Spotlights for stretch ceilings: which ones to choose?

1. Technical features of suspended ceilings
2. The main types of lamps for suspended ceilings

Chandeliers and pendant structures Universal spotlights LED strip and contour lighting

3. What are the best lamps for a stretch ceiling?
4. Which lamps are better
5. What to pay attention to
6. Possible methods of mounting lamps for suspended ceilings

Surface-mounted Recessed Hanging

7. How to place lamps on a suspended ceiling?
8. The best brands of lamps
9. Recommendations for choosing a lamp

Stretch ceilings are extremely popular, winning people's attention with a combination of attractive appearance, simplicity and ease of installation, and a very affordable price. However, not everyone knows that this ceiling option imposes quite stringent requirements on the parameters of the installed lamps.

After reading the article, you will learn about the technical features of a stretch ceiling and which lamps are best for a stretch ceiling. We will tell you about lamps that are optimally suited for this type of ceiling, and what to pay attention to when installing lighting fixtures. You will find useful recommendations on choosing lamps for suspended ceilings, as well as a selection of leading brands represented on the Russian market.

Technical features of suspended ceilings

To produce stretch ceilings, films made from polymer polyvinyl chloride or polyester are used. These materials are characterized by sensitivity to elevated temperatures. When the polymer fabric is heated to more than 60 degrees, it deforms and cracks, deterioration of elasticity and a change in the original color are observed. Overheating is quite possible when installing high-power fixtures and lamps that emit a lot of heat.

When choosing a glossy or matte stretch fabric, you need to take into account the features of each option. Installation of glossy film improves illumination due to the reflection of light from its surface. However, not everyone likes the mirror effect, since the entire decor of the room is also reflected on the ceiling. Matte PVC film is characterized by low reflectivity, which visually makes it more similar to a regular ceiling.

No. 4. Types of lamps, or Which light source is better

Lamps in suspended ceilings can be supplied with any light sources , but this does not negate the need to weigh the pros and cons of all options and choose the optimal one:

• incandescent lamps - the most uneconomical among all the others. They have low efficiency, so most of the energy is converted into heat, which imposes restrictions on their use in conjunction with film stretch ceilings. Such lamps are usually installed in pendant chandeliers, but you must remember about the power limitation: it is 60 W, but some recommend using lamps no more powerful than 45 W. Such lamps are usually not installed in spotlights, but if you have a fabric suspended ceiling, then you can find a compromise and take a light bulb with a mirror coating;

• halogen lamps somewhat more economical than incandescent lamps, they provide bright and intense light, but are limited in the color range of radiation. Such lamps emit less heat and last twice as long as conventional incandescent lamps, but they are still better used in suspended structures. Usually, along with halogen lamps, the installation of an additional transformer is required, but such lamps, when installed with a heat reflector forward, allow you to create interesting visual effects;

• energy saving fluorescent lamps Their name alone suggests that they use electricity sparingly. In addition, they are durable and do not overheat, so they can be mounted in pendant, surface-mounted and recessed lamps. Such lamps are relatively large in size, so they may not be installed in every lamp. If the lamp is positioned so that it constantly falls into the field of view, then it is better to choose a dark light reflector type lamp with a soft light beam;

• LED bulbs – one of the most modern solutions today. In them, electricity is immediately transformed into light radiation, due to which high efficiency and durability are achieved. LED lamps are several times more economical than incandescent lamps, and several times more economical than fluorescent lamps. Some manufacturers provide a guarantee for their products for up to 10 years. In addition, such lamps practically do not heat up, are available in different colors and have a soft light without flickering effect. As a rule, an LED light source is already built into the lamp - these are reliable, more durable and economical products, but then the entire lamp will have to be replaced, not just the light bulb. You can find lamps in which the LED element can be replaced: you can always replace the lamp with a more powerful one, although the durability of such products is lower;

• fiber optic threads are used only to create the “starry sky” effect. They have low heat transfer, but do not provide much light - this is decorative lighting. Fiber optics are not cheap, they are durable, and thanks to various attachments they can simulate flickering or flames on the ceiling.

