Which lights are better for a stretch ceiling?

Stretch ceilings - the most popular way to finish the ceiling surface. They received such a demand due to their budget, durability, strength and a huge assortment of various designs and designs. Only correctly selected lighting can complement, diversify and emphasize the beauty of this design of the ceiling surface. To date, the range of lighting devices is so diverse and large that it can “knock down” even the most experienced user. Therefore, in order not to get confused when choosing the best fixtures for a stretch ceiling, we offer you a number of tips and recommendations that will help you create, complement and diversify the overall interior of the room. So, which lights are better for a stretch ceiling? First things first.

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General recommendations for choosing luminaires for a stretch ceiling

Depending on the design of the room, you can use various types of lighting devices:

• For local highlighting of the functional areas of the room, it is recommended to use the built-in spotlights.
• As for the main lighting, you can opt for a traditional hanging chandelier.
• Also very popular when lighting design uses LED illumination of niches. This technology is very original, as it creates an unobtrusive background light.

When choosing fixtures, you should always remember that the design of suspended ceilings is a textile fabric or PVC film, which are fixed to a profile made of aluminum or plastic installed around the perimeter of the room. These canvases are able to change their structure due to the influence of high temperatures. From this it follows that the lamp should not heat the ceiling panel.

Important! The critical level of heating the stretch ceiling is 50-55 degrees.

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Optimal light solutions in stretch ceiling design

There are several methods by which you can achieve minimal heat transfer:

• Use lamps that emit a low amount of thermal energy. These include halogen, fluorescent and LED.

Important! Always turn your attention to power. For halogen lamps, the maximum power should be 30-40 watts, and for fluorescent - no more than 50 watts.

• The heating elements are removed to a distance that allows not to heat the canvas, while fully scattering the light.
• Thermal protection rings are installed.
• The amount that you need can be calculated based on the parameters of the room. Approximately 2 square meters are installed 1 lamp.
• Use combination lighting. For example, a chandelier will be located in the center, and a dot or LED backlight should be placed around the perimeter.
• To avoid burnout of the PVC film, do not install near the lamp.
• To improve the distribution of illumination of a stretch ceiling with a glossy surface, use lamps with directional lamps up to the surface of the ceiling.This is necessary so that the gloss can reflect light with double strength, while gently scattering it throughout the room.
• For matt surfaces, it is best to choose downlights with downlights. This is due to the fact that the matte canvas absorbs light, and it will seem that it is not enough.

Important! For stretch ceilings, it is not recommended to use chandeliers with incandescent lamps located close to the structure. It is also contraindicated to install heavy appliances and chandeliers with elements sticking up. This is due to the fact that they simply tear the cloth.

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Types of luminaires for suspended ceilings:

• Pendant Chandeliers. They can be used without any restrictions. This is due to the fact that they are located at a safe distance from the canvas.
• Classic chandelier models. Allow the use of various designs with LED lamps. When using other types of bulbs, you need to provide a safe distance for shades of at least 20 centimeters.
• Ceiling models. They can be used, provided that fluorescent or LED lamps are purchased for them that will not affect the stretch fabric.
• Spotlights. They can be installed in any shape and size. The only condition is the use of only halogen lamps with a power of 30 W or fluorescent (without restrictions).
• Spots. These are ceiling lighting devices, thanks to which it is possible to divide the room into functional zones. They are mounted exclusively under the ceiling. When installing a spot design, you can use different bulbs for power and light exposure.
• LED Strip Light. This is a flexible strip with a large number of small LED bulbs. It is placed both inside the structure and along its perimeter, due to which both the main and decorative glow are created.

Now you have a better idea of ​​which fixtures are best for a stretch ceiling. Move on.

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Types of fixtures

Preparation of the place where the chandelier will be attached, before installing the stretch ceiling, depends directly on the design features of the mounting of your chosen model:

• Attaching the lighting device to the hook. This is the oldest and most reliable method. The bottom line is that the lamp is suspended on a metal hook or anchor, which is mounted in the floor slab of the house.

Important! You need to pick a hook of the correct length. It should be above the film level.

