While painting and wallpaper are great ways to spice up your fifth wall, there’s a third option that maximizes ceiling style with a minimum of trouble. Let’s take a trip into a unique style of ceiling that’s gaining a lot of attention in the design community. Welcome to the wonderful world of stretch ceilings!
The New Tautness
The stretch ceiling is a suspended style that takes flexibility to new heights, both figuratively and literally! Though the first stretch ceiling was installed in 1969, the technique has remained fairly specialized outside of Europe for the past 45 years. In the past few years, we have been seeing it more in installations, trade shows, and commercial applications. There are a lot of new lightweight materials that are strong and have become popular for in home applications.
Stretch ceilings are a suspended ceiling system that use two components: a lightweight perimeter track (usually aluminum), and a lightweight canvas-like membrane that is stretched taut and clipped into the track. This system is great for supporting wall coverings, light diffusers, floating panels, and is often used in exhibitions and pop-ups.
Due to their reliable nature and uncomplicated setup, stretch ceilings are flexible and can fit rooms of all shapes. A large selection of background supports mean that stretch ceilings still allow you to incorporate all types of lights (including existing fixtures), smoke detectors and vents as needed.
A Simpler Ceiling
Stretch ceilings have many advantages, but the biggest advantage is installation. Installers secure a perimeter track, add fixture mounts, stretch the ceiling membrane, and make cuts for fixtures. Installing a stretch ceiling doesn’t require any demolition, plastering, drywall cutting, or painting, making it quick and clean compared to other treatments you could apply to a ceiling.
Modern materials mean that stretch ceilings are stable and durable, fire and safety certified, and waterproof. They’re made from non-toxic and recyclable materials, are self-deodorizing, and resist mold and mildew. Maintenance is easy: a simple dusting or wiping cleans the stain-resistant surface.
In terms of aesthetics, a stretch ceiling grants you the flexibility to pursue just about any mood you want, from opulent and glamorous to purely functional—and everywhere in between. There are 3D design options, integrated LED lighting, backlit ceilings, even wallpaper patterns and textures. You can choose a color that will enhance your design of the room. And stretch ceilings give the feel of a higher ceiling due to the reflective nature of the materials used.
Serious Potential
Sklar Furnishings believes that bold is best when it comes to stretch ceilings: creative shapes, integrated lighting, exciting colors and textures are better than ever when they’re built into the ceiling! There are so many creative possibilities! We are certain it’s not a stretch to say that these ceilings are poised to become much more popular and common in the future.
