Ceiling Tiles (77 Photos): Types And Sizes Of Mirror Coatings For False Ceilings And PVC, How To Paint Products

Ceiling tiles are a unique finishing material, by means of which you can easily perform self-assembly of the ceiling, no worse than professional craftsmen.

To know how to do this, you need to find out the nuances of each type of such products and learn small tricks of high-quality and simple work.

Features of the

Ceiling tiles are not at all a single PVC-based material, as many people mistakenly believe. This is a mass of varieties with a number of characteristic features. All categories are united by the method of fastening to the base of the ceiling, which is carried out by means of an adhesive solution on a prepared surface. Regardless of the type of raw materials used in the cladding, the preparation of the substrate is identical.

The material used in the development of the cladding is lightweight, which allows you to work with the ceiling area without the use of additional fasteners. This finish is considered an alternative to stretch and plasterboard ceilings., the look of the finished canvas looks elegant and stylish. For finishing work, a metal frame is often not needed, even if relatively heavy types of ceiling tiles are used in the work.

It will take no more than 1 day to complete the finishing, except for the preliminary preparation of the base.

Due to the low weight during finishing work, glue is saved, which is applied pointwise. At the same time, there is no need for additional application of adhesive to the surface of the ceiling: usually such compositions hold the material well, subject to the finishing technology.

Such finishing has a long service life: it lasts for 10-15 years without the need for adjustment if handled with care. In most types of surfaces, you can give a fresh look, if necessary, change its color to match the wall covering, taking into account the change in interior design.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ceiling tiles have many advantages:

it is produced on modern equipment using new technologies, due to which it differs in structure and has good performance characteristics;
tiles have several categories, differing in the composition of the raw materials used, which can be natural or artificial;
the material can be of different shapes, which allows you to choose various options for finishing the ceiling, taking into account the chosen style and non-standard types of the ceiling zone;
it is easy to install: it allows you to perform it with high quality due to the optimal convenient size;

regardless of the type of material, the ceiling tile strengthens the base of the ceiling and insulates it, which is especially felt in the cold season;
the tile is the soundproofing of the room, saving household members from annoying extraneous sounds coming from neighboring apartments;
has a wide variability of the pattern, as well as the texture, which allows it to be used in the same style with furnishings as support for the desired pattern;
such a finish has many color shades, and in some varieties it allows repeated surface staining using the usual color scheme;

ceiling tile is a versatile material that can be bought at any hardware store, while it has a wide range of cladding for every taste;
some types of such material are suitable for wall decoration;
there are varieties in the assortment for which it is not at all necessary to level the ceiling to perfection;
the material is characterized by an acceptable cost, so buying a large amount will not hit the family budget.

The texture of the ceiling tile is also noteworthy: it can be smooth, rough, embossed or laminated. This material is capable of imitating textiles, metal and wood. It is easy to choose a plinth, corners and sockets in the same style for such a tile. Based on the type of material used, the thickness of the varieties varies from 3 to 14 mm.

This finish fits perfectly into the interior of different rooms: it can be used to decorate the ceiling of the living room, children's room, study, kitchen, corridor, hallway or bedroom. Moreover, for each room, you can choose a variety with a special pattern and texture. A wide range and demand are explained by the environmental friendliness and safety of many varieties of large manufacturers.

With many advantages, such a cladding has several negative sides:

the material is not always identical: it often needs calibration, which slows down the finishing work;
porous ceiling tiles can deform, so it is important to consider the type of glue before buying;
not every type of glue can be removed from the front surface without damaging the material, so the work should be carried out as carefully as possible;
fragments of synthetic material are rather fragile: when correcting the corners, they can break, which increases the percentage of rejects;
some materials do not have even corners due to the tight packing that tightens the corners and makes them blunt, which leads to the formation of gaps and voids.

The disadvantages of porous categories are shrinkage when the adhesive is applied to the surface and the appearance of the adhesive on the front side of the facing. Also, some varieties have a pattern in a certain direction, so it is often difficult to fit the joints.

Besides, it is undesirable to glue the ceiling tiles to the base of the ceiling immediately after purchase … It is prone to moisture accumulation.

