Types of ceiling tiles and ways of laying

Ceiling tile is a common material that allows you to make the ceiling finish fast and professional. It has several varieties, it can differ in both synthetic and natural composition.

Ceiling tiles - a modern finishing material, which has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Externally, it represents fragments of identical size, by means of which they create a ceiling covering.

The positive qualities of this material a lot, he:

• manufactured on modern equipment with the latest technology, which allows to produce high-quality raw materials;
• differs in variability of composition, due to which there is a choice between synthetic or natural material;
• has a different shape and size, which is convenient for finishing non-standard type of premises, contributes to fast work;
• is an excellent sound insulation, reducing the level of sounds from neighboring apartments;

• regardless of the type of raw material, it warms the surface of the ceiling, which is especially noticeable during the cold season;
• has an optimal size, thanks to which the ceiling is quickly and conveniently finished;
• available for sale, a wide range allows you to buy the desired option without problems;
• it has a different color palette, allowing the buyer to purchase a finish to match the existing wall finish or in contrast to it, filling the space with light;

• has a wide range of drawings and ornaments, which makes it possible to choose in favor of a specific interior style, taking into account room footage;
• depending on the type of material it can be used for pasting the ceiling of different rooms;
• does not need scrupulous alignment of each tubercle or fossa of the ceiling surface, masks minor irregularities;
• is affordable, which is pleasant to the main circle of the buyer, fitting into the budget planned for the purchase, taking into account the cost of marriage.

Such material is a worthy alternative to gypsum and stretch ceilings. At the same time it is much easier to install, does not need to prepare the metal frame. You can paste over the ceiling during the day, not counting the preparation of the surface. Such a finish is durable: it can be enough for more than 10 years, while to upgrade the surface in many varieties, it is enough to use a special paint and a classic foam roller, having passed the ceiling canvas for 2 times.

Therefore, glue consumption will be economical. It is not applied to the surface of the ceiling, even if they are veneered with relatively heavy varieties.However, to keep this material on the ceiling for a long time and firmly, it is necessary to prepare the surface.

With a lot of positive characteristics, the ceiling tile has several disadvantages:

• this material requires accuracy in the work, otherwise the risk of damage to the fragment is not excluded;
• in some species, it sags, not returning to its original form;
• the fragments are not always identical in length and clarity of the joined faces, the tile requires calibration;
• when getting on the surface of the glue, installation is possible (not every composition can be removed without damaging the tile);
• synthetic material is fragile: it must be cut carefully so as not to break off the corners or edges;
• shrinkage is possible when joining a porous tile, the material reacts to the components of the adhesive.

Some varieties due to expensive raw materials are not affordable for an ordinary buyer. Despite the simplicity in work, this lining requires accuracy. It is necessary to carry it out with clean hands, constantly washing off the remnants of glue from them. Therefore, his choice should not be an obstacle to quality work.

The trouble with some varieties is the presence of moisture in the structure.So that in the process of pasting, unsightly cracks do not appear, for 2 - 3 days prior to installation the tile should be placed in a warm and dry room, removing the plastic film from the packaging.

Ceiling tiles include several varieties. It is classified according to the manufacturing principle and type of surface.

According to the principle of manufacture, it is:

• stamped (pressed);
• injection (cast);
• extruded (extrusive).

Stamped tiles are made by pressing polystyrene blocks, compressing the material to a thickness of 0.6–0.8 cm. This type is porous, somewhat loose fragments that are easily contaminated. It is quite fragile, does not have a protective film, does not provide for wet cleaning. The advantage is low cost.

The injection variety has a greater thickness, which is 8 - 14 mm, so its sound insulation properties are quite high. Due to the special production technology, it is stronger than extruded, has no relief differences and provides for a seamless installation technology, in which the full lining looks monolithic, without joints.It can be painted, while the surface will look monolithic. This category is characterized by a clear and deep pattern. It is not afraid of moisture, durable, environmentally friendly and fire-resistant, costs 3 - 4 times more expensive than a stamped counterpart.

