Is it possible to install a suspended ceiling in the kitchen?
Stretch ceilings are one of the simplest and most convenient ways to decorate a kitchen. But the requirements for its finishing and design are the highest. There is often a debate among ordinary people as to whether it is even possible to use suspended ceilings in a kitchen with a gas stove. It is worth going through the main misconceptions about the use of suspended ceilings in such a room.
The kitchen is the most dangerous room in the house in terms of everyday life, therefore there are special requirements for it
1. Film coatings are very thin, they can easily tear, even from an ordinary champagne cork.
This common belief can discourage not only the installation of such coverings in kitchens, but also in living rooms. In fact, PVC film ceilings are very dense and durable. They can only be damaged by sharp and cutting objects, just like any other canvas. After all, even plasterboard and putty ceilings can be easily scratched by such objects.
2.If a stove and oven are operating in the room, temperature changes may cause the coating to sag or become deformed.
The problem is that when installing the ceiling, they use a hair dryer, heating the coating to 70 degrees. It is at this temperature that the film becomes elastic and easy to stretch. If the temperature is below this indicator, the canvas decreases, forming a flat, monochromatic plane. Which is a very important characteristic.
Of course, the temperature in the kitchen cannot be higher than 70 degrees, unless a blast furnace, gas or electric oven is used. And hot air most often accumulates only near burning burners.
3.PVC film is flammable
In fact, the canvas belongs to class M1 for fire safety, which means that it is not capable of igniting itself and maintaining combustion. In order for it to smolder, you need to bring the fire to the canvas itself.
4.The canvas will easily become smoked and lose its richness of color.
The comfort of a stretch ceiling in a kitchen with a gas stove is that it is very easy to care for: just wipe with a dry flannel cloth or, in case of heavy contamination, with an alcohol-containing solution, and the surface will return to its original appearance. In extreme cases, if the coating has faded or dulled, you can wipe it with a 10% ammonia solution, which will restore the shine again.
If the surface is very dirty, you can purchase a special polish for stretch ceilings at a hardware store.
5. Due to condensation, fungus may form in the kitchen, because the main ceiling practically does not breathe.
Oddly enough, such problems are not at all typical of stretch ceilings; condensation is not able to form on the coating, unlike whitewashed ceilings. If mold can appear, it will only appear on the wall. But to solve this problem, you just need to ventilate the room well.
By the way, ceiling breathing is not the main function at all. Its purpose is to insulate the room. Another amazing ability that should definitely be mentioned is moisture resistance. In case of flooding, the film will perfectly protect furniture, appliances and other interior items from moisture.
Therefore, we can say that a suspended ceiling in a kitchen with a gas stove or water heater is not only possible, but necessary.
Damage to suspended ceilings tends to grow quickly and even unexpectedly, so they must be urgently localized and corrected
To summarize, we can separately emphasize:
- environmental friendliness of PVC film;
- fire safety;
- durability;
- maintaining an attractive appearance.
Kitchen with gas stove
How possible is it to install a stretch ceiling if there is a slab? There are no restrictions, you just need to choose and install the suspended ceiling correctly. There are requirements for film coverings installed in the kitchen.
If a speaker is installed in the room, then the coating should be treated with care. Since this is a room where there is high humidity and temperature, it is worth choosing moisture-resistant raw materials so that they are washed off from grease and soot. There is such a material - it is PVC film. In addition to all the positive properties, it is also durable. This coating can be used for 30 years. It is good to put washable wallpaper on the walls.
Moisture-resistant stretch ceilings
Stretch PVC ceiling
This is the most common type of suspended ceilings used in the kitchen. The average ceiling width is 1-5 m . There are seamless and with a seam, matte and glossy, different colors and textures. Its advantage is that this coating is waterproof. For the kitchen this is quite important, since the room contains water communications. Such PVC stretch ceilings are easy to clean . Odors do not accumulate in the room, condensation does not collect, dust and soot from gas stoves can be easily removed with a damp cloth.
Among the main advantages of PVC stretch ceilings, the following should be mentioned:
- durability;
- moisture resistance;
- the presence of a variety of colors and textures;
- affordable price.
Among the main disadvantages is usually the lack of breathability , which can be harmful to health.
Stretch ceilings during installation should not block kitchen ventilation shafts
Information about PVC film
The choice of film surface should be balanced and thoughtful. It is important to know that films are produced in rolls that are up to 2.5 meters wide. This does not allow the installation of canvases without seams in large rooms. But their tightness is high, so you don’t have to worry about the strength of the seam.
The room must have ventilation grilles, and special fans must be installed in the ceiling itself to ensure the necessary air exchange. Before installation, the base surface should be treated with special antifungal agents.
Problems associated with PVC films are easily solved. To use this material over a large area, it is not necessary to have a seamless fabric; in this case, a multi-level design with a two-color coating is used. In order not to damage the ceiling when installing lighting fixtures, it is better not to do this work yourself, but to entrust it to a professional.
