How to cover the ceiling with plastic panels?

Most of us live in apartments and houses built under the Soviet Union or immediately after its collapse, but for all the quality of these apartments are famous for uneven ceilings and walls. When you want to update the interior, then, in addition to the walls, it makes sense to bring the proper appearance and ceiling. Align it with plaster is very expensive, it requires special skills and time, but if you use PVC panels, you can save a lot of money and time. At the moment, in the assortment of building shops and construction companies, there are so many kinds of polymer panels that everyone will find an acceptable option, because, in addition to different sizes, plastic panels are made in the form of imitations for various materials - from wood to tiles. Consider in this article how to trim the ceiling with plastic panels and decorate this material with walls with minimal effort, time and money.

to the table of contents ↑

The originality of the plastic panels

PVC panels replaced non-salient painted boards and expensive ceramic tiles, allowing to ennoble the room with high humidity, while saving a lot. Among other things, polyvinyl chloride used in the production has the following advantages:

1. Exposure to moisture and aggressive compounds is not critical for it.
2. Due to its design, it is easy to clean, including chemicals.
3. Relatively durable, in particular, almost does not burn out in the sun.
4. Self-assembly is possible, even in the absence of special skills.
5. Thanks to the huge variety of species, it perfectly matches with any other types of finishes.

In addition, this material has other original qualities that distinguish it:

• PVC slabs allow to achieve an even surface without preliminary actions( except priming).
• Affordable price. The production of panels is quite cheap, which allows you to set an extremely small final retail price.
• Soundproofing. Thanks to the porous structure, the material perfectly copes with damping of sound waves, which is important in apartment buildings, especially panel type.

Important! When buying, make sure that you buy exactly the material that is needed, since the panels for walls and ceiling differ in density and weight, and street ones should be more dense for durability.

to the contents ↑

Where to start?

To properly and without errors to perform the installation, you need to know how to trim the ceiling with plastic panels correctly. To do this, you need to determine the size and type of plates, because they differ in size and purpose:

• The plates have sizes from 2300 to 6000 mm;
• Their width ranges from 100-920 mm;
• The thickness also depends on the location of the future destination and has dimensions of 5-10 mm.

Important! The most common can be considered plates with a size of 2700x250x10 mm.

In addition, in addition to the dimensions, the appearance of the panels themselves is also different:

• . Set of strips up to 3000 mm long and up to 300 mm wide.

Important! Externally, they resemble a lining and are joined according to the "spike-groove" technology, but are fixed by slats and brackets.

• Imitating tiles. Such materials allow you to invent and implement various design solutions, attach to liquid nails, but do not hide surface irregularities, and sometimes even intensify the differences.
• Sheet panels. They differ in appearance, they vary in color and texture.

In addition to choosing the appearance, before you can cover the ceiling with PVC panels, you need to prepare the necessary tool and calculate the required amount of materials, as well as fasteners and tools.

to the contents ↑

Instruction for installation and calculation of materials

To calculate the required number of materials for work, it is necessary to accurately measure the dimensions of the ceiling.

Important! It is necessary to select the size of the plates, guided by the length and width of the ceiling, then you can avoid unnecessary losses.

Further in the calculation it is important to be guided by the following tips:

1. Determine the ceiling area and the area of ​​one panel.
2. Then divide the surface dimensions by the area of ​​one tile.
3. The resulting number is increased by 15-20%, rounded up. Thus, you will be able to protect yourself from a lack of material due to overlaps and cuts.
4. To determine the starting profile, you need to know the perimeter of the room, that is, add two lengths and two widths of the ceiling and also add 15-20% as a stock.
5. Fastening of plates is carried out on a skeleton. To calculate the number of timber or metal profile used in its construction, it is better to draw a drawing with all the necessary measurements, and then:
   • Find out the length of the frame elements.
   • The whole surface of the ceiling is divided into equal lengths 400-600 mm long, through which later the crate will pass.

Important! When choosing a bar, it should be taken with a section of 20x50 mm, and if the metal profile, then, in addition to it, other special parts will be required.

to the contents ↑

Which material to use for plating the ceiling with plastic?

In the choice of material is worth noting the following nuances.

