Which Ceiling Is Better Than Plasterboard Or Stretch: Which Is Cheaper, Advantages And Cost

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Comparative characteristics of materials
• Which ceiling is better than drywall or stretch
• Which is cheaper - stretch fabric or plasterboard sheets
• What is more beautiful - drywall or stretch ceiling
• Ceiling care
• Which is easier, mount a plasterboard ceiling or create a tension structure
• Combined ceilings
• Conclusion: what is better plasterboard ceiling or stretch ceiling

Carrying out repair work in an apartment or house requires money from themselves. But, to a greater extent, you need to make a choice in a huge range of materials. This also applies to the ceiling. Indeed, the extreme degree will be to leave the ceiling uneven and gray. At the same time, the room looks unkempt, dark, without the presence of coziness and comfort. The article lists the advantages and disadvantages of plasterboard ceilings and tension structures. Each material has its own characteristics.

Comparative characteristics of materials

To decide which ceiling is better - stretch or suspended, let's compare their main parameters. In this case, we will build on financial capabilities, as well as the shape and size of the room. For the correct choice of a stretch ceiling or plasterboard, you should initially familiarize yourself with the features of each type. Find out about the shortcomings, as well as compare the pricing policy.

1. Design. The ceiling creates an overall atmosphere in the room. It should harmoniously fit into the general background, complementing the interior, creating coziness and comfort.
2. Mounting. One of the important points to pay attention to. Installation of plasterboard flooring is fundamentally different from tension.

3. Operation, maintenance of the ceiling. When choosing, you need to be guided not only by the pricing policy and the creation of the appearance, but also to think about how to care for it in the future.

   

4. Heat and sound insulation. It is of great importance if there are noisy neighbors upstairs. Or a private house with an insulated roof.
5. Relation to humidity. It is necessary to pay attention to this factor if you plan to make a ceiling in the bathroom, in the attic, on the balcony.
6. Cost. One of the important factors.
7. Loss of centimeters in height. It depends not only on the curvature of the rough ceiling. When installing drywall on a metal frame made of profiles, about 10 cm is lost.

8. Built-in lights. There is no problem in this matter. Because almost all lighting devices are built into plasterboard and stretch ceilings: spotlights, LED strips.

   

9. Damage to the ceiling from mechanical stress. The stretched canvas can tear from the furniture being repositioned (if you touch the canvas) if the child threw a plastic toy in a corner. The plasterboard will be scratched in such cases.

10. Lit, not lit. Both types do not burn, but will be damaged if ignited.

    

Having studied these points, you can safely start purchasing the materials for that ceiling that best suits the design and general background of the room.

Which ceiling is better than drywall or stretch

Before choosing a ceiling, you should evaluate the room. This applies to square meters (large-small, high walls - standard), humidity (increased percentage of humidity, temperature drop, whether the room is cold). In the bathrooms, in the toilet, in the kitchen, you should use only a certain brand of drywall - moisture resistant gypsum plasterboard (green). At the same time, the stretch ceiling does not change with constant exposure to moisture.

Shrinkage occurs in new buildings. From this, cracks occur on the walls, in the corners. If you install drywall not according to the accepted technology, then cracks will also appear on the new gypsum board product. When installing tensioning material, it is not necessary to use reinforcing materials and clearly prescribed rules.

The comparative table shows brief characteristics for both types of coating:

Drywall
Amount of time for installation of material in 20 sq.m.	2 hours	Up to five days (takes into account the complexity of the design)
Coating reuse	Yes	Yes
Moisture resistance	Yes	Only the use of a certain type of gypsum board - moisture resistant. In other cases, GK sheets are not moisture resistant
Weight per square meter	0.3 kg	Up to 10 kg depending on sheet thickness
Operational period	Up to 20 years	Under 20 (Knauf)
Sustainability	100%	100%
Painting and other finishes	No	After 3-5 years staining is required
Possibility of wet cleaning	Yes (some materials wrinkle when wet cleaning, which negatively affects the appearance)	Yes (depending on the finishing material: wallpaper, paint, film)
Refractoriness	No	No
Loss of room height	5 cm	10 cm and more (depending on the design)
The ability to hide communications	Yes	Yes
Creating a multilevel floor	Yes	Yes
Price	From 350 rub. per sq. m	From 1200 rub. per sq. m.

Which is cheaper - stretch fabric or plasterboard sheets

The price depends on the choice of material and design.

