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How to dismantle a stretch ceiling - 4 options for fixing a ceiling covering

Stretch ceiling is a fine decorative coating of tightly stretched reinforced vinyl film or thin fabric. During installation, it is attached to a special profile, which is installed under the main ceiling around the entire perimeter of the room, and then leveled and stretched due to the heat-shrink properties of the material.

Despite the fact that such a coating has a long estimated life, for one reason or another, each homeowner may have such a situation when he needs to be removed. From personal experience, I can say that dismantling a stretch ceiling with my own hands is quite within the power of any home master. To make it easier for the reader to cope with this task, next I will talk about how best to do this.

In what cases it is necessary to dismantle the stretch ceiling

After a major overhaul is made in the apartment, I think that it is unlikely that anyone will want to remove stretch ceilings from nothing to do. At the same time, no one is immune from trouble, so at any moment there may be a situation where you can’t do without it.

To understand in what cases, and why it may be necessary to dismantle stretch ceilings, then I will give a few typical everyday examples from everyday life;

1. One of the most unpleasant moments that residents of apartment buildings often face is water or sewer leakage from neighbors from the top floor. In this case, the accumulated water must be carefully drained through the hole for the chandelier, and the stretch ceiling covering must be removed for a while so that the main ceiling and walls can dry out normally;

1. In the free space between the main ceiling and the stretch decorative coating, hidden installation of utilities (electric cables, ventilation ducts, water pipes, etc.) is usually performed. To provide access to them during scheduled maintenance or repairs, the tension coating will also have to be removed;
2. In order not to damage or stain the stretch fabric during cosmetic repairs, painting walls or gluing new wallpaper, it is also recommended to temporarily dismantle it;

1. If you somehow nevertheless damaged the stretch ceiling, then in order to glue or repair it, the canvas will still need to be removed;
2. Over time, dirty stains or difficult-to-remove grease stains may form on the ceiling (this problem is especially relevant for), or you may simply get bored with its appearance over the years. In this case, it will be easier to remove and discard the old coating, and mount a new canvas in its place., cut to the same dimensions;

If, after a water leak, the main ceiling is not properly dried, then in a closed inter-ceiling space, without a normal influx of fresh air, mold can quickly form on the walls and on the ceiling. In the event of a home sewer leak, an unpleasant smell from mold will be added to the fetid smell from sewage.

Tools and equipment for dismantling

In most cases, the dismantling of a stretch ceiling in any room of a typical residential apartment is easy to perform without assistance, by one person, although if possible, it is better to enlist a partner to help you.

To do this job, you will need the following set of tools:

1. An electric or gas heat gun will be needed in order to heat the canvas to a temperature of 45 ° -50 ° C. The fact is that over time, reinforced vinyl film loses its elasticity, and in a cold state it stretches very poorly, so to make my work easier, I advise you to preheat it;

1. It is most convenient to perform such work from a small stepladder, but if you do not have it in your household, then you can use a high, sturdy table or homemade goats assembled from sawn timber scraps to work under the ceiling;
2. A long flat screwdriver with a blade width of 10-12 mm. For ease of use, I advise you to bend its end at an angle of 30°-45°, at a distance of 40-50 mm from the edge;
3. Large flat screwdrivers with a flat wide blade - 2 pcs.;
4. A set of locksmith pliers and pliers: medium pliers - 1 pc., pliers with elongated flat jaws - 1 pc., pliers or round nose pliers with elongated curved jaws - 1 pc.;

1. Two flat metal spatulas with rounded corners: one with a blade width of 40-60 mm, and the second with a blade width of 80-100 mm;
2. For temporary fixation of unfastened sections of the panel, it is convenient to use special clips such as clothespins, which are used when installing stretch ceilings;
3. From my experience, I can say that working with a stretch ceiling with bare hands is not very comfortable, besides, fingerprints can remain on the heated film. Therefore, I recommend preparing thin household knitted gloves in advance;

During dismantling, a stretched thin vinyl sheet can be very easily damaged with one careless movement. To prevent this from happening, on all tools you need to round the corners and grind off sharp edges, and after processing on a grinder, remove the remaining burrs and burrs with a fine emery cloth.

Preparatory work

Before dismantling the stretch ceiling with your own hands, you will need to free up space along the walls around the entire perimeter of the room. At the same time, it is not necessary to take out all the furniture from the room, it is enough to move the tall and shelving to such a distance that a free passage 700-800 mm wide is formed along each wall.

1. Over the years, a large amount of dust can accumulate on the ceiling covering, which, when dismantled, will surely begin to pour down. To protect the remaining pieces of furniture in the room from contamination, I recommend covering them with wide plastic wrap;

1. If there is a chandelier, spotlights, backlighting or other ceiling lights on the ceiling, they will need to be removed after turning off the power supply in the switchboard;
2. Wall lamps, sconces, window cornices, shelves, paintings or other interior items that are attached to the wall at a height of less than 300 mm from the stretch ceiling will also need to be temporarily dismantled. Wherein all wires from each electrical appliance, I advise insulating and numbering;
3. During the operation of the heat gun, the air temperature in the room can rise to 50 ° C, so all indoor flowers, as well as fish, birds, hamsters and other pets, will need to be moved to another room for a while;

To reduce the consumption of electricity or gas, and save time on heating the stretch fabric, it is best to dismantle the stretch ceiling in the warm season. If you do this in the winter, then during the operation of the heat gun, I advise you to curtain the front door and window in the room with an old wadded blanket or a thick thick blanket.

