Ceiling foam. Foam ceiling tiles

Installation of polystyrene foam tiles requires a minimum of tools, time and additional materials, therefore, the fastest and least labor-intensive type of ceiling finishing is an adhesive ceiling. Expanded polystyrene tiles are divided into three types according to the production method: stamped, injection and extruded.

1. Stamped
2. Pressed
3. Extruded
4. Seamless ceiling
5. Standard sizes

Stamped

This is the simplest and cheapest type of product; it is made from polystyrene foam on stamping machines at elevated temperatures. Stamped tiles have the most disadvantages: they are fragile, crumble when broken, and are difficult to clean. But since the adhesive ceiling is practically not subject to mechanical action, this drawback can be ignored. After carefully gluing the tiles and letting them dry, they can be painted with water-based acrylic paint in any color, and then, if necessary, updated with a new paint.

Prices for stamped tiles range from 39 rubles and above, but usually do not exceed 55 rubles. By successfully choosing a pattern and color, you can create a good design in a room with a glued ceiling from inexpensive tiles, despite a budget option products.

Pressed

It is also called injection. It is produced in molds by sintering polystyrene foam, and its quality indicators are higher than stamped tiles. It is produced in white, but after pasting the ceiling it can be painted with acrylic paint.

Except smooth surface, stamped tiles are made with a profile relief. The lower the ceiling in the room, the less voluminous you need to choose the pattern on the tiles, otherwise the ceiling in the room will seem even lower. The cost of the material depends on the density of the polystyrene foam sheet and the complexity of the pattern, and ranges from 59 to 100 rubles.

In this photo, pressed tiles imitating stucco are suitable for spacious rooms, such as a living room.

Extruded

The most expensive and high-quality ceiling tiles are extruded. Its surface is covered with a thin film (laminated), so the surface of the tile is perfectly smooth, easy to clean and not afraid of minor mechanical loads. Another advantage of such a product is the unlimited choice of colors. Available in imitation stone, wood, or just a plain color, so you can immediately select a product of a suitable shade and not have to additional work for painting the ceiling. The photo below shows an example of extruded marbled tiles.

The protective film on extruded tiles creates a water-repellent effect. Therefore, if you need to make an adhesive ceiling in the kitchen or bathroom, it is better to choose a product with a laminated coating, since fumes can accumulate in these rooms.

In addition to lamination, extruded tiles can be factory-painted with waterproof paints, which creates a coating that is not inferior to laminated tiles.

The average cost of 1 m2 of extruded tiles is about 100 rubles. The price of expensive options for products with beautiful designs and high-quality coating reach 170 rubles per 1m2.

U different manufacturers the price of polystyrene foam ceiling tiles varies significantly. You can buy inexpensive Omsk tiles Format Lagom from the factory of the same name: price from 39 rubles. The product will cost a little more from the companies VTM Holding from Rostov-on-Don and Nitram from Mytishchi, Moscow region: from 49 to 82 rubles.

Seamless ceiling

Seamless tiles have no edges, and when the sheets are joined, the joints between the tiles are almost invisible and the surface appears as a continuous sheet. Tiles for a seamless ceiling come with a wavy edge, and then its surface is especially beautiful.

But the seamless type of tiles is only suitable for gluing perfectly flat surfaces, since at small differences the edges of the tiles are difficult to match, and they look very ugly. Particularly difficult is covering the ceiling with seamless tiles with a complex relief pattern. Some craftsmen install seamless tiles on a pre-arranged sheathing of even slats, but then the installation of an adhesive ceiling without seams becomes more complicated and expensive, and sometimes the meaning of its installation is lost. If the surface cannot be leveled, it is better to use regular tiles with cut rounded edges.

Standard sizes

The standard size of polystyrene foam tiles is 50x50 cm, which means there are 4 square sheets per 1m2. This size makes it easy to count the number of tiles for covering the ceiling. The tiles are sold packaged in 2 m2 packs, that is, 8 pieces per package, but if you need to buy an odd number of m2, you can ask the seller to remove the missing sheets of tiles from the packaging.

Rectangular tiles measuring 100x16.5cm are also considered standard. It is used mainly as a decorative element and is glued to the wall around the perimeter to finish an already pasted ceiling.

Recently, some manufacturers have begun to produce ceiling tiles in a wider selection of sizes. Products appeared in 60×60 cm, 40×40 cm, 70×40 cm, 70×30 cm and 60×30 cm. Having glued tiles in the room custom size, you can visually expand or lengthen the ceiling.

Read also: How to choose a ceiling plinth, Expanded polystyrene ceiling tiles, Buy a hanging chair to the ceiling, Self-adhesive PVC tiles for the floor. Reviews

Polystyrene foam on the ceiling

Repair is an expensive undertaking. In addition, it takes time to completely renovate the interior, which also requires a lot. What to do when resources are limited, deadlines are tightened, and repairs must be carried out, at least temporarily?

It is necessary to choose a relatively inexpensive material that is easy to use in front of the walls, which will occur as quickly as possible.

In this obvious solution, among other things, polystyrene foam is a tile made of polystyrene foam (expanded polystyrene) on the ceiling. It has obvious advantages described below.

Advantages and disadvantages of foam panels

Styrofoam foam

As the name suggests, foam ceiling tiles are made from lightweight synthetic material, for example from foamed polystyrene.

Its advantages:

1. Thermal insulation properties. This is especially true if the ceiling is on the top floor of a house, private or apartment building.
2. Soundproofing. Protection from external noise is necessary not only in cities, but also in remote villages.
3. Moisture resistant. Polystyrene foam practically does not provide moisture; even longer use of tiles made from it in the bathroom or kitchen will not damage the coating.

   In a pinch, the adhesive will suffer, and then only if selected incorrectly.

4. Repair and replacement. If your ceiling tiles are broken or peeled for any reason, replacing them should be fairly easy.
5. Wide selection of samples. There is the option of choosing any design or, if correct, imprinting on plastic foam foil.

   The market supply will allow you to imitate high-quality plaster.

6. Technologies. Completing a ceiling with such tiles consists of marking and gluing. All of these levels are not particularly difficult for those who have never repaired. In addition, styrofoam can be easily painted in almost any color.
7. Expenses. Polystyrene foam is very cheap, the purchase cost will be minimal.
8. Weight. Coating material, specific gravity which is extremely small, will not lead to a noticeable load on the ceiling.

Like all other building materials, polystyrene foam has many disadvantages that limit its use. These include:

1. Non-linear. Polystyrene foam is a completely synthetic product with all the ensuing consequences. For example, when it is washed away, it releases not only harmful, but sometimes toxic substances.
2. Low fire resistance. Polystyrene foam does not withstand strong heat, it will melt and light up. Therefore, it is not recommended to place it near heating devices and there should not be a high-power lantern that is covered with such tiles closer to the ceiling. For example, a chandelier with horns pointing upward is completely illegal with such a finishing material.
3. Low resistance to mechanical loads. Foam ceilings are very soft and can damage them.

   We must rely solely on the fact that no one will do it intentionally, but it is possible to accidentally touch something by accident, but this is very problematic.

