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Finishing the ceiling with plastic panels is a budget-friendly and quick cladding option. Do-it-yourself installation of polymer panels with the right choice of materials, tools and knowledge of the nuances of cladding technology is very simple. Unlike the installation of other ceiling coverings, covering the ceiling with plastic panels does not require the help of a partner. Why did polyvinyl chloride become so popular that it began to be used in interior decoration not only to protect ceilings, but also for walls?

Material selection

The history of the appearance of PVC material, capable of replacing expensive ceramic tiles and poorly painted panels, dates back to the 90s of the last century. At that time it was believed that the room, decorated with plastic panels, had the status of “European-quality renovation”. The material has not lost its popularity to this day. The finishing of bathrooms, balconies, loggias, offices and objects with high humidity cannot be done without the use of polymer panels.

The polyvinyl chloride used to produce this material is resistant to moisture and aggressive environments. It does not fade, is easy to clean, can be installed “with your own hands” without any problems, and is aesthetically compatible with other types of finishing.

Originality of PVC ceiling:

Smooth surface without preliminary preparation of the base (besides priming).
Affordable price.
Durable and easy to care for.
Possibility of installing panels yourself, without outside help.
Noise insulation.
An assortment of plastic panels, thanks to which ceilings made of PVC materials are combined with any type of wall decoration.
Waterproof.

When I first came to the store to buy plastic panels, I learned that there is a gradation of the material according to its purpose. It turns out that different types of PVC boards are used for walls and ceilings. The main difference between them is their weight. Plastic ceiling panels are lighter than wall panels because they are not subject to mechanical stress. The finishing of structural elements indoors or outdoors is also one of the factors when choosing PVC material.

Important! When purchasing plastic sheathing for exterior use, you should choose panels with improved technical characteristics. They are protected from exposure to precipitation and ultraviolet radiation.

When choosing a material, you need to visually inspect the planks. They should not have dents, scratches or other defects. PVC panels are a profile structure with stiffeners and voids. If you look at the end of the plank, then in addition to its even cut, you should see identical membranes clearly perpendicular to the edge. These are stiffening ribs; the strength of the material depends on their number and condition.

It is important to check the connection of the panels when purchasing. The quality of finishing walls or ceilings with your own hands depends on the integrity of the front covering. The interlocking connections must form a single piece.

Before sheathing the ceiling with plastic, you need to prepare tools, calculate the number of panels and choose a method for attaching them.

Installation instructions and material calculations

Installation work should begin after the work area has been arranged with the necessary tools and materials available:

Level;
Roulette;
Hacksaw for metal;
Drill, hammer drill, screwdriver;
Self-tapping screws, dowels;
Metal profile or wooden beam;
Suspensions;
Square;
Liquid Nails.
Panels, fillets and wall starting profile.

This is a generalized list for different methods of do-it-yourself plastic ceiling finishing. The first type of installation is a frameless cladding option. The base for mounting is a flat ceiling or chipboard. In both cases, it is necessary to install a wall starting profile on liquid nails around the perimeter of the room and begin attaching PVC panels in the direction from the window. The material is mounted on a concrete base using adhesive mixtures, and on OSB boards using self-tapping screws. Frameless finishing of the ceiling (and walls) is rare and has shortcomings that disappear with the use of the frame method.

Wooden slats or galvanized profiles with hangers can be used as linear elements of the supporting structure under the cladding. When I made the ceiling in the bathroom with my own hands, I installed a metal frame. For rooms where there is no moisture, you can get by with wooden beams. Suspensions for the profile in my case were necessary, since the ceiling decoration included built-in spotlights and ventilation.

After finishing the cladding of the bathroom walls, I glued the UD 27/28 profile around the perimeter of the room with liquid nails, flush with the tiles, which did not reach the level of the floor slab by 12 cm. The surface was previously degreased with acetone.

Based on experience, I recommend using synthetic rubber adhesive material and following the instructions for its use. First, apply the composition to the profile and press it firmly against the tile so that it imprints. Then remove the UD 27/28 and wait about three minutes until the glue dries, then connect the surfaces to be glued.

