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Decorating a kitchen is a difficult task. It should be practical, convenient, beautiful and desirable – not very expensive. And one of the tasks that have to be solved is to choose which ceiling to make in the kitchen so that it is easy to use, serves for a long time and is still attractive.
Requirements for kitchen ceilings
The kitchen is a harsh environment. High humidity, an abundance of pollutants, in apartments – a high probability of flooding. All this imposes certain requirements for finishing materials. In particular, the ceiling in the kitchen should have the following characteristics:
- Easy care, the ability to wash with detergents.
- Normal reaction to high humidity.
- Durability, high maintainability.
- Safety in terms of ecology and fire safety.
- Attractive appearance.
- Low price and ease of installation.
How to make a ceiling in the kitchen – a difficult question with many answers
In addition to all that has been said, there is one more wish – it’s not bad if the ceiling in the kitchen makes it possible to hide engineering networks (ventilation, wiring) and floor imperfections.
Unfortunately, even with the current abundance of finishing materials, the whole range of requirements is not combined in any of them, but there are very good options.
Whitewashing, painting
Some time ago, any ceilings were whitewashed. Because this type of finish costs mere pennies, the material is widespread, the whitewashing process itself did not present any difficulties, and almost everyone whitewashed the ceilings on their own.
Another plus of this way of finishing the flow in the kitchen is the ability of lime to regulate humidity. With an excess of moisture in the air, it absorbs it, with a lack of it gives. For the kitchen – excellent quality. This is where the pluses end.
The disadvantages of whitewashing the ceiling are also significant. The first minus is not the most attractive view. The second – the surface is porous, in addition to moisture, it absorbs odors. Drops of fat or coloring liquids that have fallen on the surface are absorbed into the material, after which they are not removed in any way. Only painted over with a new layer or two of lime. It is for these reasons that now whitewashing in the kitchen is becoming less common.
Painting the ceiling in the kitchen is a modern replacement for whitewashing. For these purposes, water-based paints with increased washability are most often used. With normal preparation of the ceiling, the view is at least normal. The performance properties are also improved – the painted ceiling in the kitchen can be washed several times using liquid detergents.
The main disadvantage of this option is the need for careful preparation of the surface for painting. In order for the painted shelves to look good, it must be even, without flaws. Level it first with plaster, then, in several layers, with putty. The process is difficult, lengthy and costly.
Paintable wallpaper helps make preparing the ceiling for painting a little easier. The ceiling also needs to be leveled, but not to the same extent as for applying paint. For these purposes, there are special glass, non-woven, paper. The most durable are made of fiberglass. They can be repainted up to 20 cuts. Paper ones serve the least. They withstand 2-3 repaints. Non-woven – a good option both in quality and price. They will also please with a rich selection of ornaments (if you want, of course).
Another disadvantage of painted ceilings is that when leaking, stains remain that can only be painted over. It is rarely possible to paint only the damaged part – different shades are obtained. You have to paint the entire ceiling.
Ceiling tiles
If you don’t know how to make a ceiling in the kitchen so that it is inexpensive and fast, consider foam or polystyrene tiles. This method is now far from being as popular as it was 10 years ago, but is still used when there is a lack of funds and / or time for other types of finishes.
Ceiling tiles in the kitchen are a good option. It is washable, and you can use a brush and liquid non-abrasive detergents. Ceiling tiles are glued with special glue. The base is preferably flat, without sharp drops, but a perfect surface is not required. Installation takes several hours, and you immediately get a ceiling ready for use.
There are few shortcomings. First, not everyone likes the look. Here you can agree or not – a matter of taste. The material is not chic, but the result is quite worthy. Especially if you need an inexpensive way to finish.
The second minus is unnatural material. You can’t argue with this, but the material used – polystyrene – is chemically neutral and does not emit any substances in its normal state. Neither harmful nor beneficial. And that’s good too.
Drywall
If you can make the ceiling in the kitchen lowered a few centimeters, consider the option of a false plasterboard ceiling. This method of finishing the ceiling is good because you can make multi-level structures that completely cover the ceiling. In the gap between the main and false ceiling, you can lay communications – a vertkorobe, wiring.
