Stretch ceiling is the most acceptable way to decorate the ceiling space. Hides any unevenness of the slabs, plaster defects, traces of wiring, streaks from flooding by neighbors from above. The designers will tell you how to choose a chandelier for a stretch ceiling, so as not to damage the coating, to preserve the aesthetics of the space. There are many designs of built-in, spot and surface-mounted luminaires. Multi-arm chandeliers, shaded and with decorative design, are still in vogue.
What to consider when choosing a chandelier for a stretch ceiling
Two types of materials are used for finishing ceilings: PVC or impregnated fabric. The fiber stabilizes the structure of the coating, PVC is deformed irretrievably when heated. The lighting device should not heat up the ceiling very much, the maximum temperature is 80 degrees. The tissue has another problem - with intense light radiation, it fades, turns yellow over time.
Factors to be guided by when choosing a chandelier or lamp:
- It is necessary to purchase devices with a minimum degree of heating, by the way, diode lamps, unlike conventional ones with an incandescent filament, practically do not heat up.
- It is important to correctly determine the distance from the light source to the suspended structure so that there are no yellow spots on the ceiling.
- Luminaires with current converters for stable operation should be well blown, it is better not to use them with stretch ceilings, the converters will quickly burn out, the lighting device will have to be changed.
- The lamp must be purchased before stretching the ceiling so that the craftsmen can immediately determine the places of the folds, the outlets for the wires.
- Glossy ceiling structures perfectly reflect all the insides of lighting devices, light bulbs. Such a picture spoils the aesthetic perception of space. It is desirable that the light sources cover the plafonds, the flow of rays goes parallel to the ceiling.
- The integrity of the web or film depends on the type of fastening. It is better to purchase lighting equipment with a complex type of mounts.
Types of chandeliers for stretch ceilings
The luminaire, harmoniously blended into the space, complements the interior. When choosing a design, take into account:
- the functionality of the room;
- the height of the ceilings;
- footage of the room.
Vertical
Suitable in apartments with high ceilings, they are installed in halls, living rooms, bedrooms, children's rooms. Chandeliers are complemented with diode spotlights or LED strips. With the help of such lighting, you can zone the space, focus on the details of the situation.
Horizontal
Suitable for small spaces with standard ceiling heights. The scattering area of the light flux is small. Sconces and wall lamps serve as additional sources of illumination.
Multi-track
It is customary to weigh in the hall classic devices for 5 or 7 bulbs. Modern lighting devices are capable of illuminating the ceiling along the entire perimeter. The plafonds move in all directions, they are installed parallel or at an angle to the ceiling.
Mount types
You can hang the ceiling chandelier on a special hook or bar fixed with self-tapping screws to the floor slab. Suspended devices are more difficult to mount than suspended ones. Built-in low-power, but they scatter light well, provide even illumination throughout the entire area.
The type of fastening is determined before stretching the ceiling, a special hole is made for it. The choice of the shape of the luminaire depends on the interior design solution, the type of fixing is pushed into the background. This is the business of specialists.
What you need to know when choosing chandeliers with and without shades
There are special catalogs for stretch ceilings.They offer an infinite number of lighting design options for glossy (smooth reflective) and matte (rough) suspended ceilings.
Chandeliers with shades, limited in movement, are chosen taking into account the direction of the light, it is directed to the corners, to the walls or the floor. The exceptions are vertically positioned shades with a beam directed towards the ceiling. It is better to leave such lamps in the store.
Chandeliers without shades have their own characteristics. Their light is limited by the body of the cartridge. Lighting equipment with open lamps looks original.
Fits:
- for timeless classics;
- moderate high-tech style;
- Provence with the scent of France three centuries ago;
- American country;
- bright modernist style;
- discreet loft.
It is important to maintain the recommended 20 cm distance between the light source and the covering.
Selection of chandelier material
Manufacturers offer a wide range of various lighting fixtures from various materials.
Each has advantages and disadvantages that deserve attention.
- Crystal ones are distinguished by their great weight, strength, play of edges. Refract light, have good light transmittance. A Bohemian crystal chandelier is suitable for large spaces, living rooms or halls. They look noble, even pompous.
- Glass can be easily decorated with a matte or colorful pattern, creating beautiful chiaroscuro. Lighter than crystal, but break faster. During operation, the structure of the glass changes, microcracks appear. A small blow when cleaning, replacing bulbs is enough to destroy.
- Textile looks modern, but quickly fades, loses its former attractiveness. An important argument against textile lampshades is their fire hazard. But the low price, unusual appearance sometimes outweighs. Textiles are appropriate in the bedroom, where the light is turned on for a short time, before going to bed.
- Wooden or and straws are appropriate in the kitchen or in small country-style rooms. The tree is chosen for private houses with a wagon finish. The material goes well with matte ceilings, inappropriate against a glossy background. Other lighting fixtures in the same style are selected for a ceiling lamp with a wooden finish in the kit: floor lamps, sconces, floor or wall lamps.
- Metal are valued for their durability, reliability, decorativeness. Classic bronze is too heavy and requires powerful suspensions. Democratic aluminum is too simple, painted sheet looks cute, but cheap. Nichrome is suitable for a loft, modern.
- Plastic cases are lightweight, comfortable, but short-lived. But it is convenient to attach them to the ceiling. Another disadvantage is that any polymers fade over time, darken, the white color turns yellow.
Lamp selection
The basis of any luminaire is lamps. LED light generates photochromic (even) light, filament light bulbs - pulsed with a frequency of 50 hertz. Each time the AC sinusoid passes through the filament, it fades, then lights up again.
Features of using lamps:
- Diode diodes are not recommended for use in rooms with high humidity, that is, in a bathroom. Low-voltage ones are considered the most practical, but require the installation of a power supply unit with a rectifier.
- From the incandescent lamp to the coating, there should be at least 40 cm with a direct direction, 25 - with a lateral one. The maximum allowable power is 60 watts.
- Halogens get very hot, this is their main disadvantage. Maximum power 20 watts. Distance 30 cm.
- Energy saving economical, practical, heat a little. But they contain mercury vapors, they must be handled with care.
Design Tips
A correctly selected chandelier creates the right mood, brings harmony to the interior. In addition to technical parameters, when choosing luminaires, it is important to maintain a stylistic balance, compliance with dimensions, colors, and shapes.
A few helpful tips:
- For glossy surfaces, opaque opaque lamps with diffused light are needed; lamps with reflective prisms are not appropriate.
- Reflecting light sources provide additional illumination.
- For spacious rooms, several light sources are required; it is permissible to install two or more identical ceiling lamps.
- In 12-meter rooms, 3 or 4 arms are enough, in spacious rooms 6-arm spider chandeliers are needed (there are 8-arm multi-level models with small diode lamps).
- Panoramic ceilings are complemented by side lighting, such a light visually enlarges the ceiling.
- To prevent the filling from being reflected in the ceiling, decorative rosettes for stucco molding are used. They are attached around the hanging hook.
- Printed ceilings, luminescent glow combined with crystal or glass.
- Flat closed ceiling lamps are installed in children's rooms, even if the lamp bursts, fragments will remain inside the plafond.
Observing these simple melts, you can choose the right lighting equipment that will be functional and beautiful.