Option 1: harpoon type mount

As I said, the finished ceiling covering, in a taut state, is attached around the entire perimeter of the room to a special wall profile. To date, there are four different types of fasteners for fixing the tension fabric, which differ from each other in the shape of the carrier profile and the design of the locking mechanism.

So that any homeowner can easily remove a false ceiling without damaging the fabric or vinyl coating, this article will provide a step-by-step instruction that discusses all types of fasteners and locking mechanisms.

The harpoon-type fastening system is designed for mounting stretch ceilings made of reinforced vinyl film. The main difference between such a system is that the stretch fabric is cut out strictly according to the shape and size of the main ceiling before installation, without any margin. Then, along the entire perimeter of the canvas, a flexible plastic profile is sewn or welded, the section of which has the shape of a harpoon.

During installation, this harpoon is inserted into the grooves of the carrier profile, and with its hook is fixed to the longitudinal rib. After that, the canvas is heated with hot air, and it stretches itself, thanks to the shrink properties of the vinyl film. To hide the locking mechanism from prying eyes, decorative patch inserts are attached along the profile perimeter.

If the tension panel on your ceiling is fixed in a harpoon way, then to dismantle it, you will need to perform the following steps:

1. Regardless of the type of fastening, it is more convenient to remove any vinyl film ceiling when it is warm., therefore, before dismantling the ceiling covering, the air in the room must be warmed up to a temperature of 45-55 ° C;
2. During the heating process, the heat gun must be periodically moved around the room so that the ceiling covering is heated evenly over its entire area;
3. During the time that the air in the room will heat up, it is possible to dismantle the overhead decorative inserts that are attached to the carrier profile with snaps;

1. It is more convenient to start this work from the corners of the room. In the beginning, each bar must be pry off with a wide flat screwdriver, and then gently pulled down with one hand, and then intercepted with the other hand so that it does not fold and break over a long length;
2. It is more convenient to start dismantling the stretch fabric from the middle of each wall of the room. To do this, you need to insert a wide flat spatula into the groove of the carrier profile, then slightly raise the plastic harpoon hook, and try to disengage it from the metal longitudinal rib;
3. The free lower part of the harpoon hook must be grasped with pliers with thin long jaws, and with a moderate effort, pull it down so that it comes out of the groove of the carrier profile;
4. Thus, you need to release only 200-300 mm of the harpoon hook along each wall of the room, after which it can be easily pulled out by hand.

Not every house can find its own heat gun, and it would be unreasonable, in my opinion, to buy it specifically just to remove stretch ceilings. To resolve this issue, I advise you to rent it, because in this case, the cost of renting for one or two days will not be so big.
When choosing a heat gun, you should clarify its power consumption, because very powerful models may require a three-phase connection to the electrical network, which may not be in your apartment.

Option 2: Clamp Cam Mount

The cam system can be used both for the installation of fabric stretch ceilings and for the installation of reinforced vinyl sheets. In cam fastening systems, the wall bearing profile is not made of metal, but of thick rigid PVC plastic. The tissue fixation mechanism is a self-clamping structure, which consists of a movable and a fixed cam.

In a free state, the edge of the web is easily tucked between two cams, and when the ceiling is tensioned, the movable cam is pressed against the fixed cam, and clamps the stretched panel between them, due to friction.

The main difference between the cam mount is that it does not have decorative overlays, so the dismantling work is a little easier. To release the stretch ceiling sheet from the cam clamp, proceed as follows:

1. In the case of a vinyl ceiling, before starting work, it must be heated to the desired temperature in the same way as I wrote in the previous section;
2. If the stretch ceiling is made of impregnated fabric, then there is no need for preheating;
3. Start dismantling the canvas, also follows from the middle of each wall. To do this, you can use two wide flat screwdrivers, or two narrow metal spatulas;

1. They must be carefully inserted into the gap between the ceiling covering and the lower fixed cam at a distance of 300-400 mm from each other, at a slight angle to the horizon, and then simultaneously lowered down;
2. At this time, the blade of each screwdriver or spatula will slightly lift the movable cam, after which the section of the panel between the spatulas can be freely pulled out of the clamping profile;
3. For further work, the spatula will need to be inserted between the cams in those places where you have just pulled out the canvas, and thus, step by step, gradually dismantle the entire stretch ceiling.

The main advantage of the cam-type clamping system is its relatively low price compared to other types of clamping. In addition, such a system allows you to install a stretch coating at a minimum distance from the main ceiling, so it is often used in typical residential apartments with low ceilings.

Option 3: film wedge

Metal support profile for wedge fastening of vinyl film, may have two or three narrow longitudinal grooves. The wider outer slot is designed to accept a plastic expander wedge that holds the vinyl ceiling sheet taut.