To prevent this material from shrinking in the future, it is necessary to remove the plastic film from the packages, leaving them in a dry room for two or three days.

Views

Ceiling tiles have a special classification according to the manufacturing method. There are three types of material, which will be discussed below.

Stamped

This group includes a material based on expanded polystyrene sheets, which are pressed to the desired thickness (5-8 mm), while applying a relief pattern. This tile is distinguished by a porous base and a loose structure. It is characterized by a white color, the ability to paint with water-based paints and even spacril.

The advantage of the material is its low cost and simplicity of manufacturing technology.

The disadvantage of this finish is fragility. Besides that it must be cut with a sharp knife, the corners can easily break off during alignment and adjustment - this increases the number of defective parts and the consumption of glue. The surface of such a tile is matte, without a protective film, therefore, during operation, it does not provide for wet cleaning or cleaning. It gets dirty quickly enough.

Injection

This facing material for finishing the ceiling is made using a different technology, due to which its price is higher. It consists of expanded polystyrene granules, which are placed on a special mold and sintered.

Unlike a stamped analogue, the structure of such a ceiling tile is distinguished by its density and fineness. It is stronger, does not require special frugality in work, it is easier to cut it, while it almost does not break … The pattern on its front side is expressive and embossed.

Tile thickness ranges from 9 to 14 mm … It is the best protection against noise and heat loss and is particularly good at hiding minor irregularities in the substrate. The joints between such tiles are not as noticeable as those of stamped counterparts, so the finished surface looks monolithic. This tile is washable. The structure is white or colored.

Extruded

This type is the thinnest type of ceiling tile. With a thickness of 2.5-3 mm, it is quite durable, has a long service life. It is created from the foamed mass by extrusion through special holes with the subsequent application of a pattern, paint or polymer film.

This type of material is distinguished by its density, has a smooth surface, due to which such a tile is often called laminated.

Such material is quite expensive.… The product is hygienic, resistant to wet cleaning of the surface and the accumulation of dust, and is capable of repelling water. In addition, it does not deform and, when pressed, returns to its original shape. If necessary, such finishing raw materials can be used for work in the bathroom.

The advantage of this type of finishing material is the ability to imitate wood and marble.

Materials (edit)

Different raw materials are used in the production of ceiling tiles. The material differs significantly from the ceramic and gypsum counterparts, which are heavy.

The main materials used for finishing the ceiling are:

expanded polystyrene;
mineral fiber;
metal;
wood;
plastic.

According to the type of surface, materials are glossy, matte and mirror-like. Matte and glossy are intended mainly for living rooms, mirrors are suitable for office premises.

Models are hygienic, acoustic and moisture resistant. Varieties of PVC are more like plaster moldings. Mineral fiber is made with the addition of cellulose, you need to work with it carefully in order to prevent the formation of dents.

Metal tiles made of aluminum and stainless steel can be matte and glossy. It is durable and wear-resistant, often has a mirror coating, perforation, powder coating.

Wooden crafts for finishing the ceiling they are made on the basis of different types of wood, as well as MDF, chipboard, veneer, plywood and lamination.

Plastic tiles has a smooth structure and resistance to temperature changes. It has a glossy finish.

Dimensions (edit)

The dimensions of the ceiling tiles depend on the standards set by the manufacturer. Initially, a tile with standard dimensions was considered a product of 50x50 cm.

Today, the dimensions are subject to the material of manufacture:

wooden - 30x30, 50x50, 30x70, 20x60, 60x60 cm;
made of metal - 30x40, 30x60, 40x40, 50x50, 30x70 cm;
from expanded polystyrene - 30x60, 40x40, 30x70, 50x50, 40x60, 40x70, 60x60 cm.

In addition to standard sizes, ceiling tiles are also made to order, so its dimensions can be up to 2 m in length. Styrofoam tiles can be very small (30x30 cm) or large (1200x600 mm).

Forms

The traditional form of ceiling tiles is considered to be a square, since it is convenient to work with, and due to this shape, it is easier to lay (especially in the corners), as well as perform calculations.

