The ceiling plinth plays a crucial role in the finishing of the room, and only after installing this decorative element does the interior acquire a harmonious finished look.
In the article we will tell you how to choose the skirting board for the ceiling, based on its technical and decorative properties, with the condition that it harmoniously blends with the other finishing materials and supports the overall style of the room.
Types of Ceiling Skirting
There are several types of ceiling skirting boards, which are selected depending on the characteristics of the room and personal preferences, and in most cases they differ in the material of manufacture, which can serve as:
- Styrofoam;
- polystyrene foam;
- PVC
- plastic;
- gypsum;
- wood.
Of course, each of the above materials has its own technical and operational characteristics, and very often the choice in favor of one of them is based on the type of ceiling surface, design requirements and financial capabilities. Immediately make a reservation that any skirting boards can be attached to suspended and plastered surfaces, while it is recommended to choose lighter samples for tension structures.
Also, ceiling skirtings are usually distinguished in shape and size. According to the generally accepted classification, a ceiling plinth has several varieties:
- border;
- cornice;
- fillet;
- baguette.
Borders are made in the form of strips of various materials, while such interior details are easy to execute, and their dimensions are usually in the range of 50x3000 mm. More massive and sophisticated designs are cornices, which usually require a high ceiling. They can have various shapes and sizes, and are also often equipped with technological holes for attaching curtains and similar decorative details. More modest in size, wooden fillets can also have a variety of shapes. The most common ceiling structures are baguettes, the abundance of forms and types of which allows you to realize any design ideas. If we consider in more detail the materials from which ceiling moldings are made, then for a number of objective reasons, a tree deserves a separate consideration here, and we will discuss it later.
Wooden fillets: advantages and disadvantages of use
It was not in vain that we decided to consider wooden skirting boards for mounting on the ceiling, because this natural material, which has no equal in beauty and nobleness, deserves special attention. Coniferous wood, as well as oak, maple, apple, pear or beech, are usually chosen as raw materials for manufacturing. Skirting boards from these breeds have a beautiful texture and durability, have environmental cleanliness, emit a pleasant smell and do not contain toxic substances.
Fillets look best in rooms whose ceilings are also upholstered with wood, and the design provides for the presence of massive pompous details. A wide wooden baseboard will correctly emphasize the interior and visually expand the space. On the modern construction market, you can easily find moldings made of various types of wood with carved ornaments and complex fancy patterns, which is just what you need for sophisticated classic interiors.
Work specifics
Among the huge number of undeniable advantages, there are some difficulties associated with the installation of wooden ceiling skirting. Before installing the ceiling plinth, each product must be carefully trimmed so that during installation they correctly dock with each other, and the joints themselves are invisible. This is a rather time-consuming task, so it is not always possible to carry out it independently by an inexperienced person. The thing is that the wall or ceiling being machined often has an uneven surface, and in this case any flaws will be noticeable, because the wooden finish has a rigid structure and does not have sufficient flexibility, such as, for example, a foam product. The only way out of this situation is to carefully treat the surfaces to give them perfect evenness.
If we talk about the preparatory work, then they consist in polishing and varnishing of wooden baguettes.
Grinding is carried out if the material does not have the necessary smoothness, and varnishing has a protective function in addition to the aesthetic. So, providing the ceiling skirting the correct protective layer, including antiseptic and varnish, you can avoid rotting the material and prevent its infection by harmful insects. As you know, wood does not tolerate temperature extremes and high humidity, therefore, in rooms where there are such risks, it is better not to use a plinth made of wood, otherwise it runs the risk of deforming and cracking. We draw your attention to the fact that in saunas where high temperatures and excessive humidity are observed, the finishing elements are made from certain types of wood, characterized by increased endurance, while they are necessarily treated with special protective equipment.
It is quite difficult to fix a ceiling plinth made of wood material also because it has considerable weight, and this significantly complicates the task. To ensure reliable fastening of such a baguette to a wall or ceiling, they resort to the help of self-tapping screws, because the adhesive compositions can not withstand the weight of the product. Despite all the difficulties that may be associated with the installation of a ceiling baguette made of wood, he is given preference because of really stunning decorative properties that can literally transform the interior, and for an experienced master who possesses the necessary skills, installation of fillets usually does not pose any problems.
Installation process
Ceiling skirtings made of wood are mounted on the same principle as polyurethane, plastic or foam samples, and work always starts from the wall opposite to the front door, because it is on it that the gaze of the person entering the room falls. So, before the ceiling baguette will be attached, with the help of a square, they necessarily check the rectangularity of the internal and external corners of the room. Next, a wooden skirting board is applied to the wall and ceiling, and markup is made with an ordinary pencil. Along the perimeter of the room, the straight lines along which the baguette is attached are usually beaten off with a building cord with pigment. Next, the plinth is cut at an angle of 45 degrees, for which it is better to use a miter box that ensures the accuracy of the cut. A baguette at the bottom of the miter box is always placed on the top (front) side. In principle, a baguette can be cut without this joinery, however, there is a great risk of making an uneven cut, thereby spoiling expensive material. We repeat the same procedure with the second baseboard, after which we check the details for the joint, and if it is invisible, decorative baguettes can be attached to the intended places.
In the event that the angle in the room is far from the proper parameters, the second baseboard is adjusted to the first. Since the miter box does not have slots with angles of, say, 43 or 49 degrees, the necessary angle is marked on an unnecessary board, after which a plinth is pressed against it with clamps, and a simultaneous cut is made in the board and plinth. The groove in the board will serve as a guide, which will provide the saw the desired position. Straight sections are mounted after the installation of corner elements is completed.
In rooms with low ceilings, it is not recommended to install a wide ceiling plinth, it does not matter what material it will be made of. Painting and varnishing of wooden skirting boards is carried out before their installation, for which alcohol-based or water-based stains are widely used, and their shade is selected in accordance with personal wishes. If for some reason the painting of the baguette was not completed before installation, this process is carried out very carefully, after having previously glued masking tape to the wall so as not to stain the finish of the walls and ceiling.