Extruded ceiling tiles are made from polystyrene strips made by pressing. It is divided into two categories: with the possibility of painting and a protective film. This is a premium grade of tiles, it costs more than the first two. Differs in hygiene, high density, resistance to accumulation of dust, repels water. It can be wiped with a damp cloth. This material is resistant to deformation: when squeezed, it quickly returns to its original shape.

All sound-absorbing varieties look elegant and are suitable for lamps of different designs (pendant and near-surface type). In this case, you can beat the place of fixation of the chandelier by means of a decorative fragment under the plaster stucco, selecting the blank in the same theme with the pattern of the tile itself.Especially beautiful looks ceiling, coupled with ceiling moldings or molding.

According to the type of surface, the finishing material can be:

• laminated;
• mirror;
• seamless.

Laminated type is characterized by the presence of a special protective film, called "lamination". It protects the colored surface from burnout and loss of brightness, although over time such material may turn yellow. Thanks to the film with a tile you can wash away the dirt.

Seamless tile has no clear boundaries. Often its side edges are figured, when combined, they are inserted one into another, without having a side edge. Thanks to this feature, the type of lining is monolithic. This tile is thermally resistant, it can be painted and wiped with a damp cloth.

The mirror category on the ceiling is nothing more than a design variety. This is a plastic material with a mirror layer applied to the surface. Due to the mirror inserts tile visually beats the lack of usable space, so it is often used in small rooms. It looks expensive and especially, is one of the best materials, having a high appreciation of the masters.

According to the material of manufacture, this tile can be different:

• Woodenmade of oak, mahogany, birch, aspen, linden, has a smooth, structural and carved surface texture;
• Metallic, having a concave, convex, matted, mirror surface (one of the most durable and refractory categories that can withstand temperature extremes);
• Plastic and polystyrene, characterized by a smooth or embossed surface, resistant to any temperature, practical, on a general background resembling plaster moldings.

For example, wooden varieties do not have a lot of weight, and therefore do not create a load on the draft base of the ceiling. To counteract the moisture, they are covered with a layer of varnish. Metal is convenient in a variety of designs and colors, simple in pasting, but can cause difficulties with cleansing, so you have to clean up the contaminants by diluting a special concentrated product. Classical polystyrene category (PVC) of all the most demanding to careful handling.

Standard sizes of ceiling tiles depend on the material of manufacture.

Each category has its own standards, for example:

• wood can be 30 x 30, 50 x 50, 70 x 30, 60 x 20, 60 x 60 cm;
• the dimensions inherent in the metal are 60 x 30, 50 x 50, 70 x 30, 30 x 40, 40 x 40 cm;
• polystyrene foam (solid and perforated) differs by parameters 50 x 50, 60 x 60, 40 x 40, 60 x 30, 70 x 30, 70 x 40 cm.

This is not all possible dimensions. It is worth considering that this material is often made to order. For example, strips of metal tiles can reach up to 2 m in length. The synthetic version can be quite small (less than 30 cm), or quite large (up to 1 m).

The times when only white tiles were on sale are a thing of the past. Today in the building stores you can buy colored materials in a wide range. Among the classic shades are noteworthy white-blue, light pink, delicate milky, cream, sand, coffee, gray and orange tones. No less interesting are mint, lilac, purple, brownish-pink paint. Among the range you can find unusual varieties with a metallic sheen. This group includes golden, silvery, copper, brownish, marsh shades.

This tile does not provide for painting, while porous white is quite well stained with dye with the addition of the usual color scheme.Hue can be obtained any, if necessary, mixing two or three pigments. This allows you to adjust the color of the ceiling to the design idea of ​​the interior of the room, if you want to replace the white color with the color one.

Initially, the classic form of ceiling tiles was square. So it was easier to start work, counting the center of the ceiling, or performing it from the corner. Symmetry contributes to a harmonious aesthetic perception: the ceiling seems smooth and does not warp the walls. Today, besides square tiles, the parameters of which are small, you can find on sale material of rectangular and non-standard shapes. In this case, the side faces may be linear or figured (for example, wave-shaped, concave, convex).

