How to choose stretch ceilings for the kitchen

Are stretch ceilings for the kitchen? And if so, which is better to choose: matte or glossy, fabric or vinyl? How to choose a material manufacturer and what to look for when ordering? In this article we will answer these and other questions, as well as show a selection of real photos of stretch ceilings in the interior of the kitchen.

Pros and cons of suspended ceilings (common)

So, the stretch ceiling is a fabric or PVC-cloth stretched on a ceiling baguette from a metal profile.

• Vinyl stretch ceiling made of polyvinyl chloride and more like a film. Installation of a stretch ceiling made of PVC is made using a heat gun.

• Stretch fabric ceiling is a thin, but tarpaulin-resistant polyester fabric impregnated with polyurethane. His installation involves stretching the frame without using a gun.

We divided the characteristics of stretch ceilings into pros and cons in the following table.

pros	Minuses
Affordable price (PVC films).
Hold water in case of flooding. Vinyl ceilings can hold up to 100 liters of water per 1 square meter. m. Drain water, as a rule, through the hole for the lamp. After the flood, the vinyl film returns to its original state with a heat gun / powerful hair dryer or by natural drying in a few days. But fabric cloths do not have such an advantage and can only hold water for up to 2 days.	Loss of height of walls. The minimum height loss will be 4 cm. If you need to install fixtures in the stretch ceiling, then its height decreases by 5-7 cm.
It is possible to hide communications and wiring. For example, when installing a stretch ceiling, you can equip the kitchen with spotlights and hang the chandelier right above the table.	The presence of seams on vinyl ceilings (with a large kitchen area). First, the seams, although barely noticeable (their thickness is less than 1 mm), but can be seen under close inspection. Secondly, the seams are a weak point of vinyl ceilings. In case of poor-quality welding or due to excessive tension during installation, the web may break along the seam (this does not happen often).
Installation of stretch ceilings takes 1-4 hours almost without dirt.	The airtightness of PVC ceilings together with high humidity can cause mold. Condensate on pipes, flooding and any leaks will make the hermetic and ceiling-free space a favorable environment for the development of fungus and mold. In addition, because of the stretch ceiling in time to notice and fix the problem will not work. What to do to protect the ceiling from mold, read the second half of the article.
Durability. The service life may be more than 50 years, the warranty period most often is 10-15 years.	Along the perimeter of PVC ceilings a small edging (most often plastic). Ideally, it should be covered with a ceiling plinth.
Always neat lookIdeally smooth surface.	Bad smell the first time. This is often a sin of both fabric and vinyl ceilings.
Variability of design. Stretch ceilings made of PVC can be matte, glossy, satin (with satin sheen). Any photo printing is also possible, a combination with plasterboard level ceilings. Fabric stretch ceilings are usually opaque and are sold in 20 shades to choose from.	Fabric ceiling will not save from flooding, but it is much stronger than PVC film. Theoretically, the vinyl canvas can be damaged by a sharp object (for example, a spatula when sticking wallpaper) or a champagne cork ejected. Sometimes damage to the PVC film is due to poor quality material or improper installation. Local repair of stretch ceilings (both fabric and vinyl) is possible only in some cases.
Easy care. Vinyl ceilings need to be washed every 1-2 months with soapy water, microfiber cloths and mops. Fabric ceilings should be cleaned only by the dry method (wet method in extreme cases), some dirt can be easily removed with a damp cloth without any stains.
Fire safety. Stretch ceilings do not sustain combustion, they are curled into flames and melt without emitting toxic fumes.
No need to level the ceiling. It saves a lot of time and effort.
Stretch ceilings are resistant temperature extremes, high humidity.

In this photo you can see the edging around the perimeter of the stretch ceiling and how the film bypasses the pipes (a plastic decorative cap is installed around the pipes).

This is what a stretch ceiling looks like when flooded.

Which stretch ceiling is better to choose for the kitchen - fabric or PVC?

Definitely answer the question which stretch ceiling is better - fabric or PVC film - is difficult. The choice rests on the personal preferences of the buyer, the budget and the source data of the room. We have already indicated some differences in fabric and vinyl ceilings in the table above. Now consider them in more detail.

• The main advantage of fabric ceilings consists in the fact that they breathe, and therefore do not allow the formation of dampness and mold in the ceiling space. The second important plus is the seamlessness of large canvases.

There are other advantages to fabric ceilings: They are 15 times stronger, easier to clean (they do not attract dust), are compatible with all lamps, provide better heat and sound insulation, are faster to install and tolerate cold (fabric ceilings can be installed on cottages, summer kitchens).

• The main disadvantage of fabric ceilings - permeability. But there is good news. Polyester fabric due to impregnation with polyurethane retains water resistance for two days. After this time, the polyurethane dissolves, and the water begins to flow. It turns out that there are 2 days to save the fabric stretch ceiling from flooding. Agree, this is better than nothing. True, the protective impregnation after prolonged contact with water will not recover, and the canvas is likely to require painting.

