Fabric Suspended Ceilings or PVC: Debunking Myths
All suspended ceilings can be divided into two large groups: this includes seamless suspended ceilings (or fabric-based suspended ceilings) and seamed suspended ceilings (made from PVC film).
IMPORTANT! Seamed ceilings are often called "French," because they first appeared in France.
Photo 1 — Fabric suspended ceiling
Which suspended ceilings are better: PVC or fabric?
Manufacturers often praise their product, highlighting the shortcomings of competitors' products. Such a characterization, even if partly true, cannot be considered objective. We will try to present the pros and cons of different types of suspended ceilings, adhering to neutrality.
Myths about suspended ceilings: advantages and disadvantages of suspended systems
I think each of you has once played the simple game "Truth or Lie?". In this form, we will try to sort out the most popular myths about suspended ceilings.
Figure 1 — Structure of a fabric seamless ceiling Decor
Eco-friendly ceilings
Fabric seamless suspended ceilings are an ecologically clean way to level surfaces.
At the same time, suspended ceilings made from PVC film are made from low-quality raw materials, the base material of the ceiling has an unpleasant odor and is harmful to human health.
Truth: In terms of ecological safety, both types of ceiling coatings are equivalent, and whether it is a PVC or fabric suspended ceiling, they can both be installed in residential premises, including children's rooms.
Lie: Not all fabric ceilings are as eco-friendly as their manufacturers or sellers claim. For example, in the fire certificate, look for composition or technical description of the coating: "the fabric is made from polyester and impregnated with polyurethane." From this formulation, the essence of the "natural" coating is clearly visible.
In addition, you are deceived in one way or another by claiming that a fabric ceiling will not let moisture through during flooding (name even one natural fabric that is water-resistant!).
CONCLUSION: Carefully read what is written in small print on the label. Neither fabric nor film ceiling causes harm if you have purchased certified products, which you can be confident in.
Figure 2 — Composition of a fabric ceiling Cerutti
"Durability" of ceilings
According to information from some sources, fabric suspended ceilings are 15 times stronger and more durable than film ones.
Truth: It is meaningless to delve into this debate now, since all arguments will boil down to the strength indicators of suspended ceilings (tensile strength, elongation at break and several other parameters).
Lie: At this stage, it is important to understand something else: why raise the issue of ceiling strength at all. The answer is one: for consideration by buyers of a particular type of suspended ceiling as a way to prevent apartment flooding. In practice, it is no more than a marketing trick.
CONCLUSION: There is no need to doubt the strength of fabric ceilings. However, fabric should not be used for such work because it is not elastic by nature, so in case of the advertised flood, this material will not save your room or the ceiling itself: fabric under pressure from large volumes of water will simply tear off from wall fixtures.
In addition, it is impossible to reinstall the same fabric coating in case of force majeure circumstances, unlike PVC film ceilings.
FACT: With proper installation, the surface of the PVC film ceiling can withstand pressure up to 100 kg/m².
Heating of ceilings during installation
During the installation of suspended ceilings made from PVC film, the room must be heated with a heat gun to 60°C. Thus, a sudden temperature change can negatively affect everything that is currently in the room for various reasons and has not been removed.
Installation of fabric suspended ceilings, unlike film ones, can be done without heating.
Photo 2 — Installation process of a suspended ceiling with heating
Truth: Indeed, for installing fabric ceilings, it is not necessary to heat the room. The fabric is cut according to the ceiling size and inserted into the wall grooves of the system, stretching it.
Lie: This is a clear example of intimidating buyers. In reality, you need to clear the room of unnecessary items during ceiling installation whether it is with film or fabric ceilings to avoid interfering with the work of the installation team. Moreover, when heated, the heat flow is directed exclusively at the film.
IMPORTANT! The only thing that can actually be damaged by overheating is indoor plants.
CONCLUSION: The so-called thermal shock may only affect a ficus. Otherwise, the operation of the heat gun is harmless to any room since the heat is directed at the film.
Seam on the ceiling - the main disadvantage
Seams on a ceiling made from PVC film are the weakest point of the coating. Seams are very visible and spoil the overall appearance of the suspended ceiling.
Fabric ceilings are better because they do not have seams.
Truth: Fabric ceilings are produced in a wider width than film ones. The maximum width of fabric is 5 meters!
Lie: The seam obtained during the welding of fabrics is strong in tensile strength and tension. Some manufacturers offer a guarantee on the integrity of film seams for up to 10 years!
CONCLUSION: The seam is not as scary as it is painted. If you use the services of certified companies for suspended ceiling installation, problems should not occur even in case of seam rupture.
Photo 3 — The photo shows a seamed ceiling. Say, do you see the joint between the beige fabrics
Fabric ceilings cannot be washed
Due to their structure, fabric fabrics are very sensitive to dirt that cannot be removed with a wet method.
Truth: Yes, care for film ceilings is simpler and any film ceiling can withstand wet cleaning without pressing on the fabric or using cleaning products containing alcohol (or other aggressive components).
Lie: Earlier we mentioned the "composition" of a fabric ceiling. Since it's not about natural fabrics, but only their appearance, it is easier to deal with dirt. The list of how and what to clean fabric ceilings is almost the same as for PVC film ceilings.
CONCLUSION: Do not approach suspended ceilings with chlorine-based stain removal products, and no one will suffer.
Fabric suspended ceilings: reviews of manufacturers
Both buyers and installation workers usually choose products from the following brands:
- Clipso ("Clipso", Switzerland);
- Descor ("Descor", Germany);
- Cerutti ("Cerutti", Italy);
- Emerald ("Emerald", Belgium).
For price-quality criteria, other manufacturers do not need to be sought - in the catalogs of these brands you can find not only all possible color and texture options for ceilings, but also coatings for special purposes (e.g., special bactericidal suspended ceilings for medical facilities and children's rooms, moisture-resistant and dirt-resistant ceilings, etc.).
Fabric suspended ceilings: price
Clipso offers to purchase fabrics for suspended ceilings at the following prices:
- Clipso optical white fabric (white) - width 3 m; 4 m; 5.1 m - from $13.5/m²;
- Clipso colored fabric - width 3 m; 4 m; 5.1 m - from $19.5/m²;
- Clipso translucent fabric (semi-transparent) - width 3.2 m; 5 m - from $25.95/m²;
- Clipso 705s fabric (white classic) - width 3 m; 4 m; 5.1 m - from $18/m²;
- accessories - from $5.
To calculate the cost of a fabric suspended ceiling, you can use a special calculator - a free online application often placed on websites selling suspended ceilings or offering installation services.
The cost of work in most cases is calculated as follows: craftsmen are paid approximately 25% of the material cost.