Which ceiling is better to do in the bathroom: a comparative overview of all options

The bathroom is a room that requires special attention. Moreover, not so much in terms of its design, but in the choice of finishing methods. Today, a large number of a wide variety of finishing and building materials are available, which makes the choice even more difficult. Anyone who decides what kind of ceiling to make in the bathroom should consider all possible options, find out their pros and cons, and “try on” to their conditions. And only after that choose the most suitable finishing method.

The bathroom differs from any other rooms in a high level of humidity. The ceiling material here suffers, first of all, from the impact from below: shower spray, water vapor, high humidity and “sweating” pipes.

In a multi-storey building, a negative impact may also appear from above in the form of leaks from neighbors. It is clear that not all finishing materials will be able to withstand such conditions. You should not especially count on the hood, because no matter how powerful it is, it is unlikely to cope with such an amount of moisture.

The bathroom is characterized by high humidity, so all materials for its decoration must be resistant to the adverse effects of moisture.

When choosing a material for finishing the ceiling, you need to understand that it should be:

• Moisture resistant. Coatings that do not have this quality, no matter how beautiful they are, will very quickly lose their attractive appearance. Which will lead to unplanned repairs.
• durable. Ideally, the material should withstand at least 5-8 years of operation. Otherwise, it simply makes no sense to decorate the ceiling in the bathroom with them, because too frequent repairs are not only troublesome, but also ruinous.
• Attractive. The ceiling covering should be beautiful, because the whole interior “picture” depends on the design of the ceiling. It is desirable that the decor of the ceiling is fully consistent with the color and style of the bathroom.

And do not forget about such a parameter as an acceptable cost. There is no need to chase cheapness, but it is best to choose the best quality option that suits the price.

Ceiling finishes

In anticipation of the repair, I want to find the best way to finish, which will give a good result and will not hit the wallet hard. Experts recommend choosing one of these options.

Option # 1 - putty for painting

The traditional method, which is the alignment of the ceiling surface and its subsequent painting. Despite its simplicity, it has several nuances. First of all, this method should only be used by those who have a relatively flat ceiling. Otherwise, you will have to align it and visually “pull it out”.

The procedure involves applying too much plaster mixture, which in conditions of high humidity will inevitably crack and collapse sooner or later.

One more note. In order for the coating to be durable and beautiful, it is important to choose the right coloring composition. Traditional chalk or lime whitewash is strongly discouraged. Not only are they short-lived and tend to stain quickly, they are an excellent breeding ground for fungus.

Oil enamel is also not suitable, which quickly turns yellow in a humid environment and begins to peel off. The best option is latex or water-dispersion paint, specially designed for decorating wet rooms.

The traditional painted ceiling in the bathroom is not so bad. It is very easy to update it, and if you want to change the color of the surface, choosing the tone that best suits the design of the bathroom.

Thus, the advantages of the method include the following:

• low cost;
• relative ease of implementation, which makes it possible to cope with the decoration on their own.
• ease of care.

Such a coating has more disadvantages, however, if desired, they can easily be turned into advantages:

• Insufficient expressiveness of design. Many people think that a painted ceiling is too simple and even primitive. However, it can be decorated with polyurethane “stucco molding”, painted in several matching shades or come up with your own design option.
• The service life of such a ceiling is at least 10 years, but this is provided that the neighbors from above, if any, do not cause a flood. In any case, over time, dark spots will appear on the painted coating, these are areas where the paint has absorbed dirt. There is only one way to get rid of them - to repaint the ceiling, which is completely easy to do.
• It will not be possible to hide communications or build lighting into such a ceiling. But it can be decorated with almost any, even the most unusual lamp.

Option #2 - Styrofoam tiles

Not so long ago, many of those who thought which one is better to make the ceiling in the bathroom chose this particular method. It involves gluing polystyrene foam tiles to the ceiling surface.