The narrower inner groove is used to fasten the outer decorative trim, which is installed after the installation of the tension panel. It is needed in order to hide the tension mechanism, and decorate technological gaps around the entire perimeter of the room.

When using wedge fastening, the dismantling of stretch ceilings is considered to be the easiest, moreover, in this case, the likelihood of damage to the vinyl sheet is minimized.

1. As in the first option, before starting work, the air in the room must be warmed up to a temperature of 45 ° -50 ° C, and while it is warming up, decorative overlays can be removed from the carrier profile;
2. After all the linings have been removed, you need to pull out the plastic wedge clamp from the groove of the carrier profile on each wall;
3. This work is more convenient to perform from the corner of the room., since in each corner there are technological gaps between the wedges on two adjacent walls;
4. You need to insert a wide flat screwdriver into this gap, and try to squeeze the outer profile bar towards you. At the same time, with a second screwdriver, you need to pick up the edge of the wedge clamp, and try to push it out of the groove;

1. Thus, you need to remove from the groove, approximately 250-300 mm of plastic wedge clamp from each corner of the room. After that, the work will go faster, because further the wedge can be pulled out simply by hand, without the use of screwdrivers;
2. In order to properly preserve the dismantled canvas, I advise you to first pull the wedges along one short and two long walls of the room. Then, starting from the short wall, gradually remove the panel, and immediately roll it up, and only after that pull out the last wedge from the profile fixed along the opposite short wall.

The wedge mounting method allows you to leave a small margin of vinyl film on each side of the panel after installing the stretch ceiling. Such a solution, firstly, greatly facilitates the installation and dismantling work when installing and removing stretch ceilings, and secondly, it allows you to mount and dismantle the same panel several times, with minimal risk of film damage.

Option 4: glazing bead fastening method

The glazing bead mounting system is most often used for mounting fabric stretch ceilings.. The fabric does not have shrink properties, so this system has a special type of locking mechanism that allows you to evenly stretch the fabric during its fastening.

Such a mechanism is one of the varieties of self-clamping fasteners, and as a clamp for fixing the fabric in a tense position, it uses a long metal or plastic glazing bead, which in cross section has the shape of a cam or eccentric.

The ceiling fabric is cut out with a small margin, and during installation it is inserted into a longitudinal groove on the carrier profile, into which the clamping glazing bead is then inserted. Under the action of tension, the fabric is clamped between the carrier profile and the glazing bead, due to the friction force.

1. As I said, fabric ceiling coverings are not characterized by shrink properties, moreover, over time they do not lose their elasticity, therefore, it is not necessary to use a heat gun to dismantle a fabric stretch ceiling;

1. The glazing bead groove in the metal carrier profile is closed along the entire length with a plastic decorative cap, therefore, to remove the canvas, it must be dismantled first;
2. Start pulling out the glazing bead, best from the corners of the room. To do this, between the stretched canvas and the glazing bead, insert a wide thin metal spatula, and, as far as possible, lift it up until it stops against the carrier profile;
3. The glazing bead is usually made in the form of a closed hollow profile. In order to pull it out of the groove, it is necessary to insert a curved screwdriver into its end;

1. Next, you need to simultaneously, with one hand, lift the spatula up to loosen the tension of the blade, and with the other hand, press down on the screwdriver to force the glazing bead to disengage in the carrier profile;
2. After you can pull out the first 300-400 mm of the glazing bead, further work will be easier. It will also be necessary to lift the canvas with one hand with a spatula, and with the other hand to pull the glazing bead out of the groove;
3. To carefully remove the fabric from the ceiling, I recommend doing the same as in the description of the previous option: first remove the glazing beads along one short and two long walls of the room, then roll the canvas into a roll, and only after that pull out the last glazing bead.

I want to draw your attention to the fact that the glazing bead type locking mechanism is by far the most expensive of all existing types of stretch ceiling fastening. The main advantage of this mounting method is that the ceiling fabric can be removed and mounted back, an unlimited number of times. For example, if the stretch ceiling is dirty, this allows you to dismantle it and send it to dry cleaning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to give readers one simple, but very useful advice: before you start dismantling the stretch ceiling, you should think carefully about whether you can later, in the same way, mount it back yourself? If you are still confident in your own abilities, then before starting work, I recommend watching the video presented in this article, and if you have any questions, I suggest discussing them in the comments.

If you want to express gratitude, add a clarification or objection, ask the author something - add a comment or say thanks!

Information on how to remove the stretch ceiling yourself can be useful in several situations. For example, in case of damage to the canvas. This is also true when repairing wiring, or its first laying, when it is necessary to completely remove the structure. It may also be necessary to partially dismantle in case of flooding in order to drain the water. If you do not want to seek help from professionals, then with the help of our recommendations you will know how to properly remove the stretch ceiling with your own hands.

In work, the main thing is to be careful, because our first goal is to preserve the integrity of the canvas. It is also important that the installers of the ceiling do not make it end-to-end in size, but leave a little material so that you do not have difficulty re-stretching, and all the holes for spotlights and chandeliers converge. This idea will not take much time, since it is quite possible to remove the stretch ceiling yourself. First you need to decide what material you have, and on what mounts it was installed.

