Floating ceiling - backlight features, do-it-yourself installation

Backlit drywall ceiling is a very popular design decision. It is distinguished by external beauty and practicality. For the arrangement of the electrical part, you can use a variety of combinations of various lighting devices. As a result, it is possible not only to change the intensity of the light flux, but also to influence the spatial perception of the room.

Strengths of using a suspended ceiling with lighting:

• Creating a completely even base on the surface of the base without the use of time-consuming screed and plaster.
• Significant simplification of the preparation of the draft foundation. It is allowed that it remains the same finish, differences, cracks, etc.
• Possibility of convenient camouflage under a suspended canvas of various communications - cables, wires, pipes, ventilation ducts, etc.
• High decorative features. This is especially true for the creation of a multi-level suspended ceiling made of drywall with backlight.

The designs also have disadvantages:

• Understatement of the total height of the room by about 10 cm due to the frame. This applies to both the stretch and the ceiling of drywall with backlight.
• The complexity of the procedure. In any case, you need an assistant and some experience in arranging electrical systems. If the installation and switching of the lighting fixtures is incorrect, this can have very sad consequences. The resulting short circuit sometimes causes a fire.

When developing a plan for installing a plasterboard ceiling with lighting, it is recommended that you pay special attention to the following important points:

1. Use of several lighting zones in a room. As doctors say, for the health of the eyes it is better to use several low-power lamps than one bright lamp.
2. The arrangement of spotlights is designed in the most thorough manner. In the kitchen, a work surface and a place for eating need separate lighting. The bedroom has worked well in the contour lighting around the bed. Often used additional lighting cabinet, bookshelves and desks. Zoning lighting is also used in the hallway: the hanger, mirrors and the perimeter of the ceiling are equipped with spotlights.
3. Light decorative imitation of sun glare, northern lights and starry sky has excellent decorative characteristics.
4. It is necessary to position lighting devices so that they do not blind eyes.
5. Thanks to the correct placement of the backlight, it is possible to adjust the proportions of the room. If you direct the light on the walls, the effect of the visual expansion of space will arise.
6. Each group of fixtures in different functional areas of the room needs an autonomous switch.
7. Small rooms should preferably be decorated with multi-level gypsum plasterboard ceilings with LED lighting.
8. Before you make a ceiling from drywall with backlight, develop a detailed diagram of the future design. It contains information on all sizes, varieties and locations of fixtures.

What are the lights

In order to make a ceiling with backlight, as a rule, the following types of lamps are used:

• Point. With their help, night illumination, emergency lighting, zoning of premises, illumination of the working area, etc. are arranged. This type of lighting belongs to the budget, and is suitable for lighting a ceiling made of drywall of any configuration. Such schemes are very simple to implement: as a rule, they do this work on their own, without the involvement of a professional electrician. To achieve the final aesthetics of the finished structure, it is necessary to carefully arrange the holes in the gypsum board, strictly according to the diameter of the lamp. Spotlights most often play a supporting role in combination with the main lighting.
• Chandelier (ordinary or LED). Products of this type are presented in a significant variety of shapes and colors. To install them, wiring replacement is not required. In combination with suspended plasterboard systems, overhead and pendant lights are not always the optimal solution. The fact is that their use further exacerbates the effect of the lost height of the room.

• Daylight. Mostly mounted in non-residential premises. Differ in cheapness and ease of installation. They consume little electrical energy. The service life of fluorescent lamps, in the presence of a stable voltage, is large enough.
• Fiber optic. These lamps are an innovative development that allows you to create the effect of a starry sky. Installation of fiber optic lamps is expensive and time consuming. These systems look best in rooms with high ceilings.
• LED strip. A great option for arranging multi-level ceiling systems. These low-cost lighting products have a number of strengths. They are able to create uniform diffused lighting, replacing a conventional 200 W lamp. Installing the tape is very simple: one of its sides is specially equipped with a sticky base. The LED strip in the plasterboard ceiling demonstrates high energy efficiency and durability.

How to choose an LED strip

LED (LED) tape is a narrow flexible strip with a width of not more than 9 mm. Conducting paths, diodes and resistors are applied on top of the product.

When choosing a suitable option for mounting a gypsum plasterboard ceiling with diode illumination, it is recommended to pay attention to the following points:

1. Type of diode. The most common diodes are SMD3528 and SMD5050. The first variety (3528) always gives one color of lighting, the second one can be white or multicolor. The SMD5050 diode is more expensive, and consists of three crystals, which ensures its durability. SMD3528 tapes serve less, due to the gradual burnout of the phosphor. The shade of light because of this becomes blue.
2. The frequency of concentration of LEDs on the surface of the tape. Most often, there are strips with a frequency of 30.60.120 light bulbs per 1 l.m. As the density increases, the brightness of the light increases. To equip the ceiling with drywall along the perimeter, the density of the tape SMD3528 should be at the level of 30 or 60 diodes. If the goal is to set up a glossy stretch ceiling or partial illumination of a room, it is recommended to use SMD5050 tape with a density of 60 diodes or more.
3. Shades. To achieve multi-colored illumination, it is necessary to purchase strips 5050, the base of which contains blue, red and green diodes.
4. Degree of protection. Tapes can be equipped with additional protection against moisture. Such products are broken by special silicone insulation, which allows you to effectively resist flooding from above.
5. Equipment. LED tapes are necessarily equipped with a power supply. SMD5050 tapes may include a remote control system and a controller as additional equipment. You also need to choose skirting boards for LED strip, which are optimally suitable for the ceiling.

