Seamless ceiling panels: features and tips for installation

Strengths of the material

Now let's see what caused the popularity of plastic panels. The list of advantages is quite impressive:

Moisture resistance

PVC is completely impervious to both water and steam. Obviously, this property is of great importance for the finishing material of the bathroom.

In fact, PVC panels can be considered the only alternative to ceramic tiles, if you do not take into account the waterproof paint.

Plastic panels "for tiles"

The plastic does not need to be protected from the steam inside or from the flood from above.

Hygiene

The surface of PVC is absolutely smooth, which means:

makes it easy to keep the material clean;
excludes the possibility of the development of colonies of microorganisms, which usually settle in pores or cracks.

It is also important that mold cannot develop on this plastic.

A wide variety of colors and textures

At the production stage, plastic can be easily shaped into any shape and manufacturers are actively using this. Anyone who looks through the catalog with PVC panels, their eyes run up from the huge variety of assortment.

PVC panels completely imitate ceramic tiles

Along with simply smooth, there are panels:

with a mosaic relief pattern;
a texture that imitates a particular material: wood, natural stone, brick, etc.

Also, one cannot fail to note the widest color gamut. In this case, the dye is not applied from above, but is added to the composition of the plastic, so it cannot be scratched.

When choosing panels with embossed patterns, do not forget that such a surface is more difficult to keep clean.

Ease of installation

If you have to hire an experienced craftsman to lay tiles, then with PVC panels everything is much simpler: just read the installation instructions - and any user will be able to carry it out on his own.

You will not have to deal with leveling the walls or the ceiling, which would also require certain skills: the plastic cladding installed on the frame will in any case be even, even the old finish on the wall can be left.

Frame for wall panels

The panels themselves are very easy to cut and drill, and many modern varieties simply snap to the frame, so you don't even need to tinker with self-tapping screws.

Dismantling possibility

It is inappropriate to use a tile that is glued tightly in a newly built house, since it will soon fall off as a result of precipitation. But with PVC panels, which have high plasticity and are attached to the frame, nothing like this can happen.

If a crack appears somewhere, the damaged part can be easily and cheaply replaced.

Sound insulating and heat insulating effect

Due to the fact that there is an air gap inside the PVC panel, it impedes the propagation of sound to some extent. This also explains the low thermal conductivity in comparison with ceramic tiles.

Low cost

Here are the approximate prices per sq. m of coverage:

rack-and-pinion panels: 40 - 400 rubles;
tiles: from 200 to 1000 rubles;
large sheets: 300 - 800 rubles.

Recommendations for working with plastic

Before installing the finishing product, it is necessary to keep the panels in the room where such an installation is required. The product must be acclimatized. This is necessary so that the building material gets used to the room temperature.

In addition to finishing materials, you will need additional elements:

inner corner;
initial profile;
finishing profile;
plinth.

Installation begins from the corner of the room towards the window or doorway.The inner corner is mounted first. The lamellas must be cut to size and the slabs are cut depending on the installation method.

The plastic product is inserted into the corner profile and mounted on the crate. For this purpose, you can use a construction stapler, but clamps are considered the best variation. They are installed in the lower region of the groove, and the fastening is carried out through a hole in the clamp. This method of fastening does not deform the plastic product, and also provides one hundred percent fixation of the building material. Fasteners are selected at the rate of 2 dowels per 1 meter of the profile and 2 self-tapping screws with large caps per 1 meter of the size of the PVC lamellas.

Subsequent elements are mounted using the “tongue-in-groove” method. In this case, the panels should dock as tightly as possible. At the end of the cladding, a joint is formed between the wall surface and the floor, which must be closed with a plinth. To seal the joints on the ceiling, a more decorative ceiling plinth is used, which should be in harmony with the overall finish of the ceiling.

The number of skirting boards is calculated based on the total ceiling area. The standardized skirting board is 3 meters. The total perimeter of the ceiling surface must be divided by the size of the plinth, after which the resulting value is rounded up to a multiple of 3.

Working with plastic products can be carried out at temperatures from -5 to +50 degrees, therefore, wall decoration in baths and saunas is not performed. In places where switches and sockets are located, special boxes should first be installed and an electric cable laid. When installing the lamellas, it is necessary to cut holes for switches and sockets.

There are 2 methods for attaching plastic products:

on the crate;
on the adhesive solution.

The installation of lining or sheet panels can only be carried out on the frame. This is due to the large dimensions of the products. The frame in this case can be made of wood or metal slats. The height of the frame depends on the amount of unevenness on the working surface.

