Selection of spotlights for suspended ceilings. Diameter, width and type of lamps

Stretch ceiling designs make it possible to implement a variety of stylistic solutions. When arranging lighting, you can choose and combine types of lighting fixtures. Now not only a chandelier is used, but also recessed spotlights. This is additional comfort, an original look, and a sufficient amount of light. But suspended ceilings with light bulbs cannot be equipped with any type of lighting fixture, with the power of each element limited.

Why is the selection of light bulbs necessary?

It is necessary to take into account the compatibility factor of the canvas and lighting in terms of heating parameters. Light bulbs for suspended ceilings must comply with the conditions of preservation of the material. After all, they have the specificity of heating up during operation. But the tension covering does not tolerate such influence. Its material (in most cases - polyvinyl chloride, PVC) does not react well to strong heat.

At temperatures above 110 degrees C, loss of elasticity and deformation are observed. If the lamps for a stretch ceiling are chosen incorrectly, yellow spots, cracks and other uneven textures are likely to appear. When heated over a long period, ceiling coverings emit a harmful substance - hydrogen chloride. Conversely, if you choose the right light bulbs for the ceiling, it can last a long time.

Which bulbs are suitable?

There are main types of light bulbs that can be installed in a suspended ceiling. There are three of them:

• halogen;
• energy saving;
• LED

All types have advantages and disadvantages. These lighting elements are somewhat more expensive than incandescent lamps. But the canvas will not suffer if you use them. The fourth type - an incandescent lamp is applicable with the correct choice of location and power.

Most often, a suspended ceiling is equipped with built-in lamps, installing it specifically for spot lighting. Chandeliers that traditionally decorate rooms are also used. They use both incandescent lamps and any other lamps with preliminary calculation of thermal characteristics and lighting parameters.

How to replace it yourself

It is necessary to change lamps in suspended ceilings for several reasons. They may simply fail, which happens quite often with cheap models. Also, the lamps will inevitably have to be dismantled when removing the entire canvas, when changing the interior.

When replacing appliances yourself, you first need to turn off the power to your house or apartment. When dismantling a burnt-out lamp, you need to remember the fastening arrangement in order to correctly and securely fasten the new lamp. If it is a chandelier, you will need to remove it from the hook or holding bars, disconnect the wires and replace it with another device using the same scheme, but in reverse order.

A spotlight can only be replaced with a device of the same design and diameter. It can be of absolutely any design, but it is attached identically. By following the step-by-step instructions, you can simply and quickly change the lamps:

• Turn off the stand-alone light switch;
• While holding the two metal brackets, disconnect the plug of the device;
• Slowly snap the new lamp into the slots;
• Lower it into the cut hole in the tension fabric.

Halogen lamps

Halogen lamps are produced in a wide range, varying in configuration and size. They perfectly match the suspended ceiling and have the following advantages.

• Directional action, which allows you to choose the desired angle for lighting.
• The light is bright and even and turns on immediately.
• Energy consumption is 5 times less than incandescent lamps.
• The service life is calculated in years.
• Suitable for designs with colorful effects.
• Wide variety of colors and shapes to choose from.

There are also some inconveniences.

• In order to be able to install halogen lamps, it is necessary to maintain the distance between the suspended ceiling and the concrete floor. It should be more than 7 cm. It is necessary to take into account the height of the room.
• Directional lighting is not always appropriate.
• Yellow spectrum of the same type.

What lamps are suitable for a stretch ceiling?

Fabric or film can be used to produce tension structures. The first material is characterized by higher resistance to elevated temperatures. Therefore, when choosing a fabric stretch ceiling, the range of compatible lighting devices increases.

The film may lose its original appearance and technical characteristics when exposed to heat. However, the temperature must be higher than 600 degrees. There are some rules for choosing lamps that should be studied. Knowing which lighting fixtures are suitable for such a design, you can protect the suspended ceiling and extend its service life.

First of all, the lamps should emit a small amount of heat, which will protect the stretch ceiling from deformation. In this case, LED lamps are the most suitable. It is also worth saying that energy-saving devices have good compatibility with tension structures.