What are the plasterboard ceilings with backlight

Plasterboard ceiling with LED strip can be equipped with open and closed method. In the first case, much less work will be required: it is enough to arrange neat holes in the right places of the plate and mount the fixtures there. The main thing is to adhere to the recommendations on the weight of the used lighting devices: the total figure should not exceed 10 kg. This is due to the weakness of the frame structure and cladding sheets.

How to make a plasterboard ceiling with backlight

To equip a plasterboard ceiling with hidden lighting from an LED strip, the following tools and materials will be required:

• Plasterboard plates.
• Accessories for the construction of the frame - guides, wall profile, ceiling direct suspensions.
• Mounts Dowels, screws, etc.
• Fixing mesh for additional reinforcement of butt sections.
• Scissors for metal, pliers, screwdriver, knife, screwdriver and hammer drill.
• Simple pencil, construction level, twine.
• Set of putty knives and putty.
• LED strip kit. In addition to the lamp itself, there is a power supply, wiring with a cross section of at least 0.75 mm, insulating materials.

Installation of the upper level frame of the suspended ceiling with illumination is carried out in the following sequence of operations:

1. An indent of 10 cm is made from the floor slab and a solid line is beaten off along the perimeter of the room to be trimmed.
2. The start profile is screwed along the broken line. It acts as a guide for the main profile, which is fixed to the ceiling using suspensions. The mounting installation step is about 40 cm.
3. Elements of the main profile are reinforced with additional jumpers that are cut from the same profile. This makes the frame more rigid.
4. The finished structure is sewn up with plasterboard plates using self-tapping screws.

After that, they proceed to arranging the box for lighting:

1. The base surface is equipped with a drawing of lower level configurations. The applied marking acts as a reference for the installation of the guide profile. The shelves of the ceiling element should be directed downward, and the wall - in the direction of the opposite wall. To fix the ceiling guide, the profile of the main frame is used.
2. They make suspension racks from the main profile. When cutting blanks for reference take the height of the ceiling of the lower level.
3. One of the sides of the suspension is equipped with an incision (4-5 cm), with subsequent bending of the back wall inward. When calculating the number of suspensions, the dimensions of the ceiling are taken into account. Installation step - 1 suspension / 50-60 cm.
4. Finished elements are mounted inside the guide profile with the whole end. Self-tapping screws are used for fixing.
5. The ceiling profile also serves as a material for the manufacture of lintels, the length of which corresponds to the length of the lower part of the box. The number of such elements should coincide with the number of suspension racks.
6. The blanks are immersed inside the wall guide profile, fixing them on the screws. When joining the back edge of the workpiece with the suspension, it is necessary to observe an angle of 90 degrees.
7. The result is a skeleton of a recessed ceiling niche with a protruding profile. All protruding parts are decorated with plugs from the same ceiling profile. Plasterboard sheets will subsequently be installed on top of the finished base.

Installation of drywall

Pre-prepared narrow strips of drywall set as follows:

• Plasterboard elements are screwed along the shelves of the niche.
• Then sheathe vertical sections of the structure: the sheets here are installed on racks, suspensions and ceiling rails.
• In the next step, the horizontal area of ​​the niche is sutured.
• At the end of the procedure, the end sections of the box are formed with plasterboard strips, inside which the backlight will be placed. The upper and lower levels should be separated by at least 50 mm.

Electrical connection

The list of operations, how to make the backlight in the ceiling of drywall:

1. There are marks on the LED strip where you can cut.
2. Switching of individual segments of the tape is carried out using a soldering iron or special LED connectors.
3. When choosing a power supply, it is recommended to provide a power margin of 20-30%.
4. Installation on metal sections of the frame requires the mandatory use of insulating linings. Before starting installation work, the system must be de-energized.
5. When installing a multi-color diode, it is important not to reverse the polarity: blue and black wires are a minus, and red is a plus.
6. Before the final fixation of the tape, it must be tested for performance.
7. Long sections of the tape are connected differently when connected in series. As practice shows, the parallel connection of segments from 5 m long demonstrates greater safety. To do this, use wires with a cross section of 1.5 mm. In this case, the power supply must be taken more powerfully than usual.

Soaring ceiling - advantages

The soaring ceiling is externally represented by a cloth of PVC fabric or film, which seems to be in the air without fasteners. Vaping is created thanks to the empty space between the wall and ceiling surfaces, where the LED strip is mounted on a special profile. A decorative overlay emits diffused light that hits the walls.

