From the author: Hello, friends! Surely you have thought at least once that it would be great to find an opportunity to quickly and inexpensively radically transform housing. We would like to tell you about one of these methods. Having assembled a multi-level plasterboard ceiling with your own hands, you can completely change the interior of the room, making it stylish and unusual. Drywall is ideal for the embodiment of any, even the most daring ideas. And now about everything in order ...
A little about the material
Before starting work, you will most likely be interested in familiarizing yourself with the basic properties of this finishing material, which make it so popular in the construction market. Gypsum board is a rectangular sheet with a gypsum core, lined with cardboard on both sides.
From this material, it is possible to create many decorative structures in the room - arches, niches, false walls, partitions, suspended ceiling structures. In addition, it is used to level ceilings and walls.
Properties for which drywall is valued:
- environmental friendliness, thanks to which this building material can be used even in children's rooms;
- simplicity of processing and installation - the gypsum board is easy to give the desired shape, they are perfectly sawn with a hacksaw, bend, cut with an ordinary clerical knife;
- it is considered a "breathable" material, since it is able to release moisture in case of excessively dry air in the room and vice versa, to absorb it if the humidity level in the room is increased;
- the ability to absorb sounds;
- low thermal conductivity - by insulating the room from the inside with the help of gypsum board, it is possible to reduce energy consumption for heating it.
Advantages and disadvantages of multi-level ceiling structures
The options for decorating a room are endless. On the Internet, you can find a huge number of pictures showing rooms with ceilings decorated with gypsum plasterboards. Installing them will allow you to appreciate the following benefits:
- the ability to perfectly level the surface of the ceiling, hide cracks and other defects;
- visual expansion of the space of the room;
- reliably hides all communications from prying eyes (telephone cables, electrical wiring, water pipes, ventilation);
- with the help of suspended ceiling structures, you can change the geometry of the room, influence its height, divide it into functional zones;
- the use of different types of lighting in different sections of the multi-tiered ceiling made of gypsum board, allows you to achieve a bizarre play of light and shadows, to highlight one area in the room, or vice versa, to divert attention from another;
- drywall sheets are affordable, available in a large assortment, which gives you the opportunity to choose the appropriate option.
Before making multi-level ceilings, check out some of the disadvantages of drywall structures:
- low moisture resistance - structures made of gypsum plasterboard do not tolerate moisture well, they will not be able to cope with large flooding (for example, in the case of flooding with neighbors from above);
- it takes a long time to create a multi-tiered ceiling structure;
- installation of such a ceiling is impossible alone due to its heavy weight, so you will need an assistant;
- the use of multi-level ceiling structures is undesirable in rooms with low ceilings.
Preparatory work
Installation is carried out on a previously prepared surface. To do this, you will need to do some preliminary work:
- clean the ceiling from the remains of whitewash, old paint, wallpaper, etc .;
- remove (if any) all previously used fasteners from the ceiling;
- align the base of the ceiling tiles using plaster, putty, or, if the height of the room allows, using gypsum board, which in this case will act as the first level of the multi-tiered ceiling.
Tools and materials
To make a multi-tiered ceiling structure from plasterboard sheets, you will need to stock up on the following tools:
- building level;
- pencil and tape measure;
- carpentry square;
- marking thread;
- metal and rubber spatula;
- rollers and brushes of various widths;
- knife for cutting gypsum board;
- scissors for metal;
- perforator;
- screwdriver.
Necessary materials:
- fiberglass;
- reinforcing tape;
- profile (guide and ceiling);
- connecting screws for profiles;
- metal corner;
- dye;
- putty;
- primer;
- screws and dowels.
This is a rough list of what you need to purchase before starting installation.
It is not difficult to assemble a multi-level plasterboard ceiling on your own. It is enough to have a little experience and perform all the stages of installation sequentially. But you should immediately warn that the lower ceiling levels are marked on a leveled surface. Therefore, if the height of the ceiling in the room is not sufficient for leveling with plasterboard, you may have to leave the main ceiling as the upper level, having previously straightened it with plaster or putty.
