Decorative ceiling tiles made of polystyrene foamare often used in finishing all kinds of interiors. The popularity of the material does not fall, and new technologies allow creating a wide variety of modifications of this finishing material. Few people know how to glue a rhombus ceiling tile correctly. Although many have tried to do it. Let's take a closer look at the gluing methods and the variety of materials offered.
It is better to glue ceiling tiles diagonallysuitable for large rooms. The first ceiling tiles were made of pressed polystyrene foam. This technology produces a fairly cheap product, but only allows the use of basic designs. Stamped polystyrene foam tiles, as a rule, have either a large graphic ornament or an abstract one. A characteristic feature is low density and a thickness of 6-8 mm. It is recommended to cover such tiles with water-based paint, since the loose, highly porous surface absorbs dirt well. It is necessary to transport and glue polystyrene foam ceiling tiles very carefully, since their edges crumble easily.
Scheme for laying ceiling tiles diagonally.The next stage in the development of technology was the emergence of extruded slabs. The method of manufacturing such slabs is as follows: a strip of polystyrene is covered with a film imitating the texture of some material and is passed through a stamping machine. The result is a dense smooth tile. The appearance depends on the decorative film used in production. This can be the texture of wood, metal, stone, as well as all sorts of color solutions. Gluing extruded ceiling tiles is easy and simple, since their edges are very clear and even, and the pattern rapport is easily joined. Extruded slabs have excellent aesthetic and hygienic properties. They are easy to clean. There is another type of ceiling slabs intended for use in specific conditions, these are injection slabs. They are made by sintering raw materials and are available exclusively in white. The thickness of such slabs can reach 14 mm. A characteristic feature is excellent soundproofing properties. It is recommended to glue such ceiling tiles to protect against excess external noise.
Tools for work
Tools for gluing ceiling tiles.So, when you have decided on the material, you need to measure the area to be pasted and calculate the number of tiles. The standard tile size is 50x50 cm, that is, for 1 sq. m of area you need to buy 4 tiles. However, you must remember that some tiles will be spent on cutting and adjusting the pattern. In addition, if you glue the ceiling tiles in a diamond pattern, the consumption will increase by another 15-20%. When purchasing tiles, do not forget about the adhesive composition, the properties of which must correspond to the type of tile selected. Also prepare the following tools and devices: a pencil and tape measure for marking, a knife and a metal ruler for cutting tiles, masking tape and a stepladder. Now you are ready to carry out work and can start gluing the ceiling tiles. Return to the table of contents</a>
Surface preparation
Scheme of preparing the ceiling for gluing tiles.Before you start gluing ceiling tiles, the ceiling must be cleaned of traces of old paint or other coating. Then it must be primed with a roller 1-2 times with intermediate drying. This can be done with either special mixtures or PVA construction glue diluted with water. Special primers usually have some protective properties. For example, antifungal or fireproof. Therefore, it is advisable to use professional mixtures. You can buy them in the same place as the glue. After the ceiling has completely dried, you need to apply markings that will help lay the tiles evenly and beautifully. The markings are done from the center. We draw a square, the sides of which are parallel to the walls (if the ceiling has a quadrangular shape), and divide it with diagonals. We draw diagonals along the ceiling to the walls. These lines will serve as a guide when gluing the tiles in a rhombus. In order to draw lines evenly, it is convenient to use a painter's cord. However, if there is a chandelier on the ceiling, it is better to start marking from it, even if the lamp is slightly offset from the center. Return to contents</a>
How correctly to glue a ceiling tile by a rhombus
If there is no light on the ceiling, then glue itin the center of the first tile so that it is oriented along the diagonal lines on the ceiling. We glue each subsequent tile, focusing on the first one, joining their edges. In this case, we apply the tiles, moving from the center of the room to the periphery.
Ceiling tiles positioned in the middleceiling. Near the walls, you will need to cut the tiles into pieces to complete the pasting. The size of these pieces is individual and depends on the area and configuration of the ceiling. If you have correctly marked the ceiling and started working exactly from the center, then the cut pieces on the opposite sides should be the same. How to glue ceiling tiles if there is a lamp on the ceiling? In this case, another method is preferable. We do the marking in the same way, drawing a square on the ceiling and dividing it with diagonals. Just be sure to check that the center of the square exactly matches the attachment point of the lamp. It is better to remove the lamp itself or the top cap of the chandelier, then you can glue the tile as close as possible to the inlet or hook of the chandelier. So, the diagonals of the square intersect at the attachment point of the lamp. From this point, we begin to glue the tiles, placing the first 4 pieces so that their sides are parallel to the diagonals of the marking square, and the vertices converge at the attachment point of the lamp. Or, to put it more simply, we lay out a rhombus from four ceiling tiles, orienting its sides along the marking lines on the ceiling, and aligning the center of the rhombus with the hole in the ceiling. Perhaps, the corners of the first four tiles that converge in the center will need to be trimmed a little. This depends on the type of lamp. The trimmed tiles will later be hidden by the decorative cap of the chandelier or the lamp itself, the main thing is to trim the corners carefully. We continue working, orienting each subsequent tile along the side of the previous one. Return to the table of contents</a>
Some secrets of repair by own hands
When choosing tiles, pay attention to the edgesproducts, they must be even and straight. Use one or another tile based on the purpose of the room. Before starting work, check that you have all the necessary tools and devices. Use a special glue for gluing, this will guarantee that after some time, yellow or gray spots will not appear on the new ceiling. You can update the ceiling pasted over with tiles using water-based or acrylic paint. Check and recheck the markings, as sometimes it is easier to climb a stepladder several times than to redo the entire job.