Their advantages include:

• Energy saving due to LEDs consuming electricity in small volumes.
• The base in the form of a profile can be installed not only on perfectly flat surfaces, but also curved sections.
• To build a floating system, less materials will be needed than the continuous design requires, and the process itself will not take much time and effort.
• The illumination mounted around the perimeter of the room makes the room cozy and comfortable.
• With such ceilings, the room is visually enlarged, and the ceiling rises.
• The use of a colored LED strip will allow you to control the lighting using the remote control.

In addition to the above, floating ceilings have all the advantages of standard tensile structures: durability, environmental safety, moisture resistance, sound insulation, ease of maintenance.

Floating Ceiling - Design

It is very important to pay attention to the choice of quality material and components. The result of all the work depends on them. If you wish, you can mount the structures with your own hands or by contacting specialists.

Ceilings of this type are performed in several variations:

• Flat or single level. The main advantage is ease of installation and opportunities for self-installation.
• Two-level include two separate frames, each of which is sheathed with a stretch fabric.
• Layered. It is better to entrust such a system to professionals. In multi-level designs, there are a lot of technical nuances, from the selection of suitable materials to the installation work.

The main material is a stretch web. Common options are matte and glossy textures. Modern methods of decorating ceilings include photo printing and original lighting, which allows you to create the illusion of a "starry sky", space and any other abstraction. The choice depends on personal preferences and financial capabilities.

As for the profile, it should also be suitable for the design features of the future ceiling. Depending on the requirements for the suspension system, the profile is divided into the following types:

• No clearance it is applied to the device of two-level soaring ceilings. With its help, it is worth trying to create unusual geometry on the ceiling, where the diode strip will be mounted, and the light will flow through the stretch canvas.

• Flexible Use to create original shapes. From such a profile, you can make accessories for decorating the ceiling with your own hands.
• Universal. It is arranged in such a way that it reflects the emission of light on the wall surfaces, and from the wall the lighting falls back onto the ceiling. So the effect of soaring is obtained.
• With gaps and holes for lighting, with which you can start lighting in different directions.
• Without cracks with a chipper. With any canvas, the profile is installed on top of the consoles, so you don’t have to spend time on preparatory work and extra money on the purchase of materials.

Thus, the effect of a soaring ceiling creates a special design. At the same time, between different surfaces of the ceiling tiers, if a multi-level system is mounted, gaps of 10-20 cm are left, where LED lighting or point elements are embedded. It is due to the backlight that the image of the stretch ceiling hovering in the air is visualized.

The main trick is the overlays installed on top of the profile. They scatter light, and serve as decorative elements. If you need to replace the LED, the bar can be easily removed, then installed in its original place.

There is another way to mount a suspended ceiling - without the use of plugs. In this case, the lighting fixtures are under the canvas, and the diffused light streams along the contours that form the profile for the soaring stretch ceiling. The minus of the option is that if at least one device fails, you will have to dismantle the ceiling completely.

Floating ceiling - backlight features

To install soaring new-generation stretch ceilings with lighting, you need to correctly select the devices. After all, they are used to create the effect of soaring.

Pay attention to the following recommendations:

• If you intend to purchase an LED strip with a remote control, install the unit within the range of the switch.
• The tape does not need to be glued to the profile; it is simply inserted into the grooves on special baguettes. Strip the ends of the tape and power supply wires and connect in accordance with the rules. Be sure to insulate the joint with protective material.
• To create optimal lighting, the tape is mounted at a certain angle, and the brightness of the source depends on the density of the LEDs.

You can make the highlight using a polyurethane cornice. It is mounted no more complicated than ordinary lighting. Before, a baguette is attached to the wall surface, and already inside the product LEDs or neon cords are laid.

Also for a soaring ceiling, you can use hidden lighting in the form of lamps. Buy lamps of low power. For bathrooms and kitchens, install appliances with special moisture protection. A canvas of white color is well emphasized by a tape of several shades of diodes. Monochrome lighting can be used for any shade of material.

Where to place floating tension structures

This latest technology is widely used in the decoration of public places and use. For example, nightclubs, cafes, restaurants, brand stores, etc.

Ideal stretch ceilings fit into the interior of the apartment whose decor is designed in the following styles: minimalism, avant-garde, techno, kitsch, hi-tech, eclecticism, constructivism. Correctly selected lighting will transform the room beyond recognition, and the purpose of the room does not matter.

Floating ceilings can be installed in any room:

• Living room. The spacious room allows you to place multi-level structures and divide the room into zones. Separate sections of the ceiling can be expressed with photo printing, which goes well with satin fabrics. Textured soaring ceiling and perimeter lighting will make your living room solemn.

• Bedroom. The canvas in this room should choose a plain with a matte or glossy texture. Express the soaring of the ceiling surface not only with LED strip, but also with modern point devices. Lamps are best used at minimum power. If you want to light a dressing table or reading area, you can include additional elements in the interior in the form of wall sconces or bedside lamps.