• Using a mounting strip. This type of mount often comes with a lighting fixture. If not, you can make the mounting bracket yourself. For this you need to make a wooden base. Its height should be equal to the level of location of the PVC film. Such a bar is attached with dowels and screws to the main ceiling.
• Fastening with a cross-shaped plate. It is used for mounting bulky and large chandeliers. It is made from a piece of plywood and tin legs. The legs are attached to the ceiling, and their flexibility allows you to adjust the height of the plate.

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Which light bulbs for suspended ceilings are better to choose?

Experts recommend 4 types of bulbs that are most suitable for installation on a stretch ceiling. These include halogen, energy-saving, incandescent and LED. We will understand the nuances of which light bulbs for suspended ceilings are better to choose.

Halogen

Or as the people say “halogen”. They can be of various shapes and sizes. Such bulbs emit bright and even light, while consuming five times less energy than incandescent lamps. They are directional lamps, due to which they create a comfortable glow at the angle you need and create various lighting compositions.

Important! Pay attention to the fact that when installing halogen bulbs, the distance between the draft ceiling and the canvas should be at least 7 centimeters.

Energy saving light bulbs

The most ideal option if you want to choose the best light bulbs for suspended ceilings. This is due to the fact that they do not emit heat during the glow, in turn, the ceiling fabric does not heat up either. Besides, energy saving light bulbs consume very little electricity.

Important! The disadvantages of such models include:

• Their sensitivity to humidity;
• Slow power gain
• A shade of light that differs from other lamps.

Incandescent lamps

Of all the lamps of this type, it is best to use a minion for stretch ceilings. Such an incandescent lamp spreads light to 2-3 square meters of the room.

Important! Do not use more than one light bulb in the room, as this may heat up and damage the PVC film.

In order to achieve a comfortable brightness of the glow of an incandescent lamp, you need to choose a model of the chandelier, taking into account the type of ceiling coating:

• For the glossy texture of the canvas, it is best to arrange the bulbs so that the light stream goes up.
• The mirror texture of the surface will reflect light and gently scatter throughout the room.
• The matte surface “eats” the light, so it’s best to choose a chandelier with downlights.

Important! Do not use minions for spot lighting.

LED lamps for stretch ceilings

These are light bulbs based on LEDs. They are very economical and do not have much heat. On sale, you can easily find LED lamps for any type of lampholders. This allows you to easily choose the lamp that fits most into the interior.

The advantages of LED lamps:

• The service life of such a bulb exceeds the life of an ordinary lamp by several times.
• The light is even. The absence of the flickering effect is beneficial for the eyes.
• Some models allow you to change the color of the glow. Thanks to such bulbs, you can adjust the light to your mood.
• LED lighting allows you to save a budget due to the small consumption of electric energy.
• LEDs use reduced voltage, which significantly increases the safety of such devices.

Important! The disadvantages include the high price in relation to other models. Another drawback of diode lamps is the need to purchase and install additional units to switch the colors of the glow.

In order to know which LED lamps for stretch ceilings are better, you should consider the parameters that a high-quality model will correspond to:

• The round and oval shape of the lamp will be most appropriate, since during installation there will be less chance of damage to the ceiling.
• Square fixtures will be difficult to fix on the surface so as to line up in a straight line.
• The ceiling part of the LED bulbs should not touch the base.
• For uniform lighting, distribute one fixture for every 2 meters.
• To avoid low-quality goods, choose products from well-known manufacturers.

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Choosing good quality fixtures

Based on the above information, you should already have decided which lamps are best for a stretch ceiling in your case. Now we proceed directly to their choice.

Choosing an LED Strip

LED strip refers to the ergonomic form of lighting. This is a strip with electrical conductors on one side, and on the other, an adhesive surface. It can be used both for the main lighting of the room, and additional background illumination.

The brightness of such lighting depends solely on the number and size of LEDs placed on the strip:

• For the design of the ceiling, it is best to use 30-60 LEDs per meter.
• The glow should be warm white. It is better not to experiment with brighter light, as it will “cut” your eyes.

Important! It is best to use LED strip for lighting a ceiling with a matte surface.

Choose spotlights for suspended ceilings

Recessed lights are also called spotlights. They consist of one lamp and are used both for additional illumination, and independent.

Important! For uniform lighting of the room, it is very important to calculate the correct number of points.

Spotlights are divided into 2 groups.