Dismantling Features

Materials for dismantling are divided into two types:

• PVC: needs heat treatment during dismantling.
• seamless fabric: do not require heat, and the removal process starts from the center to the corners.

Also, before dismantling, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of profiles and determine which one you installed. Profiles, or baguettes, are used when installing stretch ceilings as a support for fabric or film material. Fastening of baguette mortgages occurs to the wall. They are divided into two types.

1. The first are made in such a way that it is possible to easily remove the ceiling structure, and then put it back in the same form.
2. The second type was called “disposable” by the experts themselves, since it is impossible to replace the tension fabric from such a profile without damage.

When ordering a new blade for the first time, consult with the installers about which profile will be used for installation. Perhaps they will offer you a choice. The best solution is an aluminum profile, with which you can easily dismantle it at home. It is better to overpay once on high-quality material than to spend money on a new ceiling again.

In addition, there are different types of fasteners. It is important that the fasteners on fabric tension systems differ from those installed on vinyl ones. There are universal ones that apply to both types. In this case, the connection to the profile is created thanks to the glazing beads, which are quite difficult to remove in case of flooding - more patience and accuracy will be needed so as not to damage either the canvas or the glazing beads. It will be difficult to do without relevant experience here, so this method of fastening can be called one-time, but at the same time the most popular due to its low cost.

There are systems that facilitate the process of removing and re-stretching the fabric, and each type has its own. For PVC, the harpoon method is used, for fabric - plastic clips. It is important that with clip-on fastening it is impossible to remove part of the canvas, only the entire ceiling.

The process of removing a stretch ceiling from PVC in stages

After our article, it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the video on the YouTube channel in order to more accurately understand how to carefully remove the stretch ceiling. This process is similar to the installation of the structure, only it is necessary to act in the reverse order. Beforehand, everything in the room must be removed, especially piercing objects, cornices, and all light bulbs, ceiling lamps, floor lamps and other lighting fixtures must be removed so as not to damage the canvas.

First you need to independently remove the rubberized insert between the ceiling and the wall. This is a simple event in which the main task is to find the junction of two connected parts. It is securely hidden if the installation was carried out by experienced specialists. It is easiest to find it in straight tension structures, since here the joints are usually located in the corners of the room. But if you installed a complex design model with numerous decorative elements, then you will need to make a little more effort.

The next step will be heating the room as a whole and the canvas separately using a gas gun. If you ignore this action, it threatens to damage the stretch ceiling and its unsuitability for further use. Carry out the work in parts, starting from the place that you are going to dismantle at the moment. Warm up the area thoroughly.

The video at the end of the article will show how the stretch ceiling is removed correctly: in the case of a standard rectangular canvas, start dismantling from the corner. With curvilinear ones (for example, an oval), you can not limit yourself in choosing and start from any convenient place. The best option is one where you can gently hook the edge of the film (well, or textile material). To determine it, you need a stepladder and a little care. Carefully study the perimeter for protruding edges that you can easily grab onto with long-jawed pliers. If there is no such place, then try starting from a corner or from its likeness - depending on the choice of design.

Life hack! In order not to damage the tension fabric with pliers, you can sharpen the outer corners of the tool (it is better to use an old tool for this purpose). Achieve the perfect smoothness with rounded and polished edges, and you don't have to worry about possible punctures.

Next comes the jewelry work - you need to pull the suspension material out of the profile so carefully that not a single scratch is left on it, regardless of whether it is PVC or fabric. This should be done carefully, without unnecessary movements, and only where the canvas is well warmed up. Since it is not always possible to remove the stretch ceiling on your own from the video, it is better to carefully read the dismantling conditions and unquestioningly follow all the instructions. It will not be superfluous to get an assistant who will move the gas gun as you move to the edge. Or you have to do it yourself, which is not very convenient.

The method of dismantling will also depend on the fasteners.

1. In the harpoon system, it is correct to grasp the harpoon with pliers, and not the canvas, which can be ruined. After the partial release of the ceiling, you can continue the work with your hands, and not with tools. Use special gloves to avoid leaving marks on the heated material.
2. In the bead (or wedge) system, the start of work is similar to that described above. To do this, you may need a narrow spatula with pre-sharpened sharp corners. Additionally, it can be treated with reinforced tape. The profile is slightly bent with a spatula to release the glazing bead. Then use a screwdriver with a sharp end to completely pull it out. If there is no spatula, then the wedge can also be reached with the help of hands.

For a fabric web, the process is the same only without preheating. To properly put the fabric back on, follow the sequence of actions, then you will not have any difficulties how to pull the removed stretch ceiling. The main thing is that during dismantling, all materials, including fasteners, remain intact.

Now you know how to remove and put on a stretch ceiling yourself. The main thing is not to be afraid to test your knowledge in practice. If you do not want to risk expensive material, seek help from professionals who will do everything quickly and at a bargain price.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to dismantle the stretch ceiling with your own hands in order to repair the utilities hidden behind it, or the ceiling structure itself. Let's see how this can be done.

In order to competently carry out the removal of the ceiling tension structure, you need to clearly define its type. Such information is always contained in the documents of the company that installed the ceiling in your home. If you don't have these papers, it's okay. You can find out the type of construction yourself.