• Children’s. For her, moderately bright shades on the ceiling will do. You can add variety and add ceiling images in the form of cartoon characters, fairy-tale characters. For room design, use, for example, a blue ceiling and soft yellow lights. The child will be pleased with blue clouds or starry sky.

• Kitchen. For the kitchen, get a canvas that is easy to care for. For example, matte or glossy texture of PVC film. If the area allows, select individual zones using multi-level structures. For illumination, use the same tape around the perimeter and spotlight.

• Bathroom. The soaring ceiling will make the bath solemn, well emphasize the ceramic tiles on the walls. High-quality visibility can be created by supplementing the bright white backlight with small spots or lights.

Care for soaring ceilings

It is similar to cleaning a simple single-level flow and depends on the selected coating. General recommendations will be as follows:

• Wipe the surface as it gets dirty. Use a soft cloth for these purposes.
• Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive detergents to clean the surface.
• Use fabric sprays for fabric ceilings.
• Finish wet cleaning by wiping the coating dry.

Technology for installing soaring ceilings

If you decide to install a soaring ceiling yourself, start by preparing:

• Carry out the necessary measurements, on paper draw a sketch of the future design, where indicate the individual elements of the ceiling, the location of the lighting fixtures, levels.
• Calculate and purchase the necessary materials.

The ceiling and wall surfaces do not require special preparation, since the tension system will hide all visible flaws. However, processing the upper part of the walls and ceiling with a deep penetration primer to protect surfaces from mold and fungus will not hurt. You will also need to free the room from furniture.

The main work consists in mounting an aluminum baguette to the ceiling, onto which a fabric sheet or PFH film will subsequently be attached.

The order will be as follows:

• Find the bottom corner in the room and place a mark. Define points in the other three corners. Use the level, and pay attention to the differences on the wall surfaces
• With an upholstery cord, draw horizontal lines around the entire perimeter of the room from the first corner to the rest. They will serve as the base of the tensioning system.
• Initially, drill holes in the profile in increments of 30-50 cm, then through them at the same distance make holes in the wall along the intended line.
• Screw the profile to the wall, while the screws do not deepen much into the surface, so that it is more convenient to mount the LED backlight.
• In the corners, cut the profile with a grinder, trim the corners with a bent profile.

On a note! To bend the profile, you need to saw it to the middle with a grinder, and carefully reduce the opposite sides. Set the crease with a hammer. Sharp edges and internal burrs with fine-grained sandpaper or a file.

• Mount the tape in the grooves, check the lighting performance.
• Pull the canvas. It is best to use the harpoon method of fastening the canvas, with which you can easily mount the coating.

This procedure does not imply the use of decorative dummy strips, and the function of a diffuser of artificial lighting is performed by a PVC film.

Suspended ceilings

Modern design solutions offer a wide variety of ceilings using various materials. Recently, plasterboard ceilings with built-in lighting have been widely used. The appearance of such designs is very creative and attractive. The room takes on a sophisticated look, and the design idea allows you to make the ceiling original. The ceiling using gypsum plasterboard allows you to apply various options for fixtures, adjust the quantity, shape, embed lighting devices based on your taste and preferences.

The use of suspended ceilings has advantages over the use of other materials:

• Using drywall, you can even out defects in the ceiling,
• there is no need to carry out preparatory work before installing suspended ceilings,
• under the material you can hide all the wires, exhaust compartments,
• great scope for imagination, the ability to make a multi-level project.

But along with such advantages, it is worth noting the negative aspects of using such design solutions:

• the height of the ceiling will decrease by a dozen centimeters,
• Mounting the ceiling itself does not require special skills, but the installation of lighting and working with an electrician must be done by a specialist - improper connection of lighting devices often causes a short circuit and fire.

Types of suspended structure

A suspended ceiling can decorate both a public institution and a living room. Choosing a material can be very difficult, especially for an ordinary buyer who is not familiar in detail with the design features. We can distinguish the following types of suspended ceilings:

• from drywall,
• tiled ceilings
• stretch ceiling,
• modular designs
• aluminum ceilings.

Consider each of the options in more detail.

Drywall ceilings are an opportunity to turn around and come up with any shape of the ceiling. It can be a design using lines, squares, levels, and figured parts. Niches and transitions, ledges and decorative fragments are allowed. For a quality result, drywall is attached to profiles that can withstand the structure and strengthen it. The more complex the design, the more fuss for the master, but the result will please even a long time. To enhance the effect, lighting devices are mounted. Here you can also use any lights. It can be incandescent, LED, halogen or energy-saving lamps.

For rooms with a normal level of humidity, standard sheets of drywall are used, for "wet" rooms, such as laundry, bathtubs, pools, it is advisable to use waterproof material. They can be ordinary waterproof sheets and waterproof super sheets.

Mounting the material is a noisy and dusty event. To carry out the work, it is necessary to invite a specialist, if you plan to do the installation of a false ceiling from gypsum plaster on your own, invite an assistant, as you will not be able to do this work yourself.

