Stretch ceiling made of PVC film with a mirror effect for finishing any type of room, step by step instructions for installing a mirror film ceiling. The mirrored ceiling is evidence of good taste, originality and courage of the owner of the room and the interior designer. Recently, expensive reflective ceiling technologies using real mirrors are being replaced by cheaper reflective finishes. So, mirrored stretch ceilings are widely used.
General description of the mirror stretch ceiling
Mirror effect stretch ceiling is a great alternative to real mirror ceilings. This type of finish includes ceilings made of glossy PVC film, which has a high reflectivity, or PVC film, which has an additional reflective coating. The second option, due to the increased risk of damage during installation, is used much less often than the first.
Description of PVC film with reflective layer:
- Canvases with an additional reflective layer have a small width (1, 3-1, 5 m) compared to a glossy PVC film.
- High reflectivity for crisp reflections.
- Main producing countries: Germany (Renolit, Pongs), China, Belgium, France (AlkorDraka, CTN), Russia (Sigma Sealing, Albes). Higher prices and quality - from European manufacturers. The cheapest and lower quality are Chinese PVC mirror films.
- A limited number of colors (gold, silver, bronze) from most manufacturers. An exception is the French company CTN, which supplies mirror films in more than 200 shades.
Glossy PVC film with a mirror effect has a relatively low reflectivity, the level of which depends on its color. Light colors are more conducive to the expansion of space. A gray or black mirrored stretch ceiling has the highest possible reflection level for a glossy PVC film.
Do not give up the purchase of a black mirrored stretch ceiling because of the gloom of the color. This shade on the ceiling gives a certain mystery and nobility to the room. In addition, thanks to the excellent mirror effect, the ceiling surface will have more of the colors that are used in the design.
Appointment of mirrored stretch ceilings
PVC film with a reflective effect is more and more often used in the renovation of various premises for the decoration of the ceiling. The reason for this is the wide list of functions that this type of finish is capable of performing, the presence of a large number of advantages of the material used and minimal disadvantages.
When is it worth choosing mirrored stretch ceilings:
- When you need to visually expand the space of the room, raise the ceiling. The mirrored surface gives the feeling of an increase in the size of the room by reflecting everything that happens in the room.
- When you need to hide unaesthetic communications, for example, electrical wiring, pipes, ventilation ducts.
- When it is required to bring a special play of light and colors to the interior. Reflection in the ceiling of the main elements of the interior multiplies them, contributes to the addition of the design idea. Often, a mirror PVC film is used to finish the upper plane of a room in rooms with dim light.
- To create unique lighting. Beams of light, refracted in a mirrored surface, are scattered throughout the room. The option with figured glass lamps or, for example, with hanging elements in the form of a faceted ball or a crystal chain, will look especially advantageous.
- In case of irregularities and visible drops in the surface of the main ceiling. By installing a mirrored stretch ceiling, you can avoid cardinal leveling of the ceiling level.
- When creating a multi-level curly ceiling design for a unique interior design.
- For finishing the ceiling in any residential or public space.
- If necessary, zoning the room. Multilevel ceilings, the use of different shades and the combination of PVC mirror film with other finishing materials will make it possible to highlight zones in a single room.
- When finishing the ceiling in the bathroom. An ordinary mirror tends to fog up when steam hits the surface. The gloss of the stretch ceiling will remain without "nebula" and will not lose its reflective properties.
Look at the photos of colored glossy mirrored stretch ceilings to evaluate the degree of reflection in ceilings of different colors and choose the most suitable color option for the interior.
Advantages of a stretch ceiling with a mirror effect
The indisputable advantages of mirrored stretch ceilings include:
- Durability … Manufacturers of this type of ceiling finish give a quality guarantee for an average of 10-12 years. But with proper care, they can last longer.
- Ease of installation … Complete with a mirror film for creating a stretch ceiling, all the necessary elements of the frame and fasteners are supplied. And in order to independently update the ceiling of the house, you just need to study the instructions and stock up on basic repair tools. Difficulty can be caused by the stage of heating the web, in which a special heat gun is used.
- Easy to clean … Mirror PVC film is unpretentious in maintenance. It is not a large accumulator of dust and other impurities and odors. Therefore, when cleaning, there is no need to use strong cleaning agents, it is enough to wipe the surface with a damp soft cloth.
- Cheapness … Compared to real glass constructions, mirrored stretch ceilings are much cheaper.
- Security … When choosing a mirrored PVC film, the level of danger of operating a mirrored ceiling is practically reduced to nothing, which cannot be said about real mirrors, which, if damaged, can crumble, injuring people in the room and causing damage to interior items.
- Moisture resistance/ All structural elements are resistant to moisture, this applies to both the PVC film and the frame and fasteners. This property allows you to mount a mirrored stretch ceiling in a bathroom, kitchen, where the main and auxiliary materials can be exposed to steam or a stream of water.
- Heat resistance … Due to the physical properties of PVC material, stretch ceilings do not respond to temperature changes over a wide range. They are not deformed, their structure is not destroyed. This type of decoration can be used in rooms where there is little or no heating. The exception is the mirror PVC film, made using the technology with the use of varnish.
