How to choose lamps and fixtures for suspended ceilings

In the design of apartments, plasterboard constructions are used in order to create a beautiful interior in the rooms. False ceiling is one of the types of such solutions. There is another variety - stretch ceilings. This is an elastic fabric stretched at a distance from the main ceiling. And the appearance of the design can be absolutely anything, both monochrome and with colorful prints. But lighting still remains a necessity in every room. In this article we will talk about the choice of lighting fixtures for suspended ceilings.

Lamps for suspended ceilings

To begin with, stretch ceilings are a canvas stretched on a supporting structure at a small distance from the main floor. The canvas can be fabric or PVC. It should be noted that the PVC film does not withstand high temperatures. 80 degrees Celsius will already be critical. Therefore, in fact, the film normally transfers heat of 40-50 degrees. The fabric canvas is more resistant to temperature, but it does not need to be heated above 70-80 degrees - it first turns yellow and then blackens.

In the stretch ceiling, you can install the same lights as in a regular one, but their design is slightly different. The difference is that the canvas does not hold any loads: it breaks, stretches and bends. Therefore, the fixtures are installed on the supporting part - it is called a mortgage, and a ring is glued to the canvas itself, which prevents tears. We will consider this issue in more detail later.

To summarize - what are the features of installing fixtures on suspended ceilings:

1. The canvas can not fulfill the supporting role, all devices and accessories are attached to the main ceiling

2. The stretch ceiling overheats and deteriorates, you need to choose the right fixtures.

3. The location of the fixtures and the installation of mortgages should occur BEFORE the installation of the ceiling.

Kinds

Light sources for suspended ceilings are as follows:

• Chandeliers

• Recessed;

• Overhead.

Chandeliers have no special differences from the classic "ceiling" models.

While recessed models for tensioners are represented mainly by spotlights, there are exceptions, but are less common. Recessed luminaires do not protrude or protrude significantly above the level of the film.

Overhead lights are usually a variation of spotlights with small shades or directional emitters (including directional adjustment). The ceiling of the overhead lamp can be made in the form of crystals or have another similar “jewelry” design, as well as in the form of glasses directing the light flux.

In fact, the light diffusion angle depends on the design of the ceiling, the so-called light intensity curve.

Lamp types

In luminaires for suspended ceilings, all common types of lamps can be installed:

• Incandescent;

• Halogen;

• Luminescent;

• LED light.

However, "may be" this does not mean that they should be installed. Incandescent and halogen lamps are heated during operation, so you do not need to use them at all.

Interesting:

If you installed a chandelier in a suspended ceiling, you can use halogen lamps or incandescent lamps with a power of about 60 watts. But provided that the ceiling lamps of the chandelier are located at a distance from the ceiling of about 20-30 centimeters.

Fluorescent lamps do not heat up much, but they are outdated and contain mercury vapor, and their appearance often does not fit into the interiors - it is also better not to use them.

But LED bulbs are well suited for installation in fixtures.There are many LED lamps and chandeliers for suspended ceilings on the market, and it is precisely LEDs with and without drivers that are installed in them (installed separately, as well as an electronic transformer for 12 V halogen lamps). That is, in such models it is impossible to replace the bulb - the lamp is being repaired or changed.

There are various socles of lamps, but pin-type socles of the type are usually used in spotlights:

Installation of fixtures for a stretch ceiling in three steps

Consider an example of mounting fixtures for a stretch ceiling.

Step one - marking and installing mortgages. It is carried out even before the ceiling is installed. It is necessary to determine the location of the lamps and install mortgages in these places. These are the supports in which the lamp is mounted. At this stage, the selection of spotlight location options that you see below can help you.

Mortgages are attached to the ceiling, and their “legs” are bent so that it is at the level of the future canvas, but does not bend it. That is, if your canvas will be located at a distance of 5 centimeters from the ceiling, then the bottom edge of the mortgage should not reach this mark, stopping at, for example, 4.5-4.8 cm. If the devices are powered by the driver - It connects immediately and is mounted on a mortgage support.

Step two - wiring. At this stage, you need to lay the cable in the corrugation fixed to the main ceiling to each lamp or chandelier. Corrugation can be attached to the ceiling with special clips or wall plugs. This is necessary so that the cable does not sag and do not lie on the stretched fabric. You can do without corrugation, but make sure that the wiring does not sag.

Step Three - Installation. Occurs after the ceiling is stretched you need to cut it. But this does not happen as scary as it sounds. First you touch and find mortgages from memory. After sticking on the canvas thermal ring. And cut the canvas.

After that, connect the wiring to the lamp.

Large chandeliers are also mounted.

Hardware

As already mentioned, mortgages are used to fasten light sources for suspended ceilings. They consist of a platform for mounting the lamp and legs. At the same time, the legs are bent or cut to the desired suspension height. And the platform itself is often universal and consists of concentric rings, cutting one of them will give you a larger diameter, which allows you to install lamps of different sizes.

Under the chandeliers use large mortgages. By the way, this part can be made independently.

Thermo rings - are a white or transparent ring that protects the coating from tears and glues to the surface before it is cut.

Conclusion: 5 theses on luminaires for suspended ceilings

To summarize and consider the main questions on luminaires for suspended ceilings:

1. The stretch ceiling must not be overheated.

2. In order not to overheat, do not use powerful incandescent or halogen bulbs.

3. Mortgages for luminaires are installed in the draft ceiling before the installation of the tension coating.

4. Before cutting the web, glue the thermal ring.

5. At the time of writing, it is better to use LED lamps in spotlights and chandeliers. But in large chandeliers, the use of not too powerful incandescent lamps (40-60 W) also allows.