Dimensions of panels - length, width, thickness:

• Dimensions must be chosen taking into account the length and width of the room, as a large amount of waste will significantly damage the finances.

Important! For example, if the width of the room is 2400 cm, it is better to give preference to planks of 2500 or 5000 mm in length.

• Similarly, it is necessary to calculate the width of the slats, and take them taking into account the multiplicity of the length of the room.

External data

The quality of the material will also be important - it is better to choose a more expensive one, but a better one, then it will last longer. Fortunately, it's easy to do even purely visually:

• There should be no holes and dents all over the surface.
• The color of the entire element should be clear and monochrome - the only exception is elements made in the gradient technique.
• The presence of bends and deformations is not allowed, except for minor ones, which will be corrected when mounted on the frame.
• The surface of the stiffeners should not be reflected.
• 1,5-2 mm - minimum this should be the thickness of the walls and ribs.
• To the touch, the entire surface should be smooth and pleasant.
• Before buying, you need to check the strength of the "tenon-groove" fastening. They should occur easily and do not have gaps.
• The plastic should bend well during installation, so it is necessary to bend the edge of the panel and shake it a little, if there are no traces left, then the material is good.

to content ↑

Materials and tools required for

sheathing After counting the amount of material required for work, it is important to take care of the purchase of the tool and special fasteners:

1. Mounting bracket( 90o angle), equal to the perimeter of the room.
2. Ceiling plinth also in an amount equal to the perimeter.
3. Various connections and angles.
4. Self-tapping screws with press cup.

Before you can plastic walls and ceiling, it makes sense to buy or borrow the following tool:

• Pencil;
• Roulette;
• Level( water or laser);
• Paint brush;
• Impact drill or perforator;
• Screwdriver;
• Building or wide office knife;
• Hammer;
• Hacksaw( better for metal);
• Building Corner;
• Liquid nails.

This list is the most generalized for any type of installation - with or without a frame.

Important! With a frameless version of the plating, the slabs are fixed to a flat ceiling or chipboard.

to the contents ↑

Preparatory stage of the

installation Before you begin the direct assembly of the slabs or the framework for the subsequent installation of the panels, it is important to make sure that the ceiling is not chipped and deformed, that is, it does not subsequently collapse and deform the entire structure.

Also, before the ceiling is covered with plastic panels, it is important:

• If possible, dismantle the old coating.
• Treat the cleaned surface with antiseptic and antifungal primer of deep penetration.

Important! If the house is private, and the base of the ceiling is wooden, then this action is extremely necessary and can not be missed.

• Carry out the layout of communications to the right places, change the wiring, dilute it where necessary.
• All materials should be placed in the room in which the repairs will be carried out in order to avoid possible deformation.
• When selecting wooden racks as a frame, they are also treated with antiseptic, sometimes refractory.

to the contents ↑

Choose and install the frame

The option, when the ceilings are perfectly flat and the panels can be mounted directly to the ceiling, are extremely rare. Most likely, it is necessary to install a frame, to which the plates are subsequently attached.

The choice is made of two types - wooden or metal, and in order to choose which one is better in your case and how to trim the ceiling with PVC panels, you need to know the following:

• Special clamps are used for the profile, which are fixed by two anchors to the concrete and two screws tothe metal itself.

Important! When performing this work, you will need special nozzles, as well as a more powerful tool.

• The fastening of the wooden frame is easier, since it is only necessary to screw the beam to the ceiling with a step of about 30 cm, and then perpendicularly to install the bars - one self-cut will suffice at the junction points.
• More difficult is the direct assembly of panels to the metal structure.

Important! When choosing the material for the frame, if you install it yourself, you should give preference to the tree. If the installation will be carried out in a room with high humidity, then the metal construction will be more reliable.

In favor of whatever material the choice is made, the marking is approximately the same:

1. On the opposite sides of the room, the markings are made to equal segments.
2. With the help of the painted twine stretched along the length and width the pattern of the future skeleton is repulsed.
3. The same work is carried out around the perimeter of the room, as these guides will be the first ones.
4. In case of installation not on the surface, it is necessary to mark at a distance of 500-700 mm for fixing the suspensions.

to the contents ↑

Preparing for installation

There are several methods for erecting frame structures:

• With a false ceiling, installation begins with fastening the hangers exactly at the intersections of the chipped lines. Through the plumb line in the ceiling, drill holes, hammer two or three dowels for fixation.
• On the walls, a metal profile is installed along the line, in which, with a step of 300-350 mm, holes are also created, followed by clogging of the dowels.
• Then, at the correct height, the profile is installed and fixed with self-tapping screws for metal.
• The ends of the suspended metal profile are mounted in the guides on the walls, screwed with screws.

