Selecting materials to make the ceiling in the bathroom special and of high quality is not an easy task. Increased room humidity dictates certain requirements - good moisture resistance, lightness of construction, reliability, long service life, ease of surface cleaning. Panels made of PVC plastic fully meet all of the above conditions.
Pros and cons of PVC ceiling for bathroom
Plastic panels are made of polyvinyl chloride. Despite the fragility of the material, it is resistant to moisture and high temperatures, which makes it a suitable option for bathrooms and toilets.
- The panel ceiling does not absorb moisture and is not deformed when water gets on it. Falling drops remain on the surface. For this reason, electrical wires can be safely placed underneath it.
- Plastic has hygienic properties that prevent the growth of mold. This finishing material is characterized by the absence of pores, which is why it does not retain moisture.
A suspended plastic ceiling in a bathroom is placed on a metal base, which is pre-attached to the ceiling. The old surface may have unevenness, which can be easily eliminated due to the aluminum frame.
It is convenient to work with plastic panels because they are easy to cut and weigh little. This type of finish can be found in any hardware store.
Another positive property of a plastic ceiling is that it reflects light well, which is why the bath receives natural illumination.
Cost of dismantling wall panels
The cost of dismantling work is calculated based on the total area of the proposed work. It will not be difficult to calculate the final amount using our dismantling calculator. Dismantling plastic sandwich panels can be more labor-intensive. If such blocks are used to construct an internal wall, they are firmly fastened together using a metal frame, which is located between the two panels. The ceiling or transverse wall often rests on it.
Removing wall panels made of PVC, chipboard and MDF – 110
rub. for 1 sq. m. The price for dismantling plastic (sandwich) panels may increase depending on the complexity of their disassembly.
Our repair team has extensive experience in dismantling work and all the necessary professional tools that will be needed at the repair stage. We remove and dismantle wall panels at a time convenient for the client. Call us at number 8 ( 495
)722-56-41
or, all consultations and visit of a specialist for measurements and coordination of work
are FREE
.
Dismantling the ceiling
The most versatile coating for finishing the ceiling are plastic panels due to their simple installation method, hiding its unevenness, the position of communications under them, and also at an affordable price.
Sometimes plastic cladding requires repair or refurbishment
If you inadvertently caused damage to the plastic, you need to disassemble the structure and replace such a panel.
Dismantling a plastic ceiling can be called a simple, quick and easy process. You can dismantle it yourself in an hour and for this purpose no special tools or professional skills are required. Of course, you can invite a specialist and he will fix the problem for a certain fee.
But if you yourself decide to replace any damaged sheet of plastic, you need to stock up on some tools and protective equipment before disassembling the plastic ceiling:
- preferably a wrench;
- a wood chisel, preferably wide (you can even use a knife);
- screwdriver;
- screwdriver;
- gloves (to avoid cuts from sharp edges of the structure).
When everything is prepared, you need to carefully examine the suspended structure in order to have an idea of its structure to understand the principle of dismantling.
Selection of PVC panels
When choosing plastic panels, you should be careful. Low-quality plastic can be identified by its unpleasant odor.
- Existing defects are usually clearly visible, but there are also hidden defects that become obvious during the installation of structures.
- Plastic panels have a wide variety of colors.
- They can be plain or patterned, as can be seen in the photo of the plastic ceiling in the bathroom.
Choosing a suitable option that will harmoniously fit into the interior will not be difficult.
Materials to be used with caution
Now let's look at materials that are also suitable for finishing a bathroom, but with a number of restrictions.
Cork panels
The cork-covered ceiling looks interesting. It is made from pressed bark and cork oak veneer. Slabs that can be used for a bathroom are covered with a layer of wax on top. The finishing design is not as monotonous as it might seem: manufacturers produce tinted collections.
Cork slabs are presented mainly in two sizes: 30x30 and 30x60 cm. The standard thickness is 3 mm.
This environmentally friendly material has several advantages:
- attractive appearance;
- additional heat and sound insulation;
- hypoallergenic;
- resistance to rotting;
- wear resistance.
The coating has antibacterial properties, so fungus does not appear on the walls even in conditions of high humidity. Another advantage of the panels is that they can be washed with water.
The disadvantage is the porous structure, which allows odors to be absorbed. But this disadvantage is offset by the wax coating.
Installation of tiles is quite simple. First they make the markings. If the sticking is from the center, find this point. Then apply glue (preferably moisture-resistant) to the base and back side of the tile, apply each element and pass over it with a rubberized roller. If it was not possible to find material with a waxed surface, after completion of the work the ceiling is varnished.