4. Low resistance to sunlight. If direct sunlight hits polystyrene foam, it, like many other plastics, will turn yellow after a while.
5. Low aesthetic properties.

   Whatever the design on such a board, it is impossible to create a rich interior design. This is the main quality of foam tiles, which makes repairs using temporary ones.

   How to glue ceiling sheets? (7 photos)

Foam Types

Foam Types

Foam ceilings are classified according to the technology used in its manufacture. Depending on the production method, some characteristics of the tile vary significantly:

1. Tile made by pressing (embossing).

   From big piece A blank is cut out of polystyrene foam from which tiles can be printed using this or another pattern. The thickness of the finished product is up to seven millimeters, the color is matte white. Its main advantage is that it is inexpensive, which allows them not to be afraid of high costs both when completing and partially replacing tiles. Backsplash tile works well in almost any color. The main disadvantage of this tile is its fragility. Careless handling both during installation and during transportation inevitably causes damage to the material.

   Also, in a compressed plate, the edge, if slightly defective, will be very noticeable.

2. A plate produced by sintering or injection. It is made from high quality polystyrene raw materials and molded under high temperature. Its thickness reaches fourteen inches, and the color is about the same as for compressed slabs.

   The injection plate is not afraid of moisture and water, but also has good sound insulation properties. On the other hand, greater thickness allows for the creation of an image of great depth, making very small cutting interlocking joints almost invisible.

3. Plates produced by extrusion. Its color is not very attractive, so be sure to cover it with a special film. Extruded tiles are the most durable, with a low thickness, much more resistant to mechanical stress. The main disadvantages are the relatively high costs and rather large deviations from certain dimensions.

   There is obvious inaccuracy in geometry during installation, so extruded polystyrene ceiling tiles require more care when gluing than any other.

Preparation for gluing tiles

Preparation for gluing tiles

Constructing a ceiling with foam filtration, as already mentioned, is preferable to other materials in the processing process.

This statement also applies to preparatory work, which will not be too spacious and boring.

After all, this latter material hides various cracks, hills, holes and other surface imperfections that do not need to be separated separately.

However, some preparatory work is necessary. If there is chalk or lime on the ceiling, they need to be washed. If all types of clothing are present, they must also be removed. A primer coat is required on the ceiling surface to ensure sufficient adhesion to the adhesive.

For example, you can use a ready-made solution that is sold in any hardware store.

Typically, ceiling tiles are made from different types The foam forms a square, with a side length of 50 centimeters. Before gluing, you must carefully measure each side of the ceiling. Each of them is that the difference between seemingly identical sides can be several centimeters.

If this is not taken into account, the holes in the device will be too high and difficult to repair.

After measuring the ceiling, calculate the number of whole tiles. All partial tile inserts must be carefully measured and cut using cutting tools. Large deviations in such preparatory work are also undesirable; for the same reasons, they can lead to loss of installation quality.

To ensure high accuracy of installation, a line must be marked on the ceiling.

For each tile there is no need to precisely mark the surfaces; it is enough to draw control lines every meter, both along and across. It is then almost impossible to make a significant error.

Tile

Ceiling tiles

There is a reference line on the ceiling, the tile is ready, there is glue and tools to use it, you can continue with the installation.

If training is carried out on good level, this level will not cause any special problems.

Polyvinyl acetate adhesive (PVA) or special compounds can be used for gluing polystyrene foam boards, For example. Glue "Dragon". They are good if the ceiling surface is completely flat. If there is irregularity hidden only for installation, it is recommended to use a mixture of PVA glue and gypsum in water.

This design holds the tiles securely up to the ceiling, and its label can be adjusted to the height of a specific area.

The gluing technology is more than simple.

The slabs at the edges and in the middle should be expanded with adhesive, placed on the ceiling, aligned along the control lines, along the walls and adjacent plates, and slightly compressed. After pressing it, you need to hold the plate for a minute or two so that the glue has time to reach the surface of the ceiling. Everything must be done with care, remember that foams are very light and can be easily moved from the glued area.

If the tiles do not fit close together, the error can be corrected by using the same PVA adhesive mixed with gypsum solution. After painting, such surface preparation does not matter.

Along the edges is a ceiling covered with expanded polystyrene, usually trimmed with a ceiling leg or, as it is often called, a baguette. The edge of the ceiling is made of the same material as the tiles, so it should be glued together with glue.

The last level of ceiling tile finishing is painted with acrylic or another color.

There are no special ones for this technological methods. If you don't need to remember relief surface, which cannot be painted with a roller. To work, use a brush, preferably a small width.

How and with what can you seal the seams on ceiling tiles yourself?

How to seal the seams on ceiling tiles yourself?

To be honest, it is not entirely clear from the question which tile we are talking about.

Expanded polystyrene ceiling tiles: application in design

If it’s tiled, then that’s one thing; if it’s made of foam (or foam-like) material, then that’s another. I will focus on both options.

Tile: The seams are grouted in the same way as on the walls or floor. With exactly the same grout, I recommend using Ceresit grout, it has an excellent consistency, plus a huge selection of colors, you can choose which one suits you best.

Grouting tiles begins with cleaning the seams from tile adhesive; I use a specially sharpened screwdriver for this purpose.

The seams have been cleaned, we dilute the grout, the grout should be a little thinner than sour cream, this will fill all the seams better.

Of course, there are special spatulas for grouting (rubber), you can work with them, you can also use iron ones, but sometimes they leave streaks, in general you need to see the tile.

We wipe the seams after about ten minutes, I recommend using furniture foam rubber, it does not shatter into small pieces and perfectly smoothes the seams, change the water more often, you can pour used water into a sewer with a diameter of 100 mm, but not with a diameter of 50 mm.

The tile has dried, now wipe it with a dry cloth.

The last piece of advice on this topic: Don’t spread a lot of grout, try to grout a couple of squares, not all at once, although the ceiling in the bathroom (if we’re talking about this room) has a couple of squares, a little more, up to 2.5, that’s more accurate).

If the tile is made of polystyrene foam, then you bought an extremely low-quality material, such a tile is glued into the joint and there simply should not be any seams on it.

If, nevertheless, you become the owner quality material, then there is a way out, I suggest gluing such tiles on silicone white, firstly, in a damp room, silicone is better than any putty, and secondly, you can seal (whiten) the seams with the same silicone.

When working with silicone, use a “gun” and a damp cloth; wipe off excess silicone almost immediately.

First, we clean the seams from glue or anything else they are filled with.

The seams must be deepened by 3-5 mm, otherwise the grout layer will not last long. We dilute the grout in water in small portions and apply it to the tiles rubber spatula, trying to completely fill all the seams.

Let the grout set a little and after about 15 minutes wash it off with a sponge and plenty of water. After we have washed it for the first time, we take the plastic socket from the dowel nail and draw it at the same angle along all the seams, evenly deepening them. After you wash the tile again, you can either wipe it dry, I use the second option if the tile is glossy, and the small grout particles polish the tile well.