Now ceilings of two types are mounted:

• Made from PVC film. They are mounted according to a technology that involves heating the material with the help of special equipment up to 700 ° C.
• From fabric - seamless. Installation of these is carried out without heating the web.

PVC ceiling installation

PVC structures are always removed towards the middle of the wall surface, starting from the corners. But seamless canvases are dismantled vice versa - from the center to the corners. This is the first point to remember if you want to dismantle the stretch ceiling with your own hands. In addition, you need to find out what fasteners were used when installing the ceiling structure. If the installation was carried out using a wedge or bead method, it is very difficult to remove such a ceiling yourself. Specialists call such types of fasteners disposable.

To remove the canvas, you will need to knock out a glazing bead or wedge (it is unrealistic to do this without damaging the material). This fastener is rarely used. Only when the ceilings are mounted in low rooms (their installation requires a minimum distance of 1.8–2 cm from the floor slabs), and also when the customer decides to save on better and more modern fixtures.

The other two methods of fastening - harpoon and clip - allow you to remove the ceiling structure without serious difficulties. The first is used exclusively for PVC products, the second - for fabrics. We will talk about how to dismantle structures with similar fastening systems.

To dismantle the structure, you should take the following tools:

• pliers (their lips should be elongated);
• a not very wide spatula for plastering (it is advisable to sharpen its corners well with sandpaper or a grinder, and then wrap reinforced tape on the surface of the tool to reduce the risk of damage to the stretch fabric);
• fitter's knife;
• a screwdriver with a curved end;
• electric or gas gun for heating the ceiling material;
• ladder.

Let's get to work. We free the room from unnecessary objects and things, close the window openings with a cloth (to protect them from excessive heating), heat the room with a cannon. If you are dismantling a ceiling with harpoon mounts, you need to:

1. Remove the insert (decorative) from the structure (do not forget that the work is carried out from the corners).
2. Pull out the PVC sheet by the harpoon using pliers. Important! You do not need to capture the ceiling material itself, but the harpoon. Otherwise, there is a high probability of damage to the material.
3. When part of the PVC product is released, put on work gloves and remove all material with your hands.

Dismantling the PVC ceiling

Structures with wedge or bead fasteners are dismantled in a similar way. But you will need to additionally bend the aluminum profile with a spatula, otherwise you will not be able to release the glazing bead (wedge). The fastener is pulled out very carefully with a screwdriver, the end of which is made in a curved shape.

After dismantling the PVC sheet, produce the necessary. And then install the structure again, performing all the steps described in reverse order. If you have some skill and skills in the field of home repair, the whole process will not take you too much time.

Seamless fabrics are dismantled in much the same way as PVC. But in this case, everything is much simpler, because there is no need to heat the room to a high temperature. We remind you! Seamless structures are removed from the middle of the surface to the corners of the room.

You should not have any special problems with dismantling. The main thing is to do all the work slowly and as carefully as possible. But the success of reinstalling the ceiling depends on whether the installers left 2-3 extra centimeters along the edges of the canvas:

• if there is such a supply, you will stretch the fabric relatively easily;
• if the material was cut end-to-end during installation, it will not be possible to stretch the material well.

Removing the fabric ceiling

The next important point concerns seamless ceilings with clip-on baguettes. Such fasteners do not allow dismantling the structure only partially. You will have to remove the entire ceiling (other fasteners make it possible to dismantle a certain part of the structure).

Important! When dismantling only part of the web, the material is guaranteed to jump out of the clip fastening. And then you will need to change the entire structure.

Now you know how to remove a stretch PVC or fabric ceiling. But you should not translate your knowledge into reality if the canvas simply sagged under the mass of water that fell on it from the neighbors' apartment from above (or through a holey roof). In such situations, you can do without the complete and even partial dismantling of the structure.

If you are flooded, follow the following simple sequence of actions:

1. Disconnect your home from electricity (turn off the machines on the shield).
2. Remove the chandelier that is on the ceiling (or spotlights, if they are installed). There is always a hole under the light fixture. It is cut out during the installation of fixtures.
3. Drain the water through the indicated hole.

Sagging ceiling sheet

Note that draining water alone cannot be done. One person must necessarily lift the ceiling sheet from below, thereby rolling the liquid on it, and the second must stand under the hole with some kind of container. The drained water gets into it.

After removing the liquid in the manner described, the canvas on its inside will remain wet. It's OK. Leave the stretch ceiling alone. After a while, the material will dry. Small wrinkles will appear on it at first. But they will quickly disappear once the fabric or PVC film is completely dry.

The stretch ceiling is a fairly strong and durable structure, so today for many it has become the most popular and desirable. However, sometimes it becomes necessary to remove such a canvas. The reason for this may be a change in electrical wiring, from the upper floors, or strong stretch marks. Also, the canvas can be changed, if desired, to have a different color and. Moreover, the film is removed together with the baguette and can be reused. Those who are faced with such a question will be interested to know how to remove the stretch ceiling.

Do-it-yourself dismantling of a stretch ceiling, its complexity and features depend on which method of fastening was used to install the canvas. This information is in the warranty card. If such a document is not available, you should independently determine the features of the ceiling structure.