The SD 60/27 profile is inserted into the mounted UD guides and attached to the floor slab with hangers. The pitch of the transverse metal slats of the LED should not exceed 600 mm, otherwise the plastic ceiling trim will sag. It is imperative to install the LED profile along the walls, which will be the ends for the plastic panel. When the frame is mounted, it’s time for fillets. This is a plastic plinth with a groove for the starting panel. I fastened the fillets with liquid nails, more precisely, Titan glue for mirrors, the same as when installing the UD profile.

I chose the seamless panels from Venta. Dimensions of one PVC element: 250x6000 mm. For the cladding I needed 4 slabs. To calculate the required amount of material: you need to divide the ceiling area by the area of one slab and add 15% for errors and trimmings. Finishing on the frame begins with installation across the installed profiles. The plastic elements are attached to the frame with self-tapping screws.

How to cover a ceiling with plastic panels on a wooden frame with your own hands? It is necessary to prepare 20x40 beams and make holes in them with a diameter of 6 mm, in increments of 50-60 cm. Then attach the prepared wooden elements to the floor slabs along the walls, using a hammer drill and a 6x60 mm dowel-nail. Make a sheathing with a distance between the beams of no more than 50 cm. Using a stapler with 6 mm staples, mount the starting profile around the perimeter of the frame, except for the wall to which the last plastic panel will be attached. This is the wall opposite the window. The last element of the prefabricated structure is mounted on liquid nails, with a starting profile pre-inserted into the panel. The described method of installing a plastic ceiling is suitable for lighting a room with a chandelier. If it is necessary to build in spotlights, then the sheathing should be lowered relative to the ceiling by 12 cm.

Today there are a lot of ceiling finishes.

They can be painted, wallpapered, covered with plasterboard, suspended or suspended ceilings installed, or covered with wood.

In fact, there are a lot of options. One of them is PVC surface finishing.

Moreover, almost every person can sheathe a ceiling with plastic panels - this requires a minimum set of tools and the right hands.

Perhaps this is the most economical and simplest way that you can do it yourself.

Of course, this option is unlikely to be suitable for living rooms; it will all look too cheap. But for a corridor, balcony or bathroom - this is one of the most optimal solutions.

Like any other building material, plastic panels have their pros and cons.

Significant advantages over other types of finishing are the low cost of this material and its simplicity.

And also the fact that installing plastic on the frame makes it easy to hide all surface imperfections.

Main advantages of the technology:

High practicality. PVC panels do not require maintenance. It is enough to wipe them with a damp cloth from time to time, and they will retain their original appearance for a long time.
Moisture resistance. This material is not affected by moisture. And even direct contact with water cannot harm it. That is why PVC panels are often used in bathrooms.
Smooth surface. Covering the ceiling with plastic does not require additional finishing. It does not need to be primed, puttyed or painted. The finished surface has an excellent appearance.
Does not require preliminary leveling of the ceiling surface.
Installed on the frame. Thanks to this, the wiring of utility networks can be easily hidden under the casing. For example, wiring, plumbing. Also, this technology serves as additional sound insulation for the ceiling.
Easy to install. Installing plastic panels with your own hands is not difficult. In a few hours you can sheathe the ceiling, for example, of a bathroom.
Chemical resistance. When washing plastic, you can use any detergent without any problems - it will not harm it.
Ecological cleanliness. PVC panels are a completely safe material and do not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere.

But, unfortunately, there are no ideal construction projects. Plastic panels are not without them either.

Disadvantages of PVC:

Limited service life. Depending on the conditions of use, it can last 10-15 years.
Fragile material. Plastic panels have little resistance to mechanical stress. They are very easy to scratch or dent. Moreover, due to carelessness, this can be done during the installation process
Joints. Some people are not happy with the fact that seams are visible all over the ceiling at the junctions of the panels.
Appearance. Plastic is a fairly cheap material and does not compare in beauty and design with more expensive competitors. Therefore, few people use it for cladding living rooms.
PVC is susceptible to ultraviolet radiation. If exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, the plastic panels will begin to fade.

What types of panels are there?

At the very beginning, you need to purchase plastic panels.

And for this you need to decide on their external appearance.

Today, there are several types of panels on the building materials market, which differ both in shape and design, as well as in technical characteristics.

Firstly, there are wall and ceiling panels.

Their main difference is their smaller thickness and weight. Thinner and lighter panels are intended for the ceiling; on the contrary, they are more rigid.