If we talk about arranging the ceiling plane, then this moment There are plenty of options in this regard. Tension and suspension systems, as well as structures made of wood, have become especially popular. But, perhaps, the most widespread use is for foam ceiling tiles. This material is relatively inexpensive. And if we add to this the possibility of arranging such a ceiling with your own hands, then we can confidently say that there is no price for a foam ceiling! In addition, you can glue the tiles straight or diagonally. And the design solutions that exist today cannot be counted on one hand!

Features of ceiling tiles

The easiest way to make your ceiling modern is to stick foam tiles on it. Ceiling tiles are widely used in residential areas, even as more and more consumers choose suspended ceilings.

There are different types of foam ceiling tiles, each of them has advantages over the others. The shapes of the tiles are rectangular, square, diamond-shaped and hexagonal. But the most popular are traditional square-shaped products. Their front surface is laminated or simple, smooth or embossed, painted to resemble wood texture, stone, fabric imitating wood carving or stucco. It is advisable to use laminated tiles in the kitchen, while for the bathroom and other wet rooms it is better to choose waterproof panels.

Also, foam ceiling tiles come in three types: injection, 9-14 millimeters thick, which is made by casting and sintering raw materials in a mold, pressed (stamped), which has a thickness of 6-7 millimeters, and extruded, pressed from an extruded strip and painted or covered with film with standard dimensions of 50 by 50 centimeters for square tiles and 100 by 16.5 centimeters - for a rectangular one.

As for the care of foam ceiling tiles, they are not whimsical in principle. For this you will need a regular sponge, which you are used to washing dishes every day, as well as soap and water. But remember that this technique is only suitable for laminated tiles, but ordinary foam panels on the ceiling should be wiped with a dry cloth or simply vacuumed. Do not under any circumstances wipe such a ceiling with solutions that contain gasoline or solvent, as this can damage the pegoplast tiles.

Production of foam plastic boards

The production technology of foam plastic panels provides two different methods obtaining this material: stamping and extrusion. The first solution involves the production of panels using special stamps; the source for this purpose is a foam blank.

Such materials have a high grain size and are usually produced in white. But such tiles, if necessary, can be coated with special water-dispersion paints or laminated, which gives the material a more refined look and significantly improves its consumer properties.

The material in the second case is also polystyrene foam, but pre-melted. Tiles are made from molten material through vacuum thermal molding. Materials obtained in this way are less porous, so they are more resistant to mechanical stress and can extend their useful life.

In addition, at the stage of producing tiles using this method, it is customary to add different dyes to the working composition to obtain products of any color range. But it should be noted that the production of tiles using this method requires high precision to produce products with the correct geometric characteristics.

When choosing tiles, you should take into account that the extruded material has a more pronounced glossy structure, is easy to clean, and can be used in almost any room. But due to their glossy structure, such tiles cannot be painted, and their installation seams are more visible.

Stamped foam ceiling tiles have higher noise and thermal insulation properties, which is explained by the greater porosity and thickness of the material, and also differ in correct geometric dimensions. This allows you to make a ceiling with almost invisible assembly seams. But the appearance of such products is inferior to the first solution.

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

The advantages of slabs for creating foam ceilings are as follows:

1. Foam ceiling tiles can be applied to almost any surface, from bare concrete to wood chip boards.
2. Since the temperature of radiators or radiators in apartments is no more than 80 degrees, you can install such tiles near them without problems.
3. Under normal conditions, the useful life of foam ceiling tiles is calculated in years and decades, because this material is not afraid of dampness.
4. Ceiling tiles They are quite dense, therefore they have excellent heat-insulating and sound-proofing properties.
5. The light weight of the material allows the use of adhesives for these purposes, which are not very strong and therefore expensive.
6. Ceiling panels are easy to cut, so their installation does not take much time.
7. Polystyrene foam is a lightweight and environmentally friendly material.
8. The price of foam ceiling tiles is extremely low, and you can also save more without resorting to the services of finishers.
9. Ceiling tiles give the room a more aesthetic appearance and, in some cases, can visually enlarge it.

With all the advantages, foam ceilings have many disadvantages. The cheapest tiles are not very durable; they turn yellow over time from sunlight, and some of them do not tolerate dampness. However this disadvantage can be easily corrected, turning it into an advantage, because foam tiles can be painted with ordinary water-based paint.

But the most important drawback of ceilings made of foam plastic is its vapor permeability - foam plastic can create the effect of a thermos in a room, depriving the walls of the ability to absorb excess moisture. When combining such a ceiling, for example, with vinyl wallpaper, the risk that fungus will live in the room will increase several times.

Expanded polystyrene is flame retardant, but it melts easily. Such material can be glued closely to water heating pipes. But the contact of panels with lamps, especially with powerful light bulbs and an open top, is extremely undesirable. It’s better to play it safe and place the lamps at a distance of at least 20-30 centimeters from the surface foam ceiling.

In addition, you should remember that foam tiles are easily injured, even with blunt objects. Consider this fact when transporting material from the store and when performing work on ceiling tiles. It will also be quite difficult for you to achieve the impression of surface integrity due to the formation of a large number of seams and joints.

Calculation of surface for tiles

First of all, before gluing the foam ceiling, you should stock up necessary materials. For this purpose, it is necessary to measure the area of ​​the ceiling base and buy materials with a reserve adjustment. Calculation of the surface on which you will glue the foam squares is done in the following way.

If there is a room with dimensions of 3 by 2 meters, then the surface to be pasted is 6 square meters. To form one square meter, 4 tiles measuring 50 by 50 centimeters are required. The result is 24 pieces. But it is strongly recommended to add two more tiles to the resulting number of tiles, since the room does not always have the correct shape and exact dimensions.

It often turns out that after the sticker procedure there may be space left on some sides, which you fill with material purchased in stock. And then - I really don’t want to go to the store to buy one or two tiles. Please take this into account when arriving at your estimated number.

Choosing adhesive for foam plastic

Besides themselves foam boards Ok, you need to stock up on adhesives that are necessary to fix the material to the ceiling. To paste squares, you can use “Moment - liquid nails”, because it has a thick consistency and hardens within 15-25 minutes. It is not recommended to use glue from Chinese manufacturers "Dragon", as it is excessively liquid, its adhesive properties are very low, and the squares will need to be held at arm's length long time- a real mockery of oneself.

For 24 squares of ceiling you will need approximately 350-400 milliliters of glue. If you buy the composition in a package for a gun in a 450 ml container, then it will be quite enough for the ceiling plinth. And it turns out cheaper than 2 tubes of 250 milliliters.

For an uneven ceiling, finishing putty is considered the best glue - it is with its help that you can simultaneously glue foam tiles efficiently and level the ceiling without resorting to the use of any kind of spacers and supports.

Professional craftsmen always do this. To make adhesive for ceiling tiles with your own hands, you need to mix ordinary dry finishing putty in water, and then add PVA construction adhesive to the resulting mixture. This glue is required in proportions of 200 grams per 1 kilogram of putty.

Required Tools

In view of simplicity finishing work For self-installation foam tiles for the ceiling you will need a minimum amount of tools: a painting cord for drawing the axis of the ceiling, ordinary scissors or a mounting knife for cutting the tiles, a spatula for applying finishing putty, measuring tools, a hand brush and rags for wiping the tiles and removing excess glue.

