Which is better: suspended ceiling or plasterboard? Which ceiling is better - suspended or plasterboard? Plasterboard or suspended ceiling is a better characteristic for them.

Today we have to decide which is better - suspended ceiling or from plasterboard. Don’t expect final verdicts on the advantages of one solution or another: our goal is to give both of them an objective assessment of a number of consumer qualities, as well as to identify strong and weak sides every type of ceiling. So, let's go.

Presentation of participants

A few words about what we are comparing and with what.

A stretch ceiling is a thin vinyl film or polyester fabric stretched between walls, ceiling surfaces or ceiling boxes baguettes - aluminum or plastic profiles. and film ceilings vary quite a lot both in price and in their key properties.

Please note: our comparison today will involve PVC film - a cheaper and therefore much more common material. To attach it to the baguette, a harpoon is used - welded around the perimeter plastic profile. The gap at the junction with the wall is closed by inserting it into a baguette.

This suspended structure with a galvanized frame, fixed to the ceiling surface or to beams with hangers.

When installing this structure, the following are used:

• Galvanized profiles(ceiling and ceiling guides, in domestic system designations - PP and PNP, less often - rack and guide profiles PS and PN);
• Suspensions(adjustable and straight) for installing lathing on the ceiling;

• Fasteners(anchors, dowel-nails and self-tapping screws);

• Actually drywall(both ceiling and thicker wall);
• Reinforcing material(fiberglass or fiberglass mesh);
• putty(usually plaster).

Let the battle begin

Now let's find out what is better - plasterboard or suspended ceilings - according to the most important parameters for the consumer.

Expenses

What is cheaper - plasterboard or suspended ceiling?

We will use the price lists of construction organizations posted on the Internet. According to the prices given there, square meter A single-level gypsum board ceiling with one layer of cladding costs approximately 800 rubles. Prices for suspended ceilings with turnkey installation start at 300 rubles per square.

It would seem - checkmate, drywall. But no: the same price lists kindly list the price of materials. And their kit for installing a square suspended ceiling made of gypsum plasterboard will cost... the same 300 rubles.

Summary: when ordering “turnkey”, tension film is several times cheaper. Assembly plasterboard ceiling with his own hands, he evens out the difference, ensuring price parity.

Appearance

What looks better - suspended ceilings or plasterboard?

Convincing arguments can be found in favor of both sides:

• GKL allows you to create complex multi-level structures having free form transitions between levels, various decorative arches, imitation beams and much more. The capabilities of vinyl film are noticeably more modest;

• Glossy film makes the room noticeably lighter and taller (visually, of course). The secret is simple: gloss reflects light, and at the same time the interior of the room, creating the illusion of a large distance to the surface above your head.

Please note: of course, nothing prevents you from painting the gypsum boards with glossy paint, or sticking glossy ceiling wallpaper. However, this texture is very demanding on the quality of the surface and emphasizes the most minor irregularities. The stretched film is devoid of them; meanwhile even the most best ceilings plasterboard usually cannot boast of an ideal surface.

Life time

Which ceiling - plasterboard or suspended ceiling - will last longer?

Sellers give rather vague answers to this question. If you believe their statements, tension film lasts on average 5-15 years, gypsum board - 5-7 years.

Several facts cast doubt on the reliability of this information:

• Plaster - mineral material, not subject to degradation in light and generally in dry atmosphere conditions. He is only afraid of moisture;
• VSN 58-88 (departmental building codes) a service life of 60 years is established for gypsum and gypsum-fiber partitions. The author does not see any reason why a plaster ceiling could last less than a plaster wall;

• For sewerage and plastic windows, made from the same PVC as the stretch film, the estimated service life is 60 years;
• Each seller is vitally interested in selling his products, so he will in every possible way inflate its characteristics and drown his competitors.

Let's agree that the opponents played a draw in this parameter. We will, of course, find out the exact answer. But only after a few decades.

Installation time

Which is better - suspended ceilings or plasterboard - in terms of speed of installation of the structure?

Single-level suspended ceiling made of gypsum plasterboard small room gathers a couple of people for part-time work. Taking into account all technological pauses, no more than three days will pass from the moment of purchasing materials until the finishing is completely ready.

The tension fabric can be installed by one or two workers in 3-4 hours, most of which is spent on attaching the baguette.

