Increasingly, ceilings are not finished with classic wallpaper or water-based paint, but with a stretch canvas. This design is versatile and extremely attractive. As lighting devices, LED strips and halogen lamps are used. The most popular are spotlights. In order to correctly make spot lighting of stretch ceilings, you need to consider the purpose and layout of the room.
Spotlight Features
When arranging lighting on a suspended ceiling, do not forget that it is forbidden to attach any objects to the surface of the canvas. The canvas is made from a fabric base or PVC film. The latter option is used much more often. Such a film does not have a high level of strength and heat resistance. You can not install lighting fixtures with traditional incandescent lamps in the suspended ceiling, there is a risk of melting the area next to the lamp.
With the help of a spotlight, you can accent any interior items. The geometry of the rectangular rooms is emphasized by a series of light points. They can be installed both around the perimeter, and along only one wall.
Spotlights can be mounted at the level of the canvas or protrude slightly above its plane. Both methods are effective. soft and diffuse glow of spotlights will be relevant in the relaxation rooms. To make a composition on the ceiling or highlight a door arch, use dim light.
Each light point has an adjustment of the light flux, which allows you to accentuate the workplace, countertops in the kitchen or a table in the living room.
The suspended ceiling conceals a few centimeters of room height. Visually raise it using spot lighting. If the light streams are directed upwards onto the canvas, the ceiling will seem higher than it actually is. Especially clearly this effect is noticeable on glossy vinyls.
Types of fixtures
The market offers a lot of types of lighting equipment. Lighting under a stretch ceiling differs not only in the design and type of lamp, but also in structural features:
- According to the installation method, lighting devices are divided into hanging chandeliers, overhead and built-in devices.
- By the number of light points, the lamps are divided into cascading and point.
- If possible, adjust the luminous flux emit models of static type and swivel.
- According to the light source, LED, halogen and fluorescent lamps are distinguished.
Spot lighting makes it possible to find unusual lighting variations. You can emphasize the interior design or perform zoning of the room.
When choosing light points for suspended ceilings, it is necessary to pay attention to such a parameter as their the sizeor rather height. From this characteristic depends on how far the ceiling frame will have to be lowered. In the conditions of the arrangement of the apartment, where the ceilings do not differ in high height, this is extremely important. Optimal will be the height of a spotlight 4-6 cm.
By form spotlights are presented in a huge variety. They are:
- round;
- oval;
- square;
- rectangular;
- rhomboid.
Each model of the light point, regardless of shape, can be with a side or without it. The first protrude above the ceiling plane, and the second are on the same level with the canvas.
Spotlight can be made of the following materials:
- brass;
- metal;
- thermoplastics;
- glass.
To give a stylish look, the lamp is covered with all kinds of finishing materials - from wood to gold.
Color spectrum spotlights are truly wide. The device can be painted in absolutely any color:
- any color from the existing color palette (red, white, blue, etc.);
- tree color;
- metallic colors - gold, copper, brass, bronze, silver and others.
To choose a device for the style of the interior and create your own lighting design will not be difficult. Any design decision will be implemented.
Spotlights are power:
- LED - from 2 to 20 watts;
- halogen - 5-60 watts;
- luminescent - from 5 to 50 watts.
For suspended ceilings, the power of halogen lamps should not exceed 40 watts, luminescent - 50 watts, LED - 12 watts (for seamless ceilings - 18 watts).
Location of lighting points
Spot lights are positioned as follows: 1 light point per 1.5-2 m2. For example, in a room with an area of 15 m2, it is optimal to integrate 10 fixtures. Also, when placing, you need to take into account the power characteristics of the lamps and the purpose of the room. Perhaps additional lighting sources, such as chandeliers, will be used. Attention should be paid to the dimensions of the fixtures: the larger they are, the greater the distance should be between them. The average recommended distance is 30 cm.
The places of the lamps are distributed so that they are not close to the baguettes. The maximum allowable distance between the baguette and the light bulb is 2.5-3.0 cm.
The location of the light points must be determined even before the installation of the ceiling canvas. This is especially important for multi-level ceilings, where each of the tiers is distinguished by an individual lighting circuit.
Spot lighting in various rooms
In suspended ceilings, lighting is mounted according to the following main schemes:
- A parallel arrangement of 2 or more lines is a perfect arrangement for long rooms with a narrow passage, for example, a corridor.
Layouts of light points without a chandelier - Rectangular placement - visually makes the room larger and fits well with the chandelier in the center. Suitable for the hall.
- Chess layout - great for rooms with an “island”, where bright lighting, for example, a kitchen, is required in the corners and in the center.
Arrangements of light points with a chandelier - Arc-shaped configuration - makes it possible to emphasize a specific part of the room, for example, a relaxation area or a step in the ceilings of a multi-level type. Suitable for a bedroom.
- The chaotic arrangement of lighting fixtures is well suited for asymmetric rooms where furniture is arranged in a non-geometric order, for example, a living room.
- The cross-shaped arrangement is an excellent configuration for small interiors, for example, a children's room, where the installation of large-sized chandeliers and pendant lights is not feasible.
- Square variations without a central lighting fixture - a utilitarian and optimal layout for the bathroom.
- The arrangement of light points in one row is the easiest way for small rooms, for example, a balcony.
Installing spotlights in suspended ceilings
For stretch ceilings, as a rule, lamps with light sources of LED or halogen type, very rarely luminescent, are chosen. Energy consumption and heating of LED lights are minimal. Accordingly, the risk of yellowing and melting of the ceiling is also minimized. The brightness of the light is absolutely not affected.
Cases of spot-type luminaires can be fully integrated into the ceiling fabric, and may protrude slightly beyond its plane, which contributes to better heat dissipation. The latter is preferable for installation in rooms with a low ceiling. They minimize the distance between the base and the ceiling fabric.
Spot lighting makes it possible to implement any design decisions, even if the room is not large. These are opportunities without limits. You can emphasize specific interior details, implement zoning and use any lighting scenario.