This finishing material is appropriate in a different style. It is not necessary to enter it in creative directions (for example, loft, grunge, bionics, brutalism, retro): so it will risk losing its attractiveness. It has styles close to the classics, in which you can demonstrate the elegance and solemnity of the finishing material.Such a design in the neoclassical style, classicism, Italian style is especially pertinent. The drawing should be symmetrical, geometry and other patterns are welcome.

Looks good color tiles in modern interiors. In this case, the focus is on an unusual appearance or a simulated surface, far from the classical understanding of ceiling tiles. The design can be a 3D drawing, mirror inserts in a large mat, imitation of marble tiles with relief. At the same time, the abundance of the picture may be superfluous: today the texture itself is important. Minimalism is excluded, but modern, high-tech are quite possible. The ceiling tile will successfully fit into the rustic Provence, the direction of country and boho, English and Chinese style with the support of an interesting lamp. At the same time drawing fragments should be low-key.

When buying ceiling tiles, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances:

• buy material that can be washed (the same goes for glue);
• pay attention to the tile, which can be painted with water-based paint;
• choose a variety of medium thickness (thin base defects can be seen);
• if there is a lot of wood in the interior, do not choose a material with identical colors, so you can create a feeling of being in the bath;
• if repairs are done frequently, it is worth making a choice in favor of the polystyrene variety;

• for the modern direction, a metal or plastic material with an unusual shape and seamless technology is needed;
• for classics pay attention to polystyrene foam tiles, it is ideal for this direction and does not look old-fashioned;
• select the material taking into account the details of the furniture: pay attention to the pattern on the tile (where straight lines and strict geometry are needed, butterflies and flowers with shaped leaves are inappropriate);
• make a purchase in a reputable building materials store with a good reputation, this will eliminate the risk of buying a toxic fake.

The work does not need special tools. Everything can be found at hand.

Before the process itself you need to prepare:

• special glue for ceiling tiles;
• ceiling tiles of the desired size;
• markup items (pencil, thread, tape, scissors);
• construction knife and a large ruler for cutting material;
• gloves (for those who are more comfortable);
• rags for hands and remove excess glue;
• a soft sponge and water (for instant removal of glue from the front surface).

In the modern construction market today presents a wide range of adhesive materials for ceiling tiles. Some people like to use mastic, others choose acrylic sealant for sealing. Usually the manufacturer indicates the type of material for which it is intended. In fact, not every advertised material is worth buying: some types of glue are the cause of marriage. This is due to the fact that in contact with certain compositions tile shrinks in places of application of glue.

Even experienced craftsmen disagree, each choosing the type of raw materials with which he used to work. However, if for some the presence of joints is the norm, others do not tolerate the slightest gaps between the glued tiles. Assuming this, over time, a poorly fixed tile may simply fall out of the general web. Consider a few basic types offered to work.

This company offers two types of glue that can be used to install ceiling tiles. The first one is sold in small plastic bottles, it is transparent, it has a slight peculiar smell. Masters claim that they are comfortable enough and do not become limp when water leaks from the neighbors above.

The can glue of the trademark resembles a can putty by its consistency. It has a yellowish color, so it is not suitable for thin and white tiles (stands out with dark spots). When working with a porous material leads to shrinkage: the tile at the joints shrinks within a few minutes after applying the adhesive. Such a composition should not be used for synthetic materials: both the tile and the entire appearance will be damaged.

This glue is sold in tubes and bottles under the construction gun. Its consistency is thick, especially in vials. Externally, the material is a dark beige paste that instantly hardens. It is necessary to work with it optimally quickly: it is not always possible to correct a fragment glued to the ceiling.

It may not be suitable for working with thin white tiles because of the color, but it will glue the heavy and colorful varieties of raw materials tightly. The disadvantage of the material is the problem of installation: it will be difficult to remove such glue if necessary after drying. In the work you need to be extremely careful. Remove 100% liquid nails from the treated surface will not work.