Helpful information! It is not recommended to use incandescent lamps, however, if there is no other choice, then you should carefully consider the choice of their power. This figure should not exceed 60 W.

The distance from lighting fixtures that belong to the incandescent group to the surface of the tension structure must be at least 30 cm. The same rule applies to halogen lamps.

Before proceeding with the installation of lamps, it is recommended to draw up a diagram containing information about their future location. This will allow you to get the job done efficiently. Such ceiling-mounted electrical appliances are not fixed to the tension structure, but to the main ceiling located underneath it.

Interesting: Stretch ceilings in the bedroom: fashionable design 2020

Energy-saving lamps

This type of lamp produces almost no heat during operation. This is beneficial for the safety of the stretch ceiling. There is no light behind the ceiling, which makes them different. They don't need extra space. The distance required between the canvas and the concrete slab can be only 2 cm. Energy-saving lamps consume a small amount of electricity and save it. The disadvantage is the rather high cost. And there is also the following series of complaints against them during operation.

• It is not advisable to use in a damp room, as they are sensitive to moisture.
• The glow power does not turn on immediately. At first there is a dim light coming from them.
• If the switch has an LED, it flickers after turning off.
• The luminous flux is different from traditional incandescent lamps, which irritates some people.

LED lamps and suspended ceiling

In interiors with a small area, it is appropriate to use LED ceiling lamps. They look good and are easy to install.

The service life of LED lamps is 50 thousand hours. This is more than any known type. Their characteristics are economical, and the space near the lamp does not heat up. And:

• it is possible to adjust the contrast and direction;
• they are easy to install;
• look neat;
• energy consumption is 70% less, and replacement is not required for a long time;
• shine evenly, brightly, stably, with a natural spectrum.

LED lamps for suspended ceilings are the best choice. The disadvantage is the high price.

The best option for suspended ceilings

The main reasons why tension structures are installed are aesthetic appearance and practicality. They are made of PVC or fabric panels attached to profiles.

The choice of lighting fixtures largely depends on the material of this type of ceiling. Polyvinyl chloride film and some types of fabrics do not tolerate increased temperatures. They may become deformed. Therefore, you have to pay attention not only to the technical parameters, but also to other features of the lamps.

So, when heated above 50 degrees, the material of the panels can change color, dry out and crack. The ceiling will become yellowish and ugly. Operation and maintenance will become very difficult. In just a few months, new repairs will be necessary. These are good reasons to take the time to select the right lamps for suspended ceilings.

The lighting effects depend on the type and location of the bulbs. They can emphasize the advantages of the ceiling, zone the space favorably, improve the interior, or, conversely, hopelessly ruin the impression of the room.

The service life of PVC ceilings depends on the choice of lamps. Incandescent lamps heat surfaces too much and are therefore not suitable for tensile structures

When purchasing, focus on power and heating temperature. Incandescent lamps are not suitable, so 35-40 W halogen units or low-voltage LED options are usually chosen.

In some cases - energy-saving fluorescent lamps up to 50 W. There are also certain requirements regarding the safe location of lighting fixtures.

Application of incandescent lamps

Incandescent lamps are common, easy to replace, and inexpensive. The most suitable for a stretch ceiling would be a mirror one, minion E-14 with a power of up to 60 watts. One piece will provide sufficient lighting for 2.5 meters of interior area. This is the optimal amount for such a space, otherwise the canvas will overheat. After all, incandescent lamps tend to heat up significantly during operation.

Flaws:

• power limitation (so that the canvas does not deform from heating);
• significant dimensions of the fittings.

With the right selection of chandeliers, you can achieve the desired brightness, taking into account the type of ceiling covering. So a glossy ceiling requires a luminous flux going upward. This will lead to its specular reflection and scattering. In the case of a matte surface, a chandelier with shades pointing downwards is suitable. Recessed lights with minions are not very effective.

Basic selection rules

Everything matters - type, shape, power, placement of lamps on the ceiling.