Plastic building materials in the form of tiles are mainly attached to the glue. In this case, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work. The surface must be cleaned of various contaminants, leveled and treated with special products. Tiled panels are glued as tightly as possible so that voids do not form under the products.

Criterias of choice

Today, in stores selling finishing materials, you can find plastic wall panels of various modifications. Finding the perfect coatings is quite difficult due to the rich assortment of such products.

Below are the criteria for choosing plastic wall panels.

Application area. All plastic panels are divided into ceiling and wall panels. Outwardly, such materials are equivalent, but the second options are considered more durable and reliable. It is not worth buying ceiling sheets for finishing floors if they are much cheaper.
Panel sizes. For large walls, appropriate panels are most often purchased, and for small walls, miniature ones, for example, vinyl lining. Before heading to the store, it is recommended that you measure all substrates that need to be finished with plastic.
Temperature resistance. Experts recommend purchasing more wear-resistant PVC panels that are resistant to temperature extremes. This criterion is especially important if you plan to decorate a balcony or loggia with such materials.

Design. Plastic panels must fit perfectly into the environment for which they are purchased.
Environmental Safety. When buying plastic panels, it is imperative to request a quality certificate for the product. It should be carefully examined. The plastic should not contain hazardous chemicals.
Product quality.Before purchasing, be sure to make sure that the plastic panels are safe and sound. If there are damages, chips or scratches on the surface of the finish, then it is better to refuse to buy such coatings.
Manufacturer. You should not look for too cheap PVC panels, since such finishing materials already have an affordable cost. You need to purchase branded products - as they are of excellent quality.

Properties, advantages and disadvantages

Any material used for decoration has its drawbacks. For PVC products, these include fragility (the panels are hollow inside) and the ability to release toxic substances when ignited.

The list of advantages will be larger:

Long service life.
Wide decorative possibilities. The color palette is multifaceted.
Affordable prices.
They wash well with soapy water.
Light weight for 1 m².
High combustion temperature (almost + 400˚С).
To mold, fungi, moisture - high resistance.
The dimensions of the panels allow you to overlap any area.
Installation of products is simple and does not require special skills.
If damaged, the element can be easily replaced.
Good quality sound, thermal and waterproofing.
The thermoplastic structure of polyvinyl chloride, made of salt, gas and oil, is safe (environmentally friendly) at natural temperatures. It is also used for the production of food containers, food packaging, toys for children.

Pattern and color

By the method of applying color coating, laminated, printed and fully painted panels are distinguished. When laminating, a film with a pattern is applied to the panel, then the surface is treated with a special compound that allows you to keep the color for a long time. The second method involves printing the design directly onto a plastic surface. The pattern applied in this way is short-lived, fade quickly and wears out during wet cleaning.

Plain color panels are initially produced in a specific color. The coloring compound is added to the polyvinyl chloride base, and the panel is cast painted in the desired tone. Pure white versions are often produced. Plain panels are also used for household bathroom decoration.

PVC panels presented in stores amaze with a variety of patterns and rich colors. The bathroom design can be done in any color and style. If you choose light colors, then this will visually expand the room, and it will not seem so small.

The combination of products of different colors will be interesting and unusual. The alternation of light and dark shades along the entire perimeter will create the impression of an expensive and stylish finish. The wooden texture of the material will bring the bathroom closer to the country style and resemble a sauna or country bath. Now it is becoming a fashion trend.

The colors of the walls and ceiling in natural marble look like an approximation to the classic design of the room. PVC panels with photo printing appeared, the variety of patterns of which allows you to create a unique design in the bathroom. This material can be easily combined with the use of other finishing materials.

main parameters

With the help of vinyl siding, you can achieve original stylistic effects, since the externally panels are very diverse. There are options that imitate stone, wood, brick surfaces. Moreover, the similarity is so close that it is possible to detect imitation only upon closer examination.

Fastening of siding panels is carried out on the crate, it is possible to use insulation. If the walls are flat and do not need thermal insulation, then installation directly on them without lathing is possible.

Lenght and width

The average length and width that vinyl siding can have are:

length - from 2500 to 3750 mm;
width (working) - from 220 to 275 mm;
width (useful) - from 200 to 255 mm.

The length and width of plastic siding can also depend on the type of surface it simulates.

The "shipboard" panels are 3000-3390 mm long (shortened version) and 3660-3810 mm (standard version). Shortened panels are easier to install, by joining them you can assemble the required length. The width of the panels for the shipboard varies from 172-232 mm. It is sometimes more rational to use wider "boards" to avoid the need to cut the panels. Their width is from 240 to 255 mm, however, there are also models with a width of 305 mm.
The width of the herringbone panels depends on how many waves there are. In accordance with this, single "herringbone" (marked with the letter S), double (designated as D), triple (designation - letter T) are distinguished. On average, the width of one wave is 114.3 mm, to find out the width of a double and triple herringbone, it is enough to multiply this indicator by 2 and 3. When buying a herringbone from the USA or Canada, you may find that the length of one wave is indicated in inches. The standard width is 4.5 inches, which is equal to 114.3 mm.