Ceiling preparation
First, with the ceiling you need. If the panels were glued, then they must be removed and the ceiling surface cleaned from traces of glue. If there was a stretch ceiling, then it is disassembled, all fasteners and other elements are removed. if initially the base of the ceiling is curved to be pre-assembled
Top-level markup
The markup begins with a horizontal skip. For this, a laser level is used. You can use the water one, but the laser is more convenient and faster.
The device must be placed in the center of the room, turned on and wait until the beam calms down. The laser is then directed alternately into the corners of the room and marks are made on each of the converging walls.
According to the risks received, horizontal lines are beaten off with the help of a paint cord. It is pulled tight between the corners, then pulled slightly from the wall and released to produce cotton. As a result, a clear mark is left on the wall. To obtain a basic horizontal, this operation must be repeated along all the walls.
Since the first level is leveling, it should be as close to the main ceiling as possible. To determine its location, it is necessary to find the lowest angle, for which the distance from the ceiling to the base horizontal is measured. Where it is the smallest, there will be the desired angle.
Now, to get the ceiling line of the first level, you need:
- set aside in the found corner from the ceiling 4-5 cm (thickness of the PP-profile plus a gap of 1-2 cm);
- measure the distance from the base horizontal to the mark made on the converging walls;
- postpone this distance in the remaining corners;
- connect the received marks, beating off the lines with a paint cord.
- on the ceiling along the long wall, marks are placed with a pitch of 400-600 mm. The markup should start from the shortest wall in the room;
- marking is made on the second, parallel to the wall, starting from the same side as in the previous step;
- as a result of joining the marks, parallel lines are obtained, along which the fixation points of the suspensions are outlined with a step of 700 mm.
Hangers are installed perpendicular to the lines using.
When installing a multi-level ceiling, the pitch between the intermediate frame profiles of the first tier should not exceed 400 mm, since it will carry an additional load. In addition, such a step makes it possible to install additional embedded inserts for securing the structure of the second tier.
The next step is to install the ceiling profiles. They are inserted into the wall profile guides and attached to the hangers. In order for the lower edges of all PP-profiles to be in the same horizontal plane, you can stretch the fishing line or use a rule-rail. In this case, first, intermediate profiles are set, which will act as beacons. The remaining PP-profiles are already aligned along them.
Stiffening ribs are attached perpendicular to the mounted profiles with crabs. A PP profile is also used for them. Stiffeners should be located at the site of the planned joints of drywall sheets. Necessary information,
At the same stage, embedded profiles are installed under the frame of the second level, since it cannot be attached directly to drywall. Embeds are installed according to the drawing, in pre-designated places.
On this, the frame of the first tier is ready and it can be sewn up with plasterboard sheets. In this case, under each joint there must be a frame element. By the way, from the GKL.
The video shows ways how to bend the profile for the ceiling correctly
Installation of the second and subsequent levels
The required height is laid on the walls from the upper tier, and the guide profiles are fixed. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the gypsum plasterboard.
According to the existing drawing on the sheets of drywall of the upper level, the outline of the lower one is marked. Along these lines, pre-prepared blanks from the PN profile are attached. For straight sections - just segments of the required length. For curved - the profile must be cut and bent to the desired shape. Stiffeners are also installed between the guides.
Now the side walls of the second tier box are being manufactured. For this, strips of the required width are cut from drywall, taking into account the thickness of the gypsum board. These strips are fixed to the already set contour. They are attached to their free edge from the inside with self-tapping screws PN-profiles, which, in turn, are connected to the wall guides with additional profiles.
Ceiling design today is one of the most convenient and affordable options to radically change the interior appearance of the room. Walls and floors perform more technological functions, while the emphasis is placed on ceilings in two directions at once. Due to the combination of finishing materials and new technologies, it has become possible to create suspended structures of stunning beauty and originality, which are distinguished by high manufacturability. Double ceilings are becoming a frequent occurrence in the field of apartment design, especially when it comes to the desire to create a unique and original interior inside the living space.
Two-level ceilings made of backlit drywall sheets are a great option to transform a room. In addition, by creating several levels, you can successfully emphasize the zoning inside the room, individual elements of house structures. In each case, two-level ceiling surfaces solve a number of problems, thanks to which apartment design has reached a completely new level. Let's take a closer look at how to make a two-level ceiling on our own and what you need to pay attention to, first of all, during work.