It would seem that the winner is visible to the naked eye. However, there is a big and bold “but” here: tension film with harpoon fastening is manufactured in a factory according to pre-made measurements. Between the order and installation of the ceiling takes from one to three weeks.

crazy hands

What is easier to install - a plasterboard ceiling or a suspended ceiling?

In terms of labor intensity of installation, gypsum boards are somewhat inferior. On the other hand, all work can be performed with tools available to any economically competent inhabitant of our great and vast homeland.

Requires gas heat gun. Electric heaters unable to develop the required power and warm the top of the room to the required 70-80 degrees without damaging the wiring and/or triggering the circuit breakers in the panel.

Do you happen to have a gas heat gun lying around? No? End of discussion.

Lamps

Which - suspended or plasterboard - ceilings are easier in terms of installing lamps?

According to this parameter, gypsum board tramples vinyl film with a cynical grin:

• To install a recessed light in drywall, simply cut a hole in it. This can be done with a crown, a jigsaw or a sharp knife;

• For mounting a surface-mounted lamp, ventilation grille or a fan, in the place of their installation it is enough to first fix the profile, or stick a piece of plywood on the back surface of the drywall;

• The instructions for installing any light sources in a suspended ceiling are much more complicated: the lamps are attached to previously (before tensioning the canvas) platforms fixed to the ceiling. Holes for the lamps are cut out in the film with thermal rings pre-glued (and, note, with a non-zero risk of ruining the entire canvas).

Possibility of damage

What is easier to damage - suspended ceiling or drywall?

The film can be pierced by a champagne film that shoots upward.

GCR can also be damaged, but with noticeable force: it will require an impressive blow.

Another point in favor of plaster.

Smells

Which is better - a plasterboard ceiling or a suspended ceiling - in terms of odors?

• GKL is deprived of them;
• For obvious reasons, galvanized profiles also do not smell;
• Moreover: for finishing suspended ceiling, primers and paints are used on water based. Unlike dyes based on organic solvents, they do not dry more than an hour onto the layer and... that's right. They don't smell;

• Freshly stretched vinyl film produces a strong, persistent and rather unpleasant odor. Depending on the efficiency of the ventilation of the room, it disappears in 1-3 weeks.

Heat

What is more appropriate in the kitchen with her high temperature above the slab - plasterboard or suspended ceilings?

Heating to 90-100 degrees will not have a noticeable effect on the gypsum board. Of course, provided that the seams are reinforced with high quality: they are afraid of temperature changes and react to them with cracks.

The vinyl sheet will begin to sag at 60-70 degrees, and melt at 90-95.

By the way: this is why you cannot install built-in lamps with halogen lamps more powerful than 35 and incandescent light bulbs more powerful than 40 watts in a suspended ceiling. Despite the thermal rings, the film may melt.

Moisture resistance

Which of our soldiers better tolerates contact with water when the apartment is flooded by neighbors?

It looks like vinyl has an opportunity to rehabilitate itself after a series of failures:

• PVC has zero hygroscopicity and can be in contact with water for an unlimited time;
• Not only that: the film is capable of retaining water leaking through the ceiling (up to 50 liters per square meter) and allowing the apartment owners to drain it through the holes for the lamps;

• GCR (including waterproof) reacts to prolonged contact with water with a catastrophic loss of strength and swelling. After the flood, serious repairs await you.

Maintainability

Which - suspended or plasterboard - ceiling is easier to repair if damaged?

• Minor damage to vinyl film can sometimes be repaired by gluing a patch and securing it with tape while the glue dries. Of course, this operation involves dismantling the canvas and reinstalling it;

• Long gap means complete replacement ceiling;
• Minor damage to gypsum plasterboard can be eliminated in 1-2 minutes using a spatula and acrylic putty;

• Breaks are also repaired, but with a slightly longer investment of time. For repairs, a section of profile or block is inserted into the gap and attached to the gypsum board with self-tapping screws. Then a patch made in the shape of the break is screwed onto it, after which the seams are puttied.

Conclusion

So which one better ceiling- plasterboard or tension? Each reader will draw his own conclusions, and the video attached to the article will help him with this. Good luck!

The most popular types Finishes today are suspended ceilings and plasterboard ceilings. Both options are good enough for any type of room, however, this finish also has a number of disadvantages that should also be taken into account when choosing a finish. Is the ceiling plasterboard or suspended? How and which one to choose?