It is best to combine different types of lamps and lamps: this will make it easier to create the necessary lighting in each area of ​​the room, quickly change the decor and highlight individual parts of the space. To have complete control over the light, you can equip the lamps with a rheostat and adjust the light intensity.

The article was written for the site.

Tags:Ceiling, Lighting systems

The main types of lamps for suspended ceilings

You need to think about the type of luminaires for a suspended ceiling before starting installation work. After all, you will first need to outline the installation locations, lay the wiring and install fasteners. So, what LED ceiling lights for suspended ceilings are used in the interior.

Chandeliers and pendant structures

Before installing pendant lights under a suspended ceiling, you need to think about how they will look in the room. After all, the same chandelier “eats up” a lot of space, and this is not a very reasonable solution for low ceiling heights (up to 220 cm). But in higher rooms, pendant lighting fixtures look very harmonious and aesthetically pleasing.

A huge variety of shapes and sizes makes it easy to choose models that best suit the design style of the room - modern, classic, country or any other. Designers recommend using a combination, for example, of a traditional chandelier and spotlights located along the perimeter of the stretch ceiling.

Dish chandeliers are incompatible with suspended ceilings, since their luminous flux is directed upward and quickly overheats the film.

Universal spotlights

This type of product is most popular due to the compactness of light sources and the concealment of their placement. Depending on the model, the lamp is either completely hidden behind the suspended ceiling (recessed), or its body is located outside (surface-mounted).

As a rule, several point light sources are installed in a room, which makes it possible to choose low-power modifications that emit a minimum of heat. Additionally, special thermal rings are always placed in the mounting holes to protect the film from overheating.

The following LED spotlights are on sale:

• with replaceable bulbs - low price, easy replacement, large range of models, power limit 20 Watt;

• with LED matrix - last much longer due to the heat sink, there is no power limitation, more convenient for accent lighting, no reflection losses, many dimmable models.

To create basic lighting, sources with a light dispersion angle of 60-90 degrees are used. Local illumination is best performed at a dispersion angle of 30-40 degrees.

A separate niche is occupied by spots - devices with a rotating light-emitting part. With their help, you can adjust the direction of light and focus it on different areas of the room, which is very convenient and practical.

LED strip and contour lighting

The LED strip is distinguished by true versatility of use, allowing you to create high-quality main lighting and beautiful contour lighting. It can be placed above the suspended ceiling or mounted under it in a specialized ceiling plinth, as well as behind the ceiling cornice. You can read more about the options for placing the feed in our article at the link.

It is noteworthy that you can choose an LED strip with any glow color:

• monochrome - shines in one color from ordinary white to blue or green. The brightness of the light flux is adjusted by a dimmer;

• multicolor (RGB) – you can choose from a color palette with hundreds of shades. To control lighting effects, an RGB controller complete with a remote control is used.

Installation of the tape is extremely simple. It is glued to the surface using double-sided tape located on the back of the flexible printed circuit board. To implement the circuit, you will need a power supply that converts 220 volts from the network into a constant stabilized voltage of 12 or 24 volts.

You can purchase a tape of any power and brightness. These characteristics depend on the type of LEDs installed and the density of their placement per linear meter. You should remember about effective heat transfer and do not place the tape in an unventilated space. When installing high-power LED strips, an aluminum profile is used to act as a heat sink.

Tips for caring for white matte stretch ceilings

Caring for the canvas is easy, the main thing is to follow some recommendations:

1. Once a week, do wet cleaning with a soft cloth. Microfiber is excellent for these purposes.
2. To avoid stains, use special cleaning compounds for suspended ceilings.
3. In order not to damage the canvas, you need to remove all rings and jewelry from your hands before cleaning.
4. Under no circumstances should you use aggressive chemical-based products to wash the ceiling, otherwise the coating will deteriorate.
5. In the absence of special detergents, you can use a regular soap solution.
6. It is not recommended to use a vacuum cleaner to remove cobwebs; it is better to use a soft brush.
7. For ease of cleaning, use a stepladder.