The length of the ceiling strips can be 6 m and 12 m, and the length of the wall strips can be 3 and 6 meters. The thickness of the wall panels is 10 mm, and the thickness of the ceiling panels is 5-7 mm.

PVC also differs in appearance:

Glossy surface. Such panels are coated with a special varnish.
Matte coating. The cheapest type of plastic is that there is no coating on it.
With an image. The design is applied to plastic panels either by printing or by using a special thermal film.

According to their shape, plastic panels are divided into several types:

Ordinary lining. A long narrow panel, the simplest and most common option. The lining can also be reinforced.
Wide panels. This is a seamless option.
Imitation tiles. The main disadvantage of such panels is that they are installed with glue or liquid nails, which does not allow hiding severe ceiling defects.
Sheet. Panel size 150*80. There is no lock.

According to the method of installation, they are divided into suture and seamless. Seamless panels allow you to get a perfectly flat surface, but they are more difficult to install. Seamless ones are easier to install, and if there are defects at the joints of the planks, they can be hidden with special inserts.

Plastic panels can be plain, have different textures or imitate natural surfaces. Thanks to this, there are never any problems with choosing a design.

For example, if you need to cover the ceiling in a wooden house with plastic panels, you can choose a panel that imitates a pattern.

The right choice of plastic panels

In order for the ceiling to last a long time and not cause problems, you need to carefully approach the process of purchasing it. In fact, there are several points by which you can determine the quality of a panel.

So, firstly, you need to carefully inspect the plastic. The panel should not have any irregularities, roughness or inclusions. There should also be no chips or nicks.

If the plastic has a texture, then it should be clear, without distortions or defects, uniform over the entire plane. If there are white stripes along the edges, this indicates poor quality material.

Also, the panel should have everything in order with its shape. No pinching, waviness or distortion. Those. A high-quality product must have a perfectly flat and smooth surface with uniform application of the pattern.

You can also pay attention to the stiffeners. The stronger and better quality the panel, the more there will be. It makes sense to count the ribs of different planks. It is worth choosing those panels in which there will be more of them. By the way, the strips being compared must be the same.

As for the front part of the panel, it should be dense to the touch, not wrinkled or see through. The joining grooves should be wide and tight, and the panels should be joined to each other without effort.

You can try to bend the bar, thereby checking its elasticity. If the plastic cracks, this is evidence of the extremely disgusting quality of the material.

Another check that it is advisable to do before purchasing is to squeeze the panel with your hands. There will be no marks left on high-quality plastic. If dents appear, then it is better to refrain from buying this.

You can learn about installing plastic panels on the ceiling from the video:

Purchase of materials and preparation of tools

First of all, you need to purchase plastic panels. The choice of colors here is simply huge. Although, for the ceiling, plain, light-colored plastic panels are best suited. In this case, it will be lighter and more spacious.

Of course, you should not buy the cheapest products - the plastic can quickly crumble and also suffer during the installation process.

It is best to buy panels from trusted manufacturers. It also makes sense not to buy the thinnest white plastic - it can be translucent.

In addition to the panels themselves, it is necessary to purchase a fastening strip, a plinth and corners for connecting it according to. Also, it's worth thinking about lighting. To do this, you should purchase recessed lights and wiring.

In addition, you will need fasteners. These are anchors for attaching the frame, screws or staples for plastic, as well as glue or silicone sealant for the baseboard.

It is quite possible that at this stage it is worth purchasing - the room will become warmer and the noise will be reduced.

To make a frame, you can use two options:

Wooden beam treated with antiseptic.
Galvanized metal profile which is used for installation of drywall.

In the second case, it will be more difficult to install the plastic panels and you will need a screwdriver for this. This option will also be more expensive, but also more durable.

Counting the amount of cladding materials

To calculate the number of PVC panels, you need to calculate the area of the ceiling and divide it by the area of the panel itself. This way you will get the required number of planks. To calculate the ceiling plinth, you need to calculate the perimeter of the walls.

To find out the number of profiles or timber for making the sheathing, it is advisable to draw. It must be remembered that the recommended distance between the guides is 50 cm. It is also worth considering that additional reinforcement of the frame is done in the places where the lamps are installed.

It is better to take fasteners for plastic panels with a reserve. It is calculated at the rate of 1 self-tapping screw per half meter. Anchor bolts for fastening the sheathing are installed with the same spacing.