Installed lamps
Fabric stretch ceiling
The basis of such ceiling coverings is fabric. It is thanks to this that they have a satisfactory level of breathability . Those who are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle and pay attention to the environmental friendliness of the material should pay attention to this.
They copy the pattern of a regular ceiling in full, so you can confidently use a coating with a pattern and photo printing. Unfortunately, such suspended ceilings have a significant drawback: they are difficult to clean , because in a kitchen with a gas stove this is one of the most important factors. Therefore, they are rarely installed in premises of this kind.
So, the main advantages of such ceilings:
- durability;
- environmental friendliness;
- breathability.
There are several more disadvantages compared to PVC film:
- difficulties in care;
- high price;
- limited invoices.
Choosing suspended ceilings for kitchen decoration
Having decided to use suspended ceilings in a kitchen with gas equipment, you need to decide on their type, color palette and decor option. Depending on the material, the following canvases are distinguished:
- Film. They are made from PVC film and can have a matte or glossy surface, as well as a satin-like texture. Stretch ceilings of this type are resistant to moisture and high temperatures, affordable and easy to maintain. They do not absorb odors and do not emit toxic substances, but can be damaged by sharp objects.
- Fabric. To produce the material, polyester is impregnated with polyurethane, resulting in a surface with a matte texture reminiscent of plaster. Fabric ceilings are stronger and more resistant to mechanical deformation. They are breathable and can withstand low temperatures. Fabric sheets have good sound-proofing and heat-insulating properties, but are more labor-intensive to maintain and cost significantly more.
When choosing suspended ceilings for the kitchen, in addition to cost, the design features of the room are taken into account. To decorate small kitchen spaces, canvases with a glossy surface are used, which create the effect of visually enlarging the space and making it lighter. In spacious rooms you can install matte or satin ceilings, while fabric ones look organic in combination with a luxurious interior. The color scheme of stretch fabrics and decorative finishes must match the design concept of the room.
Advice! In addition to glossy ceilings, satin and matte canvases in light shades help to visually enlarge the space.
Gas stoves and options for their placement
In a room such as a kitchen, it is necessary to use suspended ceilings that have a high degree of safety. After all, by cooking food over fire, we stimulate heat release. Therefore, the area where the gas stove is located should be given maximum attention when finishing. And stretch ceilings can handle this.
In any case, no matter how attractive the coating may be, the main factor is still safety.
You can watch the video about recommendations for choosing a stretch ceiling for a small kitchen with a gas stove:
Advantages of PVC coatings
A suspended ceiling in a kitchen with a gas stove can be done in any case. The distance from the slab to the ceiling covering is quite sufficient to guarantee the safe operation of the PVC film. If you still have doubts, you can install a hood above the stove, which will not only prevent the ceiling from heating up, but will also effectively remove soot and grease formed during the cooking process from the room. Thanks to such measures, you will not have to frequently wash the ceiling from grease deposits.
PVC coverings in the kitchen have many advantages:
- The increased moisture resistance of the material allows it to be used in places with high humidity.
- The coating can be washed using regular detergents.
- A large selection of surface textures and material colors guarantees you an easy choice of product to match the color of the existing interior of the room.
- Quick installation, which takes place without removing furniture and a large amount of garbage, is a huge plus in favor of these products.
- The price for PVC ceilings is quite reasonable. And the cost of a white matte finish is minimal.
- You can order such ceilings even for a small kitchen. Using light varnish products, you will visually improve the dimensions of the room.
- You can lay utility lines behind the surface of the polyvinyl chloride film and hide the shortcomings of the concrete ceiling.
- Mushrooms and mold cannot grow on PVC film.
- The durability of the material will allow such a ceiling to be used for 30 years.
- The coating does not emit harmful substances when burning, does not attract dust, and does not absorb odors.
- Photo printing can be done on film.
Bypassing heating and gas pipes on fabric stretch ceilings
This material has high mechanical strength and practically does not deform under temperature influences. Therefore, plastic protection is not needed for fabric ceilings, and a different pipe bypass technology is used here.
In particular, the material is tucked into the mounting profile. In areas where the ceiling adjoins utility lines, tensioning is performed in such a way as to prevent the appearance of wrinkles.
After this, a long cut is made from the wall to the pipe and several small ones are made around the perimeter of the communications. The fabric is tucked into the profile so that the edges close behind the pipe. The remaining material is tucked inside, and a decorative overlay is mounted on top to cover the cuts made.
Pipe bypass with external lining
Another way to bypass the pipe
For the next method, you first need to mark the location of the outline with a marker, and then glue a special plastic element onto it. It contains a ring and a cutting line designed to fit around the pipe. After the glue has dried on the element, an incision is made along the line into which the communication is inserted. The ends of the harpoon must be glued together using a piece of plastic. When the film is stretched, the harpoon can be tucked into the baguette.