Foam tiles
Budget renovations in the bathroom can be done using ceiling tiles. It consists of square panels, most often 50x50 cm in size and about 8 mm thick, made of polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam. The surface can be smooth or with a relief pattern, like modeling.
They produce paintable tiles and laminated products that imitate wood, stone, fabric, leather and other materials. The first type is only white, as a rule, made from foam plastic raw materials and requires finishing with paint and varnish. Laminated tiles have a moisture-resistant protective layer and do not require painting. This type of material is recommended for the bathroom.
The tiles can also be suture or seamless. The first has a small chamfer along the edges, which forms decorative seams, the latter forms a continuous covering on the ceiling, the joints are invisible.
Finishing has its advantages:
- ease of installation - the task can be done even by those who have not done repairs before;
- light weight;
- low cost.
Disadvantages include:
- short service life - up to 6 years;
- the appearance of mold at the joints, so the ceiling needs to be treated with antiseptic impregnations;
- there is no protection against leakage;
- difficulty in cleaning, especially products with a relief pattern that imitates modeling.
Installation of tiles is almost the same as cork panels. If you take non-laminated products, they must be painted with waterproof paint.
Paint and whitewash
This method of repair is resorted to only to save money. Whitewashing the ceiling in the bathroom with lime or chalk does not last long due to high humidity. Therefore, the coverage must be renewed annually. Before finishing, you will have to carefully level the base with a layer of plaster, since even the slightest imperfections will be noticeable.
But if another method is not suitable for some reason, then it is better to select paints with water-repellent properties that can be washed. This is a more practical option, but the finish will still have to be updated over time.
Water-repellent paints include:
- Acrylic - characterized by high viscosity, hides small defects, and has shown excellent results on wooden surfaces. Withstands 1500 wash cycles.
- Latex - used in rooms with a high degree of pollution. The coating can be so durable that it can even be rubbed with a brush and cleaned with household chemicals.
- Silicate - products based on silicate glass. They have increased water resistance while remaining vapor permeable. Prevents the formation of mold and mildew. But these paints are not recommended for use on loose, overly porous surfaces.
Tree
The ceiling is often covered with clapboard, especially in rooms decorated in a rustic style. This material is afraid of moisture and is susceptible to rotting, so it is better to limit its use.
To make the wooden ceiling in the bathroom last longer, you need to consider the following points:
- it is important to choose the right type of wood - preferably Finnish spruce, pine, cedar, alder, teak;
- The lining made from the core of the trunk performed better - it cracks less;
- treatment with water-repellent impregnation is required;
- Between the ceiling and the lamellas there should be gaps for ventilation, which will ensure the evaporation of excess moisture and drying of the wood.
Read more: Wooden ceiling in the bathroom
Decorative plasters
Another very popular finishing method, which is valued for the beauty of the relief, or the pattern formed as a result of grouting. But such a surface is difficult to care for.
If you still want to decorate the bathroom ceiling with decorative plaster, then you need to choose acrylic or silicone products that are water-resistant. They contain polymer moisture-resistant additives.
It is recommended to apply hydrophobic paint, varnish or wax on top. And when decorating, give preference to smoother reliefs, for example, Venetian plaster.
Moisture-resistant wallpaper
Sometimes the ceiling in the bathroom is decorated with wallpaper. The main requirement for them is moisture resistance. Vinyl and non-woven wallpaper have this property; glass wallpaper is considered the best option.
It is important to choose the right glue. It must not only match the type of material, but also have water-repellent properties. For wallpaper, waterproof paints and varnishes are used for painting.
Ceiling measurements
Before installation, you should decide how many panels will be needed to completely cover the ceiling during repairs. To do this, it is necessary to carry out calculations based on the sizes of the selected panels.
In repair stores, the length and width of the panel are indicated on the product label. The length and width of the ceiling in the bathroom must be measured with a tape measure, and then multiplied and divided by the area of one panel.
Based on these parameters, the number of required panels is calculated.
- The sizes of PVC panels vary greatly.
- Most often, the length of one panel is 2.6-3 m.
- The width can be 240 mm to 375 mm.
- The thickness, regardless of other parameters, remains around 8-10 mm.
Which panels to choose?
Manufacturers produce panels with visible and hidden seams; glossy and matte; with or without a pattern; dense (wall) and thin (ceiling). Often the panels imitate the texture of wood. In addition, they vary in width.
Which of this variety is suitable for our purposes?
Color
The most universal color is, of course, white. It goes well with ANY color scheme of wallpaper, flooring and furniture and makes the room visually higher.
The use of PVC panels makes it possible to make a ceiling with a frame in a contrasting color or even with alternating panels of different colors.
