Fabric Ceiling – To Be or Not to Be

Advantages of Fabric Ceilings

• Although fabric is a synthetic material with special impregnation, manufacturers position it as more environmentally friendly than PVC. The safety of products from European brands is confirmed by expert assessments and certifications.
• Fabric ceilings are seamless up to 5 m in room width. For wider rooms, panels are joined, which does not affect the ceiling's appearance.
• Material is much stronger than film, more resistant to damage, stable against temperature fluctuations, and not afraid of overheating or freezing.
• No heating of material or room is required for installation.
• Most fabric panels can be painted (and even repainted several times), and photo printing is possible.

Photo 2 – Cheruti fabric ceiling

Disadvantages of Fabric Ceilings

• High cost.
• Limited color selection: mostly pastel shades, often resembling whitewash in color and appearance.
• Generally, fabric is not moisture-resistant: even if the treated panel holds water, it still gets soaked and looks unattractive after drying.
• More frequent and thorough cleaning is required: fabric stains more easily than film and also absorbs odors.

Thus, it is difficult to clearly say whether PVC or fabric ceilings are better: both have pros and cons, and reviews vary from positive to negative.

Based on the properties of fabric ceilings, they are recommended for dry rooms without a clear risk of ceiling leaks, such as living rooms, bedrooms, and children's rooms.

Photo 3 – Clipso tension ceiling

Installation of Fabric Ceilings

As mentioned, installing fabric ceilings does not require heating, making it possible to install them yourself. Besides the fabric, you will need special components – plastic clips for fabric ceilings, anchors and screws for mounting, and a special trowel for inserting fabric into the trim.

Unlike the harpoon system used for PVC ceilings, fabric ceilings do not require precise cutting.

Fabric is ordered 15 cm wider and longer than the ceiling area, and trims are made to the ceiling’s perimeter.

First, the ceiling perimeter is marked: measurements are taken, level marks are placed, and lines are drawn using painter’s string. Trims are installed along the marked lines: holes are drilled into the trim and wall, anchors are driven into the wall, and screws attach the trims. Before installation, the length of each trim is measured, and joints are cut at a 45-degree angle.

The fabric is secured into the trim starting from the center of each side. First, it is fastened every 50 cm, then along the entire perimeter. After everything is ready, excess fabric is trimmed.

Photo 4 – Draping ceiling and walls with fabric

Draperies with Fabric on Ceilings

Fabric ceilings made by hand are not just tension fabric ceilings. One of the oldest methods of home decoration – using fabric for embellishment.

Decorating the ceiling with fabric can be done using simple tools: for a beautiful drape from center to edges, a small circular hoop can be attached to a light fixture, and for attaching to walls and ceiling, hooks, cords, ribbons, rods, clips, and similar items can be used.

Decor using fabric should be light, especially beautiful with semi-transparent fabrics. Fabric can hang freely, partially covering the ceiling, or be tightly wrapped, with other variations possible.

Fabric Ceilings – Price

The cost of fabric draping depends on the chosen material. Note that for fabric decoration, a continuous, seamless piece is needed – in other words, a roll of fabric.

The price for a Deskor fabric tension ceiling starts from 800 RUB per square meter (material + installation). Purchasing Deskor fabric separately in small wholesale quantities costs from 285 RUB per square meter.