Tiled suspended ceilings are not as cozy as drywall constructions. They are recommended to be installed in office premises in storage rooms. The buyer is impressed by the low cost, versatility, fast mounting speed. There are ordinary plates, there are waterproof. The disadvantage of this material is its inability to tolerate mechanical stress. Material breaks easily when dropped. But its low cost balances the disadvantage of such a plan.

Aluminum ceilings are slats of two types of length: three and four meters. The width of the rails ranges from five to twenty centimeters. The material is coated in various shades: silver, gilding, chrome finish. The surface can be varied - from flat to embossed.

Using this material, three main types of construction are made:

• Italian style,
• design style
• German style.

The lightness of the design allows you to install the ceiling without additional fastening, it is durable and gives the room a business look. A similar design is used in non-residential premises.

Modular designs are options that combine different elements. They can be of several types:

• tiled
• raster or cassette,
• rack,
• cellular.

The use of modular designs makes it possible to align the ceiling, combine shades, create decorative elements and patterns. Such structures are easy to install and can be installed independently, as they are relatively light.

Suspended suspended ceiling

Stretch ceiling requires closer attention and a detailed description of the design. Stretch ceiling is the most popular among all false ceilings. It is in demand and recognized as one of the best. Such ceilings are made of a thin film or fabric, the pattern of which corresponds to the area of ​​the ceiling surface and is tightly stretched on a special frame. Depending on the type of material, the design will glare, shimmer, have a reflective surface or no different from a freshly whitewashed ceiling. Light generators are built in for illumination.

Tensile structures are in great demand, as a wide variety of materials allows you to create different surfaces to your taste, the room is transformed, it looks luxurious and elegant. Such a ceiling is mounted quickly; the material does not need special care. It has high moisture resistance. One, but a very big minus is its high cost.

The advantages of installing a suspended structure are such moments:

• the stretch ceiling can be installed in various types of rooms, they tolerate both low and high temperatures and temperature changes,
• resistant to mechanical damage, such a ceiling is so easy not to cut or tear,
• if flooding occurs, do not sag, but evenly distribute water,
• the ceiling surface is impregnated with the product. Which repels dust, as a result, it is very easy to care for the surface, if necessary, you can use a wet sponge, this will not harm the surface.

In a room with such a design, it is very light, because it reflects and enhances the light.

False ceiling design

False ceilings are now very popular, like every design, it has its own advantages and disadvantages, but nevertheless, in almost every office, apartment or salon you can see various types of suspended ceilings. Depending on the design features, the following design options are distinguished:

• cellular
• tiled
• cassette
• trellised
• rack,
• solid
• decorative.

In shape, such structures are distinguished:

Installation of any type of ceiling coating involves working at least together, independently, and even a beginner, it is not recommended to do such manipulations.

Types of lighting fixtures for the ceiling

To mount the backlight in suspended ceilings, the following types of lamps are used:

• spot - a budget option, used for night illumination or zoning of the room,
• LED - inexpensive, giving diffused light, long life,
• classic - an ordinary chandelier, which is not always combined with the type of suspended ceiling,
• daylight - economical and long-used devices in non-residential premises, are easy to install, but very sensitive to voltage drops in the network,
• fiber optic - such lamps allow you to create effects, are expensive, are installed with great effort, take the height of the room.

There are recommendations that you should pay attention to before setting the backlight:

• it’s better to set zonal lights using several dim light sources than one very bright one,
• the backlight option should be thought out in advance, to estimate whether this option will be highlighted in the right places,
• when installing the backlight in the kitchen, it is advisable to separately illuminate the work surfaces and the common part,
• in the bedroom you should set the lighting over important interior items - over the bed, table, wardrobe,
• in the corridor it is also preferable to make zoning of lighting devices,
• correctly installed lighting will emphasize design ideas, such as the starry sky, the northern lights and the like,
• for different zones various switches are mounted,
• Before installing the devices, a detailed plan should be drawn up, on which it is necessary to note the type, dimensions, location of lighting devices and switches.

False Ceiling Installation Instructions

Lighting on the surface of the ceiling area from plasterboard material is most often performed in two ways:

The first option is easy to implement: a void is made in the ceiling and a lighting fixture is installed. The total weight of the lighting fixtures should not exceed ten kilograms, since the ceiling will not withstand the load.

For the second option, it is proposed to install lamps in a special niche between the sheets of drywall. This option looks very good, as the light stream is directed clearly down.

To perform the installation of a false ceiling, it is important to prepare the tools:

• drywall
• profiles
• suspensions
• clamps
• mesh for joints,
• scissors for metal,
• pliers,
• screwdrivers
• screwdriver
• putty knife, putty,
• lamps.

False ceiling yourself, with your own hands, is not easy to install. If you are determined to do this without involving specialists, you need to familiarize yourself with the theoretical basis and try to see firsthand how others do it. For the successful implementation of the work, it is necessary to calculate the amount of required material, prepare tools, plan the placement of lighting devices. Provided that you are confident in your abilities and with the help of an assistant, it is quite possible to make a suspended ceiling on your own.

