Comparing Stretch Ceilings to Other Ceiling Materials |
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| Detail | Stretch Ceiling | Tile Ceiling | Suspended Ceiling | Plasterboard Ceiling | Lath Ceiling |
| Moisture resistant | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Time to install (20 m2 [215 sf]) | 2 hours | 4 hours plus | 15 hours | 20 hours plus painting | 5 hours |
| Colour choice | 260 plus | Need to paint | 5 | Need to paint | 5 |
| Minimum loss of room height | 2.5 cm (1 in.) | 1.5 cm (0.59 in.) | 10 cm (4 in.) | 5 cm (2 in.) | 5 cm (2 in.) |
| Need to renew wall | No | Repaint every 2 to 3 years | 3 to 4 years | Repaint every 2 to 3 years | 3 to 4 years |
| Warranty period | 10 years | 3 years | 2 years | 15 years | 3 to 4 years |
| Possibility of a multi-level ceiling | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
The installation process
For flat panel applications, polymer membranes are heated by portable forced air heaters and therefore, are made to order anywhere between two and 20 per cent smaller than the final desired size. On the other hand, polyester fabric is cut slightly larger than the framing to assist in the stretching, as it does not get heated in the installation process.
Polymer film comes in 1.3-m (4.3-ft) widths, which can be welded together with flat seams that are only 0.2 mm (0.008 in.) wide, making them visible only at close range or under direct light. Welding is done at the manufacturing facility, so stretching the membrane across a large void such as a swimming pool is not a problem. Polyester fabric comes in a width of 5 m (16.4 ft), and cannot be welded. Digital printing is usually done on polyester textile membranes, but can also be done on polymer. Using a single piece of stretched material, seamed or seamless, the system is capable of covering up to 50 m2 (538 sf). For larger indoor pool areas, intermediate joining rails can be added to permit the coverage of more than 100 m2 (1,000 sf).
The only limitation to how close the material can come to an existing ceiling or wall is the width of the track upon which it is mounted. The tracks are sleek and narrow, hiding behind the sheet material, which allows it to be installed within 23 mm (0.9 in.) of existing soffits, walls, or ceilings, making it ideal for both low ceilings and lofty spaces. On the other hand, tall spaces can be made more intimate by lowering the ceiling height using a stretched ceiling, or possibly even intermittent panels.
Stretch ceilings can also accommodate fittings and fixtures such as pot lights, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts/vents, sprinklers, and smoke detectors.
Sound absorbing qualities
Multiple hard surfaces often create acoustic problems in some swimming pool and spa facilities, causing every sound to carry and/or echo. This can make a peaceful relaxing atmosphere or a private conversation seem almost impossible. Stretch ceilings address this problem as they have excellent acoustic properties due to the ‘give’ of the material. The stretched membrane vibrates when sound hits it, converting sound energy into motion. These sound waves are partially absorbed through the membrane and into the space between the membrane and the ceiling or wall, converting sound energy into heat energy in this plenum. The size of the space is what ultimately influences the sound absorption quality. For example, a 30-mm (1.2-in.) space will provide for good sound absorption except in the low frequencies, while a 60- to 72-mm (2.4- to 2.9-in.) space will provide a high performance sound buffer, absorbing speech and other sounds, as opposed to having them bounce off of hard surfaces.
| BENEFITS AT A GLANCE: STRETCH CEILINGS IN POOL/SPA AREAS |
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| • Pre-finished and quick to install • Maintenance-free, no painting or decoration required • Available in more than 260 colours and finishes • Capable of creating various shapes and forms • Made to measure • Accommodates lights and fittings • Complete vapour barrier, impermeable to moisture • Acoustic attenuation • Excellent light reflection • Resistant to corrosive elements • Lightweight • All parts of the system are fully recyclable • Non-toxic and cadmium free • Can be cleaned with biodegradable cleaners • Life expectancy 25 years plus |
For added sound dampening, a perforated acoustic film can also be installed; however, this membrane is not water and/or moisture proof. If the goal of the design is not just to reduce echo and reverberation within the room, but also to keep sound from escaping, soundproof panelling should be installed on or inside the wall before the stretched membrane system is installed. The noise escaping from the room can be reduced by up to 60 per cent in this way.