Purpose of multilevel ceilings. Design features
The use of drywall in finishing works has opened up ample opportunities for interior improvement and design optimization. Thanks to the technological capabilities of the gypsum board, this consumable has become actively used for working with ceilings, performing two functions at once - technological and aesthetic. With technological functions, the situation is less clear. Plasterboard allows you to quickly align a curved base surface, hide imperfections and defects on the floors. When constructing single-level ceiling suspended structures, the problem with communications is also solved. All cables and ventilation are successfully hidden in the space between the ceiling, leaving the ceiling surface flat and smooth.
A multi-level plasterboard ceiling with backlighting is a completely different approach to solving problems of ceiling design. The smooth and flat surface of the main ceiling is complemented by steps and other elements in which lighting equipment can be installed. Due to the step-shaped structure of the suspended type, a striking visual effect is created that improves the visual perception of the interior space. Two levels can achieve several goals at once:
- align the base ceiling;
- improve the appearance of the ceiling surface in terms of aesthetics;
- fill the interior of the room with new details;
- to create technical possibilities for equipment of hidden and decorative lighting.
On a note: for premises of a large area, 2-level ceilings will be quite appropriate. For large interior spaces and a huge ceiling part, multi-level complex ceiling structures look good, where, together with the illumination, there are original fragments and elements of the ceiling decor.
It should be noted right away that for apartments of a small area with standard ceilings, suspension systems of two or more levels are not acceptable. The average height of a single-level ceiling is 7-10 cm, while the thickness of a multi-level structure is often more than 20 cm. This depth of the suspension system is critical for rooms where the ceiling height is only 240-250 cm.
Calculations and drawing up a drawing of a multi-level ceiling structure
In order to build with your own hands a beautiful and original multi-level plasterboard ceiling, moreover, with backlighting, it will take more time and appropriate preparation. It is best to start in this situation with calculations and drawing up a drawing. Having at hand a sketch with the dimensions of each area, indicating the required number of profiles, suspensions and fasteners, it is always easier to work.
Leveling the ceiling horizontally using drywall is not a difficult task. Another thing is to build the next levels correctly and correctly arrange the lamps. Backlighting in this case is a key element of the entire suspended structure, so it will be best when you have both a drawing and a lighting scheme in your hands. Thanks to the drawing, it will become easier to mount complex radii in the future, to correctly lay curved elements and volumetric figures in the upper part of the room. The proposed scheme clearly shows how a suspended multi-level ceiling equipped with hidden LED lighting should look like.
Thanks to the drawing, you get a complete picture of how the zoning of the internal space will be carried out with the help of the suspension system. On the sketch, you can always pre-calculate how much the ceiling will be lowered, and where in the room steps or ledges should be made. In addition, a preliminary calculation will allow you to save money when buying consumables and accessories. Profile trims and excess drywall may no longer be useful, so it's best to rely on the exact amount of parts and material to work with.
Important! Having no experience in carrying out such work, it is best to limit ourselves to the construction of a simpler structure. The minimum difference between two or more planes in height from each other is the thickness of the gypsum board. As a rule, this is 8-10cm - the average thickness of the sheets used for ceiling works.
The drawing should indicate the optimal height of all vertical elements of the suspended structure. It corresponds to the width of the guides and longitudinal profiles - 50-60mm. The maximum height of a multi-level ceiling can be up to 20 cm, no more. The proposed drawing shows the approximate dimensions for a two-level plasterboard ceiling of medium complexity.
When drawing up the drawing, all reference points should be made from the corner of the room, where the lowest location of the base ceiling surface is. In the drawing, this place is marked with a different color, then starting from the calculations from this height value.
When creating a drawing, we can conclude that it is not so difficult to build a suspended ceiling in two or three levels. The only condition is that all the work will take more time.
Step-by-step implementation of work on the equipment of multi-tiered suspended ceilings
You can choose a simpler installation option, focusing on the two levels of the new ceiling. However, if you have sufficient experience and assistants, you can not limit the flight of design ideas. It is enough to understand the device of a two-level ceiling with illumination, its structure and how the sheets of drywall are laid.