What are the best lamps for a stretch ceiling?

Nowadays, ready-made LED lamps with a built-in matrix are increasingly being purchased. A quality product from a good brand with a standard schedule (morning-evening, not 24 hours) will work for at least 10 years. Only cheap, low-quality products quickly fail.

Lighting devices with an ice matrix are equipped with a more efficient heat sink and a normal full-size driver, since they are not limited in size like light bulbs. High brightness and power (from 15 watts) of a light source cannot be provided by a lamp, but only by a finished product based on a LED matrix.

Characteristics of spotlights

Spot lamps can be called an integral part of a modern room. With the help of proper lighting, you can not only emphasize certain decorative elements, but also disguise interior imperfections. Therefore, it is necessary to understand how to choose a recessed lamp for the ceiling. The correct placement of lighting devices increases the level of comfort, and the incident light does not have a negative effect on the eyes.

Spotlights can be used as additional lighting when illuminating large areas, such as a living room, bedroom, children's room and dining room. In small rooms, which include a bathroom, toilet, corridor or dressing room, spotlights are most often used for basic lighting. In such places, a spotlight distributes light across the entire ceiling with equal illumination of all parts of the room.

There is electrical equipment to connect any type of lamp. Its location requires a certain space. In the case of suspended ceiling structures, wiring and other necessary elements are located in the space between the suspended and base ceilings. Therefore, its size is determined by the type of lamp. For halogen and fluorescent lamps, the niche between the main and suspended ceilings must be at least 12 cm; for LED lighting devices, 6 cm is sufficient.

Before choosing spots for a stretch ceiling, you need to study the features of the room. In the passage areas of a house or apartment, you can install lamps with lamps of any type, since here the low ceiling is not too noticeable. In similar large areas, spotlights are most often used as additional lighting along with small chandeliers. When only spotlights are turned on, a calm, cozy atmosphere is created in the room.

To highlight different levels of the stretch ceiling and decorate its protruding parts, first select a chandelier for the stretch ceiling structure and select spotlights for it.

When deciding which spotlights are best to choose, it is important to know that they are divided into rotating and non-rotating devices. The first option is used to illuminate a specific area; the light can fall on a desk, or a specific area of ​​the kitchen, or on a section of the wall to emphasize its texture.

There are also lamps for dry rooms and devices with certain protection from high humidity. Models of the second type are designed for installation in the bathroom, toilet and basement.

Spotlights can be glass, plaster, aluminum, crystal or plastic. Stained glass overlays, rhinestones, carved wooden elements or metal openwork details can be used as decoration. If the interior of the room requires the installation of hidden or inconspicuous lighting devices, then you can use a white lamp surrounded by a white ring.

Many owners of apartments or private houses ask the question of how to choose spotlights for suspended ceilings, because they are presented on the market in a fairly large assortment, which allows designers to use them to decorate a room in any style, from baroque to high-tech style. That is why spotlights are very often present in the design of modern apartments and private houses.

To help you decide which ceiling lights to choose for suspended ceilings, you should talk about crystal spotlights. These devices scatter light and create beautiful patterns on the surface of the ceiling and walls. Lamps can be decorated in any style. For example, lighting devices with a regular geometric shape are suitable for the Art Nouveau style; it can be a square or a rectangle. Classic style models have hanging glass or crystal elements. The “floristry” style can be decorated using lamps in the shape of leaves, petals or buds. Crystal spotlights with built-in LEDs look especially beautiful.

If you insert a frosted light bulb into a crystal lamp, there will be no glare on the ceiling and walls. The same effects can be achieved using fluorescent light sources. The best option for a light bulb for a crystal lamp is an LED.