Another unpleasant feature: for 2-3 years of operation, due to poor installation, the fabric may sit down and then fall out of the baguette or bend the baguette away from the wall, creating a gap between them. The third drawback of fabric canvases - a higher price for 1 square. m (200-250 rubles more than the cost of PVC). And finally, the fourth argument "against": fabric ceilings are sold only in 20 shades and only with a matte finish.

• Whereas PVC ceilings can be matte, glossy, satin, with the effect of mother of pearl, metallic or starry sky. The choice of colors is also varied and even photo printing on PVC film lays brighter.

So, with the advantages of PVC ceilings is clear: water resistant, design variability, low price. And here are a few drawbacks of PVC ceilingswhich we did not mention in the table:

• Due to its severity, the vinyl sheet can give a slight sagging after installation (about 1–2 cm).
• PVC ceiling is not compatible with all lamps and lamps. The power of halogen lamps should be no more than 35 W, incandescent lamps - 60 W. If the light of the chandelier is directed upwards, then its lamps should be at a distance of at least 40–50 cm from the surface of the stretch ceiling. If these rules are neglected, yellow spots or folds may appear near the lamps.

Fabric the canvas is preferable in case the ceiling in the kitchen in the past has already been affected by mold. We also recommend this type of ceiling for large kitchens and kitchen-living roomwhen you want to avoid the presence of seams. PVC ceilings are good with a limited budget, in case the kitchen is not too big and it is often flooded by neighbors, and also if you want to realize an unusual design idea.

Which stretch ceiling is better - matte or glossy?

If you just can not decide which stretch ceiling to choose for the kitchen - matte or glossy, then we recommend to opt for the most win-win version - matte canvas. Here are a few arguments "FOR" them:

• Opaque ceilings practically do not differ from ideally smooth plaster. Such a finish looks noble and does not over-attract attention to itself.

• Opaque ceilings are universal, suitable for any interiors. Whereas glossy ceilings fit only in the ultra-modern kitchen.

• If a small kitchen and lowthen the glossy ceiling is contraindicated. The fact is that the glare and reflections of objects on the canvas divide the space, create a feeling of excessive variegation and confusion. As a result, a small kitchen with a glossy ceiling seems even smaller and more cluttered.

• If you really like the shiny finish of the ceiling, we advise you to pay attention to the satin canvas. They have a light shine, reflect the light pleasantly and can bring a feeling of lightness to the interior of the mini-kitchen.

• Matte stretch ceilings are cheaper than glossy and satin by 10-15%.
• On dull PVC ceilings, seams are less noticeable (if any).
• Glossy ceilings in the kitchen are somewhat more difficult to clean than matte ones. They are more visible stains, grease and dust.

Of course, glossy ceilings also deserve attention, but you need to choose them carefully. Below are a few photos of glossy ceilings in the interior.

5 main tips on choosing and installing stretch ceilings for the kitchen

1. For the prevention of mold, it is better to purchase a stretch ceiling with built-in ventilation grilles with a diameter of 58 mm.

Also before installation of a cloth it is necessary to process the basis with an anti-fungal primer or other anti-fungal agents on the basis of chlorine or lime.

2. It is desirable that the terms of the guarantee contract included free maintenance of the stretch ceiling during flooding. Otherwise, this service will cost from 4000 rubles.
3. Choosing a stretch ceiling for the kitchen, specify its fire safety class. You should not buy material with a class above KM-4 and without refractory impregnation. The lower the class, the more difficult the PVC ceiling is to ignite, supports combustion worse, produces less smoke and does not emit toxic substances in the event of a fire.
4. Before installing stretch ceilings, think carefully about the layout of the fixtures, especially if you want to save. After all, the more lighting devices, the more expensive the installation service will be and the longer it will take (1 light = about 20 minutes of additional work).
5. General advice: it is necessary to order a stretch ceiling only in companies with an excellent reputation. And, of course, it is important to choose a canvas of a famous brand. Here is a list of the most popular manufacturers:

• Pongs (Germany). The brand produces fabric ceilings under the brand name «Descor», as well as vinyl ceilings.
• Clipso (France). The manufacturer manufactures fabric ceilings with the highest class of fire safety (KM-1).
• Cerutti ST. The peculiarity of fabric ceilings of this brand is complete water resistance due to the double layer of varnish and protective impregnation.
• Renolit (Germany). Produces high-strength vinyl sheets with a thickness of 0.2–0.3 mm. This film can withstand up to 150 liters of water per 1 square. meter instead of the standard 100 liters.
• Polyplast Trading & Manufacturing Company, PTMC (Belgium). The company offers the largest selection of shades and textures of stretch ceilings, as well as canvases with 3D photo printing.
• MSD (China). Cheap vinyl ceilings of good quality.

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See also:

• Ceiling in the kitchen - 7 ways to design
• How to wash the stretch ceiling without stains in 5 steps
• Rack ceiling in the kitchen - features of choice and installation
• Plastic panels on the ceiling of the kitchen - profitable and practical
• Plasterboard ceilings in the kitchen - from design to installation
• How to repair the ceiling in the kitchen with their own hands