What tools and consumables will be required for work
For work, you will need ordinary drywall with a thickness of 8-9 mm. For the kitchen and dining room, where there is a high probability of high levels of humidity, you can use a moisture-resistant gypsum board. As consumables for the construction of a multi-level ceiling surface, you will need: aluminum or galvanized profiles of two types, ceiling C-shaped and guides - U-shaped. Jumpers for assembling the frame are crabs. Spring hangers are used to fasten the frame.
On a note: spring hangers were not chosen by chance. Damping compensates for suspension system movements and additional dynamic loading.
Dowels are used to mount suspensions in concrete, anchors are used to install suspensions in the first level, assembled from drywall. Plasterboard sheets are attached to the guides with self-tapping screws.
As for the finishing, here you will additionally need putty, fugenfüller, serpyaka, damper tape.
The following tools will help you make a two-level ceiling:
- screwdriver;
- hammer drill or hammer drill;
- grinder or hacksaw for metal;
- assembly knife;
- roulette and level.
Of the decorative elements, internal spotlights or LED strip will be required to complete the work.
On a note: for decorative lighting or to create the main sources of artificial lighting, halogen or LED lamps should be used. These lighting fixtures do not have the intense heat that is common with conventional incandescent lamps.
Preparatory work
Before proceeding with the installation of the frame, it is necessary to equip electrical wiring, other communication lines and ventilation. For better convenience, it is immediately necessary to indicate the location of the junction box, indicate the installation locations of the first level lamps. The surface of the concrete floor is cleaned of debris and dust, the old plaster is removed in case of its unsatisfactory condition. A two-level ceiling is already a heavy structure in itself, so if old plaster is poured onto the drywall from the back side, it may happen that the suspended structure cannot withstand the excess weight and collapse.
In addition to the ceiling, walls also require preparation. The upper edges of the walls half a meter from the ceiling surface are leveled. You should start work on ceilings only after finishing finishing work on other parts of the room. At this stage, it is important to make the final decision on what the first level will be - concrete or sheathed with plasterboard.
Installation of multi-level ceilings
The work begins in the same way when it comes to the construction of a two-level ceiling, assembled from plasterboard, without lamps or with a diode suspension. All subsequent work can be conditionally divided into the following stages:
- ceiling marking;
- installation of guides and longitudinal profiles of the first level;
- plasterboard sheathing of the first level structure;
- installation of the frame for the next levels;
- sheathing of structures with plasterboard decorative elements;
- finishing works on finishing ceilings;
- installation of lighting equipment or LED strip.
The first level is done similarly to the technology of laying single-level ceiling structures. First, the guide and longitudinal profiles are put into operation, which are attached to the suspensions fixed on the concrete floor. Further, already on the prepared frame, cut pieces of gypsum board are attached.
A two-level backlit plasterboard ceiling is the easiest option. Experience in conducting such work will appear, you can proceed to the installation and installation of more complex structures with three levels and additional volumetric figures.
The second level is mounted according to the principle of the first. The lowest point of the first level is the starting point for the subsequent marking and installation of profiles of the second level. On the walls, a mark is made at the height desired, taking into account the width of the next tier. The hangers are placed on the finished first level using anchors. To obtain the steps, an angular profile is used, in which the drywall elements cut to size are placed. To install the curly part, a template is made, with the help of which the location of the curly part is marked on the finished first level. The subsequent installation of straight and curved profiles allows you to achieve almost any shape of the second level ceiling. Plasterboard cladding is done in the same way as in the previous version, starting the laying of sheets from the corner or fixing the figured part. Ceilings with diode lighting are a little simpler in terms of their structure and design.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be said that the creation of multi-level ceilings is not much more difficult than the device of one-level ceilings. A double ceiling made of plasterboard with diode lighting can be made quite quickly. Observing the geometry and correctness of the lines, such a design is not very difficult. Typically, ceilings with diode lighting are rectangular ceiling surfaces, where the second level serves purely for decorative purposes to improve the interior of the room. Let's summarize:
- Tiered ceilings are suitable for large and spacious rooms
- The main task of multi-level ceilings is to increase the aesthetic properties of the room.
- Technologically 2-level ceilings allow you to create decorative lighting
- Spotlights and LED lighting are the main decorative elements of multi-level ceiling surfaces.
- Do not overweight the structure
Today, very often in apartments you can find multi-level plasterboard ceilings.... Such a design has long been not a luxury. And having the necessary tools, materials and desire, everything can be easily done with your own hands.