Which lamps are better

Various types of electric lamps are suitable for chandeliers/lamps on a suspended ceiling: incandescent, energy-saving fluorescent, halogen, LED. But! Incandescent and halogen light bulbs get very hot, making them uncompetitive. The best option is LED lamps, which are superior to competitors in almost all characteristics.

Thanks to their high light output (up to 200 lumens per 1 watt), LED lamps shine more brightly at the same power as other analogues. That is, instead of a 100-watt incandescent light bulb, you can install a 12-watt LED light bulb. And low power means less heating of the lamp, which is important for a PVC ceiling.

Here are some more important advantages of LED lamps:

• low power consumption;
• service life up to 90-100 thousand hours;
• compliance with environmental standards;
• no flickering effect;
• ability to select color temperature;
• models with any dispersion angle;
• inertia-free – full brightness is displayed instantly;
• there is no radiation in the dangerous UV spectrum.

How to choose the right lamps for lighting a stretch ceiling

Features of the operation of a suspended ceiling structure impose some restrictions on the choice of lighting fixtures and lamps for them. Therefore, you should know what types of ceiling lamps there are. The use of halogen, fluorescent and LED lamps is allowed. The last two types belong to the energy-saving type, which is characterized by lower energy consumption, low heating and a small number of wires. Such lamps provide even, bright light and do not heat up the main surface.

What to pay attention to

1. The height (depth) of the lamp to fit in the ceiling space.
2. Correct number and location of lighting fixtures.
3. The scattering angle for the task is narrowly focused accent lighting 15-30°, main lighting 90-120°. If the room is high, it is better to choose an angle of 90°.
4. Glare – avoid placing lamps above a bed (sofa, chair) due to the glare on the eyes.
5. Glare – predict the possibility of light reflection from a TV screen, PC monitor, mirror.
6. Product reliability. When buying a budget lamp, take a couple of pieces with a reserve and be sure to discuss the terms of return with the seller.

The optimal lighting fixture for suspended ceilings

Which lamps are suitable for suspended ceilings directly depends on the purpose of the room. In the bathroom or kitchen, lamps with a high level of protection from moisture and high temperatures must be installed. It is also undesirable to use lamps with many beautiful decorative elements in the bathroom. In a children's room, devices must be shock-resistant and reliable. The choice of device for installation in the living room and hall is greater - it all depends on the taste of the owners and the design of the space. The bedroom does not need bright lighting, so here you can get by with several sources without a central chandelier. The corridor is usually devoid of natural light; several powerful lamps can be used as lighting instead of a chandelier.

In industrial and office premises, the main thing in a lamp is reliability, functionality and security. The appearance of the device is not as important here as its technical characteristics.

When choosing lamps, it is important not to forget about saving electricity. The optimal light bulb for an apartment with a suspended ceiling will be an LED one - although it is more expensive than other sources, its price is justified by its long service life and low energy consumption.

Possible methods of mounting lamps for suspended ceilings

In practice, three main methods of installing lamps are used. Of course, lighting fixtures cannot be fixed on stretch film. In all cases, preliminary installation of load-bearing elements on the concrete ceiling is necessary.

Overhead

Surface-mounted lamps are made in different designs and shapes. These can be thin LED panels and models with a lampshade, similar to miniature chandeliers that fit closely to the ceiling. The advantage of this option is the small distance between the rough and suspended ceiling.

Built-in

This method corresponds to a minimalist style, since the light sources are completely hidden by the tension ceiling. From the outside, only the lower parts of the lamps are visible, emitting a luminous flux. The equipment is mounted on pre-installed embedded bases using spring latches or fastening rings. This solution is attractively inexpensive. Recessed luminaires for suspended ceilings are installed as follows:

Suspension

First, a metal embedded mount or a small wooden platform is installed on the rough ceiling, into which a threaded pin is screwed. Then the LED chandelier is suspended. It is recommended to hang a lamp with powerful lamps at a distance of at least 20 cm from the stretched PVC sheet.