This method has the following advantages:

• Ease of installation. The ceiling under the tile does not require special preparation. Home craftsmen learned to visually correct even small surface irregularities by placing small spacers of the required height under the corners of the tile in the right places. The tile is easily glued by the corners with special glue.
• Long service life. In the absence of "force majeure", the tile coating will last at least 5-8 years. In this case, it is important to choose the right material. You should take a special moisture-resistant coating with a protective film.
• A variety of colors, textures and material designs.
• Ease of maintenance.
• Low cost.

The material also has disadvantages. First of all, it is the presence of seams that will always be noticeable. That is why the tile loses to seamless coatings. Attempts to disguise them in any way are most often unsuccessful.

In addition, tiles are flammable. It burns very quickly, while releasing smoke that is dangerous to living beings.

Expanded polystyrene tiles will be an excellent option for temporary decoration of the ceiling in the bathroom, due to simple installation and low cost of the material.

Styrofoam tiles are a good budget option for finishing, especially appropriate in new homes that will still shrink. In this case, the tile will allow you to temporarily decorate the ceiling at no particular cost.

Option #3 - PVC panels

This finishing option assumes the presence of a frame made of wooden bars or a special galvanized profile on which plastic panels are installed. The advantages of this method of finishing can be considered:

• Relative ease of installation. The most difficult part of it will be the manufacture of the frame under the panel. You can do all the work yourself.
• The plastic coating is not affected by moisture, it is very easy to care for it.
• A variety of textures and colors of panels. On sale you can find plastic parts that imitate fabric, stone, wood, mosaic, fresco and others. Mirror panels and "chameleon" elements with 3D coating are in special demand.

The significant disadvantages of the ceiling made of PVC panels include a decrease in the height of the room, which occurs due to the need to install a frame.

In addition, plastic parts are sensitive to mechanical damage, especially strong point impacts, and UV radiation. Like expanded polystyrene, PVC is flammable and releases hazardous toxic substances during combustion.

A variety of designs of PVC panels make it easy to design the ceiling to your liking. It can imitate plaster, stone, wood, fabric, mirror, or have a trendy chameleon effect.

Option #4 - wood panels

Many decide to make the ceiling in their bathroom from wood panels or clapboard. This design will be similar to the previous version: wooden panels are fixed to the frame installed on the ceiling. The properties of such a coating will be determined by the characteristics of the wood.

The panels are durable, easy to maintain, attractive appearance. It is important not to forget that the wood is very hygroscopic, so the panels should be coated with a special protective compound before installation. Their installation is also quite simple and is almost the same as installing PVC panels.

Wood paneling is a great eco-friendly material for bathroom ceilings. It is only important not to forget that wood absorbs moisture very well, and treat it with special water-repellent solutions.

Option # 5 - rack ceiling

Suspended type structure consisting of narrow and long panels. They can be very different: aluminum, plastic or steel. Accordingly, the properties of the finished coating will depend on the material of the lamellas.

Of the metal elements, it is best to give preference to aluminum. They are non-corrosive, water-resistant and available in a variety of colors and designs. Advantages of rack ceilings:

• Simple installation that even a novice home master can carry out.
• Possibility of masking communications and installation of built-in lamps.
• Easy and simple maintenance of the ceiling surface.
• They absorb sounds well.
• A variety of colors, textures and designs of lamellas.
• Flexible parts allow you to make elements of various shapes, which makes it possible to make the ceiling of the most complex configuration.

The disadvantages of such systems include a decrease in the height of the ceiling, the possibility of corrosion of steel structural elements and a peculiar appearance that is not suitable for every design. The joints of the rails most often remain noticeable. This shortcoming is deprived of closed-type systems, equipped with special tongues that close the joint.

Slatted ceilings are very practical and beautiful. For their manufacture, you can choose lamellas from different materials. Experts recommend aluminum elements as the most durable and beautiful.

Option #6 - drywall construction

Another option for a false ceiling. To install it, a wooden or metal frame is made, which is subsequently sheathed with sheets of drywall. Since the material is two sheets of cardboard, between which there is pressed plaster, you should choose only special moisture-resistant models.

They are marked GKLV and differ from others in green. In addition, the moisture-resistant material is quite heavy, which places special demands on fasteners.