General advantages

1. Savings

The main advantage of both suspended and plasterboard ceilings is the fact that by installing such material you can avoid a lot of labor and save a lot of money cash, and at the same time achieve a perfectly smooth ceiling surface, which will perfectly complement the interior of the room.

2. Multi-level

Another undoubted advantage of such ceilings is that they can be made multi-level by installing additional frames. At the same time, you can use various materials, turning the most unusual design ideas into reality.

In addition to levels with sharp corners, you can also create smooth transitions that will become a bright “highlight” in the interior of the room.

In addition, spot lighting is often installed in tension and plasterboard panels, with the help of which you can also significantly complement the chosen interior, create coziness in the room or play up bright details, emphasizing them with light.

Despite the fact that plasterboard and suspended ceilings have many similarities and have considerable advantages, they also have certain disadvantages that are important to know when choosing the type of ceiling covering.

So which ceiling is better, suspended or plasterboard?

From plasterboard

Drywall is environmentally friendly pure material, created from a mixture of cardboard and plaster. A ceiling made of this material is easily and simply attached to profile frame. At the same time, the material is quite flexible and can accept various shapes. This allows you to beat any design ideas in room.

pros

The undoubted advantages of plasterboard are:

• Low cost (the cost of plasterboard is significantly lower than the cost of tension);
• Ease of installation (anyone can install plasterboard without the help of specialists. You just need to imagine the diagram and installation steps and carefully follow the installation technology);
• You can install any lighting (this is a very important point if the room has unusual design, which requires original solutions);
• Strength and durability (plasterboard is a very durable material that, when correct installation and operation will serve for a long time and please the eye with an ideal appearance);
• Creates a comfortable microclimate in the room (plasterboard is a natural breathable material that does not create a vacuum and allows the room to circulate freely Fresh air, which allows you to create a comfortable microclimate).

Minuses

The main disadvantages of plasterboard are:

• Not moisture-resistant (if the apartment is flooded, the plasterboard will not withstand the invasion of a large flow of water. Such a ceiling will be deformed and will become unsuitable for further use);
• Heaviness (plasterboard is quite heavy, which makes installation of plasterboard alone almost impossible);
• Duration of installation (in addition to its heaviness, the ceiling also takes a long time to install, which also cannot be its advantage);
• Dismantling drywall also takes quite a long time;
• Applications cannot be applied to a plasterboard ceiling. Photo printing or various patterns.
• Finishing of the plasterboard ceiling is necessary.

Thus, by choosing the plasterboard option, you get a breathable, environmentally friendly ceiling that will create comfortable conditions for indoor living, and the material is also good soundproofing material and thermal insulation material, retaining energy and heat indoors.

Very important point is ease of installation, this will allow you to do the finishing yourself, without resorting to the help of specialists.

An installed plasterboard ceiling will last a long time. Average term The service life of such ceilings is about 10 years, which will allow you, having made the renovation of your dreams, not to resort to repairs for a long time, admiring the result of the work done.

Stretch ceiling is modern design, which appeared relatively recently, but every day is gaining more and more popularity among customers.

The stretch ceiling is vinyl film, made with the addition various materials and featuring a huge selection of colors and fabric textures.

Installation of such a canvas occurs on a metal frame using additional tools. As a rule, installation is carried out by specialists from companies engaged in the manufacture and installation of tensioners, since this process requires certain skills and the presence of additional equipment.

pros

The main advantages of suspended ceilings are:

• Seamlessness of the canvas (as a rule, in standard rooms, if it corresponds to the width of the canvas, the tension will be seamless. After measuring, the canvas is cut specifically for this room and after installation it looks like a perfectly flat surface without flaws);
• Lightness of construction (fairly light materials allow installation by one person, provided that the ceiling does not have levels or pre-conceived irregularities);
• Waterproof (if the room is flooded by neighbors above, the ceiling will retain all the incoming water, preventing it from breaking into the room and damaging things and furniture);
• Increased service life (with correct operation such a ceiling, its service life will be about 20-25 years);
• A large selection of designs (a huge selection of colors, textures, as well as various applications, photo printing and patterns, allow you to satisfy the most sophisticated taste of the customer and bring any design idea to life);

Minuses

However, despite obvious advantages tension, it also has a number of significant disadvantages.