Basic requirements for lamps

Stretch ceilings are made from elastic materials. Metal structures (guides and profiles) are attached directly to the rough ceiling, which may have various irregularities. Then a finishing material is installed on the structure, hiding all the flaws and shortcomings. For this reason, you should avoid installing open-type lamps in which the light is directed literally in all directions.

If the light flux passes behind the finishing material, it will illuminate all communications laid along the uneven ceiling. To put it mildly, it will look unaesthetic. For this reason, avoid purchasing light sources in the “open dish” format and chandeliers with shades pointing upward. The device body should not have any transparent elements. Priority is given to lamps with a closed body and at least one reflective plate.

Electrical appliances are attached either to the rough ceiling or to pre-laid profiles. That is why it is important to design and install electrical wiring before installing the stretch ceiling.

Finally, great attention should be paid to the choice of power of the lamps used. The higher this indicator, the hotter the lamp heats up. However, more specific values ​​depend on the type of bulb - LED bulbs heat up less than incandescent bulbs.

How to place lamps on a suspended ceiling?

There are two main layouts of lamps on a suspended ceiling, which are used by installers. The first circuit solution involves installing a chandelier or other large LED lamp in the center of the ceiling covering. And along the periphery there are point light sources. Of course, this option is optimal only for large rooms, such as a living room, dining room, or hall of a country house.

If the option with only spotlights suits you better, then you can choose one of the schemes shown below. This is a universal placement method, suitable for rooms of any size, kitchen, bathroom, hallway and corridor. Of course, you need to proceed from the required number of lighting sources. Next we will tell you how to calculate it.

Zoning of lamps with the ability to turn on/off their groups separately has proven itself well. The figure above shows grouping options in different colors.

Maintain the minimum distance between lamps, which is 30 centimeters, and also place lighting fixtures at a distance of more than 20 centimeters from the wall.

Installation of lamps flush with the canvas

Lamps mounted flush with the canvas protrude only slightly beyond its edge - by 1.5-2 cm, maximum - by 3 cm. They provide good diffused light and serve as an original decorative element. The principle of choosing a model for this type of installation is the same as in the option with installing lamps below the level of the canvas: permissible voltage - 220 V, lamp power - 35-40 W.

The best brands of lamps

We have prepared a selection of brands of suspended ceiling lamps that are most highly rated by specialists and product users.

ARLIGHT

– the most positive reviews are about this Russian company, which has been producing a large range of LED products since 2005. Lighting products are manufactured using innovative technologies in accordance with modern design trends. Lamps combine quality, reliability, safety, and affordability. The manufacturer strictly complies with all Russian standards and technical regulations of the Customs Union.

PHILIPS

– products from the Dutch manufacturer (Signify brand) are distinguished by their operational reliability, energy efficiency, and increased light output. Stylish European design highlights the originality of the lighting fixtures.

GAUSS

is a German manufacturing company that produces LED lamps of various styles: minimalist, classic, high-tech, modern.

CITILUX

is a Danish brand specializing in the production of lighting products that create a “beautiful and comfortable life.” Prized for its light and elegant design in a typically Scandinavian style. The lamps have a high IP protection class, are not afraid of humidity, and can withstand significant temperature changes and vibration.

FERON

is a manufacturer from China that stands out from the crowd of competitors with excellent quality lamps at an inexpensive cost. The model range is represented by all popular types of lighting fixtures for suspended ceilings, which have a thoughtful and interesting design.

Characteristics of energy-saving lamps

The light output of energy-saving lamps is several orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional incandescent lamps. Due to the fact that at low power a sufficiently intense and bright light is created, less electricity is consumed.