Installation technology of plasterboard false ceiling

The first step in installing the ceiling is considered to be the device of the upper level frame. This is done like this:

• draw ten centimeters from the level of the ceiling surface around the perimeter of the whole room,
• place start profiles in a row,
• position the main profile
• correctly place jumpers between the main parts of the profile.

Cover the resulting frame with sheets, fasten with self-tapping screws.

All stages can be divided into the following:

• mounting boxes for lighting,
• sheathing of the frame with plasterboard sheets,
• installation and connection of lighting devices.

False Ceiling Light

The fact that it is possible to illuminate the room in a zoned manner makes suspended ceilings even more attractive to use. The backlight is not done spontaneously, it is necessary to plan the type of backlight, the number and quality of the lamps. The ceiling lighting itself can be divided into three groups:

• general lighting
• detailed lighting
• lighting for the mood.

For general lighting, central lamps are used, for detailed lighting - zone lighting as necessary, and mood lighting can create any atmosphere - working, intimate, festive.

You can make your home original and stylish with false ceilings and lights. A wide variety of materials allows you to create masterpiece designs that will be in a single copy. You can familiarize yourself with the options for suspended ceilings, the algorithm for installing lighting, the features and variety of lighting fixtures in more detail in the video, you will find answers to all questions and you can see for yourself that the suspended structure with lighting is very beautiful and creative.

Benefits of Backlit Ceilings

1. Illuminated drywall has one definite advantage - this combination allows for a moderate combination of beauty and functionality to be stylishly and tastefully landscaped your own home.

Drywall is a fairly simple material to install and use. If you have some skills in electricity, then there will be no problems with creating ceilings with any lighting with your own hands.

Features

Today, a wide range of materials for ceiling finishing works is presented. Drywall with built-in lighting fixtures is one of the most popular and relatively inexpensive ways to give the ceiling an elegant look. When using a drywall design, you can afford to experiment with different lighting options, for example, adjust the number of fixtures, their configuration, use only those devices that suit your preferences and taste.

The use of a false ceiling has several advantages:

• drywall construction will mask all the irregularities and defects of your ceiling,
• preparatory work is not required before installing the stretch ceiling,
• under the drywall construction there is the opportunity to hide the insulation, electrical and sound wiring, exhaust hood,
• a large space for design ideas, for example, you can build a multi-level ceiling.

Like the positive aspects, any idea has its drawbacks:

• the use of a false ceiling is not recommended for low rooms, its height will be reduced by at least ten centimeters,
• installation of a false ceiling is quite simple and quick, you do not need to resort to the services of a work crew, but a specialist must be involved in electricity and lighting. Often an incorrect wiring connection provokes a short circuit.

Types of recessed lighting for a false ceiling

False ceiling with built-in lighting devices is a luxurious, pleasant and elegant option in order to update the interior. For ceiling suspension structures, all modern types of lamps are used.

• Spotlight lamp - Suitable for highlighting space in the dark and in order to separate or highlight functional areas. This is one of the most affordable lighting options.
• LED - has a long service life, gives the room a diffused light (uniform, illuminating all objects in the room).

Such lamps are inexpensive. They look equally good on a single-level ceiling and on a more complex structure.

• Classic - These are ordinary chandeliers that do not always fit into the interior with a suspended ceiling.
• Fluorescent lamps - great for economical and long-term use. Such lamps are often installed in public premises of a non-residential type. The only negative is that they are very sensitive to power surges.
• Fiber optic - this type of lamp will allow you to create a spectacular backlight for your room. Its cost can not be called budget, it is quite expensive.

An installation specialist will be required. Not recommended for low rooms, as it tends to take up a lot of space in ceiling structures.

The subtleties of installing lighting on a false ceiling

The built-in lighting on the ceiling is a great opportunity to divide the living room into functional areas, for example: a work area, a sitting area, receiving guests or highlighting some kind of interior. It is necessary to think in advance about the location of the lighting fixtures, their number, and determine their design. The process of lighting on a suspended ceiling is supposed to be divided into several main groups: general light, target light and decorative light.

For general light, it is typical to use a central lighting device, for example, a chandelier or several niches with built-in lights. The task of the target light is to divide the room into functional zones, using different lighting devices with different color shades and the saturation of the emitted light. Decorative light is used for mood and a certain atmosphere (festive, intimate or working). In this case, the principles of the target light, that is, the zoning of the room, are used.

Installation of lighting devices

The location of the light sources should be determined at the design stage of the ceiling structure. It should be noted areas for the installation of light sources. Schematically depict the line of electrical wiring, not forgetting to indicate the amount of necessary material and its purpose.

Having previously created the project, you will greatly facilitate the installation of lighting sources and avoid all kinds of risks with a lack of material.

