Chandeliers for stretch ceilings. What are the chandeliers for stretch ceilings - types and mounting options
Aesthetic, attractive in appearance and practical stretch fabrics are considered the best way to finish the ceiling. But when it comes to designing a lighting system for them, there are problems associated with the characteristics of the materials used in the manufacturing process of tension structures.
You do not know how to choose the best lamps for stretch ceilings And which ones are safe to use?
We will help you understand this issue - within the framework of this article, we will find out what must be taken into account when choosing devices, we will consider suitable types of lamps, and we will identify reliable and proven manufacturers of lighting equipment.
In the assortment of well-known lighting brands, there are many different options for lighting ceiling fixtures. However, not every of the proposed models of luminaires can be attached to tension structures.
The thing is that their surface consists of PVC film, fiberglass or fabric materials that do not tolerate heating above 60 ° C.
If you buy the first fixture and type of light bulbs in the store without paying attention to the characteristics of the devices, there is a big risk that they will burn the canvas over time.
As a result, the material will deform, sag, acquire an ugly yellow tint, and begin to exude unpleasant odors when the light is on.
The fabric will be slightly more resistant to temperature effects, but the vinyl or glossy surface of the film can quickly crack, lose its shape and primary elasticity.
That is why luminaires installed in a stretch ceiling should be low-power, emit a minimum amount of heat.
It is desirable that the supporting body of the devices be made of safe thermal raw materials, which prevent the spread of heat coming from the filament to the ceiling.
Preferred types of lighting fixtures
It is necessary to discuss the most suitable types of lighting even at the stage of installing a ceiling covering or developing a design project for a room.
The main restrictions concern:
- power;
- bulkiness;
- equipment mounting type.
These characteristics must be compared with the specifics of the design and type of ceiling finish.
Optimal types of light bulbs
Each type of lamp corresponds to a certain type of light bulb. For example, in LED models, an incandescent lamp is unacceptable. This nuance is important to consider when choosing products.
In general, any light source is suitable for tension structures, but with a few clarifications:
- it is better to give preference to frosted light bulbs;
- do not use incandescent lamps;
- together with halogen light sources, additional installation is required;
- permissible power of incandescent lamps - no more than 45-60 W, halogen lamps - up to 35 W.
Incandescent lamps put in suspended chandeliers fixed at a distance of at least 0.4 m from the film ceiling. They emit standard diffusing light, but are the most uneconomical option among the rest.
Halogen lamps more economical and durable. These devices are characterized by good color reproduction, provide intense bright light in the room, but are very limited in color gamut.
LED bulbs- the most optimal, environmentally friendly and cost-effective option. They almost do not heat up during operation, therefore they are the best view light source for stretch ceiling surfaces.
For the bedroom, appliances with frosted diffuser glass are considered the best choice. In hallways and corridors of an elongated shape, it is recommended to install point-type lighting devices around the entire perimeter.
It is not necessary to stop at one type of lighting equipment for the room. It is worth trying to combine different solutions with each other.
For example, install a classic chandelier and complement it with spotlights. This will allow you to create original light compositions, emphasize individual details in the interior, divide the room into zones, and avoid shaded corners.
The photo gallery presents spectacular lighting design options in rooms with stretch ceilings:
Image Gallery
It is difficult to say unequivocally which model of the device will be better - this is a matter of aesthetic taste of the apartment owner or designer.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Overview of the main types of fixtures for stretch fabrics:
Properly selected lamps will not harm the characteristics of the stretch fabric, provide comfortable and uniform illumination of the space. It is enough to plan in advance the layout of the devices and observe ground rules selection and installation, guided by the recommendations.
Share with readers your experience with ceiling lights. Tell us which model you preferred, and whether you were satisfied with the purchase. Please leave comments on the article, ask questions and participate in discussions. The contact form is located below.
An important part of any ceiling design is lighting. This is especially true for stretch ceilings, which, due to their properties, are far from being combined with all lighting fixtures. If you want to choose a good chandelier for stretch ceilings, the photos on the store websites will not help you much. It is necessary to take into account all the nuances and think about how the new lamp will fit into the interior.
Basic rules for choosing a chandelier
Lighting a stretch ceiling is not such a simple process as it seems at first glance. The features of such coatings require double responsibility for the choice of chandeliers.
The main difficulty that you will have to face is the choice of a chandelier that will not heat the ceiling. Due to the properties of the material that serves as the basis of the canvas, it is absolutely impossible to expose it to high temperatures.
However, there is a way out - just Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs. If you don’t like their coldish tone, you will have to think a little about the choice.
If you do not want to spoil the ceiling, you will have to take into account the following recommendations:
We select a chandelier for the hall
The living room, otherwise called the hall, is the center of any house or apartment. It is there that the whole family gathers in the evenings, celebrate holidays or just relax. Therefore, everyone wants his living room to be bright and cozy.
If you have chosen a stretch coating for the ceiling in the living room, you need to be especially careful when choosing a chandelier. For your safety, please remember the above recommendations. However, aesthetic qualities are equally important, so let's focus on them.
First of all, it must be taken into account that the chandelier should be combined with the rest of the interior- otherwise, even the most beautiful ceiling will lose its charm and destroy the atmosphere in the room.
For example, vintage chandeliers with twisted details and crystal can look spectacular in a room decorated in a classic style. But in a high-tech interior, they will be inappropriate and simply ridiculous.
With a matte finish, everything is quite simple. You should choose a chandelier that matches the design of the room and does not heat up the ceiling.
Chandeliers of a contrasting color look very impressive on such ceilings: for example, black metallic on beige or bronze on a white ceiling.
If you like flat shades, consider additional lighting. For a large room, it is difficult to find a beautiful small chandelier of this type. But in combination with several spotlights, it will look spectacular and provide excellent lighting.
