More and more often, instead of the painted or whitewashed surfaces customary in Soviet times, in modern apartments you can find suspended and suspended ceilings. The difference between the two systems is quite significant, and therefore, before deciding on the choice of one or another option, you should carefully understand the differences between these designs.
- The basis for the stretch fabric is a special profile (baguette), equipped with a clamp for fabric or PVC film. As a frame for a false ceiling, a system of metal profiles is used, which are attached to the walls and ceiling, forming a grid for attaching drywall. Also, the base for GCR can be rack and pinion, but in this case, special treatment of wooden guides is required.
- The drywall surface is immune to minor damage, and the stretched fabric is easily ruined by touching a small sharp object. After serious damage to the canvas, it will need to be completely replaced, in the case of damage to drywall, it can be putty or just replace the damaged sheet.
- The suspended ceiling forms a rigid surface, and for suspended ceilings, under certain conditions, material may sag.
The described moments allow a superficial understanding of the issue of how the stretch ceiling differs from a suspended ceiling. For a more accurate understanding of the differences between these systems, one should consider their characteristics one by one according to a number of criteria.
Comparison of suspended and suspended ceilings
For comparison, it is best to use the main operational and installation parameters:
Installation complexity
Work on the installation of tension systems require higher qualifications of masters and special equipment (heat gun). It is not possible to independently establish such a design without proper experience.
In the case of a suspended ceiling, a minimum of experience and skills is enough, but at least one more person will need help, since it is quite difficult to fix GKL sheets on the ceiling alone, without special equipment.
Another important factor during installation:
- The installation process of tension structures implies a minimum of debris (dust occurs only when preparing holes in the wall for attaching a baguette), so before work it is enough to close the furniture and walls with plastic wrap;
- When installing suspended ceilings, a lot of dirt and dust occurs. In the beginning, the base is prepared, the guides and gypsum boards are mounted, and at the final stage the surface is puttied, sanded and painted, and therefore all furniture must be completely removed from the room.
Installation Speed
The main disadvantage of the installation of suspended ceilings, in comparison with tension systems, is the speed of work. If a couple of hours is enough for the installation of the tension web, then for the suspended one - at least two days, but most often the whole process takes 3-4 days.
Loss of height in the room
Reducing the height of the ceiling when both structures are installed depends on the degree of horizontal difference in the base and the design of the lighting fixtures that are planned to be mounted in the ceiling.
Usually, for the installation of suspended ceilings, a spacing of 40 mm from the base is sufficient, but for the installation of a suspended system, at least 100 mm will be required.
Moisture resistance
Tension systems are capable of holding up to 100 liters of fluid, which is especially convenient when leaking from the upper floors. If the sag of matter under the weight of the water does not exceed 3 cm, the water is gently drained through the lighting holes (having previously completely de-energized the room), after which the ceiling takes its original form, but with more significant leaks, it is often necessary to completely change the canvas.
Drywall is destroyed under the influence of water, so with leaks in any case, you will have to change the damaged sheets.
Fire resistance
Both materials do not support open fire, but, unlike drywall, which is completely safe, a chemical reaction occurs during the burning of PVC material, which leads to the formation of toxic fumes.
Operation and maintenance
The operating lives declared by the manufacturers are for tension systems about 15 years, and for suspended systems - 7 years (without cosmetic repairs).
The ceiling coating of PVC film or fabric is served with a damp cloth. This is enough to remove any impurities even in the kitchen, but it should be remembered that it is impossible to rub the fabric coatings strongly, since this process can lead to the appearance of villi, which under certain lighting will contrast with the main surface.
Painted drywall can also be wiped with a slightly damp cloth, and if necessary, you can tint the contaminated area.
Which is cheaper
If you approach the issue in this way: which is cheaper - suspended or suspended ceilings, considering only the price of the material, you will get a not quite correct comparison.
Indeed, drywall costs much cheaper than the simplest PVC film that is used for a stretch ceiling, but for the installation of a suspended system you will need to purchase mounting profiles, fasteners, suspensions, and after installing the structure, it will have to be puttied, sealed joints and attachment points, treated with a primer and apply paint. As a result, an impressive amount can be obtained, and this is only based on materials.
Considering all the costs of materials, the remuneration of the craftsmen for preparing the surface for work and finishing, the cost per square meter suspended structure can be from 700 rubles, with independent performance of work, and up to 3000 rubleswhen hiring a team of finishers.
The difference between a suspended and a suspended ceiling is that, in addition to fabric or PVC film, the equipment of the former will require only a profile and a special heat gun. As a result, the cost per square meter of such coverage is from 700 to 7000 rublesand moreover, these costs mainly depend on the type of material, the price of which can vary by tens of times.
What and in which cases it is better to choose
The desire to ennoble your own home with modern materials should not go to the detriment of the design features of the room, so you should carefully weigh the pros and cons, choosing a suspended ceiling or suspended. The pros and cons, as well as the features of both options were discussed above, but, as additional recommendations, the following arguments can be made in favor of one or another ceiling coating:
- if you want to make a ceiling in a country house where temperature differences are possible, it is recommended to install only a suspended structure, but it should be remembered that if the house is not intended for permanent residence, and during the winter periods there is no regular heating of the premises, over time, the sheets of the drywall will be destroyed under the influence humidity;
- the ceilings in the loggias and on balconies can only be made of drywall, since negative temperatures contribute to the destruction of tension materials;
- with a ceiling height of no more than 2500 mm, the hinged system should be abandoned in favor of a stretch ceiling, which eats up a smaller amount of living space;
- on the upper floors, where leaks are possible, it is recommended to install tension systems.
In other equivalent rooms, the choice of material for the ceiling decoration will depend on the financial capabilities of the customer, the required deadlines, the need to maintain cleanliness during installation and other conditions.
There is no single answer to the question of which ceiling is better - suspended or suspended, each option has the right to exist if professionals are involved in the installation of structures.
Beginners, most likely, will not be able to cope with the installation of suspended ceiling systems, and it is not so difficult to build suspended ceilings, so inexperienced finishers can quite adequately perform this work on their own.
Also, do not forget that you can always combine both types of finishes.