Wiring process

After completing the installation of the suspended ceiling, you must proceed to lay the wiring for lighting fixtures. Two methods are used. If in the first method, a cable channel is prudently installed, which makes it possible to accurately and conveniently arrange and connect the cables. In the second method, the wire is laid in a special corrugated pipe directly through the entire frame. This will significantly reduce material costs.

In order to conduct wiring along the cable channel, it is recommended to perform a certain algorithm of actions:

1. The cable channel should be located in the middle of the ceiling and the suspended ceiling structure, which is fixed to the wall. The only cable channel for the chandelier in this case is fixed to the ceiling. We drill the mounting holes of the cable channels over the entire area of ​​the room, ending with the location of the switch.
2. Then the dowels are driven into the drilled holes, and the cables are screwed.
3. At the end of the work, wiring to each light source is laid, while trying to leave a margin of ten to fifteen centimeters for a more convenient connection of the lamp.

Wiring in a corrugated pipe is slightly different:

1. Holes are drilled under the fasteners of the corrugated pipe. Next, a special mounting clip is inserted into each hole.
2. The size of the pipe is equal to the distance of the wiring from the switches to the location of the lamp. Thus, all wires will be hidden in one pipe. Do not forget that the wires are laid with a margin of ten to fifteen centimeters, this will simplify further connection.
3. It remains to fix the pipe on the clips installed earlier.

It is allowed to use both methods of wiring. In this case, the wiring for the fixtures will be laid in a corrugated pipe to the center of the suspended ceiling. The main wiring will be laid through the cable channel.

Drywall Layout

After completing the installation of the frame structure for the suspended ceiling and laying the wiring, you can start marking the drywall sheets for the location of the light sources. You will need a tape measure and a simple pencil. Transfer all the necessary notes and places for installing the fixtures that were previously depicted in the project. Next, you can begin work on the installation of drywall construction to the ceiling frame.

Upon completion of the sheathing of the frame with plasterboard sheets, check once again regarding the correct location of the lighting fixtures. The holes are made using special nozzles on the drill (hole saw). In order to create holes for the fixtures, take a saw whose diameter will coincide with the diameter of the hole.

It is recommended to wear safety glasses while working with the saw: gypsum dust appears in the eyes, it can cause irritation. Drilling a hole does not take much time, but requires accuracy and care.

Backlight Mounting

Prepared lighting holes allow you to proceed with the installation. Further, depending on the lighting devices you have chosen - a spotlight, a conventional chandelier or LED strip, they are mounted on a suspended ceiling.

For mounting spotlight or chandelierFirst of all, it is necessary to remove the wiring from the resulting hole and strip its end, for which use nippers. Next, the connecting terminal is put on and the wiring of the chandelier or spotlight is connected.

In this case, a Phillips screwdriver is used. If the light fixture involves the use of a halogen lamp, it is recommended that you first install a light bulb.

The lamp is installed very carefully, while not touching the llama. Installing the lamp itself is quite simple, to do this, insert it deeper into the hole and press.

Install LED strip not present great difficulties. Thanks to the adhesive base, the tape is fixed on the surface of the suspended ceiling. Connect the tape to electricity through special connectors.

It is worth noting that LED strips are not designed to work as the main source of lighting. It is used to create a specific atmosphere.

At the end of all installation work, having disconnected everything beforehand, the backlight is connected to the power network. Then you can turn on and enjoy the elegance of the ceiling.

Today, the glass version of the completely hidden lighting around the perimeter on two-level structures is becoming more and more popular. A two-level suspended ceiling in this way will sparkle with new colors.

You will learn more about installing LED strip on a suspended ceiling by watching the following video.

Design Features

Despite the outward appearance and complexity, creating such ceilings will not be difficult. Even in the absence of the necessary skills in working with electrical appliances, you can take advantage of simple recommendations that will allow you to quite successfully mount the backlight into your plasterboard ceiling.

According to the design and location of the lamps, such ceilings can be divided into main groups:

• with open backlight
• with hidden backlight.

Open Ceilings

The first group of ceilings suggests that the fixtures must be built into the ceiling using specially designed holes in the plasterboard ceiling, or a simple suspension is made to it.

Keep in mind!For plasterboard ceilings, the weight of pendant lights should not exceed 10 kg. Such a recommendation is made by the low bearing capacity of the skin and frame of this ceiling..

Hidden lighting ceilings

In the second case, the fixtures must be placed in specially equipped niches that are located between two levels of the ceiling. As a result, the light from the lamps does not extend directly into the room, but goes to the ceiling and is reflected from it, forming a unique atmosphere in the room.

Thanks to such lighting, coziness is formed in the room, the ceiling design is emphasized, and your home takes on an elegant look.

Creating a ceiling from drywall with lighting, you should first determine the option of lighting and the shape of the ceiling. For small rooms, it is advisable to apply a single-level design, since a multi-level version will significantly reduce the height of the room, which will lose 8-15 cm. If the room is large, you can construct a multi-level ceiling of a complex configuration, where your design ideas will be involved.