Fluorescent lamps are presented on the market in a wide variety. Their differences may lie in the size, design of the bulb, parameters of the base and the color of the luminous flux. Fluorescent lamps can produce daylight, warm, cool or neutral white light. It should be remembered that the spectrum of such lamps is characterized by the presence of ultraviolet radiation, so they must be placed at a distance of at least 30-35 cm from the eyes.

LED lamps are characterized by greater light output than their fluorescent counterparts. In this case, the light is more natural and comfortable for the eyes. They do not have tungsten filaments, like conventional incandescent lamps, and do not have a fragile glass bulb, like fluorescent lamps. Frequent switching on and off does not affect the lifespan of LED lamps, so they last much longer. When turned on, LED lamps immediately produce the maximum amount of light, while the fluorescent lamp first warms up for half a minute.

The lighting intensity of energy-saving lamps depends on the frequency of the current in the network, so changes in light can be observed very often. This situation reduces the level of comfort in the room.

Recommendations for choosing a lamp

When choosing LED lamps for a suspended ceiling, it is necessary to take into account the aesthetics and technical features of the planned solution. It is recommended to select lighting sources to match the overall design style of the apartment and the specific room. The color, size and shape of the body, the presence of chrome parts of the chandelier/lamp should harmoniously fit into the color scheme and design.

Of course, you should take into account a number of product characteristics that affect the effectiveness and safety of its use.

Power

The use of polymer film limits the power of the light source due to its heating, which is dangerous for a suspended ceiling. When installing PVC film - no more than 40 watts, polyester - up to 60 watts.

The approximate power per 1 square meter of area is: living room - 40W, children's room - 50W, bedroom - 10W, hallway/kitchen - 20W.

The table shows the power ratio of different types of lamps.

Number of lamps

High-quality room lighting directly depends on the optimal number of lamps with standardized brightness. Their number can be calculated using a simple formula:

N=(SxW)/F

• S – room area in m2;
• W – illumination value according to SNiP in lux;
• F is the luminous flux of one lamp in lumens.

Glow color temperature

This parameter is selected based on the purpose of the room. The figure below shows the three main temperature ranges and their effect on human well-being.

Energy efficiency

This characteristic shows how the brightness of a lamp is related to its power. Products from different manufacturers differ in the output of light intensity in lumens per watt of power consumption. On average, this value varies between 90-110 Lumens/Watt.

Additionally, we note that the efficiency of LED lamps reaches 60%. Compare with the closest competitors: fluorescent – ​​15%, halogen – 40%.

If after reading the article you still have questions, you will receive detailed answers to them from a LedRus specialist. The most convenient way to order a call back is on the website of our online store. In addition to consultation, the manager will help you choose the best spotlights for suspended ceilings in full accordance with your wishes and the characteristics of the room. <.p>

Features of installing lamps below the level of the canvas

Lamps installed below the level of the canvas protrude significantly beyond its outer edge.

The length of the protruding part depends on the design of the model, optimally in the range of 5-8 cm.

This installation option provides a high level of illumination, since the light from the lamps is diffused without loss.

If you plan to install lamps below ceiling level, choose models designed for a voltage of 220 V. Otherwise, you will have to install a transformer in the interceiling space, which will then be quite difficult to reach. If the transformer fails, you can replace it only by dismantling the suspended ceiling at the location of the device.

LED lamps: rating

The rating of LED lamps for suspended ceilings, created based on consumer reviews, reflects the following popular models:

1. Citilux StarLite CL70340R. LED lamp for the kitchen. There is a remote control.
2. Elektrostandard 2130 MR16 CL. Built-in model for the bedroom.
3. Elektrostandard N4/A MULTI. Lamp with a special design, multi-colored lighting.
4. Yeelight Bright Moon Chandelier. Minimalist style chandelier. Remote controlled.
5. Salt lamp Zenet Pearl.
6. MW Light Reeves 674016101. Living room chandelier.
7. EGLO TORONJA 95487. Interesting design chandelier for the living room.

The listed devices will decorate the ceiling and highlight the exquisite design.