• Special equipment for installation (as mentioned above, to install a tensioner you need special equipment (heat gun), which ordinary citizens do not have. That is why to install a tensioner you have to resort to installation companies);
• The fabric easily deteriorates when the temperature drops.
• Duration of production of the canvas (this is especially true for ceilings with appliqués or photo printing. After ordering this option, a fairly long period of time will pass, during which repairs will have to be suspended);
• Avoid mechanical damage from sharp objects (this is very important to take into account when rearranging furniture. The stretch ceiling canvas can be easily damaged by the corner of a rearranged cabinet or damaged by a sharp object thrown into the air. Therefore, if you install a stretch ceiling, you should be careful).

Today there is even a technology for combining stretch ceilings with plasterboard ceilings. This is a fairly common practice that allows you to create original premises and give them unprecedented charm. The process of such a combination is quite complex and it is unlikely that it can be done without the help of specialists, but the result obtained will be worth it. Often the idea of ​​combining suspended and plasterboard ceilings is used in living rooms and dining rooms.

Any fantasy can be realized by combining canvases. For example, you can install a plasterboard ceiling around the perimeter of the room, and place a suspended ceiling with an applique inside. This will help to visually enlarge the room and give the room a special charm.

Comparison of two types of ceilings

Stretch ceilings or plasterboard, which is better? Based on the above, we suggest that you independently choose the material from which your ceiling will be made.

When approaching the choice of material, you need to clearly understand what goals the ceiling space in your room serves.

If the ceiling becomes an addition to original design premises, it is better to opt for a suspended ceiling, since the variety of textures and color solutions will allow you to play with any design idea.

You should also be inclined to choose a tension one if there have been cases of flooding of your apartment by neighbors above. This will significantly save money, which is spent each time on restoring and repairing the premises after a flood. The stretch ceiling will reliably hold water flows and, if necessary, they can be easily removed, and then use the ceiling as before.

In other cases, you should still lean toward plasterboard ceilings.

Drywall is actually environmentally friendly, not harmful and will be an excellent addition to the interior when renovating an apartment.

If the apartment is inhabited by people suffering from allergies, bronchial asthma or other diseases, you should undoubtedly pay attention to plasterboard ceilings. Normal air circulation will allow you to literally “breathe deeply.” This option does not create a vacuum in the room and staying in a room with such a ceiling is always comfortable.

Lighting

In both cases, you can use spotlights and various lighting devices that will create additional comfort, illuminate the room and solve design problems. Wires of electrical appliances can be easily secured under a suspended or plasterboard ceiling so that they are not visible from the side of the room.

Besides spotlights You can choose various chandeliers and much more; in this case there are no limits to your imagination.

All the pros and cons of various materials are covered in this article. Which material should you choose? Only the customer himself can answer this question, having carefully studied all the properties of such ceilings and weighed all the pros and cons.

Everything is learned by comparison, isn't it? This explains why people start comparing plasterboard or suspended ceilings, because each type has its own significant advantages. Choosing a champion and an underdog is not easy, but we will try to do it in this article. Let's consider the features of each material, its pros and cons.

Those who have already tried suspended and plasterboard ceilings know that the latter is a composite material. It consists of two main “ingredients” – cardboard and gypsum. Usage modern technologies helped to unite them and make them one.

Initially, drywall was used to create small partitions. It allowed us to change the space beyond recognition. Later, designers noticed that the use of material for finishing works significantly reduces repair time.

Modern plasterboard sheets– this is an opportunity to finish the ceiling in the shortest possible time to get a real work of art. The surface is smooth and even, you can create complex structures and visually highlight specific areas of the room.

It would seem that everything is so tempting and good, don’t you agree? Before deciding what better than drywall or suspended ceilings, we list the obvious advantages and disadvantages of the material.

Advantages

• The suspended installation method will help hide almost any imperfections in the ceiling tiles.
• without resorting to the help of specialists. This means you save money.
• Possibility to hide pipes and wires, mount spot lighting.
• Plasticity is another plus in the collection of plasterboard boards. Thanks to this property, designers can bring the most daring ideas to life.
• Solving many problems - from visually raising the ceiling to expanding the room.
• Returning to the issue of environmental friendliness, we note that the material does not burn and does not emit pungent odors. Hence, it can be used in living areas, bedrooms and even children's rooms.