Types of lighting that can be implemented

When creating a plasterboard ceiling with backlighting, it is necessary to optimally select the lamps for backlighting. In most cases, fluorescent or LED lamps are used to create lighting for suspended ceilings, but other options can also be used.

Before starting work, you should evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of various lighting and choose the one that suits you more.

Types of illumination:

• fixtures
• Neon lights,
• chandelier,
• duralight
• neon lights.

Neon lights

For lighting, LED lights or LED strip can be used. In the case of gypsum plasterboard ceilings with side niches in several levels, it will be quite interesting to look like a backlight in the form of a tape, it will be very practical and functional.

The backlight can be made in different colors, to control the modes, you can use the RGB controller or dimmer.

Advantages of LED backlight:

• lack of heating of structural elements,
• low power consumption
• ease of placement of the backlight.

Disadvantages:

• low light level of the room
• redoing wiring required
• a step-down transformer must be installed.

Fixtures

This option is very common. In this, the integration of luminaires occurs pointwise. To place them, make markings and cut out holes of the desired diameter for the lamps. Their number, as well as the location is selected based on the purpose of the room, ceiling design, natural light.

Advantages of fixtures:

• modern design,
• Easy to install on your own.

Disadvantages:

• low light
• lamps that use incandescent lamps consume a significant amount of energy, and also heat up very much,
• alteration of wiring is required.

Classic chandelier

This option is the simplest, because you only need to choose the color, shape, number of lamps, then use the old wiring to connect the chandelier. Lamps are recommended to use energy saving. For combination, you can use warm or cold lights.

Advantages of the chandelier:

• the easiest and fastest installation
• high level of illumination.

Disadvantages:

• visual reduction in ceiling height,
• Significant contrast with the modern interior.

Neon lights

Thanks to neon lamps, you can create quite original shapes with smooth contours. At the same time, you can create a unique design using various color schemes, which are plentiful.

Neon lights can be placed in the niches of the walls, on the ceiling of the room. The installation technology in this case is akin to installing LED strips, but in this case, you may require professional skills to perform these works.

Advantages:

• large selection of colors,
• modern design.

Disadvantages:

Duralight

A feature of this type of lighting is that the tubes with incandescent lamps (duralight) are arranged in series and failure of one bulb will require replacement of the adjacent section. It is desirable to use a modern duralight, where instead of incandescent bulbs, LEDs are used. This will also reduce energy consumption, increase resource and brightness of lighting.

Advantages:

• one of the cheapest options.

Disadvantages:

• low durability and reliability of duralight when using incandescent lamps.

The installation of the frame of the first level is as follows:

1. It is necessary to retreat from the ceiling of approximately 100 mm and draw a horizontal line around the perimeter of the room. In order for the line to be smooth and correct, you need to use the hydraulic level or the laser level.
2. Along the line, the start profile should be fixed to the wall.
3. Then you need to insert the main one in the starting profile and fix it to the ceiling additionally with the help of suspensions (spacers). The profile is fixed at intervals of about 40 cm.
4. To give rigidity to the structure with the help of crab connectors, jumpers made of the same profile are installed between the main profiles.
5. With the help of crabs and suspensions profiles and jumpers are connected.

At the end, the frame with the help of screws is sheathed with plasterboard sheets. As a result, the first basic level of the ceiling structure will be ready.

The next step is to install a niche for lighting. To create a niche for hidden lighting, you need to build a second level.

Second level frame

1. At the first level of the ceiling, draw the boundary of the second.
2. It is necessary to step back 4-6 cm (under the width of the cornice), after which the starting profile should be fixed to the ceiling.
3. Scissors for metal need to cut segments of the main profile, which will have the size of the height of the second level. They should be fixed with screws in the starting guide, as a result, they will play the role of suspensions.
4. You should also fix the start profile from the bottom to the suspensions.
5. In the formed frame, you need to insert the main ceiling profiles, connecting them into a common structure.
6. The necessary wires must be withdrawn and sheathed the frame in the same way as it was done with the first.
7. At the end, puttying of drywall joints, bulging hats of screws, as well as the rest of the area, is carried out. To protect the joints from cracks, you can use fiberglass "spider line".

Power supply calculation

Connecting the circuit requires a power supply that will perform the function of a step-down transformer. Its power will be considered as follows. For example, we consider the power of a step-down transformer on a five-meter tape SMD 3528, which has a power of 9.6 W: multiply 9.6 W by 5 m, we get 48 W. However, this is not enough, since a supply is needed. We apply the coefficient 1.25 and get 60, that is, you need to use a 60W power supply.

LED strip connection

• From the power supply, one end is connected to 220 volts, and the other to an LED strip. When using an RGB tape, it must be connected while maintaining polarity through the controller. Blue or black wire to minus, red - plus. Do not confuse!
• Finally, connect the system to power and check operation. In case everything works, you can fix it in the marked place with a self-adhesive film.

Having shown zeal and observing the algorithm for installing the ceiling from drywall with backlight, you can create a spectacular and cozy ceiling without much effort.