Another effective trick: The use of LED strips around the perimeter of the room. Thus, you will not only visually raise the ceiling, but also give the room additional volume and light.
Many people like beautiful chandeliers with lots of hanging elements. However, if you want to use them with a false ceiling, you need to consider the height of the room.
Stretch ceilings usually require up to fifteen centimeters of free space, even with single-level planning. If you want to add to this the height of the chandelier, you need to figure out if it will fit into the interior. Very often in low rooms, such lamps look bulky and out of place.
Better for a small living room stop at a small version with a small number of decorative elements. In this case, the ceiling will look neat and elegant.
The situation is more complicated with glossy ceilings. The point is not only that such a surface has good reflective properties, which complicates the selection of a chandelier.
Looking impressive and bright in itself, the glossy ceiling requires appropriate lighting.
Be sure to keep in mind that the light will glare on the ceiling, and the chandelier itself will be reflected in it.
Curly flat chandeliers of an unusual shape will look spectacular with a glossy ceiling. They will create an unusual play of light and shadow on the coating, provide good color and original reflection.
Suitable and volumetric chandeliers with small LED lamps- thanks to the cold shade, the effect of the original flickering will appear.
If you want a chandelier with horns, be sure to figure out how it will look in reflection - perhaps the image will spoil the whole impression of the renovation in the living room.
It is not difficult to choose a chandelier for a stretch ceiling in the hall - in the photo in our article you already see examples of the most successful design solutions.
Just use these ready-made ideas, or use them to inspire your own.
Chandelier options for the bedroom
For every person, the bedroom is a special place. I want the place to be beautiful and comfortable. Of course, a lot depends on the lighting.
Choosing the perfect chandelier for the stretch ceiling in the bedroom, you should pay special attention to the details - how the light falls, how the lamp looks in combination with other interior items.
We bring to your attention a few ideas and some guidelines on how to find the perfect ceiling light for your bedroom.
As for the shape, configuration and types of lighting, the same principles apply for the bedroom as for the living room.
Therefore, in this section, we will focus more on the stylistic features of the chandeliers that can be used in this room.
If the bedroom is decorated in a classic style, you may be interested in multi-tiered chandeliers with a lot of decorative elements and pendants. However, one should be extremely careful with such lamps.
First of all, it must be taken into account that they do not blend well with glossy coatings - the complex configuration of the chandelier does not look very good in reflection. In addition, this type of luminaire does not look very good when using energy-saving lamps - therefore, the light source must be placed at least twenty-five centimeters from the ceiling.
Considering the already considerable size, as well as the features of stretch ceilings, consider whether the height of the room is enough. It is likely that this idea will have to be abandoned if it is less than three and a half meters. And in general, such chandeliers look better in large, spacious rooms.
Retro chandeliers in the form of hanging candlesticks also look original, where LED lamps of warm colors play the role of candles. Here you should also not forget about height - most often retro-lamps are suspended, consider this factor. However, if the height is sufficient, it can be a spectacular and beautiful option. But the price of such models can be quite high.
For a modern bedroom design, you can also pick up a sophisticated high-tech chandelier. Straight clean lines, small white LED lamps look very stylish and unusual.
Beautiful and unusual in the bedroom will look chandeliers with crystal or glass hanging elements on thin threads. In a room with high ceilings, they will create an airy effect and visually add space. Yes, and such lamps look very fresh and unusual.
If you want to add originality, try a combination of classic chandeliers with LED ceiling inserts. Thus, you can achieve the effect of eclecticism - a fashionable design technique these days.
Choosing a chandelier for a child's room
The interior design of a children's room is subject to slightly different laws. Bright colors, the use of a large number of decorative elements makes it a little difficult to choose a chandelier for a child's bedroom.
The first and basic rule is avoid bulky chandeliers that are decorated with a lot of decorative elements and pendants. Glass and crystal are not best material for a room in which outdoor games are often started - you risk not just a broken lamp, but also the health of your child.
In addition, such chandeliers take up a lot of space and often noticeably reduce the chandelier. And it's hard to find a child who appreciates the intricate Victorian design with lots of embellishments.
Much better for kids two or three curly lamps in contrasting colors to the stretch ceiling. For example, on a green or light green ceiling, small chandeliers in the form of inflorescences look very interesting, located above important areas: a bed, a table, a playing area. However, you can also replace them with clouds, only it is better to choose a different background.
If you want to purchase a chandelier with pendants, opt for heat-resistant plastic. Bright figures do not burn and do not heat up, but look interesting and funny. And the child will like this option much more than crystal. Choose pendants to match the main interior or find contrasting colors - it all depends on the design of the room and your tastes.
Chandeliers of complex shape look beautiful with several shades different colors. They attract attention and provide good, even lighting. However, it is worth noting that it is better to place them on a neutral ceiling. For example, matte pastel shades.
For glossy ceilings you can pick up a small round chandelier. It does not take up much space, provides stable light. These lamps are available in different sizes and colors, so finding the right option for your design is not so difficult.
An interesting take: On a dark ceiling at night, such a lamp will look like a full moon. If you do not want to install spotlights or LED lights, you can attach phosphor stars to the flooring for more consistency.
You can also choose a square shade. The geometric design of one large square and four smaller ones located at the corners of the main lamp looks very impressive. You can choose chandeliers of the same shade or make the main one contrast with the side ones.
Looks good and printed shades- with images of cartoon characters printed on them, painted with animal motifs, and so on. The main thing is that the chandelier is combined with both the ceiling and the rest of the interior.
It should be noted that the excerpt of a single design style in the nursery - important point, if you do not want to create a lurid decoration of the room. You should not try to adapt a square ceiling to a nursery decorated in a fabulous style.
And vice versa, for a room decorated with bright colors in modern style it is better to abandon complex air structures.