This brand produces canned glue for ceiling tiles of a creamy consistency. Mass differs snow-white shade. It is easy to use and allows adjustment of the tile, if it needs to be moved. In this case, the glue does not eat material. It is convenient in that it can be used as a sealant for the seams, if gaps have appeared during the work (it allows you to seal the seams imperceptibly). It is matte, invisible after painting.

Laying ceiling tiles can be done:

• parallel;
• diagonally;
• staggered;
• around the perimeter.

Each option has its own characteristics. The simplest of these is the parallel method, in which installation starts from the location of the chandelier, taking as a basis 1 fragment in which a hole is cut to attach wires to the chandelier.Before gluing the first fragment, the markup is performed, for which they form a crosshair from the centers of the walls by means of a thread attached to an adhesive tape. This will keep the right direction when sticking the first element.

Before applying the glue to the back side of the tile, they try to put it on, putting the fragment in the right direction to the place of the future position. This will allow you to see how tightly the angle and side face will be. Fitting is necessary, as the tile in most cases is different in size, even if made from one batch. This may be connected with the dense packing of the material, in which the corners along the edges are especially pressed.

A tile in a checkerboard pattern is different in that it is laid with a shift. In this case, the initial stage can begin not only from the center or the location of the chandelier, but also from the angle, which is much simpler. This method is relevant for a beginner.

Installation on a diagonal or gluing with a diamond looks better than the classical techniques, but this installation is much more complicated.It requires at least some experience so that there are no joints in the work. In this case, the marking is performed from the corners of the room. Each corner of the fragment should look strictly in the center of the walls, if the chandelier is located in the center. If it is offset, the markup is adjusted.

The perimeter method is performed along each wall, starting from the corner. In the center, the surface is trimmed with other material: this way you can give the interior a unique character and demonstrate a subtle sense of taste. This technique looks beautiful, especially if it will have support around the perimeter in the form of point diode lamps. However, this method of installation requires taking into account the pattern of the tile: the ornament should repeat the elements of the existing stylistics.

To workflow does not cause difficulties, you should pay attention to a few useful recommendations.

This will allow installation to be done professionally:

• initially it is necessary to calculate the amount of material, which will eliminate the risk of shortage of raw materials (it is worth adding a few spare fragments in case of marriage);
• It is important to prepare the surface by removing the old whitewash, removing greasy and dirty stains, smearing cracks, removing large knobs;
• do not forget about the primer: it is necessary for maximum adhesion of the tile to the ceiling surface;

• if the sticking is carried out for the first time, buy the material for painting, so that after the ceiling fabric dries, immediately paint the finish with a roller;
• do not use pins for fixing: to even out the joints and tiles on the same level, roll the surface with a rubber roller;
• if there is dirt on the surface of the tile initially, and the amount of material is limited, try to clean it.

• if you need to selectively paint the tile pattern, do it after full lining and drying of the tile fabric.

Among the foreign and domestic companies offering for sale ceiling tiles, there are several brands that have a bright consumer rating. For example, the best and safest, according to experts who tested the material for compliance with safety standards, are products from Decomaster, NMC sa, Kindecor. These materials are also popular with customers, who note that this tile is easy to use, looks stylish and beautiful.Other manufacturers, noteworthy, buyers and experts include products from Armstrong, Martin-Plast, Ophelia (Russia), Decoplast. These extruded varieties of ceiling tiles allow you to easily finish the ceiling to match the desired style.

To understand how different types of tiles look in the interior, you can look at the examples presented in the photo gallery:

• tile in the center of the room, edged with baguette and spotlights, looks stylish and expensive;

• a variety of woodgrass, together with a hanging chandelier gives the interior solemnity;

• laminated tiles with carved plinth look harmoniously in a small room;

• the version with gilded decor fits well into the interior with the support of a lamp with gilding;

• embossed material with a glossy texture and an original ornament is successfully assembled with an unusual chandelier;

• This technique allows you to create a visual effect of a multi-level ceiling, the tile is perfectly combined with a hanging chandelier;

• This example demonstrates the 3D capabilities of the material: with the simplicity of the pattern, the tile increases the space.

How to glue the ceiling tiles, see the following video.