- Saving space … When installing a mirrored stretch ceiling, a significant lowering of the level of the new ceiling can be avoided. On average, it takes from 4 to 5 cm. The exception is cases with the design features of the main ceiling (irregularities, communications, etc.).
- Functionality … The mirrored stretch ceiling performs all the functions inherent in suspended structures, as well as the visual expansion of the space and protection from flooding from the upper floors.
- Harmlessness … PVC film does not emit odors and hazardous substances, the material does not contribute to the growth of mold and mildew.
Disadvantages of mirrored stretch ceilings
A few words about the disadvantages of the stretch ceiling mirror coating:
- During installation and further operation, it is worth protecting the film from the effects of sharp objects that can cause damage, violating the integrity of the canvas.
- The use of mirrored surfaces on the ceiling has subjective limitations. Many people may feel uncomfortable in mirrored rooms.
- The disadvantage of a mirrored stretch ceiling when decorating large rooms may be the limited size of the canvases. If the width of the canvas is not enough for the entire room, then you need to consider the option of combining with other materials or creating a multi-level structure.
- The mirror material of a stretch ceiling with an additional reflective coating is quite fragile, while working with it should be as accurate as possible in order to avoid the appearance of creases on its surface. To reduce the risk of damage, it is better to use a glossy PVC film, which is slightly less reflective, but easier to install.
- It is worth abandoning the installation of a mirrored ceiling in rooms with a large amount of furniture and other decorative elements or in rooms with imperfect order.
Installation instructions for stretch ceilings with a mirror effect
The installation of a stretch ceiling with a mirror effect has certain sequential stages: preparation of the room, installation of the frame, stretching the film, and final work. Let's consider each in more detail.
Preparation before installing a stretch mirrored ceiling
Preparatory measures are aimed at creating conditions for installation and further safe operation of the ceiling:
- Free the room from furniture and other interior items that may interfere with the installation of the stretch ceiling or damage the film during installation.
- Removal from the surface of the main ceiling of old finishes (wallpaper, tiles), protruding non-functional parts and dust removal.
- Sometimes an additional covering of the ceiling with plastic wrap is applied in case of unwanted peeling of the elements of the main ceiling, which can damage the PVC film.
- Fastening the wiring to prevent sagging. Masking of various ceiling elements and fixtures.
- Establishing the required temperature in the room - from +15 degrees and above.
Installation of the frame on the ceiling for a mirror stretch fabric
Installation of the frame is a crucial stage. The final result depends on the correctness of actions. It is worth paying special attention to the marking in order to get a perfectly flat mirrored stretch ceiling. Then the reflection in the mirrored stretch ceiling will not be distorted.
To mount the frame, follow these steps:
- Use a level (bubble or laser) to locate the lowest parts of the main ceiling (corner or other element).
- From the lowest point, it is necessary to lay down from 1 to 10 cm. The minimum value applies if there are no restrictions, for example, electrical wires. The distance can be increased if internal lighting is provided or if the design of the selected luminaires requires it.
- At the level of the marked point, draw an even horizontal line around the entire perimeter of the room. Check the markings using a spirit level. The horizontal deviation error should not exceed 2 mm, so as not to spoil the final result.
- If the walls are finished with plasterboard, then it is worth strengthening the fasteners to the wall. When the film is stretched, drywall sheets may not withstand this stress and deform. Therefore, the frame for the stretch ceiling should be fixed deeper to the main wall or to the frame elements under the drywall using a dowel-nail.
- Attach the baguettes along the marked line to create a solid frame around the perimeter of the room. Avoid gaps between the baguettes. The step between the dowel-nails or self-tapping screws should be small - about 8 cm. In the corners, place the fasteners at a distance of 1 cm to ensure reliable fastening and a snug fit of the baguette.
Stretching the film of the stretch mirror ceiling
Direct installation of PVC film is an equally important stage that requires increased accuracy of the performer. It consists of the following:
- Warming up … With ideal calculations, a canvas for a stretch ceiling with a mirror effect will be 10% smaller than the ceiling area. To stretch it safely and without problems, heating equipment is used. Using special equipment (heat gun), warm up the canvas to + 60-70 degrees, so that the film becomes elastic and easily amenable to further manipulations.
- Start commit … On the narrowest wall, fix the first corner of the canvas in one of the corners, and the second in the second (adjacent corner along the same wall). Then follow the same steps on the opposite wall.
- Full fixation … Subsequent actions are alternating, i.e. you cannot immediately completely fill one side (from one corner to the other along one wall), then move on to the other. First, using a special rounded trowel, tuck in a small area in the middle of the longest wall, then on the opposite one. Go to the other two walls. After fixing at 8 points, fix the canvas in the middle of each loose area until the distance is reduced to 20-30 cm. Thread the film around the entire perimeter.
After the canvas cools down to room temperature, the ceiling acquires a smooth structure. The final measures for installing a stretch ceiling with a mirror effect include the creation of functional openings for fire safety elements and lamps, installation of ceiling elements, and decoration of the ceiling contour. This stage also requires great care. Adhere to the principle of "measure seven times, cut once"
How to make a mirrored stretch ceiling - watch the video:
When installing a stretch ceiling with a mirror effect on your own, do not ignore the recommendations of specialists, so that saving on the installation service does not lead to additional costs.