Plasterboard construction will be much cheaper if you install it yourself, without involving a team of workers. But, at the same time, you should follow all the rules, as well as follow a clear work algorithm.

But when the price includes all stages of work:

• Delivery;

• Climb;

• GKL profile and related materials;

• Putty, paint.

That cost increases significantly and depends on the quality of the selected material.

It is almost impossible to install a stretch canvas yourself (unless the owner of the apartment is a master). If we compare the work of a team of craftsmen, then the installation of both materials is practically the same. The only difference will be in the selected material.

What is more beautiful - drywall or stretch ceiling

Both options are very popular. Both types amaze with their aesthetics and originality.

The stretch version is made from a wide variety of color shades, as well as with all kinds of prints. In this case, the plasterboard surface is pasted over with tape, wallpaper, or painted.

Plasterboard ceilings have many options: single-level, multi-level, with the design of curly elements - a butterfly, a wave, a smooth transition of a curly product to the wall.

The backlight is mounted in both options. Spot, diode lamps, LED strips and light strips. And also pick up modern diode chandeliers or lighting fixtures powered by a remote control.

Ceiling care

The weekly maintenance of stretch and plasterboard ceilings is different. If a special tool, a polish is required for the stretch coating, then the drywall is cleaned based on the finishing material (wallpaper, paint). Do not wash the ceiling with abrasive products or brushes. Some types of products cannot be washed with water: This applies to stretch fabrics and finishing materials on plasterboard ceilings.

Which is easier, mount a plasterboard ceiling or create a tension structure

This is one of the main questions when choosing a ceiling. There is one nuance here: to perform high-quality work with a stretch ceiling, you should hire a team of craftsmen who have the equipment. When installing a drywall product yourself, you need a clear sketch, accuracy and precision.

The plasterboard ceiling can be easily installed with your own hands. Especially if it has a simple single-level version with spotlights. One big negative is a lot of debris and dust. It can take up to three days in time. The stretch ceiling is installed without dust in 3-4 hours.

The decision on which ceilings are better than drywall or stretch ceilings for installation should be made based on the time allotted for repairs. An interesting idea is the use of diode lighting in a stretch ceiling.

Combined ceilings

If you are faced with a choice, which is better drywall or PVC stretch ceiling, we advise you to stay on the combined option. It looks more original and modern. Basically, interesting versions of drywall boxes are created, and a canvas is stretched in the center. By adding additional and main lighting, the ceiling becomes unique, while creating a cozy, comfortable and warm atmosphere in the room. The installation of a stretch ceiling is carried out in such a way that it is visually difficult to understand how this ceiling was created.

Advantages of the combined design:

1. Drywall boxes are made in various shapes from a quadrangle to unimaginable intricate shapes. The stretch canvas in the center makes the ceiling chic, "rich".

   

2. The combination ceiling combines several backlighting and main lighting options.

3. The combination of drywall and PVC can be designed in such a way that one room is divided into recreation and reception areas, a place for indoor flowers with certain lighting and a place for watching TV.

   

4. A plasterboard box on the ceiling hides electrical wires, internet cables.
5. With proper care, the combined ceiling has a shelf life of up to 15 years.

Some disadvantages of such a ceiling:

1. The height of the room is reduced by at least 10 cm.
2. Pricing policy can act as a disadvantage (expensive).

3. Sudden changes in temperature can negatively affect the entire structure.

   

With the correct installation of the combined ceiling, the hidden 10-12 cm will be invisible, since such a structure should visually enlarge and brighten the entire room. And subject to the rules of operation, the shelf life can increase to uncertainty.

Conclusion: what is better plasterboard ceiling or stretch ceiling

Based on the above, we can draw small conclusions on the question of what kind of ceiling to install.

Stretch ceiling is relevant:

• In a room with low wall heights;
• Does not greatly affect the family budget (workers' pay);
• There is a chance of a flood;

• There are time limits for repairs;

  

Plasterboard ceiling is installed:

• With limited allocation of funds;
• There is time for repairs;
• You need to hide a hood or a lot of wires;
• There is a desire to make a complex plasterboard ceiling structure, which goes over to the walls: curly elements, a box, emphasizing design objects (for example, a curly partition - the same figures on the ceiling, arched ceiling);

• The height of the room allows you to create multi-level structures.

  

Both stretch and plasterboard ceilings have their own exquisite design and unique beauty. Which ceiling to choose is an individual matter, because many factors affect this issue. An excellent design solution is a combination ceiling device with lighting.

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