The ceiling in the bathroom must be moisture resistant, and the smaller the bathroom is, the more seriously you need to take this requirement. In a compact bathroom, surfaces are more susceptible to the negative effects of an aggressive environment. However, this is not a problem: today on the market there is a large selection of moisture-resistant materials for finishing the ceiling in the bathroom. Choosing one of the many options, you need to take into account the characteristics of the room, the condition of the base ceiling, the desired bathroom design and, of course, your financial capabilities. What solutions are suitable for the bathroom ceiling? What are their pros and cons? How to choose a ceiling design depending on the characteristics and style of the room?
Bathroom ceiling: classification by design
1. Smooth white ceilings. This is a classic solution, ideal for any bathroom, regardless of its size, color, style. Smooth ceiling can be basic painted, hemmed, suspended, stretch. The main condition is for it to be white, even and smooth. Luminaires can be built into it.
2. Textured ceilings. These include rack, tile, modular, panel ceilings. Their feature is the pronounced texture of tiles or planks. Such a ceiling can influence the perception of the geometry of the room. For example, visually expand or narrow the room, reduce its height.
3. Shaped ceilings. Here we are talking about the so-called multi-level ceilings. For example, a circular plasterboard structure can be created directly above the bathtub. A classic two-level ceiling can also be attributed to curly ones: the lower level is located along the perimeter, and in the center there is a niche.
4. Colored ceiling in the bathroom. The solution is very original - not everyone dares to create a bright ceiling in a compact room. However, the result of decisiveness is impressive. This category includes ceilings with stained-glass windows and paintings, as well as painted in a combined way.
Bathroom ceiling: classification by materials and installation method
Painted base ceiling
If the bathroom ceiling is in good condition, you can simply paint it with moisture resistant paint. If this is a basic ceiling, the possibility of integrating a backlight is excluded. But is it really necessary to "build-in", if you can pick up stylish pendant lights?
Advantages and disadvantages. This solution is the simplest and most inexpensive, but a win-win. If the ceiling is initially not very good, you will have to prepare it, and these are additional costs, and very tangible, since the work is not the easiest. Conditional disadvantage of this option: it will not be possible to hide communications if they pass under the ceiling. The paint is able to absorb dirt, the ceiling can darken evenly over time. Some stains will be difficult or even impossible to clean. But updating such a ceiling by fresh painting will be quick and easy.
All materials for creating such a ceiling must be moisture resistant, including putty, (waterproofing) and paint. For the ceiling in the bathroom, water-based acrylic paints are recommended. The paint container must indicate that it is moisture resistant. The paint can be tinted and as a result you get an even, smooth, beautiful ceiling of the desired color.
If a creative mood is not alien to you, you can use paint of two or three colors, combining them in, peas, abstract shapes. The ceiling in the bathroom will turn out to be cheerful and cheerful.
Suspended and false ceilings for the bathroom
Structures of this type involve the installation of a frame on which the facing sheets of the ceiling material are attached. The frame is made of wood or metal. Metal is preferable for the bathroom. The frame is "sewn up" with plasterboard, suspended modules, panels, slats, etc.
From drywall. If you plan to make a plasterboard ceiling in the bathroom, you should purchase a moisture-resistant material. Such drywall is designated GKLV (moisture resistant gypsum plasterboard)... The color of the sheets is usually green. In the manufacture of moisture-resistant drywall, hydrophobic additives and antifungal components are used. Such drywall will not damp, crumble or rot. In addition, the plasterboard ceiling undergoes finishing - for example, painting with moisture-resistant paint. And this is additional protection.
Advantages and disadvantages. Plasterboard ceiling installation is not too expensive, but not the cheapest work. It is not enough to mount the frame and fix the sheets on it. You also need to putty, sand, prime and paint, as well as build in the backlight. The advantage of this solution is the ability to create a multi-level ceiling, highlight a section of the bathroom with a ceiling structure, and build in lamps. Minus: like a regular painted ceiling, plasterboard structures will be negatively affected, gradually losing their original appearance. Periodically, the ceiling will need to be painted again. However, the design itself will not suffer in this case.
Modular and slatted ceiling. Instead of drywall, ready-made cladding sheets can be used. For example, ceiling suspended tiles (modules) or, in other words, cassette and cellular ceiling... There is no significant difference in the construction of plasterboard and tiled ceilings. However, the drywall needs a finish, while the surface of the finished modules does not require additional refinement.
Facing boards can be made of different materials, including plastic, metal, mineral fiber, plexiglass, etc. Of course, you need to choose sheets with moisture resistance properties for the bathroom.
The ceiling looks aesthetically pleasing, especially if it is equipped with hidden lighting: at the same time, ceiling modules can resemble windows to the sky. But in general, cassette and cellular ceilings do not have quite a home look. They can create the surroundings of an office or public bathroom. In some bathroom styles, such a ceiling will be more appropriate: this applies to areas such as high-tech and minimalism. In interiors of a different orientation, such a suspended solution may look alien.
Another type of suspended structures is the so-called slatted ceiling... Here, long strips (slats, panels) are used as cladding for the frame. Most often, slatted ceilings are made of aluminum, steel and plastic.
Advantages and disadvantages. There are not many advantages to this solution. One of them is the flexibility of the planks, which makes it possible to create curved structures. Another plus is the material. It has a reflective surface, so the slatted ceiling can appear mirrored. However, cassette ceiling slabs can be made with a similar effect. Rack ceilings were in vogue several years ago, but now their popularity has declined. The reason is the same - not very cozy and not quite homey. For some styles, the solution is quite appropriate, but not in every bathroom such a ceiling will look harmonious.
