Curved stretch ceiling, its main types, measurement features, curvilinear adhesion of canvases and manufacturing technology of its two-level structure.
Features of measurements of a curved stretch ceiling
Smooth bends of the stretch ceiling give the room a certain charm and individuality. However, such solutions have features in terms of measurements and calculations of a curved structure.
In order to measure the curved ceiling yourself, you need to create a sketch of the product on paper. He must take into account all the elements of the future ceiling, since the measurement data will be recorded on the basis of the sketch. The straight sections of the ceiling are measured first, and then it is required to measure not only the radii of curvature, but also to determine some linear dimensions.
To do this, you need to mark the ceiling with a grid with a certain step. The size of its cells will depend on the complexity of the curved contour. If the entire ceiling is curvilinear, then the calculation must be made, starting from some landmark - a riser, a column or a chandelier. On the sketch, you should mark such control points with their snapping to the applied coordinate grid. By measuring the distances from each point to areas and corners of the room, you can accurately recreate the ceiling layout.
As an alternative method, you can imagine the arcs of the ceiling as a continuous sequence of chords and measure each resulting triangle separately. In some cases, this method simplifies matters.
Soldering of curved stretch ceilings
This process consists in combining canvases of different colors and textures on the same plane. The PVC film is bonded using high-frequency currents by welding it on modern equipment. The resulting seams are highly durable and look neat.
Advantages of curved brazing of stretch ceilings:
- Possibility of execution of stylish and unique design solutions.
- Affordable cost in comparison with multi-level stretch ceilings.
- Saving room space.
- The splicing of two or more canvases of different colors allows you to use curved ceilings in different interior styles and divide the space into separate zones.
- Possibility of installing the ceiling on large areas of the premises.
- Reliability. The sealed foil is able to withstand the weight of a moderate amount of water if a room is accidentally flooded and can last for over 15 years.
DIY installation of a curved stretch ceiling
The two-level ceiling has a complex structure, which includes a canvas and frame elements, the main details of which are a divider, a corner and a bump stop. The profile of the attachment and the bumper can have different radii of bends, which are set at the stage of marking. The use of a bumper simplifies the process of creating a second level of the ceiling. Before self-installation of a curved stretch ceiling, you should stock up on a spatula with a round blade, a puncher, a hydraulic or laser level, a tape measure, a hacksaw for metal and a pencil. The work is carried out according to a previously prepared sketch in this way:
- For mounting the frame of the second level of the ceiling, you can use plywood of the required width. The cut sheet should be soaked in water. After getting wet for an hour, it will begin to bend.
- Then you need to hammer a dowel into the ceiling and tie a cord with a pencil to it. Now you can draw a wavy line of the second level of the ceiling, repeating this procedure from several control points according to the prepared sketch. The radii of curvature can be completely different.
- For horizontal marking of the ceiling, you should use a level and a paint cord. Both ceiling levels are marked on the walls along their perimeter.
- After finishing the layout of the walls and ceiling, you can make a frame for the second level. First, you should fix wooden blocks 60x100 mm with dowels in the ceiling along the marking line. Two dowels for each of the bars will be enough.
- Then it is necessary to moisten the plywood veneer strips for an hour to give them the desired curvilinear shape during installation. After that, the veneer should be fixed on the bars with self-tapping screws 40 mm long. The width of the plywood strips is taken to be equal to the distance between the level of the future stretch ceiling and the overlap. This distance should be chosen taking into account the convenient installation of ceiling lamps.
- After that, according to the markup, you need to fix the profiles of both levels. The first level should be located closer to the floor.
- Then, at a distance of 70 mm from the bottom of the installed frame, it is necessary to attach a clip-on baguette to it. To give it the shape of a curved line, the baguette should be cut in several places at an angle of 40 degrees. The same baguette must be fixed to the walls at both ceiling levels. For fasteners, self-tapping screws are used with an installation pitch of 100-150 mm. At the joints of the profiles, it decreases to 20 mm.
- The spotlight should be attached to the ceiling using dowels and the electrical wiring should be laid. For stretch ceilings, special lamps are used, the bodies of which are height-adjustable.
- Then you need to unfold the canvas prepared for the second level of the ceiling on the floor and fill its edges with a spatula into the clips of the frame profiles. This work is carried out with coverage of the entire perimeter. When tensioning the canvas, it is worth refueling in pairs the opposite sides of it and only then the remaining parts. The possible appearance of wrinkles can be smoothed out by heating the canvas with a building hairdryer.
- After securing the second level canvas in the same way, it is necessary to stretch the ceiling on the first level.
- To prevent overheating of the canvas from working lamps, special rings made of plastic must be glued at the location of their bodies. An additional preventive measure can be the use of LED lamps that do not heat up to high temperatures.
- After the glue has dried, cut the film inside the ring with a sharp knife and complete the installation of the fixtures.
Watch a video about the installation of a curved stretch ceiling:
Understanding how to make a curved ceiling, you can not be limited to its simple shapes, but create multi-level structures of a more spectacular look, using the same technologies. The main thing in this is the observance of the order of operations and their accurate execution.
