Ceiling decoration in a room or office space is done with different types of materials. When choosing a coating, the appearance and installation features, as well as compliance with the interior, are taken into account.
Preparatory work
If you plan to finish the ceiling in the apartment, the options for the coating used are different, but the surface preparation is carried out according to the same algorithm. Before work, household appliances are taken out of the room - they suffer most from falling coatings from the ceiling. It is not enough to cover the equipment with polyethylene - dust particles and other particles penetrate through it. Since they conduct electricity, appliances can be burned when plugged into an outlet. It is also advisable to take out pieces of furniture. If this is not possible, you should at least cover them with plastic.
Further work is performed in the following sequence:
- The room is completely de-energized, as there is a high risk of damaging the wiring going to the outlets. It is also dangerous if water gets on the included wiring elements. To prevent short circuits and other dangerous incidents, wires and lights in the room are turned off. If a working electrical engineering is required, it is connected in another room and an extension cord is pulled.
- Doors and window frames are closed with polyethylene. To keep it tight, it is fixed with adhesive tape. It is difficult to wash off small particles of colorants and other coatings from surfaces.
- Remove old whitewash and filler. To make this easier, you need to moisten the surface abundantly. Concrete is also removed from the gap between the slabs. You can perform this operation with a punch. After that, the surface is washed with a damp sponge to remove residues of coatings and oil.
- The surface is leveled using beacons made of alabaster or plaster. A solution for the procedure is also made from the latter material.
- When the plane dries out, a primer is applied to it. There are many types of such compositions. Different mixtures are designed for use with a particular type of paint or coating. It is best to apply the primer with a wide roller. At the end of the procedure, you need to wait until the composition is dry. The duration of exposure is indicated on the package (as a rule, it is at least one and a half hours).
Two tools of different sizes are used to putty the surface. With a small spatula, apply the mixture to a large one, with which the surface of the ceiling is treated, holding it at an angle of 30 degrees. When the layer is dry, it can be treated with a fine sandpaper to remove irregularities. If the ceiling is supposed to be painted or whitewashed, before that it is primed again.
Required tools and materials
To equip the ceiling with your own hands in an apartment, you will need to stock up on primer and putty compounds. Before using them, you need to mix them in the amount that is guaranteed to be consumed. Residual mixtures must not be used. You will also need to buy a coloring compound or cladding that sets the design of the ceiling.
From the toolkit, you will need a set of spatulas with different dimensions of working surfaces, a roller and a perforator. Instead of the latter, you can use a hammer and chisel to clean the inter-plate gaps.
Special goggles and a respirator are required to protect the eyes and respiratory tract from construction dust. To climb to the desired height, a stepladder is required. It is not recommended to stand on the table when performing work - it does not have the necessary stability, the master runs the risk of injury.
To disconnect switches and sockets, you need pliers and a screwdriver equipped with a phase meter.
Budget ceiling finishes
When choosing a material, many pay attention to the cost of the coating and the work itself. Budget finishes include common dyes, wallpaper and expanded polystyrene plates.
Whitewash
This is one of the classic ceiling finishes. Since white stretches the room in height, it is suitable for low ceilings. The work process does not imply complex operations, but the surface must be well leveled. Whitewashing is chalky and limestone. In both cases, the main component is diluted with water to the required density. The disadvantage of such a coating is that the whitewash tends to crumble, which is why the room has to be swept more often.
Painting
The composition of the coloring mixtures are very different. Most often, compositions based on acrylic, latex, silicone are used for ceiling coverings. They can be either matte or with a subtle or glossy sheen. You can apply paint with a roller or brush. Some formulations are sold in spray guns and are designed to be sprayed onto surfaces without the use of additional tools. It is supposed to apply the mixture in several layers, while it is necessary to start creating a new one only after the previous one has completely dried.
Wallpaper
One of the most common budget finishes is wallpapering. They are available in a wide range of varieties and textures. In addition to the classic paper ones, glass wallpaper is used for the ceiling, as well as vinyl-based options. It is not a problem to choose an option that is in harmony with the design of the room.
Ceiling slabs
Ceiling cladding with expanded polystyrene tiles is easy to perform and does not require special skills. Products for cladding are flat or with a convex pattern, and are available in different colors. The packaging often provides step-by-step instructions on how to trim the ceiling.
If the tile falls off or is damaged, it is easy to replace it. Products can be washed with a damp sponge - the material tolerates water well.
Direct rays of the sun contribute to the fading of the color of the expanded polystyrene. The main disadvantage of the coating is fire hazard.
Practical and durable options
Materials with a respectable appearance and long service life are used in private and commercial premises.
Decorative plaster
Such compositions create a surface relief and effectively mask its defects. Some types of decorative coatings make the ceiling textured due to the content of marble or quartz chips. Others are designed to form a relief when applied using special tools.
Stretch ceiling
A modern finish that forms a smooth, seamless surface. The design is good in moisture resistance and the ability to use different colors and designs. It also has disadvantages - the high cost of installation work, susceptibility to mechanical stress.
Dropped ceilings
Plasterboard coatings are most often used, as well as rack structures consisting of a frame and panels (plastic or metal). Some harnesses have a perforated surface.
Wood
A wooden ceiling is a great idea for a warm and cozy interior. The material has good sound and heat insulation properties. It must be treated with anti-rot and flame retardant impregnations in order to increase its service life. There are panels and rolls based on bamboo stalks. They are practical in operation, environmentally friendly, easy to assemble.
Cork ceilings
Such finishing materials are available in the form of rolls and tiles. The first option is good with a smaller number of joints, but installation in this case is somewhat more difficult. The products are environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, in terms of performance, they are not inferior to wooden coatings and, at the same time, are fireproof.
Elite ceiling decoration
Such finishing methods require a significant investment. They are rare in city apartments.
Mirrored ceilings
The design visually expands the room and allows you to play with light. Produced most often in the form of tiles and slats. The products are moisture resistant, functional, but their installation is complicated by their large mass.
Coffered ceilings
In the classic version, these beam structures are made of wood, but can be found from less expensive materials. Caissons are the recesses in the system. It is rather difficult to mount such a coating.
Venetian plaster
This is one of the most decorative ceiling finishes. The coating is usually made on an acrylic or silicone base. In finished form, it is similar to marble, with complex shimmering effects.
Sgaffito
The decorative plaster option involves application in several layers. After that, using a complex technology, a pattern is created on the top of the coating.
Options for coloring are good for a wide range of colors, ease of application. The same applies to wallpaper coverings that are suitable for lovers of ornaments. However, most of them are not resistant to water and sunlight. Suspended ceilings are practical, serve for a long time, hide wiring and communications, but make the room lower.