Do not forget about the use of additional lighting sources: LED strips, lights, spotlights.
Whatever room you decorate, it is important to remember that the chandelier in many ways provides comfort and coziness in the evening and at night. Do not consider it an unimportant element of decor. Show a little imagination and accuracy when choosing - and the result will undoubtedly please you.
Would you like to feel like an artist during the renovation? - Easily! Modern technologies allow you to realize ideas of any complexity and type. Just imagine that the stretch ceiling from now on is your blank canvas. In this case, the chandelier is the very colors that will fill your picture and allow you to create a real masterpiece from an ordinary room!
Features and Requirements
Stretch ceilings are beautiful and good for everyone, but they do not tolerate excessive overheating. The reason is that they are made from special materials that are sensitive to elevated temperatures. If you miss the choice or make a mistake during installation, the canvas may turn black, melt or deform.
But this will not happen if you take into account a few simple selection rules:
- The power of the lamps in the lamp should not exceed 60 watts.
- The gap between the fixtures and the ceiling should be as large as possible.
- It is best to choose models with shades directed to the sides or down.
By adhering to these simple rules, you will keep the stretch ceiling in perfect condition, and the chandelier you have chosen will delight your eyes for a long time. At the same time, chandeliers can be made in a variety of design solutions and colors. Among the sizes, textures and shapes, there is sure to be “the one”.
Kinds
There is a wide range of luminaires for stretch ceilings on the market. It is customary to classify them according to the design, types of installation, also according to the source of illumination and based on the designer's idea.
Installation types include:
- Overhead. Before you install the overhead chandelier, you need to prepare the base with wiring. The next step is directly installing the ceiling. Then overhead rings are glued to it and holes are made in the right places. Overhead chandeliers in this case are installed directly on the canvas. LED lamps will serve you for a long time in tandem with a laid on chandelier. The power of these lamps will be enough to illuminate the room, and the ceiling canvas will not overheat. The overhead chandelier is significantly inferior in price to pendant lights.
- Suspended. Everyone has long known and loved by many lamps. They got their name because of the method of fastening. In order to install the chandelier, a hook must be installed in the base ceiling. The chandelier is equipped with special fasteners, for which it will be easily suspended for it. The fastener looks like a triangle. This type of fastening is simple and reliable. It is important to make holes in it immediately before stretching the canvas. Strengthening them in a tension coating with a ring is quite enough. Having stretched the suspension through the ring, you can proceed to the final stage of mounting the chandelier.
It is worth noting that chandeliers are popular, and among huge amount There are pendant lights to suit every budget and taste. At the same time, if you like unique models, you should pay attention to the elite model of a chandelier that costs over a hundred thousand.
- Embedded. These lamps have the same mounting method as the overhead ones. Their advantage is in the spring mount. To fix the built-in chandelier, it is enough to insert the spring mount into the stretch ceiling. After installation, the spring straightens out, which guarantees a tight pressing of the luminaire to the ceiling lining. A decorative overlay will allow the lamp to visually merge with a stretch fabric. When choosing this type, it is worth remembering that the task of the built-in lamp is to illuminate the room. This type of lighting is very popular in office spaces. The built-in lamp will delight not only with high-quality lighting, but also with its price, because this is the most inexpensive option presented.
- Spider. The originality of this chandelier will perfectly fit into the industrial style of your room. Today, this chandelier is a real trend, without exaggeration. The name of the model is due to the external similarity with a spider. In most cases, the chandelier is made in black, equipped with wire pendants with lamps at the ends. Thanks to the flexible structure, the direction and placement of the bulbs can be easily changed in the direction you need.
- Spots. Kind of spot lighting. Their main goal is to create a comfortable environment. Spots can be fixed both on the walls and on the ceiling canvas. Thanks to the spots in the interior, you will be able to distribute light accents. They can be combined with the main lighting in the room - a ceiling chandelier. Thanks to a wide selection of shapes, colors and materials for the spot, you can easily choose the right option.
- Soffits- lamps that are designed to create directional lighting. They are of four types: stationary, overhead, mortise, with a turn. Mortise are the most popular among those listed.
- On the control panel. Externally, the luminaire with a control panel practically does not differ from standard models. The only difference is in the system of turning off and on the lighting - it is carried out using the remote control. The range of the control panel is 25-100 meters. In this case, the signals are received by a device mounted in the lamp itself. Technology does not affect appearance and designed for ease of use.
- On the plank. Classic lighting. The chandelier is mounted on a plastic or metal bar, depending on the design. Lamps for this model use small ones, most often in the form of candles. Universal Model which can be decorated according to your preference.
- LED. The safest choice for stretch ceilings. Diodes emit very little heat and cannot damage the canvas, in addition, they shine much brighter than standard lamps and will not harm the eyes. The service life of diodes will pleasantly surprise you with durability.
The form
Conditionally lamps are divided into 2 groups:
horizontal;
vertical.
In a room up to 3 meters high, it would be appropriate to use a horizontal chandelier, the diameter of which does not exceed one meter. They are presented in the form of a multi-track system or differ in design solution. The light bulbs in the chandelier are distributed evenly and illuminate the entire space with high quality.
Accordingly, in a room with a height of more than 3 meters, vertical lighting in a diameter of 30 to 60 cm with a height of no more than a meter will harmoniously look. Such lamps are equipped with a leg and are designed to illuminate the room as much as possible.
The price category of chandeliers for stretch fabric directly depends on the shape, materials of their execution. An excellent choice for a finicky stretch ceiling would be lamps with horns pointing down, the same goes for shades.
Justified love was earned by various crystal chandeliers. The reason for this was the faceted elements that make up the chandeliers. They evenly scatter light throughout the room, while having a winning look in any interior.