Flaws

Despite its versatility, drywall also has certain disadvantages:

• Poor moisture resistance. If the neighbors above flood their plasterboard ceilings and suspended ceilings, the first option will swell and lose its shape. Only complete dismantling and installation of a new coating will help solve the problem.
• Complex multi-level structures greatly “eat up” the height - up to 20 centimeters. This factor may be critical if you have small apartment with a low ceiling.
• It is also not advisable to install a plasterboard ceiling in new buildings. At first, the apartment put into operation will shrink, and this is fraught with cracks.
• Over time, this ceiling covering loses its whiteness and becomes covered with cracks. Although if you tint it and care for it properly, a good gypsum board will last for several more years.

Keeping up with the times - tension option

Advantages

To decide which ceiling is better than plasterboard or suspended ceiling, let’s consider the features of the second type.

As usual, let's start with the positives:

1. Huge decorative possibilities. The canvas can imitate fabric and wood, marble and gloss, even leather. Impressive with its decoration and color palette. Moreover, digital printing technology allows you to apply any image to the material. Standard ceilings from foam boards or from plasterboard are deprived of this possibility.
2. . If the installation is done correctly, you can save any room from an unexpected flood. Alas, plasterboards are not able to withstand such a load.
3. Basic care. Do you think stretch or plasterboard ceilings are treated with special dirt- and dust-repellent impregnations? GCR cannot be treated with impregnations, and it cannot be washed with a wet cloth.
4. Many manufacturers guarantee that their material will serve you faithfully for 25 years. During this time, the canvas will not fade in the sun, will not fade, is attractive appearance will also not be lost. Drywall can last 10-15 years. Which ceilings are better if durability comes first for you? The answer is obvious.

Flaws

Naturally, everything is not as rosy and radiant as we would like. And such structures have their “dark” sides.

1. Among all types of finishes, this is considered the most expensive.
2. Problematic installation. The cost also increases because installing the tension fabric yourself is very problematic. For this you need to have special equipment.
3. Low strength. It is in strength that the “stretch” is significantly inferior to plasterboard boards. That is why its installation is not recommended in the kitchen and children's room.
4. Due to the characteristics of the material, the power of conventional incandescent light bulbs should be no more than 60 Watts, and halogen light bulbs - 35 Watts.

Conclusions on the topic

It's time to take stock and understand what is better: suspended ceiling or plasterboard. We can conclude that each of the listed materials has significant advantages, but is not without disadvantages. The final choice will depend on the room in which you are going to use this or that type of finish.

For those interested in an environmentally friendly coating, good sound and thermal insulation characteristics, optimal microclimate, we can recommend plasterboard boards. The design will be strong and reliable, perfectly level. You are unlikely to be able to find at least one seam, a pothole, or any other defect on it.

Do you want to renovate a new building? In this case, the use of GCR is contraindicated. It is better to give preference to a tension arch.

It is also chosen by those who put originality rather than practicality in the first place. creativity when arranging a room. Thus, avid craftsmen often choose the first option, while the stretched fabric remains the prerogative of those who want to get unusual ceiling and is willing to pay a higher price for it.

Stretch ceiling sheets and frame and plasterboard systems are popular design solutions. The debate about which one is better has not subsided for several years. Some people find a compromise by combining a suspended covering with a tension covering. But most still want to choose one option. Both tension ones and suspended ceilings There are advantages, features and disadvantages that are worth paying attention to.

Which ceiling is better - suspended or plasterboard?

What are both designs?

Suspended ceiling- This is a combination of a frame made of metal profiles with sheets of plasterboard. Drywall sheets are painted to improve aesthetic properties. The suspended ceiling can be multi-level (multi-tiered).

Stretch ceiling- this is a canvas made of special fabric or PVC film, attached to the walls using baguettes. This coating has no irregularities or tiers.

Installation of suspended and suspended ceilings

Principle installation of suspended ceilings It may seem complicated, but in fact, after familiarizing yourself with it, you can carry out installation with an assistant.

Here are several mandatory steps for installing a suspended ceiling.

The process of installing the frame and drywall can rightfully be called relatively long. The approximate duration is from two to four days, but if you create several levels you will have to spend even more time.

Video - Do-it-yourself suspended ceiling installation

Stretch ceilings are installed much easier and faster. Just a few hours is enough. But there is one drawback to installing this structure - the need for special equipment when using a PVC film coating. It is a device that instantly heats the room (gun).

Tension coverings are installed in this way.

Aesthetic qualities

Each of the ceiling coverings is beautiful in its own way. Aesthetic qualities can be compared according to several criteria in the table

Table No. 1. Comparison of stretch and suspended ceilings based on aesthetic properties.