All other things being equal, glossy panels are preferable. They create the illusion of depth to a greater extent, again making the room visually more voluminous.
Any textured pattern is absolutely inappropriate on the ceiling. If you like stylized wood coverings, it is better to purchase wall panels made from MDF (pressed hardboard). The imitation texture looks much more convincing on them than on plastic.
MDF panels stylized as wood on the walls look great.
Density
Despite the fact that less dense panels are called ceiling panels, we need the densest ones from the entire range. Why? The point is not in reliability, but in the form of panels for light. Both the sun's rays from the window and artificial lighting will inevitably peek through the thin-walled panels. But thick-walled lining does not suffer from this.
The seam
If the ceiling uses built-in lamps or any other foreign inclusions, panels with a dedicated seam can fit into the overall concept. However, for a smooth ceiling, glossy white dense panels with a hidden seam and having a maximum width are most suitable.
This is what will happen as a result. No, contrary to the first impression, the ceiling is not suspended.
Installation of plastic ceiling
In order to make a plastic ceiling for the bathroom with your own hands, you will need a drill/hammer, a screwdriver, a knife, liquid nails and a special drill bit that can be used to make holes for lamps.
You will also need a metal base for the ceiling, to which the PVC panels will be attached.
- When the number of required panels has been calculated, materials have been purchased and a set of tools has been assembled, you can begin installing the ceiling.
- The metal frame is attached to the ceiling at some distance from the surface to leave room for ceiling lights. It is fixed on hangers in increments of 50 cm.
Next, you will need to attach the metal profile to the walls so that you can attach baseboards and panels to them. For this purpose, a profile for installing drywall is suitable.
The first step is to drill holes on the wall. The profile is fixed to the wall with 2.5 x 2.5 cm screws. Before installation, you need to mark the walls, then attach the profile in accordance with the marking lines. To carry out this work you will need a drill, a screwdriver, screws and dowels.
The plastic plinth is attached to the wall using liquid nails or self-tapping screws. It has recesses designed for inserting PVC panels.
Before installing plastic panels, they should be cut in accordance with the ceiling measurements. This is done using a hacksaw, grinder or electric jigsaw. Each panel is inserted in turn into the baseboard and screwed to the profile using self-tapping screws.
To ensure that the last panel fits exactly with all the other parts of the ceiling, you need to measure the distance from the unfinished ceiling to the wall. After this, the panel is cut so that there are no gaps between the ceiling and the wall.
You need to put a plinth on the last panel. To attach it to the wall, use silicone sealant or reliable mounting adhesive.
Using plastic for finishing ceilings
Until recently, square or rectangular panels with deep relief made of polystyrene foam (often used for packaging household appliances) were used to improve ceiling coverings.
The porous surface of these panels had low resistance to contamination in the form of dust, cobwebs, grease and soot, and absorbed and released unpleasant odors such as tobacco smoke into the surrounding area. Washing such cladding did not give any effect, and the front surface was covered with dirty stains that could not be removed. The only way to deal with these troubles was to completely replace the ceiling covering.
Rectangular panels
Therefore, most often, rectangular plastic PVC panels with dimensions of 0.25 x 3 m and a thickness of 7.5...8.0 mm were used for ceiling systems. These panels, produced by extrusion, consist of two flat plates connected to each other by longitudinal stiffeners, the distance between which does not exceed 1 cm.
The longitudinal sides of the panels are equipped with locks in the form of grooves and tenons. They also have a special protruding flap for attaching to the surface to be tiled. When installed, they create a force that attracts adjacent panels, as a result, the seams between them become invisible.
Seams are camouflaged especially well on panels with a glossy work surface, as well as with periodic patterns or ornaments applied to them. The seams between the panels will become even more invisible when they are installed perpendicular to the wall in which the window openings are located.
The placement of the seams along the eye looking at the ceiling visually makes the room longer, and across - wider.
In some cases, the seams are specially made visible, and they serve as one of the elements of a specially designed decor. Plastic PVC panels with visible seams are called eurolining.
Use of rectangular panels reminiscent of wood
Sometimes solid PVC sheets up to 5 mm thick with various colors or printed patterns are used for plastic cladding. These sheets, resembling very hard linoleum, can be rectangular or square in shape.
The seams between such sheets are usually closed using decorative PVC or foam overlays glued on top of them, imitating the wooden elements of rafter beams or trusses of the roofing system.
PVC ceiling panels, unlike wall panels, have less thickness, weight and strength.
The price of ceiling panels can be significantly lower than wall panels. Very rarely, plastic PVC panels are installed using glue. To choose this method, you need a smoothly leveled surface of the base, cleaned of chalk and other stains. The adhesive mastic must ensure reliable adhesion between the planes being glued.