Modern stretch ceilings are based on a polyvinyl chloride film, which is characterized by a high degree of elasticity, strength and environmental friendliness. This material is very susceptible to temperature changes. So, at temperatures above + 60 ° C, it acquires special elasticity and pliability, but when it cools down, it hardens and becomes smaller in size. Therefore, during installation or dismantling work, a special device in the form of a heat gun is used.

Many are interested in - is it possible to reuse a stretch ceiling? The answer is simple - with proper dismantling, you can. It is important to know that such ceilings are very resistant to tearing, while they are easy to damage by hooking with something sharp, which will entail a complete replacement of the canvas. In general, the entire dismantling process includes several stages, each of which requires:

• proper preparation;
• good tools;
• actions according to the instructions.

Training

If you are interested in how to remove the stretch ceiling yourself, you should understand that this type of work can be quite complicated and, in comparison with the construction itself, require some patience. At the same time, this topic is very relevant for most owners in whose house such structures are installed. So, if it is necessary to dismantle the stretch ceiling, first of all, you should acquire special devices, materials and tools that are unlikely to be in every apartment. It is also worth preparing the room for such a process so that everything goes smoothly and accurately.

Tools

To work with PVC film, the materials and equipment required are quite specific, so you should prepare in advance. Before you start dismantling the stretch ceiling, you should purchase the following:

• a stepladder, a strong table or goats;
• a heat gun, with the help of which the canvas is heated;
• special blades that have curved ends;
• clips with cords, which are necessary to hold the removed canvas on weight;
• screwdriver
• adhesive tape for mounting;
• narrow pliers, with long ends;
• tape for insulation;
• construction knife.

Sometimes for the work of dismantling they invent their own tools. For example, a metal spatula that is used in construction is made narrower by grinding. This is necessary to ensure obtuse corners. When the tools are blunt, they are bent to provide the best possible access to the profile ledge. It is important to process spatulas and pliers, using sandpaper to get rid of burrs and polishing all irregularities. All devices that are used when dismantling a stretch ceiling should not have sharp corners and roughness, otherwise this will lead to a rupture of the web.

When all the tools and equipment are prepared, you can begin the next stage of preparation, namely work with the room.

room

The dismantling of the stretch ceiling should be carried out in a pre-prepared room. Therefore, in the room it is worth performing certain actions:

1. Removal of all objects that can be damaged by the influence of high temperature, for example, plants, an aquarium with fish and animals, if any.
2. Removal.
3. Dismantling on the ceiling.
4. Protection of metal-plastic windows, computer and other interior items that may be affected by the operation of the heat gun.

After this preparation, you can proceed directly to the removal of the stretch ceiling.

Removing the film

To remove the stretch ceiling with your own hands, you need to have information about which mount was used when installing the film, because the technology of dismantling will depend on this. Thus, starting from this knowledge, the canvas is disassembled. It is important to understand that the removal of the entire ceiling structure and only one part of it has different principles and features, which will also differ, based on the installation methods and the type of fastening chosen.

Fastening systems

There are 4 different fastening systems, each of which has its own advantages and can be used in certain cases:

• glazing bead;
• harpoon;
• cam;
• wedge mount.

It is worth considering the principles of each type separately.

Bead fastening system

The principle of bead fastening is to use a special plastic profile, which has different sections. Such a wedge is inserted into the profile, while the canvas is pressed with a special density. This fastening system is used when installing structures with vinyl or fabric. To dismantle it, you need to have a certain list of tools:

• putty knife;
• screwdriver
• heat gun.

Having prepared everything you need, you should proceed to the process of removing the stretch ceiling. To do this, you need to perform certain actions:

1. Provide heating of the entire room with a heat gun while setting the temperature value of about + 70 ° С. Such heating helps to increase the web in size and reduce the pressure that is exerted on the mount.
2. Remove decorative cap.
3. Having chosen a certain angle in the room, press the outer wall of the baguette using a spatula.
4. Pry off and remove the bead with a screwdriver.
5. Take off the canvas.

If during the installation of the stretch ceiling there was a sufficient supply of fabric, then it can be reused.

Harpoon mounting system

The harpoon is a flexible plastic bar, which is characterized by medium rigidity. Dismantling of this type of fixation is easier than other clutch options. This is due to the fact that the harpoon mount is characterized by easy assembly and the possibility of reusable disassembly of such a web. In this case, it is worth starting to remove the stretch ceiling from the wall, which is located directly near the corner. First you need to evenly heat the entire ceiling with a heat gun so that the canvas is flexible and extensible. In this case, the heat flow is supplied with a temperature of 70°C. Sometimes the owners practice alternate heating of all corners, starting from where, first of all, the harpoon is removed, and at the same time they use a regular household hair dryer. If the fasteners were removed in a certain place, then the entire canvas will be removed very easily.