Surface preparation

The next step is preparing the ceiling surface for work. Keep in mind that foam tiles can be glued to almost any flat surface that has been previously cleaned of debris and dirt, as well as old decoration(wallpaper, tiles, whitewash).

However, before carrying out the work itself, it is necessary to prime the base surface using the composition deep penetration. This procedure is required to prevent the spread of harmful pathogens in the cavity of the foam panels and to improve the adhesion of the materials. Special attention Pay attention to large depressions and irregularities, if any.

Ceiling markings

Next, mark the ceiling, which will accurately indicate the location of the tiles on the plane. To mark, you will need a marking cord - an ordinary rope made of natural material that is tinted with powder dye. Dye and cord can be bought at the market or at the nearest construction supermarket.

When marking, it is recommended to take into account the type of arrangement of panels on the ceiling - in longitudinal or diagonal rows. Moreover, in the latter version, the operations will be more labor-intensive, but they will visually increase the ceiling surface.

Get a friend to mark the ceiling. Pull the cord with a little force from one corner of the room diagonally to the other. Pull the cord a little from the ceiling and release it, thereby creating one of the diagonals. The same must be done to obtain the second diagonal. After these operations, you will receive two diagonals that intersect in the middle, this will be the center of the room.

Then, using a tape measure, measure the same distance from the resulting center along four lines going to the corners. For example, one and a half meters from the center to the corners, then make marks. Next, take the marking cord and beat off the lines along the marks so that you get a rectangle or square on the ceiling. After this, measure the resulting sides of this figure; the opposite lines should be equal in length (an error of 1-4 millimeters is allowed).

If opposite sides geometric figure differ from each other by more than 6 millimeters, which means you should measure the segments from the center again so that they are the same. After all, using a tape measure, you need to find the middle of the sides of the resulting rectangle or square. Using a marking cord, make lines through the center along the marks. The tiles need to be glued along these axes.

Many developers prefer to stick foam ceiling cards diagonally, as shown in the photo of a foam ceiling. In this case, you need to place the axes a little differently - they should pass from one corner to another and be placed at an angle of 90 degrees relative to each other. If the angle is not clear, then the cards may fail at one point.

Applying glue to the surface

The rules for gluing foam boards may differ slightly, depending on the glue used. The glue must be applied completely or dotted to the protrusions that are on the back of the panel or in the corners and in the middle.

To avoid covering the marked axes, it is better to apply putty or glue directly to the tile - this is done using a comb, which is used for tiling surfaces. If the ceiling has uneven surfaces up to a centimeter, give preference to a tool with a large tooth, at least 12 millimeters. If this is not enough, then additionally smear the ceiling - this must be done carefully so that the axes do not wear off. The ceiling and tiles should be applied in the opposite direction.

If you use a special adhesive like ELTITAN, then before laying the tiles you need to let it sit for 10-15 minutes. It is convenient to apply glue to 3-4 panels at once, so that by the time you apply glue to the next batch of tiles, you can already glue the first one. It is advisable to apply a thick layer of mastic for a porous ceiling.

Ceiling paneling

After marking the ceiling, you can proceed to gluing the squares onto the surface. If the squares have a relief, you need to see if the same pattern is present on all the squares. If they are the same, then you will need to glue the panels in a certain pattern, and if the image is different, then you can glue products without such a pattern.

So, you need to start gluing from the resulting center of the room, since often in the process of gluing tiles, many are faced with failure of the seams between individual tiles. Gradually fill the entire surface. It is recommended to install a foam ceiling with de-energized electrical wiring and always wear gloves so as not to stain the panels. Glue the first tile so that one corner is placed exactly at the center point where the 4 center tiles will meet.

At this point there may be fasteners for the lamp; in this case, the corners of the tiles need to be cut off. The place of the cuts will be covered later with a chandelier plate or a ceiling rosette. The edges of the panel must be aligned along the pre-marked perpendicular lines. Press the tile tightly when gluing it to the ceiling, but make sure that there are no dents left.

Position next tiles need to be in parallel rows, do not allow gaps to form between the edges. You should focus on the triangular arrows that appear with reverse side panels, they should face the same direction.

The last rows of panels most often need to be cut with a knife to the desired size, and after fitting, apply glue. After filling this space with squares, there are small gaps left on the sides of the ceiling; to fill them, you will need the spare square that you purchased. Measure how wide the strip is needed, cut it and glue it like an ordinary square.

Do not cover the entire surface at once. The glue dries quickly, so you need to wash it, otherwise you will have to scrape off the glue along with pieces of foam tiles. It is necessary to gradually seal a small area, seal the seams and wipe off any remaining glue with a damp cloth. The gap between the outer panels and the wall must be covered with a ceiling plinth.

Sealing joints between tiles

Most failures in foam tile seams are due to their various sizes- to prevent this, it is better to stick the panels at a small distance from each other - 1-2 millimeters. Subsequently, seal these seams with the same putty. It is recommended to paint the glued ceiling tiles with neatly sealed seams immediately after drying with water-based paint in order to completely hide all the flaws in the work. Polystyrene foam can be repainted up to 5-7 times.

In principle, ceiling tiles without joints are possible. To ensure that the coating looks like a single whole and that water does not penetrate between the seams, it is recommended to fill all the gaps between the panels with sealant. Silicone sealant is resistant to temperature and water. After filling the seams, it is recommended to smooth it out with your fingers or a trowel, and remove the excess with a damp cloth.

Sticker of foam friezes

The final touch of gluing foam tiles to the ceiling is the sticker of foam friezes. They, like tiles, have a wide variety of shapes, textures and colors. For small rooms It is recommended to choose narrow skirting boards with small, discreet images. For large rooms it is better to take massive ones. Friezes must be glued from the corners, adjusting to the length of the wall and making an insert between the previous strip and the section already glued from the corner.

Friezes can be glued before or after wallpapering. In the first case, high precision is required even during the procedure of adjusting the wallpaper itself, or the use of a wallpaper decorative frieze. Now you can glue the ceiling rosette by cutting a hole for the chandelier in the middle.

It is also possible to coat the foam ceiling with paint. Light colors will look best. At the same time, you can paint the ceiling plinth. At the end of the work, close the doors and windows in the room tightly to prevent the movement of air currents.

We told you about the features, advantages and price plastic tiles on the ceiling. There are many foam ceiling panels: rectangular and square, thin and thick, with and without seams, white and multi-colored. It’s impossible to count them all, but they have enough in common simple procedure installation

The variety of finishing materials offered allows you to choose the appropriate coating depending on the design of the premises, the scale and complexity of the ongoing activities. finishing cladding space, the purpose of the room and the planned budget for the work. Foam ceiling tiles help create a neat and attractive interior without spending excessive effort and money.

What attracts foam tiles

Despite the emergence of modern and technological facing coatings, foam ceiling tiles have remained in demand and popular for a long time. This is due to the good combination functional characteristics, cost of material, available installation technology and a relatively small number of disadvantages.

Tiles for interior decoration are made from foamed plastic masses. The most popular coating option is polystyrene foam. The most common use of the material: heat and sound insulation of rooms. But the coating is also actively used for decorative purposes.