The design of the ceiling allows you to install spotlights, choosing their location to your liking, which makes the lighting in the kitchen more functional. The result can be very beautiful. Another positive point is that drywall is made from natural materials – these are two sheets of cardboard and a layer of gypsum between them.
Plasterboard ceiling installation is a difficult task. First, the frame is assembled from guides, then it is sheathed with drywall, then it is puttied and painted. The positive point is that plasterboard puttying is several times easier than leveling the base ceiling: the surface is initially flat, only the joints need to be repaired, and then, with a thin layer of putty, cover the entire surface.
The disadvantage of a plasterboard ceiling in the kitchen is that it is difficult to maintain. Even if you use moisture-resistant water-based paint, the surface will remain rough. Soot clogs in the pores, dust mixes with fat. Removing this plaque is not easy at all. Another disadvantage is that drywall does not react well to water. If you use a moisture-resistant material, it will not be afraid of high humidity, but if it is flooded from above, most likely everything will have to be redone.
Stretched ceiling
Stretch ceilings in the kitchen are a good choice. In any case, it is beautiful and modern. Although with their device, again, it will be necessary to “select” a certain volume: they are mounted at a certain distance from the ceiling. As in the case of drywall threads, stretch ones also allow you to hide the base ceiling and utilities. For lighting, spotlights can also be used, but of a different design.
Stretch ceilings are film (their PVC films) and fabric. For the kitchen, you should choose film. They are smooth, which is easier to maintain, and can be glossy, which makes the room brighter and adds volume. If you decide to make a stretch ceiling in the kitchen from PVC film, an additional bonus will be protection against flooding, since the film is absolutely waterproof. If you are flooded by neighbors from above, the water will collect as if in a bag. It will need to be carefully poured, after which the material will take its normal size.
The disadvantage of the film ceiling is its chemical origin, as well as the ability to change dimensions from a sharp change in temperature. The film may wrinkle, sag, etc. Not the highest quality canvases suffer from this, but such a phenomenon is present. Another significant drawback is that if you touch the film ceiling with a sharp object, the hole will be very large. The material is strongly stretched, due to which the slightest puncture turns into a huge hole. Fabric tension flows are deprived of this disadvantage, but they are looser in structure, they are more difficult to care for, they are permeable. But a hole made by chance does not increase.
The disadvantages also include the high price and complexity of installation, although you can handle it yourself if you wish. If a heat gun or its substitute is required for mounting a film ceiling (to warm up the canvas), then nothing is needed for a fabric ceiling.
Plastic panels
If you are looking for a ceiling to make in the kitchen that is inexpensive and easy to clean, plastic panels are your choice. This material costs quite a bit, you can wash it with a cloth using liquid detergents. The surface is usually smooth, everything is easily washed.
Plastic panels on the ceiling in the kitchen are mounted quickly and easily. A starting plinth is attached around the perimeter, panels cut to size are inserted into it. It also takes a few centimeters of height and makes it possible to hide communications, you can use spotlights. An additional advantage is high maintainability. If something happened to one or more slats, you can remove them, install whole ones in their place.
Also, this type of ceiling finish allows you to quickly get to the base ceiling or those systems that it hides. This is a useful property.
Disadvantages – not the best view and fragility of the panels. But the load on the ceiling is usually small, so plastic ceiling panels serve until the owners want something else. Another disadvantage is the non-natural material, which releases harmful substances when burned.
Suspended ceiling Armstrong
If they find out what kind of ceiling to make in the kitchen, this view is rarely remembered. Armstrong is more often used in offices, trading floors, industrial premises, but it also performs well in houses and apartments. It is inexpensive, easy to install, made of natural materials, has high maintainability.
Suspended ceiling Armstrong is a system of profiles arranged in the form of squares. Plates are inserted into the squares, which form the plane of the ceiling. The plates are simply laid on the profiles and are not fixed with anything. This is convenient: damaged plates can be easily changed, there is always access to the ceiling space.
The disadvantage of the system is that it takes away the height from the room, the plates are afraid of water (this is pressed and painted paper). And the traditional downside to inexpensive ways to finish a kitchen ceiling is not a very cozy look, although not everyone will agree with that.
Only profiles can be washed, plates cannot. But they can be repainted or replaced with new ones – the cost is small, the replacement process will take an hour or two (including trimming). In general, a good budget option for repairing the ceiling.