The pyramidal chandelier is easy to recognize among others, not only because of its shape, but also because of its impressive size. These chandeliers are a great option for lighting theaters, hotels, ancient castles, museums. A classic chandelier with candles goes well with a matte canvas on the ceiling, but with a gloss on the contrary, it will look silly. While a hemisphere chandelier will look great in tandem with a glossy canvas. Reflected in gloss, the hemisphere will visually enlarge the space.
The top of the chandelier matters just as much as the bottom. In the upper part, there should be no wires and protruding parts, because they will be reflected in the glossy surface and spoil general form in room. Stop at a lamp with a large bowl that can hide all installation errors.
A device without reflectors is a poor choice for an interior with a stretch fabric on the ceiling. If there is no ceiling or reflector, then spots and traces of deformation from exposure to high temperatures will soon appear on the ceiling. Black spots appear in the process of combustion of dust that settles on the surface of the lamps. After that, this very dust is fused into the ceiling and spoils the whole picture in the interior.
An element such as a diffuser is often used - this is a sheet of stainless steel, its main purpose is to protect the canvas from overheating. Chandeliers with it are designed for rooms with a stretch ceiling.
square chandeliers- the best solution for a modern room. The square chandelier combines simple shapes, sophistication in every line, elegance, style and practicality. Such an acquisition will add unusualness to your room. Using square lamps, it is easy to place accents in the room. This is literally a lifesaver, thanks to which you can easily divide the space into several functional zones.
Round form will add a little mystery to your interior, because we are talking about the shape of a ball. Simple, but at the same time concise and sophisticated lamp will suit most styles.
flat chandelier, primarily designed for rooms with low ceilings. It is compact and does not overload the space. The shape of a flat chandelier can be chosen based on your personal preferences. The size depends on the area of the room. Therefore, the larger the chandelier, the greater the number of lamps in it.
Chandelier-ring can be multi-tiered, cascading, different lengths. She may have different diameter, but at the same time, one feature will distinguish it from a thousand - the elegant shape of the ring.
Dimensions
It is very important to choose the size of the chandelier, in which it will fit well into the overall composition of your room. There are several formulas for determining the appropriate size. By dividing the height of the room into four parts, we can easily get the size of a chandelier that fits perfectly into our space. Lamps can be divided into 3 categories according to their size:
- Large. We are talking about chandeliers that are too large to be installed in apartments with low ceilings. AT modern world Chandeliers of this size are used not only as the main lighting element, but also as a decorative item.
- Small. A chandelier of a standard size for most rooms, namely from 30 to 60 centimeters in diameter.
- mini chandeliers called lamps, the diameter of which does not exceed 30 centimeters.
Mounting methods
Depending on the type of chandeliers, they are attached to the stretch fabric in different ways:
Plank standard
This type of attachment is very simple and convenient. First you need to find the center of the ceiling and determine the level of the canvas in this place. A wooden beam is attached to the center of the ceiling. It would be a mistake to attach a beam below its level. The quality of the installation will depend on how accurately the beam is attached and the wiring is removed. Before stretching the ceiling, check that the wiring is in good condition, since after completion of work it will be impossible to replace it without damaging the canvas. Such bars are bought separately, some of them have built-in height adjustment.
cross plank
It is used to fix massive chandeliers that are in the shape of a plate or a flattened polygon. In all variants, this is a flat base that tightly attaches to the tension cover. The mount looks like four mounting strips. They are attached to the ceiling and descend, have ends bent parallel to the ceiling. The chandelier will be mounted on a plywood plate, which does not conduct heat as well as metal plates.
On hook
Perhaps one of the most common mounting methods is a mounting hook. The reliability of this method has been proven over the years. Other than an anchor hook, you don't need anything. It is customary to adjust the height of the hook in the concrete floor, taking into account the adjusting "glass" of the chandelier. If there is no hook for mounting in the ceiling, then it is not difficult to install it yourself. For reliable fastening, use voids in concrete. A rod is laid in an empty channel, to which a hook is subsequently attached.
With this mounting method, any chandelier can be installed, and it has no weight restrictions. Be sure to install a plastic ring at the exit point of the hook in the stretch ceiling.
The hook is perfect for massive ceiling chandeliers with an impressive appearance. Massive chandeliers, in turn, have more light sources compared to standard size lighting fixtures.
Mounting studs
Using a perforator, holes are made, and studs are hammered into them until they stop. After that, the bolts are screwed in and the collets are bursting. By doing this simple procedure, you will get a powerful base for any of the known fasteners. For example, to install a hook, one mounting stud will suffice.
For convenient fastening of fixtures to a stretch ceiling, another type of fastening has been developed, namely a platform. Its diameter is selected, taking into account the size of the lighting fixtures. This platform is designed to significantly reduce installation time.
materials
The quality and materials for the manufacture of lighting fixtures for stretch ceilings are very important. In the process of making chandeliers, they use:
Metal. Advantages: strength and durability. Disadvantages: high price and significant weight.
Glass. Advantages: beautiful appearance, light weight, not susceptibility to light and temperatures. Disadvantages: fragility due to fragility, requires delicate handling.
Wood. Advantages: natural materials give the interior a special charm, goes well with wooden furniture in the room. Disadvantages: vulnerability to moisture, the threat of the formation of fungus on the surface.
Crystal. Advantages: will be a worthy decoration of any interior. Disadvantages: high cost, requires careful handling.
Plastic. Advantages: ease of operation, low weight, wide range of models. Disadvantages: Loss of color brightness over time due to exposure to light.
Textile. Advantages: original appearance, versatility. Disadvantages: fragility, fire hazard.
Which are suitable?
Depending on the room in which the lighting is installed, they are selected different types fixtures:
Kitchen. First of all, keep in mind that kitchen lamps are more likely to suffer from moisture and pollution. Based on this, pay attention to chandeliers made of acrylic, metal or glass. Refrain from buying wooden chandeliers with fabric lampshades.