Tools needed for covering the ceiling

For normal operation you will need the following:

Hammer drill, but you can get by with an impact drill
Screwdriver
Construction stapler
Hammer
Water level
Roulette
Hacksaw for PVC or metal
Square
Measuring cord or fishing line
Personal protective equipment: gloves, safety glasses

Ceiling cladding: preparatory work

In order for the final result to be satisfactory and pleasing to the eye, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work. So, how to sheathe the ceiling correctly:

Step #1. It is advisable to clean the floor slab from the old finish and then treat it with an antiseptic. This applies to loose surfaces. If the ceiling of the room is painted, you don’t need to do anything to it.
Step #2. Place the wiring in corrugated tubes and secure them to the floor slab.
Step #3. Determine the lowest angle in the room. To do this, you need to sequentially measure the distances from the ceiling to the floor in the corners of the room. If any corner is too low - for example, too much plaster has been applied - you can go deeper into it so as not to make too much of a retreat from the ceiling.
Step #4. Horizontal markings for attaching the starting bar. To do this, use a water level to place marks on all walls. It is worth considering the required space for installing lamps. Usually the indentation is 4-5 cm, but it may vary.
Step #5. After this, a starting strip for the plastic panels is installed. It is very important to do everything carefully and avoid distortions.
Step #6. Next, guide bars are mounted on the ceiling. To maintain the plane, a fishing line or cord is stretched between the walls, which will serve as a level. To level the wooden beams horizontally, you can use either hangers used for galvanized profiles or wooden shims. The distance between the guide bars should be approximately 500 mm.

Covering the frame with plastic

After installing the frame, you can begin covering it with plastic panels.

Before doing this, you should once again make sure that the mounted sheathing is horizontal.

Because even small deviations of the guides can lead to significant defects.

It is also worth considering that it is undesirable to carry out installation work at a room temperature below 10 degrees.

If the plastic panels were stored at a temperature significantly lower or higher than in the room where they will be mounted, you must first bring them into this room and leave them for at least one day for acclimatization. Then:

Step #1. First you need to cut the plastic panels. To do this, you can use a hacksaw with fine teeth. It is important to take one point into account. The length of the panel should be slightly less than the length of the room and its edges should not touch the walls. This is done to avoid deformation of the plastic due to temperature fluctuations. If the geometry of the walls is incorrect, it makes sense to cut each panel separately.
Step #2. It is necessary to provide places for installing lamps. It is most convenient to drill holes with a drill with a special attachment and do this before attaching the panel to the ceiling.
Step No. 4 Checking the connection of all communications. That is, if, for example, after completely covering the ceiling, it turns out that the electrical wiring prepared for installing the lamps turns out to be incorrectly connected, it will be problematic to correct this.
Step #3. The adjusted panel fits into the guides. The long side must also be completely inserted into the groove. After this, the panel is fixed to the bars.
Step #4. The next panel is inserted into the groove of the previous one and attached to the bars. This process is repeated sequentially until the entire ceiling is completed.
Step #5. The last panel needs to be secured. This most often requires cutting it to width.
Step #6. After fixing all the panels, you need to install the baseboard. Most often, special glue or sealant is used for these purposes. If excess glue comes out from under the baseboard, you can carefully wipe it off with a rag.

This completes the process of covering the ceiling with plastic panels. From the instructions above, you can understand that there is nothing complicated in this matter. The most important thing is to carefully level the walls to avoid distortions.

Caring for plastic panels

Plastic panels are very unpretentious to operating conditions. Due to its composition, this material is resistant to chemicals, so any household detergent can be used to clean plastic.

The antistatic coating of the panel prevents the formation of dust on the ceiling, so it only needs to be washed a few times a year.

It is worth remembering that plastic is afraid of mechanical stress. And even if it is heavily soiled, it is better not to use metal brushes and scrapers to clean it. A soft sponge is perfect for these purposes.

As can be seen from the described sequence of actions, plastic panels are a fairly simple task. And the low cost and high practicality of this material make it a very good choice for ceiling cladding in non-residential rooms.