The finishing material is selected in accordance with the specific requirements of the owner of the premises.

When evaluating the option of using foam tiles, you can pay attention to the following aspects:

• Environmental Safety. Any construction or finishing material is not least assessed from the point of view of its possible negative impact on the environment, the health of households and pets. Especially a product made from synthetic raw materials.

Note: Styrofoam products that use polystyrene as the main ingredient have undergone stability studies. molecular structure and safety for others. The result of the experiments was the verdict: in the absence of impact on the material, no substances, especially harmful ones, are released in the usual human environment.

That is, when using tiles in the temperature range of -40...+80 degrees, you don’t have to worry about its possible toxicity. The release of styrene and other toxic components, which really pose a danger to people, is possible under extreme conditions, which include exposure to high temperatures. Therefore, to prevent their release into the air, the foam should not be allowed to ignite.

• Polystyrene foam practically does not support combustion. When exposed open flame it smokes and melts, but quickly extinguishes on its own. However, it must be remembered that the coating may be deformed when located in close proximity to heating devices and powerful lighting fixtures. Therefore, this feature of the material should be taken into account when facing.

Important! The use of fire retardants in the production of polystyrene foam can increase the fire resistance of the coating.

• You can use polystyrene foam as a facing covering in almost any room.
• When finishing the surface using decorative foam boards, you can not pay attention to the condition of the rough base. No careful surface preparation is required. In addition, the small thickness of the cladding and the installation method do not reduce usable area premises.

• The durability of the material when used under normal conditions can be tens of years.
• Foam ceiling tiles help reduce the penetration of cold into the room, which reduces heating costs and noise. This is not surprising, because the material is actively used as insulation.
• Polystyrene foam is characterized by low water absorption. It can also be installed in bathrooms. The tiles can be washed, including using detergents. Therefore, the problem of how to wash foam ceiling tiles in the kitchen should not worry the owners much.

• The cladding is of no interest to rodents.
• Weight 1 sq.m. foam products rarely exceed 1 kg. Accordingly, all the ceiling cladding in a room with an area of ​​20 sq.m. weighs no more than 20 kg. The light weight of the coating allows you to do the cladding even with your own hands, without the involvement of assistants and quickly enough.
• There is no need to purchase special, expensive glue for installation. There is also no need for an expensive tool when fixing the finish. In this regard, the question of how to glue foam ceiling tiles is not a problem.

• Cut tiles to fit required size It's not difficult at all.

• The price of the coating is very affordable. Such cladding will not cause a blow to the budget. Its cost rarely exceeds the range of 150 - 150 rubles / sq.m.
• Another advantage of polystyrene foam, which is very important, is the excellent compatibility of the material with various interior design options.

• The choice of tile decor is so wide that designers have the opportunity to implement various options interior design.

A little fly in the ointment

Along with a number of advantages of polystyrene foam, there are also certain inconveniences in using this material that should be remembered.

• Unpainted tiles may turn yellow over time and they absorb odors, such as from smoking cigarettes.
• The coating is characterized by low vapor permeability.
• The mechanical strength of the material is limited. It may be mechanically damaged during transportation and careless operation. Therefore, careful handling of tiles is necessary.
• Foam plastic belongs to biologically inert materials, but the rough surface and possible education condensate creates a favorable environment for microbes to attach to the base.
• You need to know that polystyrene foam is susceptible to destruction when exposed to certain solvents, as well as their vapors. For example, drops of acetone can dissolve polystyrene within a short time. Accordingly, before applying any coating to foam ceiling tiles, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition of the paintwork material.

Material production technologies

Three technological processes can be used to produce polystyrene foam.

• Pressed tiles are made from large polystyrene blocks by cutting into blanks required thickness and stamping. She is one of the most economical varieties cladding, but is highly porous and quite simple in terms of expressiveness. The thickness of the cladding most often does not exceed 8 mm.

• Extruded coating is produced by squeezing molten plastic mass through dies, resulting in a durable and dense material. As a rule, this method involves the application of a film that has protective and decorative properties. This layer allows you to create a surface that imitates the texture of various materials and other decorative options.

• Injection material, cast into special molds where polystyrene granules are sintered, is characterized by good functionality. The thickness of the coating can reach up to 1.4 cm.

Overview of foam tile cladding

Manufacturers presented a large assortment ceiling coverings. Foam ceiling tiles are available in square, rectangular, polygonal shapes; they can also have complex configurations. The most popular size of foam ceiling tiles: square coverings having sides of 50, 30 or 25 cm and rectangular products 100 x 16.5 cm.

The outer surface of the tile is processed different ways. It can be smooth or have relief and patterns, imitate a plastered base or luxurious stucco.

The decor is selected to suit different styles of room design. Ceiling tiles are available in white (standard) color or have any, even the most unexpected, shades.

Depending on the type of finishing of the front layer, the coating is:

• simple;
• mirrored;
• laminated;
• embossed;
• painted;
• imitating stucco or carving.

The ceiling surface finished with seamless tiles looks stylish and attractive.

If the rough ceiling is fairly flat, the special shape of the ends allows for installation to create a monolithic base without visible joints.

For each room, you can choose a product option based not only on its decor, but also on functionality. In bathrooms and bathrooms it is necessary to install waterproof tiles; in kitchens it is recommended to use laminated coatings, which are less attractive to dirt and odors.

Covering installation

Having decided to cover the ceiling in a room with foam tiles, you need to spend time not only choosing a suitable coating, but also other materials necessary for the work.

Tile installation adhesive

It is important to decide which glue to use to glue the foam ceiling tiles. Manufacturers offer a range of special adhesives for fixing foam coatings.

Many, when deciding which adhesive is best for foam ceiling tiles, prefer to mount the slabs on the ceiling using “Liquid Nails,” which quickly set and securely hold the coating.

Glue "Liquid Nails" from Henkel - great option how to glue foam ceiling tiles

You need to understand that the glue will securely fix the coating to the ceiling. Therefore, in the future, if the question arises of how to remove foam ceiling tiles from the ceiling, it will not be easy to do. In addition, it can only be dismantled using brute force and a spatula, which will completely ruin the coating. But the low cost of the products does not imply their reuse.

Painting installed cladding

The question often arises: is it possible to paint foam ceiling tiles and with what? Apply paintwork on polystyrene foam it is not only possible, but even recommended. Untreated products are less easy to clean, as dirt penetrates deep into the pores of the foam.

• In addition, paint increases the material’s resistance to moisture and mechanical damage, strengthens its structure and increases its service life. It is also important that, thanks to coloring, it is possible to give ceiling surface a shade that is in harmony with the rest of the interior.
• How can I paint foam ceiling tiles? As noted above, foam is destroyed by solvents. Therefore, paints containing these components are prohibited from being used.
• The best option for decorating the ceiling would be paint material on water based, for example, acrylic enamel. It dries quickly, is easy to apply, does not harm the environment, and is available in a wide range color scheme and has excellent performance.

Installation of foam tiles

There are several options for gluing foam tiles to the ceiling (as in the photo). Tiles can be installed starting from the center, lamp or corner. It is fixed directly, parallel to the walls, or diagonally.