Bedroom. The bedroom is the realm of peace and comfort. The chandelier must harmoniously fit into the interior, merging with the decor, but not getting lost against its background. Priority materials for bedroom chandeliers are frosted glass, crystal, fabric lampshades in light colors. Lights with multiple lighting modes and with remote control are not only convenient, but also help to create the atmosphere before bedtime.
Living room. Bright but warm light is your priority for the living room. It is the combination of light and warmth that will dispose you to communication, improve your mood. A massive chandelier is the best option for a room with high ceilings. It will give the room an atmosphere of solemnity and luxury. Pay attention to crystal if your living room is made in a classic style.
Do not be discouraged if the living room is small. Indeed, for a compact room, there are a variety of ceiling chandeliers that will succinctly fit into any interior. If your living room is elongated, then place two small chandeliers symmetrically.
The corridor. A chandelier in the hallway creates the first impression of your home. Therefore, it is very important that the lighting creates a welcoming atmosphere. With the help of lighting, you can easily solve the problem of the small size of the hallway and its unsuccessful layout.
For example, for a narrow and long space, a rectangular or longitudinal chandelier is perfect. You can adjust the hallway with the help of spots that will highlight a particular area.
How to make a choice?
The choice of a chandelier directly depends on the interior of the room. Whether it will be modern, discreet chic or classic - it all depends on how you see the end result.
Do not forget about the power of the chandelier lamps and general rules choices, which we talked about at the beginning of this article.
For a fabric covering, the variety of chandeliers is greater, as it tolerates high temperatures better. Fabric fabric under the light of halogen, LED and energy-saving lamps will feel great, while LED lamps are ideal for PVC. When planning, take into account the shapes of chandeliers and lamps. Installing the necessary lighting is not difficult.
Color solutions
The color of the chandelier is a universal tool that will create the mood of your interior. Before you go to the store to buy a chandelier, take a photo of the room, consider the interior to make the right choice.
A chandelier in a contrasting color will be appropriate on pastel-colored stretch ceilings. A white lamp will create a stylish combination with a black and chocolate stretch ceiling.
The glossy surface of the stretch coating is the place for a chandelier of fancy shapes and shades. In addition, try to choose the color of the chandelier, which will be secondary in the overall picture of the room. If you find it difficult to answer what color you need, stop at a white chandelier, and you will not lose. This is a classic. It is suitable for any interior and will add peace and balance to the atmosphere.
To understand which chandelier to choose for a stretch ceiling, you need to take into account not only your taste preferences, but also the characteristics of the room, the type of lighting device, the material of the panel and the connection method.
Stretch ceiling - what kind of chandelier
The choice of a lighting device depending on the type of panel is the very first and main criterion that you need to pay attention to. Here, not only the thermal stability of the coating, its design, but also the surface texture is important. Since chandeliers are installed in living rooms, the following types of stretch fabrics can be used:
- Glossy and matt film coatings
- Fabric panels
- Pearlescent satin ceilings
Before choosing a glossy chandelier for a stretch ceiling, it is worth considering that not only the surrounding pieces of furniture, but also the ceiling lighting fixture can be reflected in the mirror surface. Therefore, give preference to such fixtures that collect a little dust, that is, their design should be as simple and concise as possible, without unnecessary details and protrusions on which dust can accumulate. Otherwise, you will have to constantly clean the chandelier from dust so that these unattractive deposits are not visible in the ceiling. It is better that the luminous flux is directed downwards, so there will not be too bright reflections on the glossy PVC ceiling. In addition, dust will accumulate in the ceiling, turned up.
Answering the question of which chandelier can be hung on a gloss stretch ceiling, we can say that it should not collect dust, have shades pointing downwards, that their unattractive inside is not reflected in the coating.
The choice of hanging fixtures for matt foil ceilings, fabric surfaces and satin finishes is practically unlimited, since the material is not as highly reflective as glossy foils.
Technical limitations
Any lighting device used with a stretch coating should not be excessively heated so as not to cause darkening and melting of the coating. As a rule, most pendant appliances are equipped with bulbs with an incandescent filament. Then their power is limited to 40-60 watts.
More precisely, in chandeliers on a short leg, with shades turned upwards, and a light beam directed at a stretch surface, it is allowed to use light bulbs with a power of no more than 40 watts.
Devices with plafonds directed downwards do not give a direct beam of light to the tension panel, and therefore do not heat it up so much, so 60 W lamps can be used in them.
As for lighting fixtures with halogen and LED light sources, their lamps still get very hot, so the power here can be higher. In any case, before picking up a chandelier for a stretch ceiling, consult with the store manager about the power of the light fixture and its possibility of using it with a stretch ceiling.
If you do not know which chandeliers are hung on stretch ceilings, choose appliances with heat-resistant, non-heating shades. They will protect the coating from excessive heat and damage.
Features of installation and connection
When choosing which chandeliers are best for a stretch ceiling, it is worth considering the features of fastening the lighting fixture to the base surface. There are several mounting methods:
- The device is hung on a hook mounted in the base ceiling
- The lighting device is mounted on a special platform screwed to the base surface
Usually chandeliers attached to a hook are made on a special leg or chain. The difference between them is that a cable with power must go to each device, and in chandeliers on a leg it is laid inside a tube that hides it securely, and in devices on a chain the cable runs along it and does not hide in any way. Therefore, when deciding which chandelier to choose for a stretch ceiling, consider this moment, because the aesthetics of the lamp depends on it.
Lighting devices mounted on a special platform do not have a visible leg. The device itself hangs from the base, like a tablet, which is tightly adjacent to the stretch ceiling. The entire fastening mechanism is hidden behind a tension panel.
In any case, the installation of a chandelier on a stretch ceiling is carried out in the following sequence:
- The place of installation of lamps on the floor plan is determined.
