The bathroom is a room that requires special attention. Moreover, not so much in terms of its design as in the choice of finishing methods. Today, a large number of a wide variety of finishing and building materials are available, which makes the choice even more difficult. Anyone who decides what kind of ceiling to make in the bathroom should consider all possible options, find out their pros and cons, "try on" their conditions. And only then choose the most suitable finishing method.
The bathroom differs from any other room in its high level of humidity. The ceiling material suffers here, first of all, from the impact from below: shower splashes, water vapor, high humidity and "sweating" pipes.
In a multi-storey building, a negative effect can appear from above in the form of leaks from neighbors. It is clear that not all finishing materials will be able to withstand such conditions. You should also not count on the hood especially, because no matter how powerful it is, it is unlikely to cope with so much moisture.
The bathroom is characterized by high humidity, so all materials for its decoration must be resistant to the adverse effects of moisture
When choosing a material for finishing the ceiling, you need to understand that it should be:
- Moisture resistant. Coatings that do not have this quality, no matter how beautiful they are, will very quickly lose their attractive appearance. Which will lead to unplanned repairs.
- Long lasting. Ideally, the material should withstand at least 5-8 years of use. Otherwise, there is simply no point in finishing the ceiling in the bathroom with it, because too frequent repairs are not only troublesome, but also ruinous.
- Attractive. The ceiling covering should be beautiful, because the whole interior "picture" depends on the design of the ceiling. It is desirable that the decor of the ceiling is fully consistent with the color and style of the bathroom.
And do not forget about such a parameter as an acceptable cost. There is no need to chase after cheapness, but it is best to choose the option that is optimal in terms of quality, which will suit the price.
Ceiling finishing methods
On the eve of the repair, I want to find the best finishing method that will give a good result and will not hit the wallet hard. Experts recommend choosing one of these options.
Option # 1 - paintable putty
The traditional method is leveling the ceiling surface and then painting it. Despite its simplicity, it has several nuances. First of all, this method should only be used by those with a relatively flat ceiling. Otherwise, it will have to be aligned and visually "pulled".
The procedure involves the application of too much plaster mixture, which in high humidity conditions will inevitably crack and collapse sooner or later.
One more note. For the coating to be durable and beautiful, it is important to choose the right coloring composition. It is strongly not recommended to use traditional chalk or lime whitewash. Not only are they short-lived and tend to stain quickly, they are an excellent breeding ground for the fungus.
Oil enamel, which quickly turns yellow in a humid environment and begins to peel off, will not work either. The best option is latex or water-dispersion paint, specially designed for decorating wet rooms.
A traditional painted bathroom ceiling isn't all that bad. It is very easy to update it, and, if desired, change the color of the surface, choosing the most suitable tone for the design of the bathroom.
Thus, the advantages of the method include the following:
- low cost;
- relative ease of implementation, which makes it possible to cope with the finish on your own.
- ease of care.
There are more disadvantages of such a coating, however, if desired, they can be easily turned into advantages:
- Lack of expressiveness of design. Many people think that a painted ceiling is too simple and even primitive. However, it can be decorated with polyurethane "stucco", painted in several matching shades, or come up with your own design option.
- The service life of such a ceiling is at least 10 years, but this is on condition that the neighbors from above, if any, will not arrange a flood. In any case, over time, dark spots will appear on the painted surface, these are areas where the paint has absorbed dirt. There is only one way to get rid of them - to paint the ceiling again, which is completely easy to do.
- It will not be possible to hide communications or build lighting into such a ceiling. But it can be decorated with almost any lamp, even the most unusual in shape.
Option # 2 - expanded polystyrene tiles
Not so long ago, many of those who thought what was the best way to make the ceiling in the bathroom chose this method. It involves gluing polystyrene foam tiles to the ceiling surface.
This method has the following advantages:
- Easy to install. The ceiling for tiles does not require special preparation. Even small irregularities in the surface of the home craftsmen have learned to visually correct by placing small spacers of the desired height in the right places under the corners of the tiles. The tile is easily glued to the corners with special glue.