The profiles of the German brand Docke are 2 cm wider. Some of the largest panels are produced by Grande Line. Their length and width are 3000x238 mm. Mitten products have the smallest width. In the line of the manufacturer there is a profile with a width of 178 mm, the length of which is 3040 mm.

Among the most popular basement panels are profiles with dimensions of 1140x480 mm and 1135x474 mm. Tiles are produced in such sizes from one of the leading manufacturers - the Alta-Profil company. A slight change in size is associated with the features of the surface of the material. So, the collection "Stone" is presented in sizes 1135х474 mm, and the collection imitating masonry contains panels of smaller sizes - 1130х468 mm.

It is important to distinguish between usable and usable siding area. When calculating the required amount of material, only the last

When examining a siding panel, you may find that part of it has perforations. It is necessary to fix subsequent panels and, after installation, is hidden from view, and, therefore, should not be taken into account in the calculations.

Thickness

Its strength characteristics largely depend on the thickness of the siding. For facade panels, the standard thickness is 0.6-2.0 mm. However, today on the market you can find panels with a thickness of 0.4-0.6 mm. They are of domestic or Chinese origin. Profiles from European manufacturers cannot be thinner than 0.6 mm, as this parameter is regulated by a strict standard.

Different manufacturers can change the thickness of the panels. For example, siding from the Canadian company Mitten has a thickness of 1.02 to 1.2 mm, depending on the product line. Southern Beaded siding is 1.14mm thick.

Finally, the thickness of the siding is determined by its purpose. The denser panels are called basement panels and are intended for finishing the lower part of the facade. The thickness of such profiles is more than 2 mm, and sometimes it can reach 4 mm. This is due to the fact that the basement part is more susceptible to moisture, frost, mechanical damage.

Advantages and disadvantages

Plastic panels are popular and demanded finishing materials. The relevance of such a cladding is explained by many advantages.

Plastic panels are durable materials. They are not afraid of moisture and dampness. Thanks to this quality, the finish can be safely used when decorating a bathroom or kitchen.
High-quality plastic panels retain their original appearance for many years.
Such a finish does not require complex and regular maintenance. Plastic does not accumulate dust and dirt. If stains appear on its surface, then you do not have to purchase special and expensive compounds to remove them - most of the dirt from plastic panels can be removed with an ordinary damp cloth.
Plastic panels are inexpensive. That is why many consumers choose this finish option. It will cost several times cheaper than decorating walls with tiles or wood.

Wall panels made of plastic can boast of good soundproofing qualities.
The installation of such finishing materials is simple and quick. It can be produced without the involvement of specialists, which can significantly save money.
With the help of PVC panels, you can zoning the existing space.
Such finishing materials are lightweight, so it is easy and convenient to work with them.
Plastic is a material that is very easy to process. Due to this quality, these coatings are represented by a fairly rich assortment. To decorate a room, you can pick up canvases with absolutely any images and colors.

Plastic is a safe material. Even at high temperatures, it does not emit hazardous or harmful substances. However, when buying panels, you should ask the seller for a quality certificate and make sure that there are no toxic compounds in the plastic, since such components can still be contained in low-quality material.
You can install finishing materials not only in city apartments, but also in private houses. In addition, they are well suited for installation in confined spaces.
With the help of such a material, many floor defects can be hidden: cracks, drops, potholes, depressions and other flaws.
Various communications, such as electrical wiring, can be hidden behind plastic panels.

Despite the large list of positive qualities, plastic wall panels also have their weaknesses.

The material is highly flammable. In the event of a fire, this product burns very intensely and emits suffocating smoke in the room.
In a room with a plastic finish, a characteristic chemical smell can persist for a long time. But here it is worth noting that many owners did not notice such a defect.
Plastic panels do not tolerate temperature extremes. In such conditions, they can undergo deformation.
Plastic itself is not the most reliable and durable material. Panels made from such raw materials can break from accidental impact or severe stress.

These products are not breathable finishing materials. They prevent the movement of air through the walls, and this is simply necessary for high-quality ventilation. For this reason, experts do not recommend installing such coatings in children's rooms.
The voids that are present in plastic panels can be a home for insects. This problem is especially relevant for the southern regions of the country.
Before installing the cladding material, it is necessary to carefully prepare the floors. Many masters consider this fact as a disadvantage, since it takes a lot of time.