Criterion	Peculiarities
	By using various effects it can be visually raised or lowered. In any case, suspended ceilings “steal” the treasured centimeters due to the design features. Stretch ceilings can visually reduce or increase the length of walls, since it all depends on the texture (glossy and matte) and color.
	Both ceiling coverings look expensive. Especially if the suspended ceiling consists of several levels, and the tension covering is glossy or fabric.
	On modern market great amount options stretch fabrics different colors with patterns, paintings and drawings. The suspended ceiling will have to be decorated using photo printing and paint.
	Both coatings are combined with different types lighting fixtures. But a glossy stretch coating can transmit light, which helps create the effect of a starry sky.

Practicality of suspended and suspended ceilings

For many, good aesthetic properties are not the main qualities of a good ceiling design. Stretch and suspended ceilings, as in the previous section, can be compared according to the main practicality criteria in the table.

Table No. 2. Comparison of suspended and suspended ceilings according to functional indicators.

Criterion	Peculiarities
Durability	Both types of ceiling last the same amount of time on average. But the suspended ceiling will have to be periodically “refreshed” by re-painting
Resistance to damage	Here the suspended ceiling is inferior to the plasterboard one. PVC and fabric coverings are much easier to damage than sheets of drywall.
Tolerance to temperature changes	Stretch ceilings will be able to retain their shape in the cold, but only if they are fabric cloth. PVC film is deformed when low temperatures. Gypsocraton tolerates both frost and heat well.
Water resistance	Stretch ceilings can withstand a large number of water, after which you can drain the liquid and restore the coating. But this only applies to canvases made of PVC film. Suspended ceilings made of moisture-resistant plasterboard retain water, but in the event of a flood in the neighbors above or if the roof is damaged, water will likely flow down the walls.
Fire resistance	Suspended and suspended ceilings do not burn, but in the event of a serious fire they are deformed.
Care	It is enough to periodically wipe tension coverings with a damp cloth, but removing dirt from plasterboard is more difficult. After stubborn stains appear, the suspended ceiling will have to be painted again to hide the defect.

Price

The cost of gypsum boards in combination with the price of the frame averages 2,000 rubles per 1 square meter. But paint is not taken into account here. But stretch ceilings can cost both much less and more than this amount. It all depends on the type of coating chosen.

Installing suspended ceilings will cost more than installing suspended ceilings. This is due to the large amount of work in the first case.

Video - Combination of stretch ceiling with suspended ceiling

The ceiling is an important part of the interior of a room, capable of giving an atmosphere of comfort and softness or, conversely, adding drama and space. Today there are many options for ceiling design, each of which has positive and negative sides. The two most popular types are suspended ceilings and plasterboard ceilings.

How to compare?

A stretch ceiling is a lightweight membrane made of polyvinyl chloride or fabric material with special treatment. It installs quickly and does not leave a lot of debris after installation. Preparatory work are simple, and the installation itself does not leave dirt or smell, and does not require removing furniture from the room.

Drywall is often used to level the ceiling. This is a cheap and popular, but rather fragile material. The most common type of drywall comes with either a beveled or square edge. The beveled edge of the sheet is ideal for joints, while the square edge is typically used for textured finishes.

To find out which ceiling - suspended or plasterboard - is better, you need to decide on the parameters by which they can be compared.

1. The aesthetic appearance of the ceiling should be pleasing to the eye and fit into the overall interior.
2. Ease of installation is one of the factors determining the possibility self-installation ceiling.
3. The ease of maintenance of the ceiling describes its performance properties.
4. The ability to sound and heat insulate may be needed in apartment buildings.
5. The water resistance of the surface will affect the choice of ceiling if installation is planned in a room with high humidity.
6. The presence of special hygienic properties that will help protect the ceiling space from the formation of mold, bacterial growth and excretion harmful substances into the atmosphere of the room.
7. Installation cost is an important factor, especially if you are on a limited budget.

Appearance

The popularity of both types of ceilings is approximately the same. Both materials are quite durable and strong if they are not subjected to directed mechanical stress. It should be noted that replacing a damaged stretch ceiling can be more expensive than installing a new plasterboard ceiling.

To achieve the desired color, the drywall will have to be painted by hand; the stretch ceiling panel is made in a variety of colors, including with a printed pattern. Both types of ceiling allow you to mount not only straight, but also very complex designs. In addition, a stretch ceiling can be glossy, but this effect cannot be achieved by painting on drywall.

