Installation – Ceiling Panels
Installing PVC panels on a bathroom ceiling is a similar process to fitting to a wall.
The main difference with ceiling installation is that if you are using adhesive the panels need to be supported. This is to ensure the weight of the panel does not cause them to pull away before the adhesive has set. Most fitters who install ceiling panels on a regular basis use a combination of adhesive and staples.
A staple gun is used to staple through the thin plastic tongue into the ceiling surface. The staple will be hidden by the next panel in line so no staples will be visible once all of the panels are in place.
The last panel to be fitted will need to be trimmed so there will be no tongue available for fixing. Usually the last but one panel will offer sufficient support for the panel to hold up with adhesive alone. Some trims can also help in fixing the panel in place – see the ceiling panel trim section for more info – or use one of the methods listed below.
Alternative methods of fitting include
- screws fixed through the tongue
- adhesive and props
- adhesive only
Most ceilings will take a staple. But it is sometimes difficult to get staples to fix into a plastered ceiling. So one of the methods listed above can be employed.
The panels can be fixed in place with screws. Screws are used in place of staples and are fixed through the tongue to ensure no screw heads are visible on the finished ceiling. This method is very solid but also very time consuming. The big advantage of screwing the panels into place is that the panels can be removed if required.
The panels can be stuck to the ceiling and supported using lengths of timber as props. Small off-cuts or cardboard are used to ensure the props do not mark the surface of the panels.
Another option is to apply blobs of adhesive to the rear of the panel. The panel is then pushed into place on the ceiling and removed straight away leaving adhesive on both surfaces. Wait for the adhesive to turn “tacky” and then re-fit the panel. The tacky adhesive should then offer an instant “grab”.
Ceiling panels are usually installed first and then the walls tiled or panelled second. This gives a little more leeway for cutting errors because the thickness of the tiles will cover up small discrepancies. The joint between the wall and ceiling can then be sealed with silicone. Decorators caulk can be used to seal the joint in living rooms, hallways or offices but this is not suitable for use in bathrooms and kitchens.
See the following sections for more information on using trims with panels, recommended lighting and silver and gold highlight infill strips. Or see our ceiling panel design pages for details of panels with built in highlight strips.