- Long service life. In the absence of force majeure, the tile covering will last at least 5-8 years. In this case, it is important to choose the right material. You should take a special moisture-resistant coating with a protective film.
- A variety of colors, textures and material designs.
- Easy to care for.
- Low cost.
The material also has drawbacks. First of all, it is the presence of seams, which will always be visible. That is why tiles are inferior to seamless coatings. Attempts to disguise them in any way are most often unsuccessful.
In addition, the tiles are flammable. It burns out very quickly, while emitting smoke dangerous for living beings.
Expanded polystyrene tiles will be an excellent option for temporary decoration of the ceiling in the bathroom, due to the simple installation and low cost of the material.
Expanded polystyrene tiles are a good budget option for finishing, especially in new homes that will shrink. In this case, the tile will allow you to temporarily decorate the ceiling without special costs.
Option # 3 - PVC panels
This finishing option assumes the presence of a frame made of wooden blocks or a special galvanized profile, on which plastic panels are installed. The advantages of this finishing method can be considered:
- Relative ease of installation. The most difficult part of it will be making a frame for the panels. You can do all the work yourself.
- The plastic cover is not affected by moisture and is very easy to maintain.
- A variety of textures and colors of panels. On sale you can find plastic parts that imitate fabric, stone, wood, mosaic, fresco and others. Mirror panels and “chameleon” elements with 3D coating are in great demand.
The significant disadvantages of a ceiling made of PVC panels include a decrease in the height of the room, which occurs due to the need to install a frame.
In addition, plastic parts are sensitive to mechanical damage, especially strong point shocks, and UV radiation. Like expanded polystyrene, PVC is flammable and emits hazardous toxic substances during combustion.
A variety of PVC panel designs make it easy to customize the ceiling to your liking. It can mimic plaster, stone, wood, fabric, mirror, or have a fashionable chameleon effect
Option # 4 - wood panels
Many people decide to make the ceiling in their bathroom from wood panels or lining. This design will be similar to the previous version: wood panels are fixed to the frame installed on the ceiling. The properties of such a coating will be determined by the characteristics of the wood.
The panels are durable, easy to clean, and attractive. It is important not to forget that wood is very hygroscopic, therefore, before installing the panels, they should be covered with a special protective compound. Their installation is also quite simple and is practically similar to the installation of PVC panels.
Wood panels are an excellent environmentally friendly material for bathroom ceilings. It is only important not to forget that wood absorbs moisture very well, and treat it with special water-repellent solutions
Option # 5 - slatted ceiling
Suspended type construction, consisting of narrow and long panels. They can be very different: aluminum, plastic or steel. Accordingly, the properties of the finished coating will depend on the material of the lamellas.
Of the metal elements, it is best to give preference to aluminum. They are non-corrosive, water-resistant and come in a wide variety of colors and designs. Advantages of slatted ceilings:
- Simple installation that even a novice home craftsman can do.
- Possibility of masking communications and installing built-in lamps.
- Easy and simple maintenance of the ceiling surface.
- They absorb sounds well.
- A variety of colors, textures and designs of lamellas.
- Flexible parts allow the manufacture of elements of various shapes, which makes it possible to make the ceiling of the most complex configuration.
The disadvantages of such systems include a decrease in ceiling height, the possibility of corrosion of steel structural elements and a peculiar appearance that does not suit every design. The slat joints are most often visible. Closed-type systems, equipped with special tongues that cover the joint, are devoid of this drawback.
Slatted ceilings are very practical and beautiful, and you can choose slats from different materials for their production. Experts recommend aluminum elements as the most durable and beautiful
Option # 6 - plasterboard construction
Another option for a false ceiling. To install it, a wooden or metal frame is made, which is subsequently sheathed with drywall sheets. Since the material consists of two sheets of cardboard, between which there is compressed gypsum, only special moisture-resistant models should be chosen.
They are marked with GKLV and differ from others in green. In addition, the moisture-resistant material has a rather large weight, which makes special requirements for fasteners.