In addition, in production today there are finishing raw materials of rectangular and non-standard shapes. While some varieties are closer to squares and have wavy side faces, others can hardly be called geometric shapes. The design approach results in a spinner shape from a square, a tile with 6 corners more reminiscent of two inverted shields. Such materials are more difficult to lay: they have to be combined by turning the fragments strictly perpendicularly.

Colors and decor

In the modern market of finishing materials, ceiling tiles are presented in a wide range of colors, the color of which depends on the type of material used. The porous variety of expanded polystyrene is often white, the extruded tile can be colored: blue-white, pale pink, light green, cream, coffee, milk and beige. If it imitates other raw materials, the color can be marble, ivory, brick, wood, leather.

Wooden varieties are made in shades of beige and brown colors. Metallic counterparts are notable for the rich tones of the palette. They can be emerald, golden, silver, copper, chocolate with a characteristic metallic sheen. Less commonly, you can find black tiles on the shelves.

The patterns of the material are varied. Foam tiles are characterized by ornate curls, geometric ornaments, leaves, flowers. The marbled pattern represents stains of different shades.

The metal and plastic varieties are characterized by matting patterns with mirrored square inserts. Wooden tiles have a simple relief in the form of rectangular and square channels.

Which one to choose?

In order not to doubt the choice of the best tile for the ceiling, you need to firmly decide on the task of the tile, the service life, practicality and design, take into account the sound-absorbing capabilities and thermal conductivity.

for a room with high humidity, you should choose a moisture-resistant tile;
if the decoration of the suspended ceiling is planned, it is worth purchasing a tile with a relief;
for a coffered ceiling, it is better to choose a wooden perforated tile with decorative recesses and shaped cells;
for a nursery, you can purchase an expanded polystyrene pressed version with the possibility of painting when dirt appears;
if the noise behind the walls is annoying, you should give preference to sound-insulating material (acoustic tiles perfectly absorb sound);
if you need to visually increase the space, you can buy tiles with a 3D effect for decorating the ceiling.

When choosing a finish for a classic or suspended ceiling, you should get acquainted with the products of specific brands, study the reviews of buyers and craftsmen about them - this will allow you to appreciate the subtleties of working with this material.

Subtleties of installation

Ceiling tile installation is a relatively simple process that any head of the family can do. The main rules are accuracy and patience. This work is not in a hurry: every flaw will be visible and will require disguise..

To avoid common mistakes, it is worth finishing the ceiling with ceiling tiles in accordance with all the rules, starting with the preparation of the base.

Preparation of the base

The tile adheres perfectly to concrete, drywall and wood surfaces. However, rarely is the base perfectly clean and even. If the flaws are significant, then the porous and thin varieties will not be able to hide them.… In addition, it should be borne in mind that glue rarely adheres well to lime and surfaces with greasy spots. Before preparation, all furniture is taken out of the room and the lamp is removed.

The preparation process includes leveling the ceiling and removing any visible bumps. If there is whitewash, it is removed with a metal spatula, having previously closed the entrance to the room. After that, the surface is wiped with a damp cloth. If there are cracks, then they are covered with putty, the waves of the base are leveled.

Primer

After the base is leveled, it is treated with a deep penetration primer. This material has a penetrating power of 0.5 to 1 cm and is designed to strengthen walls and give them a homogeneous structure.

Due to the viscosity and the formation of a special crystalline film on the surface during drying, the primer increases the reliability of adhesion of the adhesive to the surface. With its help, the ceiling tiles stay on the ceiling much longer.

The ceiling is treated with primer twice - this will increase the adhesion even in the areas of problematic adhesion of the base and tiles (for example, with minor greasy stains). The primer is applied using a long-handled construction roller, which will allow for a larger swing, speeding up the process of preparing the substrate.

Use a flat brush for hard-to-reach areas such as corners, ledges, wall and ceiling joints.… Its use eliminates overspending of the primer liquid, the formation of splashes and drips along the walls. The second layer of primer is applied only after the first one has dried (from 12 hours to a day).

Markup. After the surface of the base is prepared for finishing, it is worth doing the markup. It is important to find the center of the future facing sheet - this is necessary so that the finish is identical on each side of the room. The lack of symmetry will visually distort the ceiling, which looks ugly. In addition, the markup will allow you to calculate the amount of raw materials required for facing. Experienced craftsmen, before starting work, make a schematic sketch on which they paint the number of tiles and their location.