Multilevel plasterboard ceilings have a number of advantages:
- create coziness;
- with their help, you can realize an original and stylish design;
- increase the overall space;
- allow you to change the geometry and shape of the room;
- mask a variety of defects in the rough ceiling;
- allow disguising electrical wiring, ventilation and pipes;
- provide space for visual delimitation of the space of rooms into functional zones;
- allow you to create original forms of lighting.
Such advantages put multi-level plasterboard ceilings much higher than other finishes.
Due to the simplicity of the design, it is quite permissible to make a multi-level ceiling from drywall with your own hands. The main thing is to decide on the design and study the ways to implement mounting quickly and efficiently.
There are a wide variety of options for the device and installation of multi-level plasterboard ceilings:
- single-level;
- simple two-level;
- simple three-level;
- complex or curly.
In addition to these options, the installation of plasterboard ceilings can take a variety of forms. It all depends on the designer's invention. The installation technology directly depends on the type of multi-level ceiling.
To determine the type of plasterboard ceiling, you need to know the advantages of all design options.
Advantages of the single-tier type:
- Smooth surface;
- installation of built-in spotlights;
- has the easiest installation;
- slight drop in the ceiling;
- the frame is made of aluminum profiles or wooden beams;
- a basis for further customization of more complex structures;
- lung device.
Such a multi-level plasterboard ceiling with your own hands will be the easiest to make.
Simple two- and three-tier types have the following benefits:
- allow you to create a visual change in the space of the room;
- make it possible to make a more original and unique ornament;
- allow you to install multi-level lighting in different parts of the ceiling;
- thanks to them, you can visually divide the room into functional sectors.
Such multi-level gypsum plasterboard ceilings, in turn, are of the following varieties:
- framework. They look like a box with one or two steps. These steps are often irregular in shape. In boxes, installation of spotlights is often carried out, and along the inner perimeter - LED backlighting of a hidden type;
- diagonal. Their device allows you to split the ceiling in half using the second and third steps. Each level has a wavy shape. The division in half is carried out conditionally;
- zonal. Using several levels, you can divide the space into zones. A more significant and important zone is separated by a higher level, and less significant ones - by other steps.
Advantages of multi-level curly ceilings of a complex design:
- allow you to use the most pretentious and original designs;
- make it possible to organize unique lighting;
- their making allows you to create a unique design of the room and fundamentally change the accents of the room.
The choice should be made according to your financial capabilities, as well as based on the design of the entire room as a whole.
Preparatory work and necessary calculations
How to make a multi-level plasterboard ceiling? Initially, it is necessary to do all the preparatory work, and only then proceed with the installation itself.
Preparatory work involves the following stages:
- calculation of the necessary materials and their purchase;
- decide on the design and purpose of the ceiling: zoning, changing the geometry of the room, etc.;
- sketching the ceiling so that the structure fits perfectly into the room;
- make markings and install the guides with screws and dowels.
Drawing of the future structure
Sketching is best done using special computer programs. On their basis, it is very easy to calculate the number of required plasterboard sheets, fasteners and guides, based on the perimeter of the ceiling itself and its individual elements. The more complex the structure, the more material will be used for its installation.
Carrying out the installation of the frame
Upon completion of the preparatory procedures, you can proceed to the direct installation of structures.
The frame has the form of galvanized cold-formed metal profiles, the size of which is not less than 0.5-0.8 mm. When installing a multi-level plasterboard floor, it is the frame design that determines the quality of all work and affects the strength and evenness of the surface.
Frame installation
Note! When manufacturing and installing the frame, it is imperative to use the building level, especially when attaching the guides, since after installing the fastener it will no longer be possible to change the level of the structure.
The installation of the frame is carried out in the following stages:
- collecting the structure and checking it by level;
- fastening the structure with screws and dowels. First, we fasten the horizontal and then the vertical end parts-steps. This stage is carried out when creating complex multi-level floors;
- straight elements should simply be attached evenly and correctly;
- curved and wavy elements must be attached very carefully. For this, additional guides are mounted at each attachment site in order to accurately convey the required geometry;
- the wiring required to create a certain type of lighting.
Having made all the preparations, you can safely proceed to the installation work.