Design

Design solutions for plastic ceiling panels are varied. Changing the texture and giving the desired effect is carried out by means of offset printing. Immediately, we note: plastic panels cannot create an effect, as in tension structures and plasterboard designs. This is prevented by the seams between the fragments. However, their simple form and ability to combine with other materials for finishing the ceiling with a skillful approach to design make it possible to bring to life the most unusual solutions.

For the most part, the panels are painted in different shades. When choosing them, it is necessary to build on the purpose of the room and shade, not forgetting about the texture. For example, glossy products with a large reflective or mirrored surface are undesirable for a bedroom or a living room. Together with a visual increase in space, they will create emotional tension.

This fact will exclude the possibility of rest, which is especially important for a modern person who gets tired of the fast pace of life in a day.

The plastic looks original under the wood. Using, for example, a matte texture and a shade of light wenge oak, you can create the effect of warmth and home comfort.Of course, filling the entire ceiling space without decorating it is not always appropriate. And the rack ceiling does not look beautiful in every interior style.

For example, it will look more interesting if you connect plastic strips with drywall. It is worth considering an important nuance: it is really possible to cut the panels, but this is permissible only according to the width of the strip. They should not be confused with other finishes: they have locks along the length. By cutting them off, you will reduce the number of fasteners between the panels. It is better to use drywall to create a curly composition. In this case, it is preferable to lay the panels around it, tightly combining with each other.

Sometimes the design involves laying the panels with a ladder or step. In other cases, the cladding resembles a panel. If you want to support the design in a creative direction, you can finish with panels of matte texture under the array, gluing false beams over the panels. This design of the ceiling is in the spotlight today. At the same time, the design will look beautiful and natural. On the beams, you can subsequently attach spots with a tilt angle adjustment system.

If you plan to decorate the bathroom ceiling with panels, it is worth moving away from the usual design in blue tones. It is better to use contrast to decorate the room. Do not overload the room with an abundance of color: it is undesirable to use more than two colors for cladding. White, beige shades are appropriate here. Ivory tone will look good. It is better to choose a texture without reflectivity. For such rooms, it is better to choose seamless varieties.

3D stripes can give an original effect. However, their use must be deliberate. Typically, such items change perception, creating a three-dimensional illusion. Sometimes it takes a lot of space to see it. In a small room, this can create a negative atmosphere.

Scope of panels and beautiful examples

Plastic should not be used over the entire area of the walls if moisture exchange is of great importance in the room. For example, a mini-greenhouse with a dozen flowerpots will be spoiled by a continuous finish with PVC panels. But in places with rapid pollution and high humidity, material like plastic is indispensable. These include window slopes and separate rooms: a bathroom, a kitchen, an entrance hall, balconies and loggias. The panels are in perfect harmony with plastic windows and doors. The perfect combination, however, can easily grow into excess if you equip the interior thoughtlessly. But well-chosen panels will decorate the environment in almost any style direction. A large selection of textures and patterns is open to customers. With minimal design skills, it will not be difficult to decorate a room in a quality space, marine or historical theme.

Bedroom

Silence and a comfortable temperature are important for the bedroom. PVC panels will not only benefit the design, but also provide high-quality heat and sound insulation. From the side of the headboard, the bed can be decorated with original plastic panels. Options in white are suitable for youth interiors, for example, for decorating an alcove. Lining in the color of wood is used to decorate bedrooms in country wooden houses. Panels "under the panels" are used as expensive cladding. Plates are also combined with wallpaper, with color contrast or tone. The material is also suitable if the bedroom is planned in the spirit of minimalism with neutral tones or in a restrained version of the classic style. A room in the color of confectionery and in a nautical theme with a predominance of blue and light blue is also a suitable environment for cladding with PVC clapboard.

Bathroom

In this part of the housing, panels will definitely not be superfluous. The color of the seams on the tile flooring often deteriorates, and it is the PVC finish that is a profitable alternative. PVC plastic is not only "not afraid" of moisture, but also does not deteriorate from temperature contrasts.In case of problems with water supply or communications under the panels, the task will be solved promptly, and the cladding is restored just as quickly. For the bathroom, light colors are more advantageous. PVC plates make the color even deeper and enhance the visual expansion of the space. Straight lines between the panels add expressiveness to the interior. In the bathroom, options with a wavy pattern or texture will be relevant. Traditional wood-like products, together with similarly decorated plumbing fixtures, are a perfectly acceptable solution for bathrooms. The panels generally go well with glass, metals and ceramics.

Optimal bathroom colors:

blue with white;
blue;
green with white;
green with pink;
brown with white.