- After preparing the base ceiling, either a platform or a hook is attached to it at the intended installation location of the hanging lighting fixture. For this, a drill with a perforator, dowels with self-tapping screws or an anchor is used.
- Laying and wiring for the lighting source is in progress.
- Next, the tension panel is installed. A small hole is cut in the tension cover at the installation site of the lamp. For this, a special ring is used, which does not allow the coating to break more than the desired diameter. Note that such work should be carried out only by qualified specialists, in no case do not undertake them yourself.
- Further, the bearing part of the chandelier is threaded into the resulting hole and fixed to the hook or to the platform.
What chandeliers are suitable for stretch ceilings
The choice of a chandelier design for a stretch surface should be made taking into account the style of the room, its purpose and the characteristics of the coating. After studying the photos on the network, you can draw your own conclusions about which chandeliers are suitable for stretch ceilings.
For rooms in a classic style, chandeliers in the same style are more suitable. Modern lighting fixtures of creative design will fit better into rooms in a modern, high-tech style. For bedrooms, it is better to prefer lamps with adjustable lighting. So you can choose the desired brightness of the light.
Here you can order the installation of lighting fixtures on a stretch ceiling, for this you need to call the indicated numbers.
Stretch ceiling - a popular modern way to finish the ceiling. It is easily mounted and allows you to hide all the flaws and irregularities of the main ceiling. There is a misconception that by installing a stretch ceiling, you will have to abandon the traditional way of lighting, that you cannot use chandeliers and lamps. And you can only use spotlights or LED strips mounted in a drywall box. In fact, it's not like that at all. To illuminate a room with a stretch ceiling, you can use chandeliers, ceiling lights and spotlights. Due to the specifics of the stretch fabric, there are certain restrictions and requirements that lamps for stretch ceilings must meet. This applies to the type of lamps, their power, installation method, luminaire design and much more. A reasonable question arises, how to choose a chandelier for stretch ceilings. We will talk about this in this article. Let's decide what chandeliers and lamps are, what shape and size, how they are attached to the base, what lamps they use and what restrictions are imposed.
Features of lighting fixtures for stretch ceilings
A stretch ceiling is a PVC or polyester fabric stretched in the plane of the main ceiling at a distance of several centimeters from it. Due to the fact that PVC fabric is sensitive to temperature rises of more than 80 ° C, it can stretch. The polyester fabric of a synthetic fabric does not stretch, but it can change color, turn yellow or blacken under the influence of temperatures or due to improper lighting.
Therefore, when wondering how to choose lamps for stretch ceilings, you should consider such requirements:
- The fabric of the stretch ceiling should not be heated above 60 ° C, so the chandeliers should be located at a certain distance / height from the fabric, and the power of the lamps for stretch ceilings should be such that the fabric warms up as little as possible. What specific requirements are imposed on the power of certain lamps, we will consider later.
- Some types of lamps, such as halogen and LED, can be connected via power converters. Such devices cannot be placed in the space between the stretch ceiling and the main ceiling, since there is no ventilation in it. Power converters located behind the tension web quickly fail due to overheating. They must be placed in a convenient ventilated niche, and wires leading to them should be fixed above the canvas.
- Fixtures and chandeliers for stretch ceilings are attached to the main ceiling in various ways. Therefore, they must be purchased before the installation of the ceiling, then the installers will be able to calculate in more detail where the cut for the lamp will be, as well as better prepare the fixing mortgage.
- The glossy surface of the stretch ceiling reflects 80% of the light, so you should not use chandeliers with open lamps pointing upwards to illuminate. They will be reflected in the canvas, and the light will be too bright and cutting. For calm diffused lighting, it is necessary to use chandeliers and lamps with shades.
- It is worth abandoning a chandelier or lamp with a deliberately complex mounting option, since unnecessary injury to the stretch fabric is undesirable.
These are just general restrictions. Since you can use classic chandeliers, chandeliers of various intricate designs, chandeliers with a fan, built-in ceiling lights, overhead ceiling lights, ceiling spotlights and other light fixtures to illuminate stretch ceilings, let's look at some of them in more detail.
What chandeliers for stretch ceilings are
To illuminate rooms with stretch ceilings, you can use a classic chandelier that is familiar to our eyes. For a small room of 9 - 12 m2, one chandelier installed in the center of the room is enough. If the shape of the chandelier allows you to fix it on a hook specially designed for this purpose, then its installation will cost quite inexpensively. Sometimes even some stretch ceiling installation companies install one chandelier for free.
To illuminate a large room of 20 m2 or more, one chandelier will not be enough. If the room has an elongated shape and allows you to visually divide it into two parts, then you can install two chandeliers at an equal distance from the walls. Otherwise, you can supplement one chandelier with ceiling or spotlights that will illuminate the “dead” zones that the light from the chandelier lamps does not reach.
The shape and dimensions of the chandelier for stretch ceiling
All chandeliers can be conditionally divided into horizontal and vertical. In rooms with low ceilings from 2.3 m to 3 m high, it is advisable to use horizontal chandeliers with a diameter of up to 1 m. They can be a multi-track structure located on the "branches" or have a different design. Their main feature is that the lamps with lamps are evenly distributed throughout the chandelier and are at a sufficient distance from the center to better illuminate the room.
In rooms with high ceilings (above 3 m), it is better to use vertical chandeliers with a diameter of 30 - 50 cm and a height of about 1 m. A chandelier hanging on a long "leg" illuminates the living space as much as possible.
The price of chandeliers for stretch ceilings depends on their shape, design, size and materials used. The best choice would be chandeliers with shades or horns pointing down or sideways and down, so as not to heat the ceiling sheet once again. Also, classic chandeliers can be complemented with decorative elements - a silk lampshade, beads, pendants made of faceted transparent or colored glass, which will play with highlights on the ceiling surface.