Important! If there is a significant difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the purchased tiles must be kept indoors for some time, unpacked.

Brief instructions for installing slabs on the ceiling.

• The surface is being prepared. The old finish is removed. If there are significant defects, they need to be repaired with putty. There is no need to completely putty the ceiling; minor imperfections will be leveled out by the coating.
• Before gluing foam ceiling tiles, the surface is primed. This will improve the adhesion of materials.
• Markings are applied so as not to rely solely on the eye. This is especially important when fixing products diagonally.
• The glue is not applied to the entire surface of the tile, but only in spots.
• Panels are being installed. Avoid applying too much pressure, otherwise dents may appear. The video in this article will teach you how to install tile flooring correctly.

• The joints are carefully adjusted until the adhesive has dried.
• If there is a need for trimming, then the trimmed edge should be adjacent to the wall; it will subsequently be covered with a plinth.

• Even if there are gaps between the tiles, there is no reason to be discouraged. Modern sealants will help mask defects.

• After the coating has dried, you can begin painting the surface. It is recommended to treat the laminated surface a little sandpaper, which will improve adhesion.
• The coating must be applied in two to three layers, with each one required to dry. The direction of painting should be perpendicular to the previous layer (the first layer is usually applied in the direction of the light flow).

• Painting foam ceiling tiles can be done with a brush or roller. It is recommended to paint embossed coatings using a spray gun.

Important! While the paint dries, you should curtain the windows, protecting the coating from exposure to sunlight. You should also not open doors and windows.

Foam ceiling tiles, characterized by an excellent price/quality ratio, allow you to short term transform the room. With its help, the ceiling surface acquires a neat and attractive appearance for a long time.

It's no secret that nowadays in almost any industry there is a huge amount of materials that compete with each other for the greatest distribution and popularity. And the sphere of construction and repair is clear proof of this. Both suspended and suspended ceilings, as well as those made from other materials, are popular here. If you are interested in ceiling tiles, foam plastic will be one of the best materials. This is exactly what we will talk about today.

We will discuss why foam ceiling tiles are popular now and will not lose their relevance in the near future, we will consider the technology of their manufacture and some of the disadvantages. We will also make sure that the foam ceiling tiles have not lost their relevance.

Distinctive features and diversity

Installing ceiling tiles in most cases means making your ceiling more modern and attractive. Foam ceiling tiles, although not the most common type of ceiling finish, are still holding their own and have the same market share as before.

Ceiling tiles come in different types, and the features of each depend only on. First of all, it is distinguished by its shape.

Foam ceiling tiles can be:

• rectangular;
• square;
• diamond-shaped;
• hexagonal.

The most popular remain square-shaped products, which have become, figuratively speaking, the standard for all materials for ceiling cladding. And indeed, it so happened that it was square shape is one of the most natural for a person, without distracting him from work and other activities.

It is also divided into several types according to the type of front surface:

• simple;
• laminated;
• waterproof;
• embossed;
• painted to resemble the texture of wood, leather or stone;
• with imitation of carving or stucco.

The type of surface is individual for each room and depends on its purpose. For example, in a bathroom, nothing can replace waterproof tiles, otherwise moisture will seep through the surface of the ceiling and spoil the materials inside it. Laminated tiles would look nice in the kitchen, as they will enhance the shades of the applied paint.

And the tiles also differ in the way they are made:

• stamping method (stamped);
• sintering method (injection);
• and extrusion method (extruded).

Basically, the first two types differ in their thickness. Stamped tiles have a thickness of 6-7 mm, injection tiles - from 9 to 15 mm. By the way, it is worth noting that injection tiles themselves are almost waterproof. Extruded tiles are approximately the same thickness as stamped tiles, but can sometimes be even thinner. They are very reliable and varied, but their cost leaves much to be desired. More details on each of these three types we'll look at it below.

Production technology

Stamped tiles are cut from blocks of expanded polystyrene, and then using a special press they acquire their final thickness and density. This simple manufacturing method does not require any special costs, so the final cost of the product is low. On the other hand, it does not have any special positive properties. We can say that simplicity is the main motto of stamped tiles.

Injection tiles are made in a mold of high-quality raw materials from self-extinguishing polystyrene foam. Thanks to this, the granules of the material are not destroyed and remain intact. As a result, injection tiles have good sound insulation and are practically waterproof. And the fact that its thickness is greater than all other types allows you to create a variety of relief shapes and make a small strip along the edge invisible.

Extruded foam ceiling tiles are made from polystyrene (not to be confused with expanded polystyrene!) by extruding (pressing at high temperature through a forming hole) its melt. Then it is covered with film using a press. The extrusion process makes the material very strong and dense. It is available in different colors, which makes it easy to combine it with the design of the room.

Advantages and disadvantages

Now let's move on to the point that clearly shows the relationship between the positive and negative properties of the material. The pros and cons allow you to find out whether covering the ceiling with foam tiles would be advisable specifically in your circumstances.

Let's first look at positive sides:

1. The surface for pasting can be absolutely any. The result of the work does not depend on the type of previous ceiling.
2. Extruded tiles can be installed close to a radiator or radiator, even if the temperature of the latter sometimes reaches 80 degrees Celsius. Although it is unlikely that you will ever heat your home at such temperatures...
3. When used under normal conditions, the material can last for several years, or even decades.
4. Foam ceiling tiles do a good job of keeping noise and cold out, preventing them from entering your home.
5. Since foam tiles are lightweight, it is not necessary to look for the highest quality and most expensive glue. This will save on the purchase of fastening materials.
6. Installation themselves will not take much time, since when using the right tools they are very easy to cut.
7. Polystyrene foam is also good in terms of environmental friendliness. It does not contain toxic substances or gases.
8. Compared to other finishing materials, the cost of most is small and insignificant. And this is another factor that helps you save money.
9. Finally, the last advantage of foam tiles is that good combination with interior elements.

But at the same time, polystyrene foam causes a number of inconveniences that are worth paying attention to:

1. The cheapest models have the unpleasant property of turning yellow over time. But this can be easily fixed by regularly painting the surface with water-based paint.
2. One of the most important disadvantages of foam ceilings is their vapor permeability. It is this property that creates the effect of a thermos in the apartment. Moisture will accumulate in it. If, however, they are used vinyl wallpapers, then condensation will accumulate on surfaces, and especially damp places A fungus will begin to form, poisoning the human body. And such consequences will be difficult to minimize by simply regularly ventilating the room.
3. Although polystyrene foam is fireproof, it melts easily. Therefore, those tiles in which it is used as a base should not be placed in close proximity to a powerful light bulb. The optimal distance is 25-30 cm. As mentioned above, in other warm places, for example, near pipes and radiators, such a danger does not threaten your ceiling (read: " ").
4. You should also remember that polystyrene foam is a very easily damaged material. Please take this into account both when transporting it and when moving other items. large sizes. It doesn’t matter whether the object has sharp corners or not - the tile can be damaged by a slight touch in any case.

Calculation of the quantity of purchased material

Now we finally come to the practical part. We hope that the photos that will accompany the process of describing it will help you better understand the essence of the processes taking place. If you have definitely decided on the choice of material, and you are attracted by foam plastic tiles for the ceiling, then you can proceed to the first step of installation work. It involves calculating the surface on which the tiles will be glued. The amount of material purchased and other calculations will depend on this.