The ceiling removal algorithm for harpoon mounting includes the following steps:

1. Detachment of a decorative strip that is placed around the entire perimeter of the room or in a certain side of it.
2. Uniform heating of the stretch ceiling, starting from the center of the room and capturing all corners.
3. Search in the corners of the ceiling for a place with a large gap between the wall and the canvas itself.
4. With the help of a blunt spatula, the harpoon is hooked and raised. To do this, use a spatula in different directions at a distance of 15 cm.
5. Pliers are used to capture and extract the free hook of the harpoon.
6. Further actions are easily carried out manually, while gently pulling the film.

When the room is small, the stretch ceiling is removed without warming up with a gun, but with large canvases, preliminary heat treatment is mandatory. It is worth noting that to install the canvas in its original place, the same steps are performed as when dismantling, only in the opposite direction.

Cam fastening system

The principle of cam fastening is to use a special plastic profile that has a section in the form of a clamp. The dismantling of such structures is particularly simple and economical, because it does not require any heating of the room. At the same time, it is worth noting the importance of observing special care, since the spatula has direct contact with the film during operation.

So, to dismantle the stretch ceiling with a cam mount, one of two methods should be performed:

1. Work begins from the middle of the wall, where two screwdrivers are inserted at the place where the cams are located, the pressure of which will gradually weaken, which makes it possible to freely remove the film from the clamp. These actions continue until the complete removal of the canvas.
2. Dismantling is carried out using a spatula, which is inserted between the cams. After that, one of them is squeezed out that turns out to be movable. Thus, due to the tension of the web, the material will come out of the clamps. The process is then carried out manually.

It is worth noting that the material may have characteristic serifs from clamps. When re-installing, they will come in handy as a kind of guide.

wedge mount

The wedge fastening system is one of the easiest to dismantle. Work begins from the corner of the room. In this case, you should perform the following steps:

1. Detach the decorative insert that acts as a wedge. This will relieve the pressure that falls on the plug area.
2. Pry off the insert by the edge with a screwdriver.
3. Remove the plug from the baguette system.
4. Take the canvas out of the frame.

The result of dismantling and re-assembly in this type of fastening depends directly on the skill of the master and on whether the installers left a small allowance. This fact is very important when reusing the canvas, since for this it will be necessary to tension the material, and if it is not enough, then it will be difficult to stretch the ceiling again.

Features of removing the fabric web

The dismantling of the fabric web does not require the use of high temperature conditions. When a bead or wedge fastening system is used, the web is removed in the same way as PVC. The only difference in this process is that the start of work should be carried out from the middle of the wall in the direction of the corner. Installation is carried out according to a similar principle.

The question arises - is it possible to reuse the stretch ceiling? Yes, it is possible, it should only be noted that re-stretching the fabric web is possible if the installation was carried out in good faith, adhering to all the subtleties and rules. For example, if, when installing the coating, the edges were cut close, then the ideal stretch would be difficult to repeat. After all, the fabric does not have such opportunities as PVC film and it will not be able to stretch. But with a margin of just a few centimeters, the tension of the web will be very easy to carry out again. In addition, it is important to carefully and slowly perform all the necessary actions when dismantling.

It is also worth noting that when installing a fabric web using clip-on baguettes, it is impossible to partially remove the ceiling. This fastening requires the complete dismantling of all material. If these recommendations are not followed, the web may jump out of the clips, since the fastening is not so reliable. And with this outcome, a complete replacement of the entire ceiling will be necessary.

When removing the fabric web and its subsequent installation, regular heating of the room is necessary. It is important to remember that it should not be as strong as when working with PVC. If you observe small irregularities, after installation, you should heat these places with a heat gun, which will help them level out. These actions should be carried out without bringing the thermal device too close to the fabric, so that there is no deformation.

Thus, the dismantling of the stretch ceiling can be done independently, the main thing is to comply with certain requirements and technologies. In order for the removal of the canvas to be quick and effective, you should be guided by some rules:

1. It is best to carry out dismantling with one or two assistants. This advice will ensure the accuracy of the entire process of work and, importantly, safety.
2. When installing the ceiling, you should choose only high-quality materials.
3. When removing the blade, do not use tools with sharp edges. They can damage both the stretch ceiling itself and any finishing materials.

As you can see, dismantling work, as well as the installation itself, of a stretch ceiling are quite simple, but time-consuming processes. This task is subject to independent implementation, if you have information about all its details and features, as well as act according to a certain technology.

If the room has a stretch ceiling, how to remove it and not damage it? This question is asked by many owners of premises interested in the preservation of the material, as they simply lay additional communications under the ceiling, repair wiring and fix other problems that require the dismantling of the structure.

The history of the appearance of a stretch ceiling

The history of stretch ceilings goes back to Ancient Rome. At that time, fabric was used for drapery, the color of which was carefully selected, as it had to match the shade of the wall. A significant disadvantage was that the service life of such material was very low.

The second allusion to the stretch ceiling in a later historical period is the use of calico soaked in chalk in Armenia in the 17th century. This material was stretched over the frame, so the result was a perfectly flat ceiling.

The modern stretch ceiling appeared 30 years ago in France.

What is a stretch ceiling

A stretch ceiling is a flat surface obtained by stretching a special PVC film. Polyester fabric is also often used as a fabric. In modern designs, the first option is often used.

The stretching of a thin film or fabric is carried out on a special frame (baguette), the attachment point of which is the base ceiling. The result is a perfectly flat and uniform surface, similar to a solid ceiling.