If utility lines run next to the wall, and the tension covering is light in color, then bypassing the pipe can be done using a plastic ring of a similar color. In this case, this element can be placed on the front side of the canvas. For dark or variegated coatings, the bypass must be done from the inside.
The main purpose of the lining is to protect the ceiling from possible ruptures, therefore this product must be selected especially carefully. So the thickness of the ring should be no more than 2 mm, and the internal diameter should be 1-2 mm wider than this pipe parameter. If it is necessary to bypass two closely spaced pipes, it is recommended to make plastic elements yourself and, if possible, combine the functions of the two in one lining.
Such work seems simple at first glance, but if errors occur, sometimes correction will cost more than hiring specialists who provide a time guarantee on the quality of the work.
Types of suspended ceilings - nuances of choice
If we do not touch upon the issues of installation and fastening, then there are two types of materials: fabric and PVC film.
All of the above arguments in favor of whether it is worth installing a suspended ceiling in the kitchen referred specifically to the second option, as it is more “capricious.” And the fabric tolerates operating conditions in the kitchen well, almost without any conditions.
Which is better is not a completely correct question. Both types have common advantages:
- “clean” installation, the dustiest work is attaching profiles to the walls (or ceiling);
- antistatic properties - do not attract dust and are easy to clean;
- hide all floor defects;
- It is possible to install sound insulation and lay utility networks (wires, cables, air ducts).
But besides operating temperatures, they also have differences. Which determine how to choose the best one for specific conditions.
Fabric ceiling
Unlike film, fabric is made from threads, but the weaving is similar to knitwear, making it elastic and stretches well when installed without heating. Because of this feature, this type of stretch ceiling is called “cold”.
The material is based on polyester threads, and the fabric is then impregnated with a protective composition based on polyurethane. Polymer fabric is by definition stronger than film, but besides this advantage, it is not afraid of low temperatures. Therefore, such ceilings can be installed in unheated rooms - for example, in the kitchens of country houses with seasonal residence.
The fabric fabric is also more resistant to high temperatures. And a temperature of 60-70°C is not critical for them.
Another advantage is vapor permeability. Fine knitted weave is akin to a membrane that does not allow water to pass through, but allows moist air to circulate freely.
Thanks to this property, the space between the main and fabric ceiling is well ventilated, and conditions for the appearance of fungus and mold are not created.
The disadvantages (in comparison with PVC canvas) include a “sparse” range of colors, only a matte gloss level and high cost. Although each point has a downside:
- a limited palette can be compensated for by coloring or large-format printing;
- a matte ceiling in light pastel shades suits most design styles better;
- the longer service life justifies the high cost.
PVC ceiling
Vinyl film is not as durable as polyester fabric, but it is quite capable of supporting the weight of several buckets of water. This property is important for the kitchen, since leaks from neighbors above are not uncommon here. And if you notice it in time, you can manage to turn off the water and save furniture and appliances, as well as flooring (if it is parquet or laminate) from flooding. And provided that the water was cold, the PVC sheet can be washed, dried, and reinstalled. That is, reduce the cost of kitchen renovations.
In addition to limiting the upper operating temperature, vinyl film has a recommended lower limit of +10°C. With negative values, due to a decrease in linear dimensions and loss of elasticity, the tension force leads to rupture of the ceiling covering. Therefore, the scope of application is only heated rooms throughout the cold season.
PVC ceilings in the kitchen
PVC is good because it costs much less than fabric and is much easier to wash. But it also has disadvantages: it is always shiny, which not everyone likes.
But, if you are satisfied with the reflection and smooth, reflective surface, it is impossible to detect other flaws in it, even if you want to.
Ceilings made of polyvinyl chloride perfectly retain moisture during a flood, which will allow you to maintain repairs in such unpleasant cases. A stretch ceiling, like a bag, absorbs water, which then just needs to be drained by turning to professionals.
True, you need to take into account this fact: if you have a lot of spotlights in the ceiling, then liquid will seep through them. With pressure, it will simply push them out of the holes, and the water will pour onto the floor.
PVC ceilings do not absorb moisture and odors, which are always abundant in the kitchen. Overall, this is a good option, no doubt.
The only negative is that they cannot be installed independently, since the installation technology involves heating the panel to high temperatures, due to which it is compressed and stretched according to the shape specified by the profiles.
Also, one cannot fail to mention that for small kitchens, a glossy finish is what is needed. Even the smallest kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building will look much larger and higher if it is reflected in a mirror-shiny ceiling.
On the other hand, a glossy finish can do a bad job. If you have spot lighting in the ceiling, then the gloss reflects the light too much, making it simply impossible to look at the ceiling. So, it is better not to combine a glossy finish and spotlights.
There is also such a thing about PVC ceilings: for some time after installation they smell unpleasantly, like chemicals. But the smell disappears quite quickly, literally within a week, or even less.
But what do those who have already installed suspended ceilings in their kitchen say online? No matter what we say or how we structure the information, live feedback from the forum always sounds more convincing.
