How do you imagine a perfect ceiling? Is it level, smooth and monolithic?
Most homeowners and decorators prefer their ceilings as smooth and level as possible.
Stretch Ceilings are often described as seamless or monolithic surfaces.
Stretch Ceiling (Non-PVC) Fabrics come in rolls 6’, 10’2”, 16’4” or 16’8” wide. This means that rooms up to 16ft wide is seamlessly covered. Generally, a ceiling is shaped rectangular so when the room is 14ft x 36ft, it is covered by a 16’ x 37’ size fabric.
In addition to covering rooms over 16ft wide, seams may be necessary for the ceiling if one room is joined with another room. For example: a hallway ceiling that runs into a kitchen or dining room. Seams can also be created as a design feature to join two different colored or different types of fabrics together.
Having seams in a stretch ceiling does not necessarily mean parallel lines. Ceiling panels with seams can be diagonal, star-shaped, zigzag, triangular or any other geometrical shape. Straight seams are easier and faster to create than a curved one and seams are usually aligned with the layout of the interior for example, there could be a seam at the end of the corridor. Even in the open floor design, a seam could be used to join the dining area ceiling with the living room. Seams in stretch fabric ceiling can be described as straight shadow lines with beveled edges.
Non-PVC fabrics are made of polyester and coated with water based PU. Fabric ceiling seams are created by joining two pieces of fabric in a single track between them. Fabrics are never sawn or welded together.
PVC ceiling membrane is another product on the market but uses a different technology than polyester fabric. PVC ceiling membrane is made to fit the shape of the room at a factory. All necessary seams are welded to join the ceiling panels together at the factory during the production. Needless to say, it is extremely important to take accurate measurements of the ceiling; also the production has to be precise in order for the ceiling to match the measured dimensions minus the stretch factor of the PVC membrane. If any issues arise during the installation and the material is damaged or is otherwise unusable, a new ceiling membrane has to be manufactured at the factory.
Stretch ceilings have a perimeter track installed continuously that attaches to the walls or ceiling. In the case with popcorn ceilings the track is applied right over the old ceiling. Wooden blocking is usually installed first and mounted directly over the popcorn texture. Then a track is attached to the wooden blocking and all corners and angles should create nice clean lines connecting in all the right places. Stretch fabric ceilings are fit on site, like your own personal seamstress fashioning a masterpiece tailored just to you.
If you have a large ceiling project that you would like to seamlessly come together, we can help!
Contact us here to discuss your project options.