Advantages of a stretch ceiling

It has many advantages over other finishing materials:

1. PVC film is the easiest way to get a perfectly flat surface.
2. Mounting technology is considered the simplest and fastest. First, a special frame is installed on the wall, and then a film is stretched over it, heated with a heat gun. The duration of such installation takes no more than 4 hours. In addition, before starting installation work, there is no need to take out all the furniture. It is enough just to move it to the center, thereby freeing access to the walls.
3. The stretch ceiling is characterized by high strength (up to 100 kg per 1 m 2), which often saves in case of flooding from above.
4. Such a surface is easy to clean thanks to a thin micron layer of Teflon.

Types of stretch ceilings

Before answering the question of how to remove a stretch ceiling, you should decide on its type. This information is usually contained on the letterhead of the company that installed the product.

So, the canvas can be:

• Made from PVC. Mounting / dismantling of such a design requires a high temperature (about 70 degrees). If such warming is not provided, then you can simply ruin the canvas. A heat gun allows you to reach this temperature.
• Seamless fabric. The advantage of this type is the following point: the room does not need to be heated in order to install or dismantle the ceiling. It is recommended to start work from the central part of the ceiling and gradually move to the corners.

Mounting methods

So, stretch ceiling - how to remove it? The solution to this issue largely depends on what type of fastening was used during installation:

Required Tools

When answering the question of how to remove a stretch ceiling, you need to keep in mind that first you should stock up on such tools:

• a typical plaster spatula with sharpened corners;
• pliers, which are characterized by a non-standard size of working "sponges";
• standard fitter's knife;
• heat gun of any type;
• large clothespins, with which the film is usually suspended during dismantling.

Which method to choose in order to disassemble the stretch ceiling, you need to decide based on the type of its design.

We dismantle the PVC stretch ceiling

How to remove this type of ceiling? First you need to decide on the type of fastening. If the harpoon method was used during installation, then disassembly and reassembly of the ceiling is possible, and if using a wedge, then you can forget about re-assembling the structure.

Below is a step-by-step instruction describing how to remove a stretch ceiling with your own hands:

1. Before starting work, you need to free the room as much as possible, and cover the furniture that cannot be taken out with a fabric on a heat-resistant basis.
2. Heat up the room with a heat gun. If the room is not heated enough, then the dismantling work will be doomed to failure - the film will tear. The optimum temperature for parsing the canvas is at least 600 degrees.
3. First you need to prepare a stepladder and find an assistant who will hold the cannon. So to the question of how to remove the stretch ceiling yourself, you can safely answer: no way, since you can’t do without a second person.
4. The entire dismantling process must be accompanied by heating the web, as this greatly facilitates the workflow and avoids surface rupture. True, you need to remember that too close the location of the gun can damage the material.

Seamless fabric ceiling

How to remove, install a stretch ceiling, the material for the manufacture of which was a seamless fabric? If the fastening is spiky or wedge, then it should be done in the same manner as with a PVC sheet. The only difference is that there is no need to use a heat gun, and dismantling starts from the middle of the wall, and then gradually shifts to the corner.

The dismantling of the canvas, for which clip-on baguettes were used, has the following feature: it will not be possible to partially replace the material, since the stretch ceiling will have to be removed completely. If this is not done, sooner or later the clip will pop out, which will lead to the forced replacement of the entire ceiling.

Stretch ceiling repair

How to remove, install a stretch ceiling? This question can concern anyone, because a cut and a puncture are the damage that stretch ceilings are most often exposed to.

In the event of such a nuisance, each owner begins to think about how to correct the situation and at the same time spend as little as possible. It all depends on what material was used to make the canvas, and on the size of the “wound” itself.

Fabric ceiling repair

How to remove and install a stretch ceiling? If the fabric was damaged by a cut, then repair work can be done independently. The detected damage should simply be sealed with a piece of glass fiber or a particle of material left after the installation work. For gluing the patch on the reverse side, transparent glue is usually used. At the end, the area to be repaired is recommended to be covered with paint of a suitable tone.

PVC sheet repair

If the location of the cut or puncture of the PVC film structure is near the wall (the distance is not more than 15 cm), then the dismantling of the canvas should begin from the side of the damage, cut off the affected area along the entire length, re-stretch the film and tuck it into the frame. This procedure will not change the appearance of the surface.

If the damage is somewhat removed from the wall, then you should not engage in dragging the ceiling, as this will simply ruin it. In this situation, it is better to use the following tricks:

• the place of a small cut can be perfect for installing an additional lamp or ventilation grill;
• large size can be masked with a color application or a panel.

To eliminate a puncture on a PVC ceiling, the size of which does not exceed 1-2 mm, special glue is enough. It will not only hide the damage, but also prevent the canvas from diverge further. But to get rid of a large puncture, you will need to perform the same steps as with a cut.

We should not forget that if the installation of the ceiling sheet was carried out by specialists, then for repairs, you also need to call them, and not come up with a way to seal a cut or puncture. The thing is that an unsuccessful one will void the warranty on the installation performed earlier, which means that you will have to pay for the elimination of any negative consequences.