Dramatic changes in the interior of any room require reconstruction of the ceiling. It can be sheathed with either plastic or other materials. One of the most successful and popular solutions in this case are plastic panels, with which you can sheathe the ceiling surface. Today, the choice of different options is unusually wide; you can find a good solution for any stylistic direction. Another question becomes relevant - how to cover the ceiling with plastic panels? Is it necessary to seek the services of professionals or can you do it yourself? Of course, you can do everything with your own hands, which is what we will talk about today.

Characteristics of PVC ceiling panels

Such panels usually consist of two plates spaced apart by some distance using stiffening ribs. Connecting elements are located on the side, thanks to which the installation of the panels is facilitated, and they themselves are securely and firmly held in the installed position.

PVC sheathing sheets can have different sizes: length varies from 24 to 60 meters, width from 10 to 50 centimeters, and thickness from 5 to 12 millimeters. The panels have different coatings, they differ in appearance and color, and may or may not have a pattern.

The panels are made from environmentally friendly material that does not pose any danger to human health. This type of cladding is easy to care for and you can carry out wet cleaning without fear. The service life is at least 10 years, installation is simple and does not require any special experience in related work. The cost is quite adequate, in addition, PVC sheathing is distinguished by the ability to easily carry out repairs if necessary.

Criteria for choosing plastic ceiling panels

The variety of PVC panels can make the choice difficult, or even make it completely wrong. That is why below are several criteria, guided by which it will be easier to solve the problem. The first thing you should pay attention to is the size. The usual indicators of length, width and thickness must be chosen so that there is as little waste during installation as possible. The issue of price deserves special mention. There is no point in chasing cheapness; the low cost of the panels means their corresponding quality.

Regarding the last aspect, which is of primary importance, it should be said that it is very simple to determine which product is of high quality and will last a long time and which is not. To do this, you need to pay attention to the following points:

appearance - the panels must have the correct geometric shape, a smooth surface and sufficient thickness, at least one and a half millimeters;
tactile sensations - the product must be homogeneous, there should be no distortion when feeling;
strength - stiffeners should not bend under mechanical influence;
joining of panels - the tenons and grooves must completely coincide, the slightest deviations are unacceptable;
resistance to bending - when bending the corner of the mounting strip, no traces of such impact should remain on the surface of the panel.

Calculation of the required amount of materials

Correct calculation of the materials required for filing will allow you to optimize costs during the repair process. First you need to calculate the area of the ceiling and one panel, then divide the first indicator by the second. The result will be the number of panels needed for installation. It is worth considering that it is necessary to make a small reserve, within 15-20 percent, so that later you do not encounter the problem of a shortage of material. To find out how much ceiling cornice and fittings starting profile is required, two lengths and two widths of the ceiling surface are summed up, after which the same 15-20 percent is also added.

On a note: To successfully cover a ceiling with plastic, you need a frame; it is usually made from a wooden beam or a metal profile.

To clarify this aspect, a calculation similar to the starting profile is made, after which the ceiling surface is divided into equal small sections of about 50 centimeters so that you can determine the passing lines on which the guide battens are attached. Thanks to this, you can find out how much timber or profile is required; its length will be equal to the length of the room or its width if a different spatial orientation is chosen for the mounted structure.

Tools needed for ceiling sheathing

The list of tools needed during the installation process consists of the following items:

impact drill (hammer);
construction stapler;
level;
screwdriver;
hammer;
scissors;
roulette;
measuring line;
goggles and gloves to protect hands and eyes.

Ceiling covering, preparatory work

To properly hem the ceiling, you must first prepare appropriately for installation. To do this, the following steps must be performed sequentially:

Surface cleaning and antiseptic treatment.
Removing the wiring into corrugated pipes and securing them to the ceiling.
Finding out which corner of the room is the lowest in height.
Horizontal marking of the starting strip with an indentation of 40-50 millimeters for lamps.
Installation of the starting bar.
Installation of the guide beam in increments of about 50 centimeters.

Completing these simple operations gives every reason to believe that the process of creating the sheathing has been successfully completed.

Installation of plastic panels

The installation procedure does not depend on what the frame will be, metal or wood. The only thing that needs to be noted is that it is easier to screw self-tapping screws into a wooden beam than into a metal profile; on the other hand, the latter is significantly lighter in weight, so the choice is yours.