Experts recommend using glass-magnesium sheets or LSU instead of drywall for such ceilings. This is a fairly new and not yet familiar material that has all the properties of GCR. However, at the same time, it bends perfectly even in a dry state, is easy to process and very durable. Its installation is similar to the installation of drywall. Among the advantages of ceiling structures made of GKL or LSU include:

• There is no need to prepare the base, the frame is assembled on any draft ceiling.
• Structural strength and reliability.
• The possibility of installing built-in lamps and masking communications.
• Attractive appearance, the ability to create complex multi-level structures.
• Long service life.

The disadvantage of plasterboard ceilings is the need for subsequent finishing of the structure. After assembly, it must be puttied and painted. By the way, you need to take into account that over time, darkening may appear on the paint, which, however, can be easily removed with new staining.

The installation of such structures is also quite complicated. If it is planned to install a multi-tiered system or a ceiling of complex configuration, it is better to invite professional builders. In addition, the design "eats" the height of the room and can be quite expensive, especially its complex variations.

To create complex multi-level ceilings, drywall is indispensable. Such beauty is obtained by combining the construction of plasterboard and stretch ceiling with photo printing

Option # 7 - stretch ceiling

One of the few types of finishes that allows you to achieve a perfectly flat surface. The coating is made of a special material created on the basis of vinyl. It has many colors and two main textures: glossy or matte. In the first case, the ceiling reflects objects located on the floor of the room, and visually expands it. In the second, it imitates fabric or plaster.

An interesting design is obtained as a result of a combination of glossy and matte film. You can order a stretch ceiling with photo printing, spectacular and original decor.

Among the advantages of such ceilings include:

• Fast installation. True, it is performed only by specialists using special equipment. Foundation preparation is not required.
• The film coating is not affected by fungus and other microorganisms. In addition, condensate does not settle on it, since the film is instantly heated to room temperature, withstanding 50C without deformation.
• The canvas is elastic and in case of leaks from above it can withstand up to 100 kg of water per 1 sq. m. Specialists will remove water from the stretch ceiling and return it to its original form.
• The film is very easy to clean and requires only regular wiping with a soft cloth.

The disadvantages of stretch panels include their relatively high cost, but given that they will last at least 15 years, the amount will not seem so big.

Independent installation of such a film is impossible, which for many can also be considered a minus. In addition, the cloth is a thin material that can be easily damaged by any sharp object.

Therefore, some caution must be exercised. If the built-in lights are chosen incorrectly, yellow spots may appear around them over time, which cannot be removed. Then the canvas will have to be changed.

Glossy stretch ceilings visually increase the height of the room. Built-in lamps look especially impressive on them, which are repeatedly reflected in a shiny film, thereby increasing the amount of light in the room.

Exclusive finishes

The basis of the unusual design is glass or mirror panels mounted on a specially assembled frame. This is a very beautiful solution. The mirror surface visually expands the room and makes it taller. Glass can be decorated in a variety of ways.

The illuminated stained glass windows are especially beautiful. In addition to an attractive appearance, the mirror and glass surfaces are very hygienic. They do not breed mold and bacteria, they are easy to clean and do not contain toxic substances.

The material is absolutely not afraid of splashes, exposure to moisture and elevated temperatures. Installation of panels is quite simple. You just have to be extra careful, as glass and mirrors are fragile materials. Another advantage of such ceilings is the easy replacement of a damaged plate.

The disadvantages include the high cost of a mirror and glass ceiling, however, their exclusive appearance is worth it. If you really want just such a ceiling, but in a budget version, you can be advised to look for high-quality mirror panels, which also look good on the ceiling.

Mirrored ceilings can be decorated in a variety of ways. Tinted surfaces with a pattern printed on them look especially impressive.

Which ceiling is best for the bathroom? Only its owner can answer this question, who knows exactly all the features of his home, the tastes and preferences of the household and the possibilities of the family budget. There are many finishing options.

Whichever one is chosen, it is important that it fully meets all the requirements of the owner of the premises. You should not save too much, because the bathroom gets off for more than one year. It is necessary to find a healthy compromise between cost and quality, then a cozy bathroom will delight the household for a long time.