LED lights for suspended ceilings should successfully emphasize the appearance of the canvas and provide the necessary level of lighting of the room. Therefore, the choice of such devices is approached especially carefully.
Requirements for lighting ceilings
In most cases, suspended ceiling structures are made of thin PVC film. So that the material does not lose its performance, it is forbidden to expose it to temperatures above 60 ° C. If you neglect this rule, the canvas will gradually deform. Over time, it will sag, become a yellowish tint. With improper lighting, the PVC fabric emits fumes harmful to human health.
When installing the lamp, it is necessary to ensure a safe distance from the surface of the film or install bulbs that do not heat up. Power supplies should preferably be placed in special niches, which prevents their contact with a stretch ceiling.
When choosing fixtures, take into account that they are built into the design with a glossy surface. PVC film reflects and sharpens the light. To reduce this negative effect, it is advisable to use lighting devices equipped with shades. It is not recommended to buy bulky fixtures or devices with a complex installation pattern.
Pros and Cons of LED Lighting
A stretch ceiling LED chandelier is the best solution, given its many advantages:
- With a sufficiently large power, the lighting device does not heat up, which allows the PVC cloth to last longer and maintain its original appearance.
- The device is safe during operation. No further harm to the environment and its further disposal. LED lamps do not contain toxic fumes, mercury compounds and do not emit ultraviolet light.
- It is not difficult to integrate the lamp into the ceiling.
- LED chandeliers have a long service life - at least 6 thousand hours.
- Lamps of this type provide good lighting quality, which positively affects the well-being of people in the room. They are contrasting with a heat transfer coefficient of 90.
The main disadvantage of LED lamps for suspended ceilings is their high cost. But this is offset by a decrease in electricity consumption, since such lamps are energy-efficient. The minus of LEDs is also called the impossibility of their use in rooms with high humidity and high air temperature.
Preferred types of lighting
The choice of the type of lighting and its characteristics should occur at the stage of selecting a style and design solution in relation to a stretch ceiling. Limitations relate to the power, dimensions and characteristics of the fixtures.
Point devices
LED spotlights are considered a universal solution for suspended ceilings. They are installed in a room of any size and height (even at critically low parameters). The device casing may protrude slightly above the surface of the canvas or fully integrate into it.Spotlights are used to organize additional or main lighting.
The undeniable advantages of such LED lamps in suspended ceilings:
- affordable price;
- low degree of heating of the device body;
- economical energy consumption;
- resistance to moisture due to design features;
- the ability to adjust the direction of light flows.
Mounting point diodes is not difficult. Embedded products are equipped with a spring mount, which is installed in a previously prepared hole in the ceiling. For overhead fixtures, adjustable racks are used.
Chandeliers, panels and ribbons
Pendant lights are considered ideal for large rooms with high ceilings. Chandeliers create a uniformly diffused and fairly bright light. The use of such a device minimizes the possibility of damage to the tensile structure, since its body is at a safe distance from the canvas. It is recommended to select chandeliers with downward facing shades, which eliminates the appearance of glare on a glossy surface.
Panel or modular fixtures are widely used in public buildings, but are also popular in residential buildings. Such a lamp produces a diffused light flux.
The most effective device for suspended ceilings is called LED strip. Most often it is used to organize additional lighting. The advantages of using LED strips are:
- compactness and light weight;
- simplicity of installation in hard-to-reach places;
- low power consumption;
- the ability to adjust power using the control panel;
- great resource of work.
Luminous crystals are placed on the LED strip with a certain gap. Their number and type affect the lighting intensity.
When buying fixtures, it is necessary to take into account the features of a particular room. For the kitchen, hinged appliances that can change their position and, as a result, the lighting power are preferred. For large rooms where people are staying for a long time, it is recommended to choose lamps with diffused yellow light. A cold type of lighting is organized for the office.
Optimal bulb types
For each type of lamp it is necessary to select the appropriate lamp. When using it on tension structures, several nuances are additionally taken into account:
- for spotlights do not use traditional incandescent lamps;
- when choosing halogen light sources, an additional transformer is installed;
- maximum permissible lamp power - 60 W;
- It is advisable to choose frosted glass products.
Incandescent lamps may only be used in hanging chandeliers, where the ceiling is at least 40 cm from the film surface. They will create a standard and pleasant light for a person, but they are less economical. Also, such products are inexpensive.
Halogen lamps are considered durable and economical. They form a bright lighting, characterized by excellent color reproduction. The disadvantage of such products is their limited range of colors.
LED lamps are economical and convenient during operation. During operation, they practically do not heat up, so they combine perfectly with stretch ceilings. LED lamps have a wide range of color temperatures - from cold white to warm yellow. Many LED products have a warranty of up to 10 years.
An excellent option for suspended ceilings are fluorescent lamps. They create good diffused lighting, do not heat up during operation.Since such lamps are quite large, they are not suitable for all lamps. The disadvantage of luminescent products is also called a low startup speed.
Recommendations for choosing a lamp
When choosing a lamp for a stretch ceiling, the following characteristics must be taken into account:
- The form. Lamps can have any appearance. The shape and type of shades determines how light will be distributed in the room.
- The size. For tensile structures it is not recommended to choose too massive fixtures.
- Colour. They are selected taking into account the style of the ceiling and the room itself.
For bathrooms, it is advisable to select lamps with a sealed sealed enclosure, which will prevent damage to the lighting elements. For the bedroom they buy lamps with frosted glass. Such a device will create a pleasant diffused light.