The center is the beginning of work - from it the tiles are laid … Find it in three ways. To do this, you can use regular thread and tape. In the first method, the threads are fixed diagonally to opposite corners, forming a cross, which will be the center (diagonal laying).

In the second method, the lengths of the walls are measured, their centers are found and the threads are fastened, forming a crosshair (classic styling). These methods are especially relevant if the center of the crosshair coincides with the location of the central luminaire.

The third method is carried out if the location of the chandelier does not coincide with the center of the room's ceiling. Then from the corners you have to retreat the same distance until the crosshair coincides with the location of the center of the chandelier. After the threads are taut, you can sketch them schematically at the center with a pencil and a ruler, setting the direction of the tile.

Styling

The first nuance when laying ceiling tiles is the design of the center.

This can be done in three ways:

gluing one tile to the center with a hole cut in the middle for fixing the chandelier;
combining two tiles and cutting a hole in the middle of their seam;
of four parts, combining them together angles along the outlined lines.

The first option is impractical and will require removing the chandelier in the event of a tile replacement. The second and third options, in case of replacing the tiles, will allow you to neatly remove the fragments, replacing them with new ones (for repairs, it is worth buying a few more tiles). The quality of all work will depend on how accurately the first tiles are connected to each other..

If at the same time there is at least a small gap, then there will be cracks in the finishing cloth, which over time will lead to the tiles falling out of the finished cloth.

After the first fragment is glued, others are glued end-to-end to it from all sides. If diagonal laying is planned, the fragments are glued, moving in a spiral, which will reduce the number of gaps between the fragments to a minimum. If the laying is carried out in a straight way, then it is preferable to press the tiles on both sides of the walls - this way it will not budge and will be tightly pressed by neighboring elements.

It is better to use liquid nails as an adhesive for wood, plastic and metal varieties. - this glue will fix such materials tightly.

For foamed tiles, you can use mastic or special ceiling tile adhesive. In this case, one caveat should be taken into account: the color of the glue must be super white, otherwise it can be seen through thin slabs … With such a composition, it will be possible to cover the seams if, after pasting, gaps between the tiles are noticeable.

For PVC tiles, do not take "Titan" in plastic buckets and liquid nails - these compounds have a dirty beige tint, the gluing points of which will be visible through the tiles. It is worth considering the fact that "Titan" eats up the tiles, so there can be no question of any angle compatibility. It is better to use transparent glue of this brand for repairs, the packaging of which is a plastic bottle.

For information on how to properly glue the ceiling tiles, see the next video.

How can you paint?

Painting of expanded polystyrene ceiling tiles is possible before and after installation. In the first case, this will allow individual elements to be painted on a white surface, and in the second - to roll the finished finishing canvas with a fur roller.

Painting is carried out with two types of paints: water-based and acrylic … They are characterized by sufficient density, durability, moderate gloss and moisture resistance. These coloring materials are resistant to wet cleaning of the surface and to microorganisms. The wood, metal and plastic surfaces of the tiles are not painted.

Do not use dyes from spray cans - they eat up the material, causing it to shrink.

Care Tips

The reason for cladding contamination can be gaps between tiles, high humidity, dust, tobacco smoke and grease that gets on the surface.

In order for the ceiling tiles to retain their attractive appearance longer, you can arm yourself with simple recommendations:

Not every type of tile can be washed: a porous and matte surface will suffer from wet cleaning. Such tiles can only be painted over.
If the dirt is small, you can try removing it with a regular stationery eraser.
Chemicals are unacceptable: they destroy the structure of the facing material.
In the absence of streaks and heavy contamination, you can vacuum the surface no more than 1 time a month at low power.

Foam tiles can be cleaned with a special soft brush for dry cleaning - this way you can get rid of dust from the surface.
It is possible to wash dense tiles using a small amount of dishwashing liquid, liquid detergent, and even shampoo.
Wet cleaning is carried out extremely rarely, strongly squeezing a cloth or sponge.
To get rid of soot, you can buy a sponge with a special impregnation.
To get rid of yellowness, use salted water.