A plasterboard ceiling usually has seams between the tiles that need to be sealed. The stretch ceiling can be made seamless: even if the panel is welded from several strips, such a seam is flat and almost invisible.

The guaranteed service life of a stretch ceiling is 10 years, although its service life can be much longer and reach 20 years if there is no mechanical damage to the panel during use. The service life of a plasterboard ceiling is also quite long and is estimated at 15 years with proper use.

Ceiling care

These two types of ceiling require absolutely various care. According to its characteristics finished design made of plasterboard is no different in maintenance from a conventional plastered ceiling and requires regular painting to give freshness and novelty. The stretch ceiling can also be painted if desired, but it is only enough to refresh it by wiping it with a damp cloth using a regular detergent.

The stability of a stretch ceiling is achieved by balanced air pressure outside the membrane and in the interceiling space. Such a ceiling can be removed without damage and installed again in the same condition. If a plasterboard ceiling is installed in one piece, it will be impossible to subsequently remove it without damaging it. An installation option using plasterboard slabs is possible - such a ceiling can be dismantled without damage.

Video - Care of suspended ceilings

Hygienic properties

When choosing a material for a stretch ceiling, you can consider its antibacterial and anti-mold treatment. This is a moisture-resistant material that sags, retaining water and returns to its previous shape after it (water) is removed. Condensation also does not settle on the film. Such ceilings can be used in laboratories, medical centers, swimming pools and saunas, in bathrooms.

Plasterboard ceilings are susceptible to moisture and can fail if pipes leak. As a rule, such a ceiling cannot be repaired; it has to be replaced. On regular drywall Mold easily forms; it is not recommended to install it in rooms with high humidity, although plasterboard sheets with antibacterial and anti-mold impregnation can be found on the market today. There are specially designed types of drywall that are reinforced with a silicon additive or non-flammable glass, which gives this material increased water resistance. However, even such drywall will not withstand direct contact with water.

The stretch ceiling panel has antistatic properties, which prevents dust from accumulating on it. Special treatment of the material also prevents fat and soot from settling on it, and it does not absorb odors. Drywall itself does not have such properties. You can slightly increase its durability by using appropriate finishing– it will determine the final properties of the surface of this material. However, dust and dirt that has adhered during operation will have to be removed. cosmetic repairs ceiling.

Sound and heat insulation properties

A stretch ceiling can improve the acoustic properties of a room even with the use of a standard membrane. The use of special micro-perforated material will further enhance the acoustic properties of tension ceiling structures. The microperforated membrane has holes 0.1–0.2 mm in diameter, which does not affect the visual properties of the product. The noise suppression coefficient of such a ceiling is 0.45, taking into account that a value equal to one means a room completely isolated from sound. If, when installing the film, you also use insulating material, which is fixed in the space between the panel and the main ceiling, the acoustic properties increase even more, reaching a noise reduction coefficient of 0.8–0.9.

Standard drywall itself does not absorb sound well, with a noise suppression coefficient of only 0.05. Therefore, if a room requires soundproofing, you should consider using other materials or combining perforated plasterboard with insulation reinforced in the space between the frame and the main ceiling. Here it may be difficult to work with such sheets of drywall, since perforation will increase the fragility of the already fragile material.

Thermal insulation of both suspended and plasterboard ceilings is achieved by installing additional thermal insulation material in the interceiling space.

In both cases, the insulating material must be mounted on independent hangers so that it does not rest on the surface of the false ceiling. Plasterboard slabs are produced, on which the thick layer polystyrene foam. In this case, during installation, you should take into account the safety margin of the supporting profile, since the weight of such composite material will increase.

Features of installing a plasterboard ceiling

Plasterboard panels are fragile and have significant weight. Depending on the thickness of the panel used, its weight per square meter is 5 kg for a 6 mm sheet and increases in proportion to the thickness of the sheet. The process of installing a plasterboard ceiling is quite complex and labor-intensive, and takes a lot of time. Depending on the size of the room and the complexity of the design, installation of the ceiling may take from several days to several weeks.

1. Before installing a plasterboard ceiling, it is necessary to remove furniture and household appliances from the premises, as required extra space for working with sheets. In addition, when cutting sheets, a lot of dust and debris is generated.
2. Installation requires fixing to the ceiling metal frame, which will support the entire structure.
3. Drywall sheets are cut to the right size and are mounted on the installed profile.
4. Sheet joints require special processing.
5. The prepared surface must be primed and painted.