Kitchen

Like the bathroom, the kitchen "requires" decoration with moisture resistant materials. The PVC coating will not interfere with wet cleaning in any way. In combination with decorative properties, panels become the best option and gradually displace tiles from dominant positions. The trend is also supported by the low cost, ease of installation of PVC sheathing. At the same time, the decorative properties are approximately on the same level as the tiled flooring. Even an untrained person can assemble panels. Therein lies additional savings. Indoors, it is appropriate to use all types of coatings: glossy, matte and satin. Drawings and prints will not worsen the situation. The apron is trimmed with skinals - a kind of PVC panels. The space near the slab is decorated with LSU sheets. For kitchens, they select heat-resistant options and ask about these properties first of all.

Living room

It is not customary to finish a guest room with one material completely. PVC sheathing is combined with different types of coverings. The modern style in the living room is realized with the help of spectacular transitions. For example, one of the walls is covered with clapboard, and the rest are "put" in a color contrast to it. In the living room, the use of panels "under" leather, brick, stone and wood is actual. 3D version of panels on the ceiling - the ability to significantly "increase" the height of the room. The same design methods are used on partitions, arches, columns and other elements of the halls. The panels perfectly emphasize the horizontal niches that are increasingly found in living rooms. Tile-shaped plates are used to form a special design, with connections at different angles, at different levels and with built-in lighting. In this case, the choice often falls on panels with a natural or artificial wood pattern.

Technology of finishing the kitchen ceiling with plastic panels

Calculation of the required amount of material

When the plan for the renovation of an apartment provides for finishing the ceiling with plastic panels, the first task that precedes the finishing process itself should be to calculate the amount of materials required for this:

Calculation of the number of panels. First, you need to calculate the area of \ u200b \ u200bthe kitchen ceiling by multiplying its length by width. The resulting number must be divided by the area of one PVC panel (the size of the panel is indicated on the package).

Types of profiles for mounting PVC panels on the ceiling

Calculation of the number of profiles. It is easiest to calculate the required number of the mounting profile on the previously drawn (to scale with all dimensions) plan of the ceiling. The total length of all lines drawn along the perimeter and at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other parallel to one of the sides on the plan, and will be equal to the required number of profiles for the purchase for the kitchen.

Calculation of the number of fasteners. To fix the mounting profile on the ceiling, you should purchase dowels at the rate of one dowel per 0.5 m of the profile.
The panels are fixed to the profiles with self-tapping screws with wide caps. Their number is also one self-tapping screw per 0.5 m of the length of the panel itself. You should always purchase fasteners with a small margin.

Fittings for plastic ceiling panels

Calculation of the required amount of ceiling plinth. The skirting board is the finishing touch that will always decorate the panel ceiling in the kitchen. The standard length of the ceiling plinth is 3 m. Therefore, the length of the perimeter of the false ceiling in the kitchen should be divided by 3, and then the resulting number should be increased to a multiple of three.

Stages of installation on the ceiling of plastic panels

After purchasing the required amount of materials, you can begin to mount the ceiling from the panels:

Mark the lines for fixing the mounting profile (UD) around the entire perimeter of the ceiling using the building level. It is necessary to maintain the horizontal position of the entire structure to be mounted as accurately as possible. The profiles must be attached very tightly to the walls. Voids and cracks should not be allowed between them.
Attach the base for the installation of plastic panels to the prepared profile perimeter - a lightweight CD profile.

Installation of a profile structure under plastic ceiling panels

On the profile installed along the perimeter, fix the L-shaped plastic mounting strips with self-tapping screws.
Before fixing the panels, it is necessary to determine the location of the hidden internal communications, to clarify the location of the spotlights, if this is provided for by the project.
Installation of panels starts from one of the walls. Prepare plastic panels of suitable size (it is best to cut off with a small hacksaw for metal). Insert the first panel tightly and neatly into the L-shaped profile and fasten with self-tapping screws along the entire length.

Inserting plastic panels into a decorative corner

Insert all subsequent panels tightly into the previous ones and fasten them to the mounting rails. The end parts of the slabs should also be immediately inserted into the L-shaped profiles if the ceiling is not supposed to be finished with a skirting board.
Adjust the width of the last slab to the size of the remaining distance to the wall. This is perhaps the most difficult and crucial moment of the entire installation. You should act with special care so as not to spoil the almost finished structure.
Often, in order to save money, panel ceilings are mounted on wooden blocks using metal brackets. This option is justified in a kitchen, but absolutely not acceptable for suspended ceilings in other, more "wet" rooms, such as a bathroom, balcony or loggia.

Installation of plastic panels on the ceiling