Experts recommend using glass-magnesium sheets or LSU instead of drywall for such ceilings. This is a fairly new and not yet familiar material that has all the properties of GCR. However, at the same time, it bends well even in a dry state, is easy to handle and very durable. Its installation is similar to the installation of drywall. The advantages of ceiling structures made of gypsum plasterboard or LSU include:
- There is no need to prepare the base, the frame is assembled on any rough ceiling.
- Durability and reliability of the design.
- Possibility of installing built-in lamps and masking communications.
- Attractive appearance, the ability to create complex multi-level structures.
- Long service life.
The disadvantage of plasterboard ceilings is the need for subsequent finishing of the structure. After assembly, it must be putty and painted. By the way, you need to take into account that over time, darkening may appear on the paint, which, however, can be easily removed with a new stain.
Installation of such structures is also quite difficult. If it is planned to install a multi-tiered system or a complex ceiling, it is better to invite professional builders. In addition, the structure “eats up” the height of the room and can be quite costly, especially its complex variations.
For the creation of complex multi-level ceilings, drywall is indispensable. Such beauty is obtained by combining a structure made of gypsum plasterboard and a stretch ceiling with photo printing.
Option # 7 - stretch ceiling
One of the few finishes that allows you to achieve a perfectly flat surface. The covering is made from a special material based on vinyl. It has many colors and two main textures: glossy or matte. In the first case, the ceiling reflects objects located on the floor of the room, and visually expands it. In the second, it imitates fabric or plaster.
An interesting design is obtained by combining glossy and matte films. You can order a stretch ceiling with photo printing, spectacular and original decor.
Among the advantages of such ceilings are:
- Fast installation. True, it is performed only by specialists using special equipment. Substrate preparation is not required.
- The film coating is not affected by fungus and other microorganisms. In addition, condensation does not settle on it, since the film instantly heats up to room temperature, withstanding 50C without deformation.
- The canvas is elastic and in case of leaks from above can withstand up to 100 kg of water per 1 sq. m. Specialists will remove water from the stretch ceiling and return it to its original appearance.
- The film is very easy to clean and requires only regular wiping with a soft cloth.
The disadvantages of stretch panels include their relatively high cost, but if you consider that they will last at least 15 years, the amount will not seem so large.
Self-assembly of such a film is impossible, which for many can also be considered a minus. In addition, the panel is a thin material that can be easily damaged by any sharp object.
Therefore, some caution is advised. If the built-in lights are chosen incorrectly, over time, yellow spots may appear around them, which cannot be gotten rid of. Then the canvas will have to be changed.
Glossy stretch ceilings visually increase the height of the room. Built-in lamps look especially impressive on them, which are repeatedly reflected in a shiny film, thereby increasing the amount of light in the room.
Exclusive finishes
Glass or mirror panels, fixed on a specially assembled frame, become the basis for an unusual design. This is a very nice solution. The mirror surface visually expands the room and makes it higher. Glass can be decorated in a variety of ways.
The backlit stained glass windows are especially beautiful. Besides the attractive appearance, the mirror and glass surfaces are very hygienic. Mold and bacteria do not grow on them, they are easy to wash and they do not contain toxic substances.
The material is absolutely not afraid of splashes, moisture and high temperatures. Installation of panels is quite simple. You just need to be extra careful as glass and mirrors are fragile materials. Another advantage of such ceilings is the easy replacement of a damaged slab.
The disadvantages include the high cost of mirrored and glass ceilings, however, their exclusive appearance is worth it. If you really want just such a ceiling, but in a budget version, you can advise looking for high-quality mirror panels that also look good on the ceiling.
Mirrored ceilings can be decorated in a variety of ways. Tinted surfaces with a pattern applied to them look especially impressive
What is the best ceiling for a bathroom? Only its owner can answer this question, who knows for sure all the features of his home, the tastes and preferences of household members and the possibilities of the family budget. There are many finishing options.
Whichever one is chosen, it is important that it fully meets all the needs of the owner of the premises. You should not save too much, because the bathroom does not get off for one year. It is necessary to find a healthy compromise between cost and quality, then a cozy bathroom will delight households for a long time.