When the ceiling is made of wood, plastic panels can be installed directly on it without the use of frames or guide rails using nails, screws or staple guns. The horizontal level of such a coating is ensured using wooden or cardboard wedges and pads.
Living room with high ceilings
Plastic panels can be combined in color, pattern, and combined with other types of ceiling finishing - plasterboard, decorative plaster, stretch fabric. PVC plastic can be used in the most daring vintage design projects when decorating residential and work spaces. Multi-level ceiling systems of stepped design with elements of straight or complex curved shapes with the installation of lamps of an original shape are increasingly being used.
Plastic panels hide defective areas and unevenness in wooden and concrete floors and various utility lines well . These may be losses and peeling of the old plaster coating, ledges between the lower surfaces of adjacent reinforced concrete slabs.
Utilities may consist of pipes for hot and cold water supply, heating and sewerage. Even higher than the plastic panels, wiring for electrical networks, telephone, Internet, and antenna television cables can be installed.
Access to them for maintenance repairs is easy.
To do this, most often it may be necessary to dismantle one or more plastic panels, the subsequent return to their place seems to be quite simple.
Hides defective areas well
Lighting of rooms with ceilings made of plastic panels can be done using built-in spotlights or other methods agreed with the customer or owner of the room. Sometimes, if the height of the room is suitable, equipment for ventilation and air cooling is installed above the plastic level.
The price of covering ceilings with plastic panels is comparable to the price of covering with plasterboard. Moreover, plastic does not require puttying, sanding, wallpapering or painting after installation.
Ceiling lighting
To connect lighting fixtures to a plastic ceiling you will need wires, electrical tape, a terminal block and a switch. To prevent the possibility of overheating, you should choose lamps with a power of no more than 40 watts. Otherwise, there is a risk of release of toxic substances from polyvinyl chloride.
- Before starting installation work on lighting installation, it is necessary to route the wires on the ceiling.
- After this, you can connect the ceiling lights.
- In order to freely thread the wires into the holes in the ceiling, it is advisable to do this work before the space is occupied by a PVC panel.
- After this, it will be difficult to catch them due to the panels.
- Wires of suitable length must be connected to the box.
- The ends of the wires should be wrapped with electrical tape to provide insulation during installation work.
- The breakdown of one lamp should not interfere with the operation of the others. In this regard, it is better to arrange the wires in parallel.
It is necessary to cut holes in the plastic ceiling from which future lamps will look out. For this work you will need a knife, a jigsaw or a metal drill attachment of the appropriate shape.
To see visual instructions, we recommend watching a video on how to make a plastic ceiling in a bathroom.
More about the benefits of plastic panels
The finishing material is strong, durable, plastic, has good sound insulation, is moisture resistant, does not fade in the sun, and is easy to clean.
Oddly enough, thanks to special additives, it is environmentally friendly, resistant to high temperatures, does not burn and does not emit unpleasant odors. Therefore, you can replace the usual electrical wiring with circuits that allow you to install LEDs, halogen, and spotlights.
Finishing the ceiling with plastic panels makes it possible not to pay attention to the unevenness of the ceiling surface. If pipes or wiring are visible, the panels will reliably disguise them. True, they will eat up to one and a half centimeters of the height of the room.
Photo of plastic ceilings in the bathroom
How to choose a lining?
When choosing plastic, we base it on two criteria: personal preference and quality of the material.
With external characteristics everything is simple:
- For a seamless ceiling, you need to choose the widest panel.
- White, beige, blue, and other light shades that are associated with the interior of the bathroom are considered universal. In any case, the ceiling is done after the walls are finished, so choosing the appropriate color is not difficult.
- If you are installing narrow PVC lining of different colors, it is advisable to limit yourself to two shades. This option is suitable when the bathroom interior contains contrasting colors. The color of the future lining should be found in the design (frieze, floor tiles, plumbing parts).
Photos of products of various colors
The quality of the panels is more difficult. We recommend the following methods for checking material in a store:
- Definition of fragility. Each product has a tenon on one side and a groove with a fastening tab on the other. To determine the fragility of the lining, you need to try to break a thick tenon from the edge. If the material is of poor quality, it will readily break off. Good plastic will bend and slowly return to its shape.
- The PVC panel inside has membranes that act as stiffeners. Low-quality plastic can be distinguished by how clearly these ribs are visible on the front surface.
- The most important thing in seamless lining is the tight fit at the joints. You can check this directly in the store. To do this, you need to connect the two strips and inspect the joint for gaps.
A high-quality panel will save the technician from problems during installation, and the owner will be pleased with its appearance for many years.