• Outdoor. These are lamps in which the light source is below the level of the ceiling canvas. They are exclusively decorative elements. In this regard, designers give them the most extraordinary and sophisticated forms. The main advantage of such lamps is the minimum loss of height when using them.

Important! The visible part of the outdoor lamp has small dimensions, due to this they can be used even for low ceilings.

• Internal These are lighting devices that are installed flush with the canvas, hiding most of the body in the ceiling space. When choosing such spotlights, it should be borne in mind that the inter-ceiling space will be increased, respectively - the height of the room will be less. If the kit has a threaded base, then the distance between the draft and the new ceiling should be at least 9-11 cm. As for the height of the inter-ceiling space when using bayonet socles, it should be at least 6-7 cm.

Important! The use of such models of luminaires is most appropriate for multi-level structures, since they have enough space for installing these devices.

Also, depending on mobility, rotary and static models are divided. Their difference is that in the latter version you can not regulate the flow of light. As for the rotary models, thanks to their moving part, you can direct the light rays to the place where you need.

Important! In order to determine which spotlights it is better to choose on a stretch ceiling, the requirements that they must meet must be taken into account:

• The working temperature should be no more than 50-60 degrees, since at a higher ceiling surface can be damaged.
• Always consider the power of the bulb, as it should be no more than 35 watts.
• Buy lamps with a mirror part to reflect the light flux.
• Avoid sharp-pointed models that could damage the ceiling.

If you decide to choose spotlights for a stretch ceiling, the order of their installation will be as follows:

• Before installing the ceiling, wires are laid and the fixtures are installed.

Important! When using 12 W lamps, you should provide space for a step-down transformer.

• In places where spotlights will be installed, special suspensions on metal plates are attached to the main ceiling. Due to this, the height of the devices can be adjusted, since the lower plane should be at the level of the ceiling canvas.
• After preparatory work, the ceiling is installed.
• In places where the fixtures will be installed, a plastic ring is glued.
• When the glue dries, a film is cut out with the help of an office knife.
• Through the hole, pre-laid wires are taken out and their connection to the lamp begins.
• And at the very end, the lamp itself is installed.

Choose a chandelier

If you choose a chandelier for suspended ceilings, this is not difficult, given all the necessary characteristics.

Key factors to consider:

• Mounting method;
• Shape of shades;
• The number of horns and their orientation;
• The type of light source that is suitable for this device.

You should also take into account the texture of the ceiling, the type and power of the light bulb used, and most importantly - the features of the room:

• For the matte texture of the surface, the classic form of the fixtures is ideally suited, for glossy - extraordinary and intricate.
• To create many bright highlights, choose chandeliers with open LED bulbs that are installed directly under the canvas. They do not heat up and will not cause any harm to the coating.
• If you decide to use halogen lamps, then the chandelier should be located exclusively at a distance of at least 30 centimeters from the ceiling.

Important! Try to opt for a chandelier with downlights.

When choosing a chandelier, the ceiling height is also important:

• In rooms with a standard ceiling height (up to about 3 meters) it is best to use horizontal ones. Their diameter can be about 1 meter. Such chandeliers represent a multi-track design, which is located on the "branches" or has a different structure. Their feature is that the lamps are evenly distributed throughout the chandelier, which gives high-quality lighting.
• For rooms with high ceilings (over 3 meters), the best option would be to use vertical models whose diameter is 30-50 centimeters and a height of 1 meter. Thanks to this design, they illuminate the space as much as possible.

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What is still better?

Which type of luminaire is best to choose is purely individual solutions. You should start exclusively from your own preferences and the design of a stretch ceiling:

• Chandeliers are best used as main lighting for rooms with a large area. For example, a living room or bedroom.
• As for spotlights, they are most suitable for installation in small rooms or for lighting various areas. For example, the ceiling in the bathroom or dressing room.
• For those who still could not decide there is a third option - a combination. You can use the chandelier for the main lighting, and spotlights as an additional illumination.

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Stock footage

Thanks to modern designers, the range of lighting fixtures for suspended ceilings is just off scale. Unfortunately, many of such a “wealth” of choice scares. But if you follow the rules and recommendations above, you can purchase high-quality lighting products that are suitable not only for all technical parameters, but also fit perfectly into the overall design of the room, emphasizing its beneficial accents.