Installation
After completing the installation of the structure, you can directly engage in the installation of drywall sheets. To create the correct design for a given drawing, you should adhere to the following steps:
- cut the sheets into the necessary parts. To do this, use an electric jigsaw or a paint knife;
- in the process of cutting, it is necessary to take into account the placement of spotlights;
- the resulting irregularities / roughness / notches should be removed with sandpaper;
- after that, you can take up the direct installation of the cut parts. They are installed on self-tapping screws, which are specially designed for this;
- sheets should be joined neatly without disturbing the composition;
- during the installation work, you need to immediately insert the lamps;
- using an emery cloth, you should clean all the joints, and then putty.
Installation of plasterboard sheets
After the work done, the structure is ready for painting.
As you can see, the installation of multi-level plasterboard ceilings in itself is not difficult. The main thing is to do everything smoothly and accurately.
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The installation technology of multi-level stretch ceilings is widely used in the decoration of modern interiors. The main purpose of such ceiling structures is standard - masking utilities, floor defects and rough finishing. But they are installed for much more interesting purposes. A stretch multilevel ceiling is a unique artistic composition, which, in combination with a lighting system and a general design solution, allows you to change the interior of the room depending on your needs or mood. And what will be really interesting for you is the following: you can install a multi-tiered stretch ceiling in your apartment with your own hands, without spending money on specialists and time on inevitable holes in their work schedule.
Multilevel stretch ceilings: main features
Stretch ceilings can have a complex configuration of 2 or more levels. Their design is always combined - with the help of a special PVC film, only its individual planes or fragments are created. In most cases, good old drywall is used as the main material. Subject to the installation technology, such a ceiling is able to withstand fairly high loads, which allows you not to limit the designer's imagination and install lighting systems of any complexity. Finally, the main advantage of multi-level stretch ceiling structures is their enviable durability. Even the most complex constructive solution will serve you for many years, maintaining its reliability and presentable appearance.
Variations of multi-level stretch ceilings in the photo
Multi-tiered stretch ceiling 
Multi-tiered gypsum plasterboard ceiling with tension sectors 
Contrasting two-level stretch ceiling in the home interior 
Multilevel patterned stretch ceiling 
Multilevel stretch ceiling of spatial configuration 
Multi-section stretch ceiling in the nursery 
Stretch ceiling structure with island elements 
Contrast multi-level stretch ceiling in the living room
Projects of multi-level stretch ceilings are always breathtakingly beautiful and unique. They are deservedly classified as elite. And the rather high (1.5-2 times higher than the standard) cost of such solutions is successfully compensated by the effect of the result. Indeed, with them, the atmosphere in the room acquires a special charm with genuine notes of aristocracy and originality of style.
The configuration of the multi-tiered stretch ceiling can be any, incl. with arches, vaults, ledges and recesses. Even the most complex options, without compromising comfort and even vice versa, with the visual effect of expanding the space, successfully fit into a height of no more than 2.5 m.
Sectional multi-level stretch ceiling
Using the play of light and shadow, film with different textures and shades, and the composition of decorative lamps, you can achieve very impressive effects. An almost real starry sky in your own bedroom or a picturesque painting on the ceiling in the living room, as if inviting you to stroll through the vastness of her plot - isn't such beauty worth trying to make it real? Although, why just try - it's time to take a tape measure, a notebook and a pencil and start measuring and calculating.
Competent editing: where to start?
There are a great many options for the execution of multi-tiered ceiling structures with tension zones - the choice is a matter of taste. But do not forget about considerations of practicality - what configuration and design will be optimal for your apartment depends largely on the features of the layout and the specifics of everyday life. And if the decision to install a multi-level stretch ceiling is made, first of all, three tasks need to be solved:
- pick up materials;
- calculate the amount of basic and additional materials, as well as outline an approximate schedule (where without it) for the performance of work;
- in parallel to develop a graphic design of the structure.
For the manufacture of tension sections, a vinyl film or decorative fabric with polymer impregnation is required, as well as a special profile system.
Materials for stretch ceilings in the photo
Elastic PVC film 
Patterned vinyl stretch ceiling 
Polymer-impregnated fabric for stretch ceiling sections 
Stretch ceiling in the interior: textured fabric with a pattern
You should buy materials provided by well-known manufacturers. The minimum guarantee for stretch ceiling materials is 10 years.