Important! You can use wooden beams at this stage.

• Strengthen possible pressure points with special jumpers.

There is also another option for creating a wooden frame, and it involves the use of wooden pads or direct mounting of the structure to the ceiling:

1. The beam is similarly installed in metal profiles or be drilled to the guide bar.
2. To the ceiling the board is nailed with dowels with the calculation of the approach to 50-60 mm in the plane of the ceiling.

Important! When using pads to the ceiling, they are fixed exactly, and the frame itself is mounted on them using self-tapping screws.

Before fixing the ceiling with plastic panels, all necessary communications are installed, and it is desirable to remove the wires in a special corrugated housing for better waterproofing. At the same stage, the walls and construction are impregnated with an antiseptic, installing insulation, insulation.

to the table of contents ↑

Mounting of plastic panels on the ceiling

Actually, the installation work itself is almost the same for wood that is for metal frames. However, with the ease of attaching the screws to the wood, the profile design is much easier. To properly trim the ceiling with plastic panels, read the following tips:

• Install the starting U-shaped bar along the entire perimeter.

Important! The bar can be replaced with a rail for installing a ceiling skirting board, if one is planned.

• After that, the first PVC panel is installed in the gap between the plinth and the bar or in the profile.
• The plate is leveled, tightened by a screw with a wide bonnet.
• The next part is inserted into the groove to the previous one, thus hiding the self-tapping screw, and again fastened with a screwdriver.
• Do this procedure to the last element.

Important! In those places where it is planned to bring out the illumination, it is necessary to make holes at once, and at the installation to remove the wires outwards.

• When attaching the last element, it's important to be careful, so it's better to do this earlier, and then simply connect the last and the penultimate parts.
• Then cut all sections with special decorative elements.

to the table of contents ↑

Ceiling technology with plastic

To trim the ceiling with PVC panels using a wooden frame, follow these instructions:

• Attach a corner for the ceiling skirting along the entire perimeter, taking into account the necessary distances, gaps.
• Based on the calculated dimensions, we measure, cut off the plastic.

Important! Based on the unevenness of the walls, ceilings, do not cut all the panels at once - it's better to do it if necessary.

• We fix the press washer taking into account the clearances.

Important! Kleimer - special fasteners for lining of any type, however installation will take more time.

• Cut the last panel in width, attach to the guide.
• Install the remaining fasteners, decorative elements, lighting.

to the contents ↑

How to properly trim the ceiling with plastic panels?

The most correct is the call of the master, who is engaged in the installation of such structures regularly and on a professional basis. In the case of impossibility of such and independent work, advice on fastening the panels themselves -

self-tapping screw with a press washer. This kind is preferable, since the washer will not interfere with the installation of the next element, but will give reliability in the fastening, besides they are piercing or drilling.

Important! In some sources, a stapler is recommended, but a bracket with a thickness of at most 1.5 mm will not give strength and will quickly undergo corrosion.

to the table of contents ↑

Special features of installing the false ceiling with plastic panels

Before plastering walls and ceiling, it is necessary to take into account future functionality, that is, it is necessary simply to hide the existing surface or conduct communications.

Important! The more lines that need to be hidden, the lower the new ceiling.

Knowing the necessary parameters and using the level, to make the layout and installation of the frame, and then the entire ceiling structure, is easy.

PVC panels are a reliable, inexpensive material for leveling walls, ceiling. Installation of them is quite possible at home and independently, as the most difficult of the entire scope of work will be the construction of the frame, and the subsequent installation of the panels themselves is more similar to the game in the designer. Using the tips from this article, you will be able to estimate the quantity, quality of the necessary materials, independently purchase them and do the necessary work without resorting to the help of outsiders, than save a lot of your family budget.