The main rules to follow when choosing:

1. Type and power of lamps . The best option is 35-50 W lamps.
2. Distance to ceiling . The critical minimum is 15-20 cm. If you place the lamps closer to the surface of the material, this will lead to its deformation. For incandescent lamps, the distance should be even greater - from 40 cm.
3. Shape of lamps . The beloved “plates” will have to be abandoned. The rules for their installation provide for a tight fit to the ceiling surface. In the case of tensile structures, this is unacceptable, because For cooling you need full air circulation.
4. Design . It all depends on the personal preferences of the owner of the premises. It is important that the devices are installed in accordance with all the rules and provide adequate lighting.

The variety of lamps is enormous, so it makes sense to navigate the main classifications and find the option that is best suited for each specific case.

If you design the lighting correctly, you can achieve stunning color and light effects. They will enliven the interior, help highlight accent areas, and create the right mood.

When purchasing, you should take into account the purpose and operating features of the premises, pay attention to the installation rules, the degree of protection of electrical appliances, and the color temperature characteristic of energy-saving light bulbs.

Complex installation leads to an increase in the cost of lighting, often unjustified. The problem can be solved by choosing a different type of lamp.

Choosing a chandelier for a stretch ceiling

When decorating an interior with a suspended ceiling with a hanging chandelier, it is better to choose it in advance. This will make it clear in advance how to mount the canvas according to the lighting. It is better to avoid flat types of chandeliers to avoid heating, which leads to damage to the tension covering. The distance from the light bulbs to the canvas should be more than 15 cm.

Lampshades with light directed towards the ceiling are preferable. In a model with open lamps, the horns must be located at an angle or downward, otherwise the PVC may darken over time where the light is directed.

How to choose a chandelier for a stretch ceiling

Most often, when installing stretch fabrics, recessed lamps are used. But, if you want to decorate your room with a hanging chandelier, it is better to purchase it in advance. This will avoid overlaps when installing the canvas and lighting.

When choosing a chandelier, you should focus not only on the type of sockets and the interior of the room. Consider the design of the lamp. It is better not to use flat models with a suspended ceiling - they themselves heat up very much and have a thermal effect on the ceiling. Ideally, the distance between the light bulbs and the suspended ceiling should be at least 15 cm.

If you want to purchase a chandelier with shades, choose models in which the light will be directed vertically upward. For open chandeliers, on the contrary, it is better to opt for models where the lamps are directed downwards or at an angle. Otherwise, dark spots will soon appear on the surface of the ceiling in the direction of the light.

Recessed luminaires

More often, spot lighting is built into a suspended ceiling. For this purpose, lamps with internal or external bulbs are used. The differences between them are as follows.

• The first type is used less and less, since suspended ceilings, in which the light bulbs are located above the covering, heat up due to poor heat dissipation. Installing them is not so easy. The distance from the concrete floor to the suspended ceiling must be more than 6 cm. Stamped types of lamps, reinforced with additional thermal rings, are needed. They are installed without touching the canvas. Incandescent lamps up to 60 watts or halogen lamps up to 35 watts are used.
• The external location of the lamps of the built-in luminaires does not require increasing the distance between the ceiling and the canvas. These types of built-in lamps are most suitable; the service life of the tension fabric does not depend on them. The light bulb located below the cover is open and has time to cool. The canvas is separated from the light bulb by a platform that protects it. In addition, when the bulb is open, the lighting is brighter, and its type can be of any kind. Power restrictions – up to 70 watts.

To ensure a long service life of the stretch ceiling, it is necessary to select the correct ceiling lamps and light bulbs according to the listed parameters.
8 035

Requirements for placing lamps on the ceiling

When designing lighting, several simple rules are followed:

1. The first row of lamps is planned so that it is at least 20 cm from the wall.
2. If there is only one pendant lamp, it is installed in the center of the ceiling.
3. Seams are the weak points of PVC structures. There should be no light sources at a distance of less than 15-20 cm from them.
4. When calculating lamps, you can focus on average indicators: 1 device per 1.5-2 sq. m. area. If it is necessary to provide powerful lighting, then proceed from the first number. If special brightness is not needed, use the second one.
5. With a symmetrical arrangement of lamps, the distances between them and the distances from the wall are taken into account.

Windows are sources of natural sunlight. When calculating the layout of light bulbs, they must be taken into account, but there are no special requirements here. The main thing is to maintain a distance from the walls.