Installation of stretch ceilings is performed using one of the following types of fastening systems:
The harpoon is a thin wedge-shaped plate. It is welded around the perimeter of the film cut for a specific section and is attached by automatic snapping into a special channel of the profile.
The dimensions of the web for filling the tensioning sections are determined taking into account the configuration of the planned or existing engineering systems and communications. Cutting is done with at least 5% clearance - during installation, the vinyl heats up and stretches.
The wedge-shaped system is used less often, since it has a more complex design than the harpoon one. After removing the level of the tension section, a plastic or aluminum baguette with a self-clamping system (clothespin) is attached to the wall or the main structure. Pre-cut material is filled in with a spatula, the excess of which is cut off.
Installation: highlights
Installation of a multi-level ceiling with tension sections is carried out in several stages:
- Preparatory work
Measurements of the dimensions of the room and preliminary calculations are carried out with the determination of the main levels. This task is best solved with the help of high-precision equipment - the slightest inaccuracy and the whole structure can get skewed.
If you find that the rough finish of the floor and walls has been worn out for a while, you should remove areas of peeling plaster, construction dust and other debris, and then carefully level the walls.
- Heat and sound insulation
The stretch ceiling structure is like a stretched drum. With all that it implies. Therefore, the voids between the ceiling and the cladding are always filled with soundproofing material. If no one lives above you, you should additionally perform thermal insulation of the floor. But first, try not to forget about the fasteners for the transverse and longitudinal profiles.
- Installation of the profile system for the base and tension sections
Profiles for the base of a multi-level stretch ceiling are placed with a certain step in accordance with the dimensions of the drywall sheets and the features of the layout of the room. Tightening section profiles are mounted separately in accordance with accepted technology. During installation, you must strictly observe the horizontal level and in no case spare any fasteners.
- Sheathing with gypsum boards
- Stretching decorative sections.
You will need a heat gun to stretch the vinyl.
Polymer-impregnated decorative fabric is attached manually.
Luminaire selection
Correctly selected lighting provides coziness and comfort in the room, creates a favorable atmosphere for rest or work. And whatever the configuration of your future ceiling, it should be made taking into account the peculiarities of the lighting scheme you have chosen.
In combination with multi-level stretch ceilings, the following are most often used:
- Built-in lights
Recessed lighting elements are placed around the perimeter of the room, along the boundaries of levels and sections of the ceiling structure, hidden behind cornices, etc. The choice of a design solution for such a lighting system depends on the design features of the room - it should be thought out in advance.
- Chandeliers
Chandeliers are perfectly combined with the canvases of the tension sections. The light of each of the chandelier elements will be repeatedly reflected by the surface of the decorative film or fabric, and the play of light and shadow will create the most bizarre pictures.
- Fluorescent lamps
Lamps in this category are installed behind the ceiling. And if you use translucent or transparent materials to fill the stretch sections, you get the effect of an evenly lit ceiling.
- LED strips
With the help of LEDs, you can create effects of color overflows, flickering, etc.
- Fiber optic systems
A relatively new technology that can be used to create truly stunning visual effects, for example, the starry sky or the northern lights.
The highest requirements are imposed on the reliability of the lighting system in a room with a multi-level stretch ceiling. After the completion of the installation work, it will be very difficult to eliminate its shortcomings, since you will have to disassemble the site or the entire structure.
If you plan to place luminaires in tension sections, you need to install hidden profiles. Lighting equipment will be attached to them after cutting holes in the right places of the canvas.
Tools and supplies
In order for the work to be done promptly and with optimal labor costs, it is necessary to prepare the premises in advance and acquire the following tools:
Heat gun for stretching vinyl film
As for the auxiliary materials, they include all the necessary fasteners, including self-tapping screws, fastening bolts for metal profiles, dowels, clamps, adapters, etc. You will also need to perform a safe laying of electrical communications, and, finally, purchase a fastening system for subsequent installation for lighting fixtures.
Wiring spot lighting under the tension section
The finish of the tiered stretch ceiling is selected based on the future or existing interior design according to your aesthetic preferences.
DIY installation of a multi-level stretch ceiling on video