First you need to measure the width and length of one room. Multiplying them, we get the area of ​​the room. If you plan to carry out renovations in several rooms, perform the same calculations in them, and then add up all the resulting numbers. Now you need to divide the resulting number by the area of ​​one tile of material. It depends on the type you choose, the dimensions of which are usually indicated on the packaging. Now we divide the surface area of ​​the room by the area of ​​the sheet and round the number up. Be sure to add one tenth of it and round up again. The resulting integer will be the number of sheets needed.

Glue selection

In order for the foam ceiling tiles to be on the ceiling and not remain lying in the corner, we will need an adhesive capable of attaching the material to the surface. The squares are usually glued using Moment glue. “Liquid nails” glue is best suited, as it is quite viscous, but hardens within 15 minutes. You should not buy Chinese “Dragon” glue, as it is not viscous enough and does not glue well. If you are not a masochist, then you will not like standing more than an hour, holding each ceiling tile above your head with outstretched arms.

On average, each square uses a little less than 20 ml of glue. It is most profitable to buy it with a capacity of 450 ml, and then there will be enough glue not only for the ceiling, but also for other elements of the apartment.

If you have an uneven base ceiling, you shouldn’t bother too much with supports, spacers, etc. Of course, you absolutely cannot glue onto such a surface, otherwise one day the fruits of your labor will begin to peel off from their proper place. But this situation can be corrected by simply leveling the depressions with a solution finishing putty, mixed with PVA glue.

The solution is first prepared without glue: Water is gradually added to the dry putty and mixed to the desired consistency. Then, for every kilogram of putty, 200 g of glue is added. Stir again, after which we carefully eliminate all imperfections.

Required Tools

To decorate the ceiling with foam tiles, you do not need to purchase a whole set of unique tools. Moreover, some of them will definitely be found in your home.

So, you need 7 items:

1. Painting cord that will help draw the axis of the ceiling.
2. The most ordinary scissors or a mounting knife, with whose help we will cut the sheets if necessary.
3. A medium-sized spatula or a set of them for applying putty solution.
4. Measuring tools for determining the dimensions of certain ceiling elements and tracing them on a sheet of foam tiles.
5. A hand brush, needed mainly for applying glue.
6. A set of rags for wiping the glued material from excess glue.
7. And finally, the pencil, beloved by all builders.

Having prepared these tools and taken the necessary materials, you most likely will not have to stop looking for something important while working, because everything you need will be at your fingertips. But it still wouldn’t hurt to have one of your friends or family nearby as an assistant.

How to glue ceiling tiles, see details in the video:

Preparing the ceiling surface

Foam ceiling tiles can be glued to any surface that is free of debris and old finishes. Cleaning must be done thoroughly so that the glue can subsequently adhere firmly to the base. But before performing the next step of work, it is also necessary to open the surface with a deep penetration primer to protect against side effects glue. In this case, pay special attention to protrusions and depressions that will interfere with the normal fixation of the ceiling.

Marking the ceiling for sheets of foam tiles

For this step we will need some marking cord. Its device is very simple - it is an ordinary rope, which is tinted with powder dye. These materials are sold at a hardware store or market.

Before marking, decide how the tiles will be arranged on the ceiling: in longitudinal rows or diagonal. If you do not want to complicate the installation process, then a longitudinal arrangement is quite suitable, and if you desperately need to visually expand the room, then it is worth sacrificing your convenience during work for the sake of better appearance Then.

The initial marking of the ceiling should be carried out with the participation of your friend or family member. The marking cord must be pulled from one corner of the ceiling to the one that lies opposite, that is, draw a diagonal. This should be done with a little force, and after pulling it, pull it a little away from the ceiling and release it. Do the same with the other two corners. Having drawn both diagonals, find the point of their intersection, which will show the center of your ceiling.

After this, at a certain equal distance from the center, leave marks along the diagonals of the ceiling. After that, connect them with lines using a marking cord. After this operation, a square or rectangle should be formed. The opposite sides should not differ by more than 5 millimeters, otherwise you will have to re-mark and connect them.

If everything went well, then use a tape measure to find the middle of the sides and use a marking cord to make axes along which the tiles will be glued. All these steps apply to the longitudinal arrangement of sheets.

Now let's talk about diagonal markings. The axes along which the tiles need to be glued must be placed at right angles to each other and run from one corner to the other (if the room rectangular shape, but not square, then the axis will not accurately fall into the second corner, it will intersect one of the sides). If the 90-degree angle is not clear, then in the midst of work a failure may occur, as a result of which all the work will go down the drain.

Applying glue

Depending on the glue used, its application may vary, but the general principles remain the same. For example, glue is applied either dotted or in a solid line to small protrusions on the inside of the product. If there are none, then it is applied in the corners and in the center.

It is best to apply putty or glue directly to the tiles so as not to overlap the ceiling markings. This is best done with a comb used for tiling. If there are uneven surfaces up to a centimeter, use a comb with a large tooth of 11 millimeters or more. In the event that you see that the applied glue will not be enough, you can carefully apply it to the ceiling. This must be done in such a way that the drawn axes are not erased, and the direction of spreading the glue on the ceiling and on the tiles is opposite. For example, if you spread glue on the tiles towards the door, then on the ceiling you need to spread it in the direction away from the door.

Special glue, for example ELTITAN, needs to be applied differently. Since you need to wait 15-20 minutes before laying, you can save your own time if you apply glue to a whole batch of tiles at once - 3-5 at a time.

How to glue ceiling tiles: installation features "). Check the alignment of the axes and that the corner of the sheet is in the center. It is along this corner that you will be guided when gluing the remaining sheets. There should be a junction of four sheets in the center of the room, and the next ones should be glued parallel to the previous ones .

The last glued pieces may not fit into the remaining space, so don't be afraid to trim them. But do it carefully, measuring the length to the nearest centimeter. The same should be done if you need to cut out a place for any fasteners that cut into the base ceiling. But we should not forget that in this case it will be more difficult to determine the correct position of the sheet, so pay your attention to this part of the work. During gluing, the tiles should be pressed firmly against the ceiling, although not to such an extent that dents remain.

But you shouldn’t glue all the tiles at once. It is advisable to remove any remaining glue after each glued batch, the dimensions of which you determined earlier, so that it does not dry out. The gap between the wall and the glued tiles should be closed with a ceiling plinth.

Sealing seams between sheets

To avoid accidental failures due to some factory errors in dimensions, the sheets must be placed at a distance of 1-2 mm from each other. Then it is done with regular putty or sealant. After this, remove excess residue and paint the surface with water-based emulsion.

Frieze installation

The final stage of work on your ceiling will be the installation of a frieze. There are an unimaginable number of them - the most different sizes, shape, color and design. Choose the option for yourself according to the size of the room and its design. It is not necessary that different rooms with identical tiles there were identical friezes. Create variety and be more unique!