The sequence of operations performed during the upholstery of the ceiling with PVC panels is approximately as follows:

screwing a U-shaped strip around the perimeter of the ceiling;
installation of a plinth in the strip, which creates gaps for installing panels;
installation of the first panel in the profile or in the gap;
aligning the installed element and screwing it to the profile with self-tapping screws;
installation of the following panels, the tenons of which, falling into the grooves, hide the screw heads.

On those elements where lighting fixtures will later be inserted, corresponding holes are made ahead of time with the passage of the power cable. There is nothing difficult about upholstering the ceiling, however, problems may arise with the installation of the last panel. This is due to the need to get it into the groove of the previous one and at the same time into the gap of the profile or baseboard. It is extremely difficult to calculate everything accurately, so the situation is often solved this way: the panel is fastened to the wall with self-tapping screws, and then they are covered with a plinth.

Caring for plastic panels

Despite the importance of installation work, it should be noted that lining the ceiling with plastic means only half the battle; the panels require appropriate care. A huge advantage of polyvinyl chloride products is their resistance to various types of influences. Thus, since these panels are resistant to chemicals, they can be washed with ordinary cleaning liquids during their maintenance. Due to the special antistatic coating, dust does not accumulate on them, so it is enough to carry out this procedure only a few times a year.

Naturally, there are still certain reservations, for example, resistance to mechanical stress leaves much to be desired, so brushes and scrapers made of metal would be a bad maintenance idea. The ideal option is to use a soft sponge that can easily remove dirt from the panels without causing physical harm to them.

Video on the topic

The plastic surface is suitable for absolutely any ceiling, be it a kitchen, bathroom or balcony. The covering procedure is quite simple, and to understand what needs to be done and in what order, just watch a few videos on the topic of covering the ceiling with plastic. In this article we will try to consider all the nuances of this process.

What material to choose for covering the ceiling with plastic

Plastic lining is similar to wooden lining, but it is a little thinner and is made not of wood, but of a polymer material.

Plastic panels are also made of plastic, but they are 3-4 times wider than the lining. Therefore, their installation takes much less time. In addition, the color range of panels is much wider; manufacturers have taken care and prepared an assortment in which you can find a shade to suit every taste. But plastic lining usually only comes in white.

By sheathing the ceiling with plastic, you can and should save on material. It's very simple. To ensure that there is as little scraps and leftover plastic as possible, first determine in which direction the panels will be placed, measure the width or length of the room and select panels whose width or length will be a multiple of your measurements. For example, if you want to sheathe a room 2.5 meters wide, placing the plates crosswise in a transverse version, then you need to find 5-meter panels and simply cut them in half. You can do the same with the width of the panels by first measuring the length of the room and calculating how many panels will fit on the ceiling.

Preparing consumables for ceiling cladding

To cover the ceiling with plastic, you will need not only the panels themselves, but also some other materials:

Wooden beams or aluminum profiles for the future frame;
All kinds of fastenings - screws, hangers, dowels, etc.;
Ceiling plastic plinth.

Once the materials have been purchased, you can proceed directly to the installation.

Plastic ceiling cladding technology

Installation of supporting frame

Plastic panels must be attached to something. Naturally, you can't just glue them to the ceiling. To install the panels, you must first create a supporting frame that will hold your entire plastic ceiling.

Step-by-step installation instructions:

Covering the frame with plastic

So let's get started.

Continue attaching the plates to each other, thus filling the ceiling space.

Sixth, when you reach the last panel, you will first need to cut it a little in width, and then insert one side in the same way as all the previous ones, and hide the second side behind the previously attached ceiling plinth. It is not necessary to firmly fasten the last element.

We wrote earlier that it is worth making holes for lamps in advance. If you took care of this, then simply install the lamps and your ceiling is ready! We hope that our detailed description of the steps together with photographs will help you figure out how to sheathe a ceiling with plastic.

A beautiful bathroom renovation is expensive. This common statement is refuted when using PVC finishing materials. Moisture-resistant, durable, aesthetically attractive panels have a low price. A process such as covering the ceiling with plastic panels can be done independently, without the involvement of repair specialists.

The panels are made of polyvinyl chloride, have a durable outer layer and internal stiffeners with cavities between them. Due to the presence of voids inside the products, their weight is very small. Stiffening ribs give the panels good resistance to deformation.