Consistently popular crystal chandeliers for stretch ceilings, as the crystal faceted elements scatter light, evenly distributing it throughout the room. All modern chandeliers of this kind are designed with all the requirements for lighting rooms with stretch ceilings. The glossy canvas of the stretch ceiling reflects the light and makes the crystal "play" with highlights and a lot of color splashes.
In addition to the above, there are huge pyramidal chandeliers for lighting the halls of hotels, theaters, museums and other similar premises. The choice of a chandelier of a specific shape and size depends on the effect that the owner of the home wants to receive. For example, a classic chandelier with "candle" lamps will look more advantageous under a matte canvas, and its reflection in a glossy one will be inappropriate and uncomfortable. A chandelier in the form of a hemisphere will perfectly beat a glossy canvas, in its reflection it will turn into a full sphere, which will visually enlarge the room and “raise higher” the ceiling. Horizontal multi-track chandeliers look great both under matte and glossy canvases, which can be clearly seen in the presented photos.
Chandeliers for stretch ceilings: photo examples
A vertical chandelier with silk lampshades and decor made of decorative glass elements is wonderfully reflected in a glossy dark-colored stretched canvas.
And another chandelier against the background of a dark stretch ceiling.
A crystal vertical chandelier goes well with a matte fabric stretch ceiling.
This is how a horizontal chandelier of modern design looks like.
And another option for modern decor.
An excellent option for a stretch ceiling is a horizontal multi-track chandelier.
Classic vertical chandelier for high ceilings.
A horizontal chandelier of a futuristic design with closed shades reflects advantageously in a glossy stretch ceiling.
And here is an example of how lamps without shades can be reflected on a glossy ceiling.
A themed crystal chandelier requires an appropriate space. Will not suit everyone.
For a fabric ceiling with a rich pattern, choosing a chandelier is difficult, but possible.
The upper part of the stretch ceiling chandelier should be no less aesthetic than the lower part, since it is its reflection that will be visible in the glossy canvas. There should be no ugly protruding wires or other details. The bowl of the chandelier (located at the very top and attached to the stretch ceiling canvas) should be large enough to hide all the flaws and mounting points.
You should not use chandeliers whose horns and lamps are directed upwards and there is no ceiling or reflector on top. This threatens that black spots will appear on the surface of the ceiling, which are almost impossible to remove. By the way, this applies not only to a stretch ceiling, but also to an ordinary ceiling. The reason for the appearance of black spots is burnt dust. The fact is that dust settles on the surface of the lamps, which burns due to the heating of the surface of the lamp. When a draft appears in the room, for example, if you open the door, then the burnt and still hot dust breaks off the surface of the lamp with a stream of air, rises and settles on the ceiling, as if melting into the ceiling. If you still want to use just this type of chandelier, then you need to install energy-saving or LED lamps in it, they heat up the least.
When choosing a chandelier for a stretch ceiling, you need to pay attention to those models that have reflectors in their shades. Reflectors are a sheet of chrome or stainless steel. It is better if it is located on top - above the lamp, then the probability of overheating of the stretch ceiling canvas is minimal.
Next, let's look at the types of chandeliers, depending on which lamps for stretch ceilings they use. As light sources, you can use incandescent, halogen, energy-saving and LED lamps.
Incandescent lamps are the cheapest source of light, but their efficiency is so negligible that in recent times their use is increasingly being phased out in favor of other lamps. After all, only 3% of the energy spent by an incandescent lamp turns into light, the remaining 97% turns into heat. And with this feature is connected the most a big problem use of incandescent lamps with stretch ceilings.
The power of incandescent lamps in a stretch ceiling chandelier should not exceed 60 W if the chandelier is vertical and 40 W if it is horizontal.
If the lamps in the chandelier are directed upwards, then they should be located no closer than 40 cm from the canvas. Otherwise, it is better not to use chandeliers with horns pointing upwards at all, since the reflector focuses energy and heats the canvas. If directed downwards, then at a distance of 20 cm. The best option would be chandeliers in which the lamps are completely hidden from the ceiling or at least the ceilings separate them from the ceiling.
Halogen lamps are not far removed from incandescent lamps in terms of efficiency. Their main advantage is only that the spectrum emitted by them is closest to daylight sunlight. But these lamps heat up even more than incandescent lamps. That's why halogen lamps for stretch ceilings should not be more powerful than 35 W.
Another important nuance of working with halogen lamps is that you should never touch them with your hands, only with dry, clean cloth gloves. The fat secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin will remain on the surface of the lamp bulb and will burn out when the lamp warms up. A dark spot will appear in place of the burnt fat, as a result of which the lamp will heat up unevenly and quickly fail.
It is impossible to install halogen lamps in chandeliers, the horns of which are directed upwards, except when the chandelier is vertical and falls a sufficiently large distance from the ceiling. This trick is only possible in rooms with high ceilings. In all other cases, it is better to install halogen lamps in shades and horns pointing down or sideways, and at a distance of 20 - 25 cm from the ceiling.
Energy-saving chandeliers for stretch ceilings
Energy-saving lamps are called fluorescent lamps with a built-in ballast. Their efficiency is much higher than that of incandescent lamps, and they practically do not heat up, but they have their drawback. There is mercury inside the bulb of an energy-saving lamp, therefore, in case of damage to the bulb or its destruction, it is necessary to take appropriate measures - to clear the room from people and animals and remove mercury gases. Also, after the expiration of the use of such a lamp, it cannot simply be thrown into the trash can, but must be taken to a special collection point.
Energy-saving lamps for stretch ceilings can be of any power and located close to the canvas, for example, in horizontal chandeliers. The only limitation is rooms with high humidity. It is impossible to use energy-saving lamps in them - the power supply unit quickly fails. Also, energy-saving lamps can be installed in the horns pointing upwards.
