapping screws. If significant defects occur, it is possible to replace one of the profiles with a new one.

Polyurethane products

Profiles made of polymer rubber material do not deform under the influence of low or high temperatures. Rubber is the preferred type for bathrooms and kitchens. The polymer is not afraid of heavy loads, has high strength and does not fade over time. Rubber borders are suitable for use on ceilings with pronounced unevenness. They will fit perfectly into various styles; choosing the best option will not be difficult. This profile can easily be given a different shape and painted in a different tone. This ceiling plinth is suitable for suspended ceilings, both for a standard and for a curved base with a rounded configuration.

Pros:

• flexible;
• strong;
• cut using an ordinary knife;
• durable.

Minuses:

• heavy;
• high price.

The biggest drawback of the structural material of such ceiling plinths for suspended ceilings is their considerable weight. Even the best glue does not fully guarantee that the decorations will not deform or fall over time. Manufacturers offer to install it using the glueless method. Attaching to the ceiling is simple: the bar is inserted into the groove and pressed slightly until it clicks. Errors are corrected using putty.

Wooden ceiling moldings

Massive moldings made of expensive, high-class wood and artistic design look luxurious and can decorate any ceiling. Designers include wooden ceiling plinths in the style of the room, the walls of which are covered with clapboard or block house. However, they are rarely installed, since the cost is quite high, and securing them is not so easy. Installing such a plinth on a suspended ceiling will require certain skills. They cannot be glued together; a special fastening system is required. If the master made the calculations incorrectly, then defects in the junction of the skirting boards may form, which absolutely cannot be hidden. In addition, it is not installed in bathtubs, toilets, or kitchens, because it rots and can become deformed. If desired, the wooden plinth can be painted in a suitable tone.

Flexible tapes

An insert (plug) is a good alternative to beautiful skirting boards. The installation company usually supplies it as a kit with a ceiling. This is a narrow and rather soft element, which is made from a very elastic polymer. This little detail cleverly hides the unsightly prefabricated seams located along the perimeter of the site. It bends perfectly, does not collapse or deform when mounted on curved surfaces. Made from synthetic substances, it happens:

• angular;
• in the shape of the letter T - for tile walls;
• in the form of the letter L - for regular and curved structures.

The tapes are easily installed and removed manually, by pressing against the profile passage, without adhesives or additional devices. Thanks to the wide selection of sizes and colors, it is possible to choose the appropriate type of flexible plinth for a stretch ceiling to suit any interior style. Before installing such a border, it is worth thinking, because with wide carved strips, a PVC ceiling makes the space more formal, and with a narrow profile, the space looks simpler. Although such a design may be quite sufficient for interiors in the minimalist style.

How to make a choice

The wrong choice will lead to serious results, namely that parts of the structure will simply fall off. Skirting boards are purchased depending on the size, style, and ceiling height. It is necessary to make calculations for this: the perimeter of the room is calculated, after which the resulting total is divided by the length of one profile. It is worth considering that if you choose a baguette with a relief pattern, then it will be very difficult to join such a border in the corners.

Choosing a plinth for a stretch ceiling, the main rules:

• The shape of the masking strip is chosen to match the main style: with elementally designed walls and ceilings, sculptural views can be used; on ornate structures, a smooth fillet is often attached.
• The width of the decorative panel - too massive a plinth will look disproportionate with a small ceiling height, this will make the room feel cramped. The sizes of plinths for suspended ceilings are selected depending on the height of the walls: decor up to 4 cm will look great at a height of up to 2.5 m. A border with a width of 5 to 10 cm is glued to ceilings up to 3 m. When the ceiling is more than 3 m, it is possible to use moldings – from 10 cm and wider.
• Color – the ceiling is usually white, the baseboards will blend in and expand the space. Designers love to use this technique in bathrooms, toilets, small kitchens and narrow corridors. If you paint them the same color as the walls, you will be able to “raise” the low ceilings a little.

Multi-colored decorating borders, which do not match the colors of the main surfaces, accentuate and emphasize the defects of the walls. Therefore, if an extraordinary style is chosen, it is necessary to install the suspended ceilings as efficiently as possible and level the surfaces of the walls.

Illuminated structures

There is a so-called floating profile, created to allow the implementation of various design solutions. It allows, at the stage of installation of PVC ceilings, to create a gap between the tension fabric and the wall, where lighting in the form of an LED strip is mounted. This is how the special effect of soaring and weightlessness is formed.

There are two types of skirting boards for suspended ceilings with lighting:

• without a plug - the light is directed towards the wall.
• with a translucidal plug - the light falls on the floor.

A unique structural system in the form of ceiling plinths can be purchased separately, after the installation of suspended ceilings. A polyurethane or foam profile, without a high front side for lighting, is installed on ceilings of any configuration. The costs of implementing such a technical solution are not high, and the labor intensity of the process is quite commensurate with installing a plinth on a suspended ceiling of ordinary ceiling borders. You can organize contour lighting yourself or buy ready-made products with built-in lamps.

Examples in the interior

Curtain lighting is a practical and stylish solution. It will suit a room of any purpose and size.

Installation

To perform the installation you will need a knife, a construction tape, a miter box, a spatula, a cord, and a pencil. Before installation, the profile is painted with special acrylic compounds, which are quick-drying and non-hazardous. To protect the wall from unexpected contamination, it can be covered with polyethylene or construction tape. Ceiling borders can only be attached to walls or frames. Sometimes liquid nails are used for this; they are suitable for any baseboards.

How to glue skirting boards to a PVC stretch ceiling? Process:

• Cut a piece of the plank to the desired size and form an angle. Do not cut the protrusion with an eye - this will create huge gaps at the joints, so always use a miter box.
• The affected area is cleaned, marked and primed.
• The adhesive composition is applied to the back side of the decorative strip. Carefully read the instructions for the selected adhesive. Some compounds need to be allowed to dry for a few minutes, others can be pressed on straight away.
• The plinth is glued from one corner by lightly pressing the edges against the walls. If curtains are placed between the wall and the ceiling, then in some areas you need to attach the slats at a short distance from the wall.
• The joint gaps are masked with putty.
• Excess glue squeezed out from vertical joints is immediately removed with a clean cloth.
• After which the backlight is installed, if necessary.

A stressed ceiling sheet is often subject to natural deformation, since the ambient temperature is not always constant. Never glue ceiling decor to the stretch fabric. Attaching to the fabric itself can disrupt the shape of the fabric and often leads to the appearance of glue droplets.

Advice from professionals

The cost of a meter of masking tape averages from 20 to 30 rubles. This is not so much that instead of simply replacing it, try to paint or seal the insert with adhesive PVC film. This kind of homemade product turns out to be very clearly visible against the background of the ceiling decoration, so nothing good will come of such experiments.

If you had to repaint the vinyl covering, then during the work you can seal the surface with masking tape; there is no harm in painting along with the canvas. It is better to have the ceiling decor done professionally and install an updated cap.