Although you can glue the baseboards before starting work, it will be much easier for you to stick them on after installing the tiles. Then you won’t have to adjust each sheet with millimeter precision and be afraid of making a mistake by a hundredth of a degree. The baseboard should be the element that will save you if something goes wrong.

Therefore, you should not be afraid of mistakes. Panic can only hurt. Try to do your work efficiently and know that any shortcoming can be eliminated, but it all depends on the cost. Be successful and all the best to you!

When the task is to repair the ceiling cheaply, with little labor and beautifully, foam ceiling tiles can be a good solution. They are not very demanding on the surface that needs to be covered, they are lightweight, and they have the property of absorbing sound. Tile manufacturers will delight you with a wide range. You will be able to play with the design, choose the most suitable ones for the room: type, color, pattern, thickness of the ceiling tiles.

Types and characteristics of foam ceiling tiles

Firstly, types of foam tiles can vary in shape:

• square, with a side length of 50 cm - such tiles are most common;
• rectangular, in the form of panels - used much less frequently, as a rule, for finishing in non-residential premises public use;
• diamond-shaped;
• hexagonal.

Secondly, according to the manufacturing method:

• pressed or stamped - such tiles are obtained by compacting foam plastic boards with an industrial press. Their thickness is on average 7-8 mm;
• injection - cast in molds using high-temperature conditions. This method produces thicker foam tiles (up to 14 mm);
• extruded. In the production of tiles of this type can be used decorative film(2.5-3 mm).

Also, tiles can vary in color and texture (smooth, embossed). Can be laminated or plain.

Foam ceiling tiles are also characterized by their positive and negative properties.

The advantages include:

• heat and sound insulation
• moisture resistance
• resistance to fungi and mold
• not susceptible to rotting
• low price.

Tiles can hide small imperfections on the surface. To stick it on you don’t need any special skills or special tools.

Among the disadvantages, it is worth mentioning, first of all, the fire hazard.

Important: There are types of tiles that are difficult to ignite and do not burn. This information can be seen on the packaging. In any case, you should not allow it to melt, because this will cause the tile to deform and release toxic substances into the air that are formed when exposed to high temperatures.

Foam ceiling tiles do not like straight lines sun rays. With prolonged exposure, the foam turns yellow and loses strength. A large number of joints can also be considered a disadvantage of tiles, since the feeling of integrity of the ceiling surface is lost. The exception is seamless tiles.

Seamless foam ceiling tiles
Thanks to this type of tile you can get an even monolithic ceiling. Joint seams are masked due to the special shape of the edges of the tiles. Such tiles are made by pressing (stamping). The size is usually 50x50cm. White color. The foam in these tiles is very soft, which allows you to tightly connect the tiles to each other and make the joint almost invisible. For seamless tiles polystyrene foam has its own laying technology. It is recommended to use quick-drying glue.

Foam ceiling tile dimensions

• The standard dimensions for square tiles are 50x50 cm; small tiles are found - 30x30 cm.
• Rectangular tiles are made 100x16.5 cm.
• The thickness of foam ceiling tiles, as noted above, can vary from 2.5 to 14 mm.

How to glue foam ceiling tiles

To tile your ceiling with foam plastic tiles yourself, you should use the instructions for its installation, where all its stages will be explained step by step.

Installation instructions for foam ceiling tiles

1. Preparatory stage. This includes cleaning the ceiling from old coatings, leveling strong differences and priming the ceiling surface. You also need to prepare the following tools: a sharp knife (stationery knife), a ruler, a tape measure, a hammer, a pencil and a clean rag. It is important to choose the right glue.

Please note: as a rule, tile adhesive is transparent and viscous and quite inconvenient in practice. It assumes that the surface is perfectly flat and requires some time of pressing each tile. Much more convenient to use quick installation white or finishing putty.

2. Marking. It is necessary to find the center of the ceiling - at the intersection of its diagonals. Additionally, lines should be drawn that will connect the middles of walls opposite each other. They should intersect at right angles at the same point.

   Advice. If the center does not coincide with the light source (chandelier), then it is better to move the center of our marking there and glue from there. A chandelier hanging somewhere on the side of the tile will catch your eye and reduce the cost of your ceiling.

   Through the center, using a paint cord, you should beat off two perpendicular lines along which the first tiles will be aligned.

3. The first tiles meet at the corners in the center of the marking; corners are cut off near the chandelier cord, which will then be covered with its glass. Next, the foam tiles are glued in a spiral around the center. It is important to ensure that the rows run parallel to each other, preventing the tiles from moving. At the junction with the walls, the tiles are cut to size with a knife before applying glue to them, so that it is possible to try on and correct the cut. As a rule, a small gap is allowed near the wall, which is then hidden by the ceiling plinth.

Important. If there is a pattern on the tile, carefully ensure that it is positioned correctly and is not disturbed.

4. Sealing seams. If the tiles were installed using putty, then it immediately fills all the gaps, the excess is washed off with a clean rag. Works well when using other types of seam sealing adhesive silicone sealant, the excess of which is also removed with a damp cloth.

Finishing the ceiling with foam tiles, as we have seen, is a convenient, not complicated and quite budget option. Additional decor in the form of a rosette for a chandelier and a ceiling plinth will give the ceiling a complete look.

A little trick. You can apply staining to prevent yellowing of the tiles and to additionally disguise the joining seams.

Painting foam ceiling tiles

Not all types of ceiling tiles can be painted. For example, laminated tiles are unlikely to be suitable for this purpose. It is worth painting with acrylic paint or water-based paint.

The paint can be easily tinted to any shade. When choosing a paint, it is important to take into account such indicators as dullness (glossy), hiding power, consumption, and the presence of antiseptic additives.

It is better to paint with a roller from the window, using movements perpendicular to the window line. In corners, joints, ceiling plinths and rosettes, as well as problematic and unpainted areas, go over with a brush. To prevent dripping from the baseboard onto the wall, it is better to stick masking tape along all the baseboards while painting along the top of the wall.

Foam ceiling tile price

Depending on the type of foam ceiling tiles, prices may vary. From 10 rubles/piece for the simplest white non-laminated tiles to 150 rubles/piece (seamless tiles)

Where to buy foam ceiling tiles?

You can purchase ceiling tiles in large hypermarkets of building and finishing materials, in construction markets or in online stores.

In Moscow:

• KUBIK, repair goods store: Moscow, Fergana proezd, 10A building 3;
• Online store kubikstroy.ru: Moscow, Novocherkassky Boulevard, 13.
• Leroy Merlin chain of hypermarkets for home and garden goods: Moscow, st. Verkhnyaya Krasnoselskaya, ow. 3a, Troika shopping center;

In St. Petersburg:

• Leroy Merlin chain of hypermarkets for home and garden goods: St. Petersburg, st. Kollontai, 3;
• Construction hypermarket "MOYDOM" St. Petersburg, Kolpino: St. Oktyabrskaya, 8, shopping center "OKA".
• "Stroitel" chain of stores for repair goods: St. Aircraft designers, 7, 9;

Video

Thus, it can be noted that with the help of foam ceiling tiles, making cosmetic repairs will be easy and simple, and most importantly - inexpensive. With a little effort, you can get a beautiful, warm, even ceiling with good sound insulation.