LED lamp - perfect option for stretch ceiling. They have the highest efficiency, they do not heat up and are very durable. The life span of such lamps is about 10,000 hours of continuous operation (4 years), while their durability does not depend on the number of inclusions. LEDs spread diffused light, so lamps do not need reflectors or reflectors. There are no restrictions on power and distance to the canvas for such lamps.
LED lamps for stretch ceilings are installed with a power supply, so it makes sense to use low-voltage light bulbs with one power supply in the chandelier. By the way, it must be placed in a ventilated place - a niche, behind a cabinet or other place. You will have to run wires from the power supply to the chandelier. The design of LED chandeliers is so intricate and unusual that it can decorate and add zest to any interior.
Way of fastening a chandelier for stretch ceilings
All chandeliers according to the method of fastening can be divided into two categories - suspended and overhead.
hanging chandelier for a stretch ceiling, it is hung on a special hook, which can be “tightly” fixed in a concrete floor (which is most likely if the apartment is old and the chandelier has already hung in it), it can have special fasteners for fixing in the voids of the floors, and the hook can also be welded to a plate screwed to the ceiling. If you are installing the hook indoors for the first time, then it makes sense to install an anchor hook, firmly fixing it in the ceiling.
the easiest way to install on a stretch ceiling. To install them, you only need to lower the hook to the required height and make a small incision in the canvas to stretch the wires and the chandelier rod.
So-called ceiling chandelier for a stretch ceiling it is attached directly to the ceiling, therefore it is supplied with special mounting elements - brackets.
Mounting plate most often comes with not too heavy chandeliers, equipped with mounting studs or has side holes with side clamp and thread. Since the stretch ceiling will be lowered 5 - 6 cm or more from the main ceiling, the mounting plate must be fixed so that it is at the required level. To do this, something should be placed between it and the main ceiling. It can be a wooden block with a thickness of 5 - 10 mm less than the height of the lowering of the ceiling.
Mounting plate "cross" used for fastening heavy massive chandeliers having the shape of a circle, oval, square or rectangle. The task is the same as with the mounting plate. It is necessary to take a piece of plywood, slightly larger than the size of the mounting cross, drill a hole in the middle through which you can stretch the electrical wires, and fix it to the ceiling with anchor dowels for concrete. Through the plywood, a “cross” mounting plate is attached to the concrete through and through.
Mounting plate "I-beam" comes with large chandeliers. You can fix it to the base ceiling in the same way as the “cross” bar.
Please note that ceiling chandeliers with “cross” and “I-beam” mounting strips require a rather large hole to be made in the stretch ceiling canvas, which can adversely affect its appearance and tension. That is why hanging chandeliers and chandeliers with a conventional mounting plate are most often used.
What lamps for stretch ceilings are
In addition to chandeliers in stretch ceilings, you can install lamps, less voluminous and more compact lighting fixtures. There are such types of fixtures for stretch ceilings - Spotlights, providing additional illumination of a certain corner, interior element or room area, as well as main ceiling lights for stretch ceilings that perform the function of general lighting instead of a chandelier. Spotlights are most often built-in, and ceiling lights are overhead, protruding beyond the canvas.
How to choose fixtures for stretch ceilings so that they do not harm the canvas, which lamps can be used and at what distance? Of course, incandescent lamps cannot be used in lamps. Let's take a look at the other types below.
As we already wrote, halogen lamps heat up, so the fixtures must be equipped with a reflector that directs the flow of light downward. The body of the luminaire itself, which uses halogen lamps for stretch ceilings, must be made of a material that conducts heat minimally. It is desirable that the body of the lamp protrudes beyond the canvas by at least 5-10 cm so that it does not heat up.
Also, the lamp base with a halogen lamp must be swivel. Keep in mind that the heating of a halogen lamp is independent of voltage, so you can safely use 220V lamps, discarding the idea of \u200b\u200binstalling 12V lamps and converters. You won't win anything, and wiring and installing converters are extra hassle. Remember, the heating of the lamp depends only on the power.
Luminaires with energy-saving lamps are most often spotlights. They can be located at any distance from the ceiling and have any power, since they practically do not heat up. In addition, the lamps always have a reflector that protects everything that is behind from heating.
Prices for energy-saving lamps for stretch ceilings are almost two times lower than for LED ones, which is why they are still popular.
Luminaires with LEDs cause the least damage to stretch ceilings, they do not heat up and perfectly dissipate heat. The category of luminaires with LED lamps for stretch ceilings is the most extensive, with and without decorative elements that scatter and refract light. The body of such luminaires is made of low heat-conducting materials and is specially insulated. The power and luminous ability of LED lamps can be different depending on the needs.
LED lamps for stretch ceilings: photo example
Spotlights for stretch ceilings
Spot - the most extensive category of fixtures for stretch ceilings. They are quickly and easily mounted, minimally violating the integrity of the web. Most often, these are recessed fixtures that use various spotlights for stretch ceilings - halogen, energy-saving and LED.
Installation of spotlights is carried out on special mounting strips, which are mounted before the web is tensioned. Halogen lamps get very hot, so the body of the lamp should not get hot, be sure to check this before buying. Or isolate the lamp from the canvas with a heat-resistant gasket. One lamp with a halogen lamp is required per 1 m2 of room area. At the same time, the ceiling drops by 6 cm. If you use LED spotlights, then the stretch fabric can be mounted at a distance of 4 - 5 cm from the main ceiling.
Luminaires for stretch ceilings: photo example
When choosing a design for a chandelier or lamp for a stretch ceiling, be sure to consider the color, texture and pattern of the canvas. For example, spotlights with Greek ornaments, with smalt or antique bronze inserts will look clumsy on a fabric stretch ceiling with a floral print.