The frame can be sheathed with standard plastic panels (). At the same time, the ceiling, as a rule, looks solid and smooth. Panel joints are visible only from some viewing angles. But there are designs with the preservation of the "plank structure". It is easy to install recessed luminaires into a plastic ceiling.
Modular, slatted and plastic ceilings are washable. This is one of their main advantages. Such a ceiling in the bathroom is not afraid of moisture. But updating it will be difficult. We'll have to dismantle the old coating and fix the new one. However, if the frame is of high quality, it will be enough just to change the cladding, and this is not too expensive.
Stretch ceiling in the bathroom
This is undoubtedly one of the best bathroom solutions. Firstly, the stretch ceiling has a noble appearance - it is even and smooth. Secondly, it can be glossy, reflective, which makes the bathroom brighter and more visually spacious. Thirdly, the stretch ceiling protects from the consequences of the "flood" from the neighbors. He just keeps on himself all the water that came from above.
The stretch ceiling can be made in any color. It can be made bright or even colorful. The color of the canvas will not fade for a long time. Easy to wash. It serves for a long time. The disadvantage of a stretch ceiling is that it can tear corny. Sometimes it happens. And here you cannot do without the help of specialists.
Some people complain that the light stretch ceiling in the bathroom turns yellow over time, especially near the lamps. It is difficult to wash, paint will not work - all that remains is to change.
Original solutions for the ceiling in the bathroom
Wooden ceiling in the bathroom is one of those rare solutions. The wood ceiling looks luxurious. Wood planks or panels can be simply glued to a flat base ceiling or fixed to a frame (a type of suspended ceiling).
The wood must be impregnated and covered with moisture resistant protective components. In this case, you can not be afraid that the ceiling will quickly lose its appearance. If it is a suspended wooden ceiling, lighting can be built into it.
A wooden ceiling is suitable for a spacious bathroom with good ventilation. It is a good solution for interiors in such styles as classicism, provence, ethnic, and SPA.
Another luxury option is stained glass ceilings in the bathroom... However, real stained glass panels are a very expensive pleasure. As a rule, in modern interiors "pseudo-stained-glass windows" are used, the pattern of which is applied with paint, film or with the help of special glass processing. This has nothing to do with the authentic stained glass technique, but the result looks no less charming.
For ceilings, plexiglass with a stained glass pattern is often used. With such glass, you can sew up the entire ceiling frame or make a small stained glass insert in the ceiling from plasterboard, tiles, panels.
The stained glass ceiling looks amazing, especially if you mount a hidden backlight. Ceiling decoration is suitable for a bathroom in a historical (gothic, neo-gothic,) or modern style.
Mirrored ceiling- the solution is also not cheap. Its dignity is that it does not lose its original appearance for a long time. Modern mirrors withstand close contact with moisture with honor. Real mirror canvases are attached to the same frame. True, it is difficult to keep such a ceiling perfectly clean. After all, the mirror needs not only to be cleaned of dust and grease, but also to be rubbed to a shine. If the ceiling is high, taking care of its impeccable appearance can be accompanied by certain difficulties.
Instead of real mirrored sheets, you can use metal or PVC plates with a reflective effect, but their look, of course, is not at all the same.
Painted ceiling- another way to make the bathroom original. For painting walls and ceilings in the bathroom, moisture-resistant products are used - for example, acrylic paints. After the paint has dried, the surfaces are covered with a special polymer film, which creates additional protection.
To create such a “ceiling fresco”, it will be necessary to work on the base ceiling, bringing it into a perfectly level state. The decision as a whole is very expensive: first you will need to “splurge” on leveling the ceiling, then on painting. Both types of work will be performed with high quality only by professionals who highly value their work.
Which bathroom ceiling to choose?
What to consider when making a decision?
1. Budget. Some types of ceilings will cost a pretty penny, but there are those that are available to everyone.
2. Own tastes. Look at the photos on the Internet and decide what you like best.
3. Condition of the base ceiling and room features. If the base ceiling is in good condition, you can simply paint it. If fixing the ceiling is expensive, it will be more profitable to mount a suspended or stretch ceiling. If you need to hide something under the ceiling, the frame option will be optimal here too.
4. The size of the bathroom, the quality of ventilation. A small bathroom tends to be more damp. In such a room, it is better to mount the ceiling that is least sensitive to moisture. These are, for example, metal rack, plastic, tension, mirror. Painted base, painted plasterboard, wood, stretch fabric, cellular mineral fiber - these ceilings can suffer, especially if the ventilation is weak.
5. The height of the bathroom. If the ceilings are very high, it will be difficult to clean. It's easier to choose the option with painting and update it periodically. If the bathroom is low, then false ceilings can further reduce it. Will the bathroom look like a "box"?
6. Style, equipment, bathroom furnishings. All this must be taken into account when choosing a ceiling design for a bathroom. For example, metal slatted or cellular ceilings do not look very comfortable. But if all the plumbing is made in the same color, then harmony will reign in the bathroom, especially if it is decorated in a modern technical style. Let the ceiling blend harmoniously into the overall canvas. Then you won't have to regret the choice.
Authors: Dmitry Zimin, Oksana Makarskaya