Features of installing a stretch ceiling

The installation process of a stretch ceiling takes several hours. The entire procedure can be performed by one person and generally consists of two stages.

1. Installation metal profile around the perimeter of the room.
2. Tension of the ceiling panel onto the profile.

Special preparation of the room and PVC sheet by heating with a heat gun may be required. If a fabric panel is used, the installation will be cold. In this case, you don’t even need to remove furniture from the room; it’s enough to free up access to the perimeter of the room. A fabric ceiling sheet will need to be cut to shape after installation, while a PVC sheet is pre-prepared to fit the size of the room.

For uniform flat tension of the panel, it is necessary to correctly install the profile frame around the perimeter of the room. In the case of a plasterboard ceiling, one perimeter is not enough - load-bearing frame You will need to install it in the center of the ceiling slab in increments, the size of which depends on the width of the plasterboard sheet.

Tools and materials for ceiling installation

Most of the tools needed when installing both suspended and plasterboard ceilings are the same. Differences are observed at the final stage, when the plasterboard ceiling needs to be treated to finishing, while a suspended ceiling can be easily washed.

Tools you will need to install both ceilings:

• putty knife;
• perforator;
• screwdriver;
• self-tapping screws;
• ladder;
• level;
• roulette.

To install a PVC stretch ceiling sheet, you will need an air heater (heat gun).

When installing a plasterboard ceiling, you will additionally need:

• putty;
• primer;
• dye;
• paint roller and container for it;
• brush for painting corners;
• sandpaper;
• saw;
• safety glasses, gloves.

Which ceiling to choose?

When choosing a ceiling, first of all you need to think about the room in which you plan to install it. If this is a bathroom, then the use of drywall is irrational due to its instability when in contact with water. Stretch ceilings will be useful in new buildings where shrinkage of the building and the formation of cracks is possible, including ceiling slabs. Drywall will crack under such conditions, so it is necessary to consider using a special type of fastening. Under these conditions, it is quite easy to align the stretch ceiling panel to compensate for the pressure in the interceiling space.

Installing drywall is more difficult than installing a suspended ceiling, but in both cases you will need certain skills and tools if you are going to install the ceiling yourself. Please note that plasterboard sheets are quite heavy, so you will need at least another pair of hands during installation. In addition, when working with drywall, a lot of dust and construction waste, much more than when installing a stretch ceiling.

If the question of choice is the cost of the ceiling, then the cheapest option would be self-installation plasterboard ceiling. If you plan to hire craftsmen to install the ceiling, most likely, taking into account the price of the material and the cost installation work Both types of ceilings will cost about the same.

It is necessary to provide for the possibility of repair installed ceiling. If the stretch ceiling panel is damaged, it will be difficult to repair and, most likely, the membrane will have to be completely replaced. Drywall is fairly easy to repair, and it is possible to repair only part of the ceiling without replacing the undamaged area.

If electrical wiring is laid in the interceiling space, it would be useful to provide for the fire resistance of the ceiling in case of a possible short circuit. The tension fabric is non-flammable and can withstand 15 minutes of flame without collapsing. Gypsum itself is not a flammable material; only cardboard can burn. Therefore, to increase fire resistance, you should choose plasterboard with fire-resistant impregnation, which reduces the flammability of the cardboard component.

Assess the temperature at which the ceiling will be used. Although both options feel best when room temperatures, drywall will withstand negative thermometer readings without any problems. Stretch ceilings are not used in extreme temperatures; they become brittle in the cold and overly elastic at high temperatures.

A comparison table of properties shows the similarities and main differences between a suspended ceiling and a plasterboard ceiling.

Table. Comparative characteristics suspended and plasterboard ceilings.

Characteristic	Stretch ceiling	Plasterboard ceiling
Installation duration (20 sq.m.)	2 hours	2–5 days depending on complexity
Reuse of material	Yes	Yes
Moisture resistance	Yes	No
Weight per square meter	0.3 kg	5–10 kg depending on sheet thickness
Life time	10–20 years	Up to 15 years
Environmental friendliness	100%	70%
Coloring	Not required	Required every 2–3 years
Washable	Yes	No
Fire resistance	Yes	No
Loss of room height	2.5 cm	1.5–5 cm
Possibility of multi-levels and complex structure	Yes	Yes
Ability to hide communications	Yes	Yes

Video - Combination of plasterboard and stretch ceiling