Painting a ceiling is not much fun – especially if it has a textured finish. Bathrooms are a particular problem as they can need constant attention brought on by the high humidity levels and condensation. Flaking paint, mould spots, cracking plaster-work are all common issues. This bathroom ceiling cladding solves all of these problem permanently.
Why Are Bathroom Ceilings Such A Problem Area?
The answer is simple: moisture.
Most paint is not waterproof. Most of the materials that ceilings are made from are not waterproof. Put these products into the moist conditions of the average bathroom and it is no wonder there are problems.
Flaking paint is one common issue. This occurs when moisture gets behind the paint and causes it lose its bind onto the surface underneath.
There are paints specifically designed for bathrooms. But even this paint can have problems. Expansion and contraction can cause cracks in the paint, as can flexing. They are certainly better at coping with bathroom conditions than standard emulsion paint.
The other problems that plagues many bathrooms is mould. Spots of mould can start appearing on the ceiling surface. This is usually caused by the paint being less than 100% waterproof. The surface retains a small amount of moisture which will then allow mould to develop.
If there are large areas of mould or damp stains on the ceiling this could be indicative of a different problem. A leak above the ceiling would be the more likely cause in this scenario.
So What Is The Best Solution?
Ceiling cladding is a simple solution to this problem. It is easy to install and requires no maintenance. It will look good for years.
The panels can be fitted over existing ceiling coverings such as Artex, plaster or lath and plaster. Best practice is to remove fragile coverings, such as polystyrene tiles, before fitting the cladding, although it is possible to fix through this type of surface using a mechanical fixing (nails, screws or long staples) if removal is a problem.
Why Choose Bathroom Ceiling Cladding?
Well, the simple answer is that it makes life easier for you.
People tend not to spend a great deal of their lives staring at bathroom ceilings! It is just something that is there – you simply do not notice it.
If the ceiling has started to deteriorate, with mould spots or flaking paint then it will catch the eye. It will also require some work form you to put it right. Once bathroom ceiling cladding is installed you can forget about it.
You can choose panel that just emulates a painted plaster ceiling such as a matt white cladding. Or you could make a feature of the ceiling by picking something with a chrome strip.
Both will do the same job. It is just a matter of personal taste and which type of effect you prefer.
Plastic Panels For Ceilings
Single-use plastics have become a real problem in society. They take years and years to decompose and many are not recyclable.
But the longevity that is such a problem for single-use scenarios is a huge benefit when plastics are used as a building material.
Wooden ceilings or plastered ceilings will require painting several times over their lifetime. And most paints contain vinyl which is itself a form of plastic. Plastic panels for ceilings will never need painting. Once they are up there is no maintenance. They require no string chemicals to keep them looking pristine.
And if you decide to replace or remove them they are 100& recyclable. So there are some environmental concerns with plastic but it’s not always as clear cut as it may seem at first.
Tongue And Groove Ceiling Panels
Plastic panels for ceilings have a tongue and groove joint along the edges of the panels. This enables them the be slotted together making the whole ceiling waterproof.
The joint ensures that panels line up perfectly with each other and also enables them to be installed with a secret fixing technique. Here, the grooved edge is stapled or nailed to hold the panels in place. The next panel is then slotted into the groove and covers up the nail or staple. The fact that the fixing can’t be seen gives rise to the term secret fix.
Wooden tongue and grooved panels had a distinctive look that gave a plank effect to the ceiling. Many forms of plastic panels emulate this look. There are some that even provide a wood-grain effect as well. But unlike their timber counterparts, plastic tongue and groove ceiling panels will never warp or split.