How to glue tiles to the ceiling: preparation, marking, fixing

A beautiful, tidy ceiling is an important part of a well-done renovation. For this, someone is limited to whitewashing, some mount tension or suspended structures. An equally interesting option is facing with ceiling tiles.

This is a budget and easy finishing method that even an inexperienced homeowner can handle. Installation does not require special skills and special tools, therefore many carry out the work on their own. But even such a simple option has features that need to be studied. After all, so that the finish does not fall off after a few days, you should choose the right materials, prepare the base and decide on the most suitable installation method.

Technology: how to glue tiles on the ceiling

So that the repair does not have to be done again, you need to strictly observe each stage of work. Ignoring even one step can result in the fact that one day the whole structure will be on the floor.

Preparation of the base

The first step is to prepare the ceiling. To do this, use a punch or spatula to remove old whitewash, paint, plaster or any other unnecessary coating.

The second step is to remove defects that remain after cleaning. Cracks, chips, joints between parts are rubbed with a putty and left to dry completely. This usually takes at least 12 hours. After this time, the base is carefully primed. The product is applied in several layers, and it is important for each of them to give time to completely dry.

Reference. A primer is needed to achieve a uniform ceiling - this improves the adhesion reliability.

If the base is well plastered, the whitewash does not exfoliate and is well fixed, then there is no need to remove the old coating - you can immediately apply the primer. However, this is only allowed for urgent repairs: over time, the finish will fall off the untreated surface.

The priming method depends on the substrate:

• concrete pavement is treated with concrete contact;
• for gypsum, a deeply penetrating composition is needed;
• in a room with high humidity, before application, the primer is mixed with an antiseptic - this prevents the emergence and development of pathogens.

Placement methods and markup

There are several types of fixation. You need to decide on the gluing scheme before going to the store. This is the only way to choose the right type of product and pattern.

Parallel

The traditional fixation method. Work should be started from the center of the room, as this minimizes the visibility of the seams. With the help of such pasting, a complete surface can be created.

There is a second type of cladding. In this case, each part to be fixed is shifted half the length. So the ceiling is visually weightless, airy.

Rhombus

It is considered versatile, as it is suitable for rooms of any size and geometry. First of all, you need to take care of applying the markings to the base, and in the future, the fragments will be fixed along the lines.

Reference. The main disadvantage is a large amount of waste.

To make the diamond styling look attractive without showing the seams:

• work must start from the center, making sure that each part is placed strictly along the marking line;
• lay the first square at an angle of 45^O against each wall;
• apply the next one to the previous one until the entire area is filled.

Staggered

This is how the cladding is made with material of different colors. Usually, models of two contrasting shades are chosen - this is how the interior turns out to be stylish, original.

They start laying from the center of the room. Each square is fixed parallel to the walls. To create a checkerboard effect, the details need to be interleaved.

Reference. With the help of the checkerboard styling method, small defects can be hidden.

Markup

It is needed to neatly fix the squares. Usually starts from the center. To determine it, you need to stretch two strands between the diagonally located corners. Where the ropes cross, there is the center.

If there is a chandelier in the room, markup is not needed - in most cases, installation starts from the lighting fixture. However, for the diagonal styling method, you will need to pull the threads from the corners towards the lamp.

On a flat ceiling

When choosing a fixation technique, the surface quality plays a significant role.

Smooth is pasted over as follows:

1. Glue is applied to the bottom of the trim.
2. The square is applied to the base, slightly pressed until the first setting of the composition.
3. The next fragment is fixed as close as possible to the previous one. It is important to pay attention to the coincidence of the patterns and the fit of the side parts.
4. To veneer difficult and hard-to-reach places, the fragments can be trimmed to the desired shape.

Uneven ceiling

For facing uneven surfaces, instead of an adhesive, a putty or a base in the form of a plasterboard structure is used.

The application of the mixture starts from the place with the smallest gradient. The covered area should not exceed the size of four fragments. When the first squares are laid, they are aligned using a level. The device must be applied to the area and on uneven sections the squares should be slightly pressed down to give the area an even position. The rest are fixed in the same way.

Which tile to choose

There are several varieties:

1. Extruded. The product is smooth, without perceptible graininess. The sheet thickness does not exceed 3 mm. The material is dense, it tolerates staining well. The advantages include easy care and ease of installation, the disadvantages are the high cost.
2. Stamped. It is made of expanded polystyrene, therefore it has a loose structure and a well-visible grain size. It is inexpensive and perfect for budget renovations. However, it is difficult to lay the fragments: due to the fragile structure, the squares can break. Therefore, it is recommended to buy a finish with a margin. Due to the graininess, it is difficult to care for the parts; they quickly become clogged with dirt. After finishing the work, it is advisable to cover the sheets with acrylic paint.
3. Injection. Made of baked polystyrene foam. The main feature is a clear drawing. It is not difficult to work with it, it is inexpensive, it tolerates staining well.

How to calculate how many tiles you need for finishing

Knowing the total area of ​​the base, you can easily determine the amount of material:

1. If the space is non-standard, it should be divided into equal parts and the area of ​​each of them should be calculated. The results obtained are summarized.
2. When using squares of the standard size 50x50, it is important to take into account that 1 m² 4 fragments are required. For other sizes, the area is calculated individually: the width of the sheet should be multiplied by the length.
3. Simple method: the surface area must be divided by the size of one piece. The result will show how many pieces are needed to cover the entire ceiling.

Reference. Since the tiles can deform or break during operation, 10-15% should be added to the results obtained.

What to glue on

Usually the sheets are fixed on special adhesives like "Moment", "Titan" or liquid nails. The brands are not satisfactory, however, after applying them, the squares must be held until the substance seizes.

There are also special mastics on sale. They are a thick paste packaged in small buckets. It is simple to work with the composition: the substance is very sticky, it sets instantly, you do not need to hold the finish.

The options listed are only suitable for flat surfaces. If the ceiling has drops, you will need gypsum plaster or Perlfix adhesive. Should I buy a starting or finishing solution? It depends on the quality of the surface. The finish is suitable if the depth of the irregularities does not exceed 5 mm. In other cases, you will need a starter variant or an Armstrong-type system. With its help, even a frankly uneven surface can be brought into proper form.

Ceiling decoration is an important stage in interior decoration. The successful completion of the repair is possible only with a properly selected adhesive, correct arithmetic and neat installation.

Video: how to quickly glue tiles