Manufacturers offer products in different sizes: length 230-600 cm, width 10-92 cm, thickness 0.5-1 cm. The most common size of panels is 270x25x1 cm. Products can have a matte, glossy or varnished surface.

PVC ceiling panels differ from wall products in being lightweight. This allows you to reduce the weight of the entire suspended ceiling structure. At the same time, they are more fragile. During installation, care must be taken not to damage them. PVC panels are easy to cut and drill.

For installation of panels along the edges of the product, special fasteners are provided. They provide a tongue-and-groove connection, similar to the fastening of eurolining, and allow you to obtain a single sheet with a strong connection.

Types of profiles

For laying plastic panels, special profiles are used, they are also called moldings, of several types:

the starting one is used to seal end cuts. When installing a suspended ceiling, the starting profile is fixed around the perimeter of the room;
The F-profile is used in the same way as the starting profile; it is suitable for finishing adjacent walls with different materials;
external and internal corner profiles are used to combine panels in corners;
H-profile is used to increase the length of the panel;
The G-profile has universal application, suitable for sealing all types of joints;
The ceiling plinth or “fillet” closes the distance between the wall and the ceiling and gives the structure a finished look.

It is better to purchase a profile with a small margin. The choice of colors for the products is small: white, beige, shades of brown “wood-like”.

Types of plastic profiles for ceiling mounting

Using profiles

Features of PVC suspended ceiling

The installation of ceilings made of plastic panels is most often done in rooms with high humidity and operational loads: bathroom, kitchen, toilet. PVC material has good sound insulation properties. Additional thermal or sound insulation can be placed between the profile of the structure frame. Electrical wiring for the built-in lighting elements is also laid there.

Installation of a suspended ceiling made of PVC panels will allow you to hide even the most significant unevenness of the ceiling. In this case, careful preparation of the base is not required. However, after installing a panel ceiling, the height of the room will decrease, so it is not recommended to install such a ceiling in rooms less than 2.5 m high.

Advantages of decorative panels

PVC finishing panels have advantages that ensure the popularity of the material:

aesthetics of products. Many options for panels are produced in various colors, with a matte, varnished or glossy surface. You can choose the most suitable color to match the overall bathroom interior;
hygiene of PVC products. Fungus and mold will not grow in the panels even in conditions of high humidity;
easy care. Can be cleaned with any detergents without abrasives;
durability. The panels retain their original appearance for more than 10 years and do not fade;
quick, easy installation. No special skills are required for finishing work. You can do the installation yourself;
low cost of material. The affordable price allows you to use the panels with a minimum budget for repairs.

The disadvantages of the finishing material include: visible seams between the panels, reducing the height of the bathroom when installing the ceiling. The rigid base of the material does not allow for curved or multi-level structures. When using built-in lamps, you need to purchase thicker plastic panels; thin products can transmit light.

Brick panels

Decorative panels

Material calculation

To calculate materials, you first need to calculate the area of the ceiling of the room by multiplying the length by the width of the bathroom. The area of each PVC panel is indicated on the packaging. For standard products measuring 270x25x1 cm, it is 0.675 m2. By dividing the area of the bathroom ceiling by the area of one panel, we obtain the required number of products. Rounding is done to the nearest whole number. The material is sold both in packages and individually.

The estimated number of panels is multiplied by a factor of 1.15, which provides a supply of material for scraps. The plastic ceiling plinth is 3 meters long. To calculate the required quantity, the perimeter of the bathroom must be divided by 3, the result rounded up to the nearest whole number.

To determine the required amount of metal profile, it is recommended to draw a diagram of the structure’s frame on paper. The calculations take into account the rack profile attached around the perimeter of the bathroom, and the guide elements of the internal grille with a pitch of 60 cm. Fasteners and hangers are purchased with a reserve.

Preparing tools

If the installation is done by yourself without the involvement of professional builders, then the following tools will be required for the work:

level: hydraulic level for large rooms, rack level for small ones;
electric drill for fastening the frame;
screwdriver or screwdriver for mounting panels;
metal scissors, stationery knife, hacksaw;
tape measure, pencil, square.

Tools for installing ceilings made of plastic panels

The safety of the material allows you not to use personal protective equipment. However, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes with non-slip soles to minimize the risk of falling from a stepladder or ladder.

