Can I remove the stretch ceiling? How to remove the tension ceilings yourself: step by step instructions and recommendations

If the room has a stretch ceiling, how to remove it and not damage it? This question is asked by many owners of premises who are interested in preserving the material, as they simply lay additional communications under the ceiling, repair the wiring and eliminate other problems that require the dismantling of the structure.

History of the appearance of stretch ceiling

The history of stretch ceilings goes back to ancient Rome. At the time, cloth was used for draping, the color of which was carefully selected, since it had to match the shade of the wall. A significant disadvantage was that the service life of such material was very low.

The second hint of the stretch ceiling in the later historical period is the use of a calico soaked in chalk in Armenia in the 17th century. This material was stretched on the frame, so the result was a perfectly flat ceiling.

The appearance of a modern stretch ceiling occurred 30 years ago in France.

What is a stretch ceiling

Stretched ceiling - this is a flat surface, obtained as a result of tension of special polyvinylchloride film. As a material for a stretch ceiling , polyester fabric is also often used. In modern designs, the first option is often used.

Stretching a thin film or fabric is made on a special frame (baguette), the fixing point of which is the base ceiling. The result is a perfectly flat and uniform surface, similar to a solid ceiling.

Pros of the stretch ceiling

Stretch ceiling has a lot of advantages in comparison with other finishing materials:

1. PVC film is the easiest way to get a perfectly flat surface.
2. Fastening technology is considered the most simple and fast. First, a special frame is installed on the wall, and then a film is heated on it, heated with a heat gun. The duration of such installation takes no more than 4 hours. In addition, before starting the installation work there is no need to take out all the furniture. It is enough just to move it to the center, thus freeing up access to the walls.
3. For stretch ceiling is characterized by high strength (up to 100 kg per 1 m ² ), which often saves in case of flooding from above.
4. This surface is easy to clean thanks to a thin micron layer of Teflon.

Types of stretch ceilings

Before you answer the question of how you can remove the stretch ceiling, you should determine its appearance. This information is usually contained on the letterhead of the company that manufactured the product.

So, the canvas can be:

• Made of PVC. The installation / dismantling of such a structure requires a high temperature (about 70 degrees). If such heating is not provided, then you can just spoil the canvas. To achieve this temperature allows a thermal gun.
• Seamless fabric. The advantage of this type is the following: the room does not need to be heated to install or dismantle the ceiling. It is recommended to begin work with the central part of the ceiling and gradually move to the corners.

Fixing methods

So, the stretch ceiling - how to remove it? The solution of this issue depends largely on the type of fixing used during installation:

• A harpoon system, used only if a PVC linen is installed. This way of fastening considerably simplifies the process of dismantling.
• Fixation of material to the baguette by means of a wedge or a staple method. In a similar way can be used in relation to PVC or fabric fabrics. Is it possible to remove the stretch ceiling with the help of the above described option with your own hands, and then install it on the same place? No. Debriefing, of course, is possible, but it's quite difficult to knock out a wedge without experience alone.
• Mounting with plastic clips can only be used for a seamless fabric cloth. Installation and dismantling of such a structure are considered to be the simplest.

Required Tools

When answering the question about how to remove the stretch ceiling, it must be borne in mind that, for starters, one should stock up with such tools:

• Typical plaster trowel, which has spent corners;
• Pliers, for which the non-standard size of the working "sponges" is characteristic;
• With a standard knife;
• A heat gun of any type;
• Clothespins of a large size, with which the film is usually suspended during dismantling.

Which one to choose the way to dismantle the stretch ceiling, you need to decide based on the type of its design.

We dismantle PVC-tension ceiling

How to remove this type of ceiling? First you need to determine the type of attachment. If the harpoon method was used during installation, disassembly and reassembly of the ceiling is possible, and if the wedge is used, then you can forget about the re-assembly of the structure.

Below is a step-by-step instruction that describes how to remove the stretch ceiling with your own hands:

1. Before you start working, you need to maximize the room, and the furniture, which can not be carried, cover with a cloth on a thermally stable basis.
2. Heat the room with a heat gun. If the room is not heated enough, then the dismantling work will be doomed to failure - the film will break. The optimum temperature for the analysis of the blade is at least 600 degrees.
3. Preliminary it is necessary to prepare a stepladder and find an assistant who will keep the gun. So the question of how to remove the stretch ceiling itself, you can safely answer: no way, because you can not do without a second person.
4. The entire process of dismantling should be accompanied by heating the blade, as this greatly facilitates the work process and avoids tearing the surface. However, it must be remembered that too close a gun can damage the material.

Seamless fabric ceiling

How to remove, install a stretch ceiling, the material for the production of which served as a seamless fabric? If the fastening is woven or wedge, the installation / dismantling work should be carried out in the same order as with the PVC liner. The only difference is that there is no need to use a heat gun, and dismantling starts from the middle of the wall, and then gradually shifts to the corner.

Dismantling the canvas, for which the clips were used clip-on baguettes, has the following feature: partially replace the material will not work, as the stretch ceiling will have to be removed completely. If this is not done, sooner or later the clip will pop out, which will lead to the forced replacement of the entire ceiling.

Stretch ceiling repair

How to remove, install a stretch ceiling? This issue can affect anyone, because the cut and puncture are the damages most often affected by stretch ceilings.

In case of occurrence of such trouble, each owner begins to think how to fix the situation and at the same time to spend minimum. It all depends on what material was used to make the canvas, and on the size of the "wound" itself.

Repair of fabric ceiling

How to remove and put the stretch ceiling? If the tissue cloth has suffered from the cut, repair work can be done on its own. The detected damage should be simply glued using a piece of fiberglass or a piece of material left after the installation work. For gluing the patch on the back side, transparent glue is usually used. In the end, it is recommended to cover the repaired area with a suitable paint.

Repair of PVC linen

If the location of the cut or puncture of the PVC film structure is next to the wall (the distance is not more than 15 cm), then the disassembly of the web should be started from the side of the damage, cut off the entire length of the affected area, re-stretch the film and fill it in the frame. This procedure will not change the appearance of the surface.

If the damage is somewhat removed from the wall, then the ceiling should not be drawn, as this will simply spoil it. In this situation, it is better to use the following tricks:

• The place of a small cut may be perfect for installing an additional lamp or a ventilation grill;
• A large size can be disguised with a colored appliqué or a panel.

To eliminate the puncture on the ceiling of PVC, the size of which does not exceed 1-2 mm, a special glue is enough. He not only conceals the damage, but also does not allow the canvas to diverge further. But to get rid of a large puncture, you will need to perform the same actions as with a cut.

Do not forget that if the ceiling panel was made by specialists, then you need to call them for repair as well, instead of devising a way to seal a cut or puncture. The thing is that an unsuccessful independent work will cancel the warranty for the installation performed earlier, in view of which you will have to pay for eliminating any negative consequences.