Preparatory work

Before sheathing the ceiling with plastic panels, prepare the base. No preliminary leveling of the surface is required. Only loosely attached parts of old finishing materials on the ceiling are removed.

If the installation of the ceiling is carried out after laying the tiles on the wall, there are 2 options for installing the frame of the suspended structure: on the tiles or above the cladding. Tiles for suspended ceilings are not laid on the entire surface of the wall, but with a margin of 15 cm on top.

When attaching a metal profile to a tile, the tile can be damaged. Therefore, it is safer to install the frame with your own hands above the wall finishing, despite the fact that part of the edge will be hidden, and it will be difficult to install it on a narrow corner. To mount a metal profile flush with the tile, you need to level the surface above it with gypsum-based plaster. To maintain the cleanliness of ceramic tiles and seams, the upper part of the cladding is taped with masking tape.

It is necessary to level the surface to the level of the tiles with plaster

Frame installation

In order to get a flat surface of the suspended ceiling as a result, you need to step back 5 cm from the lowest corner of the bathroom ceiling and make a mark. If you plan to install built-in lamps, then retreat 10 cm. Using a level along the entire perimeter, measure and mark with a pencil the contour for attaching the profile.

Before starting work, you must make sure that there are no wires or junction boxes located in the places where the structure frame will be attached. For this purpose, special detector devices are used or electricians are hired.

Hangers for suspended ceilings

A durable rack profile is used for the base of the frame. It is secured along the marked contour with dowel nails. In the bathroom, it is not recommended to use wooden blocks for the frame of a suspended ceiling due to the high humidity in the room.

Then, you attach the hanging elements to the rack profile with your own hands at a distance of 50-60 cm. Self-tapping screws are used for installation. The horizontal position of the profiles is checked with a level. If curvature of the frame occurs, it will not be possible to eliminate it later.

Ready frame

Design features with built-in lamps

The suspended plastic ceiling must have a height sufficient to accommodate built-in lamps and electrical wiring to them. For guide profiles when installing lamps, as well as in large frames, hangers are additionally used.

Finished ceiling with space for lamps

Fasteners provide the required height of the structure, allow it to be fixed more firmly, and avoid sagging in the middle. The hangers are placed in one row at a distance of 50-60 cm. If the height of the hanging fasteners is not enough, then anchor hangers with clamps are used. Laying electrical cables and installing spotlights is carried out before installing the panels themselves.

Holes in plastic plates for lamps can be made both before and after their installation. In the process, use an electric drill with a crown attachment, a jigsaw, or cut a hole with a knife.

Lamp installed in a hole

A starting profile or ceiling plinth is installed along the perimeter of the suspended ceiling frame. Using a plinth allows you to mask minor deficiencies in DIY installation. When using a starter profile, the last panel will have to be attached with glue. The profile is attached with self-tapping screws to the frame at a distance of 50-60 cm.

Panels can be cut if necessary

Before starting installation, you need to pre-lay out the panels and reduce the size of some elements. The plates are cut with a hacksaw, jigsaw or sharp knife. Their size should be 0.5 cm less than the width of the bathroom. The edges of the panels are sanded with sandpaper to avoid injury during installation. Installation of the first panel must be done across the profiles, strictly horizontally. Subsequent elements will be connected to it.

The first panel is inserted at the end into the starting profile, then it is slightly bent and the opposite end is inserted into the profile. Then the plate is moved tightly to the wall and secured with self-tapping screws to the guide transverse profiles of the frame.

Installation of plastic panels

Subsequent elements are installed in the same way and are connected to the previous elements like a tongue and groove. The last panel is cut to the required width, its length is left 2 mm less than the distance between the profile and the opposite wall. One corner of the product is inserted into the corner of the structure, shifted slightly and the opposite end is inserted. To join, tape is glued to the edge of the plate and moved inside the groove. The remaining gaps can be sealed with sealant.

If the work is carried out in an alternative way and the plastic plates are simply mounted to a metal base, then it is easier to secure the last element. In this case, the ceiling plinth is glued to liquid nails along the perimeter of the structure.

Installation of corner plastic panels with obstacles

By spending a little time and money, you can make a beautiful ceiling from PVC panels for your bathroom yourself. Following simple rules for caring for plastic plates will ensure a long service life.

Photo gallery (22 photos)

Types of plastic profiles for ceiling mounting

Using profiles