Aquatic facility interior design

by Sally Bouorm | October 1, 2013 12:29 pm

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By Esther Yates-Abrams and Melissa Gooding

Stretch ceiling systems offer designers, contractors, and owners creative freedom in ceiling design. Installations may take varying forms such as pitched, curved, vaulted, domed, and/or circular, in addition to simple flat ceilings. Membranes, the stretchy part of a stretch ceiling, are available in a wide range of colours, textures, and finishes, including metallic, sparkle, and foil to create calm, clean and cool ambiance, or vibrantly colourful features and lighting effects, making them a perfect fit for an indoor aquatic environment.

Stretching across time

The concept behind stretch ceilings has been around for centuries. In Ancient Egypt, around 300 BC, ceilings were manufactured from presoaked linen fabric that stretched from wall to wall, shrinking to create a perfectly smooth finish as it dried.

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Similar processes have been found in the remains of the Greek and Roman empires (before the third century AD) where silk cloth, dyed to match the colour of the walls, was used. Over time, these fabrics would gather dust and sag under its weight, while dyed fabrics faded, so the cloth had to be replaced periodically.

In Armenia, around the 17th century, cotton fabric was soaked in a liquid chalk solution, which also shrunk during the drying process, producing a perfectly flat matte white ceiling. Sometime after that the technology appears to have been lost, until reappearing in Europe in the ’60s.

Today, stretch ceiling systems comprise membranes, which are available in various polymers and/or polyester based textiles, and tracks (profiles) made of aluminum or plastic, which hold the outer edges of the membrane(s) in place.[3]

Suited for the aquatic environment

Today, instead of natural fibres such as linen, silk, and cotton, stretch ceiling membranes are made from more durable and infinitely recyclable polymer films and polyester-based fabrics, which are capable of lasting more than 25 years without fading or absorbing any particulates.

While these membranes do not need to be replaced like those of yesteryear, they can be easily changed to quickly alter the look of an interior space, whether it is just for fun, or to keep an indoor swimming pool/hot tub area look cutting edge.

Not only do these materials come in a wide range of colours and surface textures, they can also be digitally printed, offering an affordable, modern version of the ancient art of wall and ceiling frescoes. Printing may include a company logo, digital photograph, or faux texture. With digital photography, trompe l’oeil (the illusion of a three-dimensional space beyond the artwork) effects become incredibly lifelike. Backlighting added behind a printed translucent membrane can make an outdoor space depicted in a digital image come to life, and appear as a natural extension of the actual indoor pool area. This is especially useful for bringing the outdoors to a windowless space, maintaining privacy while creating a natural atmosphere, or opening up the feel of a small room.

Modern stretch ceiling systems are light, sound attenuating, and thermally insulating. Safe, high quality materials make them easy to maintain, requiring just a wipe with mild household soap and water if they become soiled. Further, these ceilings can replace drywall, stucco, or ceiling tiles in existing indoor pool facilities or new construction projects. Most manufacturers carry images for print or high-resolution images can be supplied for an almost endless array of art, designs, and photography to decorate an indoor pool environment with flair and taste.

Stretch ceiling systems are ideally suited to indoor pool and hot tub environments as the material is unaffected by moisture and/or chlorine (Cl). Further, drywall, plaster, steelwork, or other material behind the stretched ceiling (or wall) is protected, as the membrane forms a waterproof and fungus resistant vapour barrier. If the surface behind the stretched ceiling has previously mouldered or mildewed, spores are sealed in by the installation and starved for moisture.

The material is also suitable for use in steam room applications as it remains completely stable at ambient temperatures of up to 60 C (140 F); therefore, the entire swimming pool and/or spa space can be fashioned with a practical and functional ceiling system that requires minimal background support, weight, joints, or disruption.

If a water pipe above the stretch ceiling should develop a leak, the membrane can hold up to 100 L (26.4 gal) of water per 1 m² (10.7 sf) of surface area.

Comparing Stretch Ceilings to Other Ceiling Materials
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.

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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).

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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

• 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.

Lighting and colour

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Many luxury residential and commercial pools are housed in purpose-built rooms designed to provide views out onto landscaped grounds. Daylight and lighting design are very important to creating an oasis, not just a pool. Fluorescent tubes, fibreoptics, and/or light-emitting diode (LED) lighting can be installed behind a stretch ceiling membrane, while other types of fixtures, like pot and pendant lights, can come through reinforced openings created during the ceiling installation. It is best to have lighting installed prior to the stretch ceiling. All fixtures must be anchored to the underlying ceiling structure. Stretch ceilings cannot support weight and remain flat.

For subterranean pools with little or no daylight, the challenge is to vary the ambiance during the day. Automated controls, electronic or computer-based, can be programmed to simulate natural lighting conditions. Because pool rooms are often simple, uncluttered spaces, and because swimmers and loungers tend to stare upward, stretched ceiling features can be used either to add interest, or to simulate an outdoor location. A translucent stretched ceiling covering lighting, with or without a multi-level ceiling or a shadow gap detail can be used to flood a space with light, creating the illusion of daylight streaming into the room without the glare of non-shaded, point-source lights.

[7]Designers should keep in mind, however, artificial lighting will change the pool’s colour, and shining light through a stretched ceiling with colour or colourful graphics will change the pool’s colour even more. Expect water to appear more blue under fluorescent or LED lighting when using a black or white ceiling, and to take on any colour in the ceiling membrane as well. If a darker colour or graphic is selected for the ceiling, a designer may wish to enlist the services of an indoor lighting specialist to ensure adequate lamping, as darker colours will absorb light. High-gloss polymer film can mitigate this effect, but likely will not cancel it out entirely.

Environmental sustainability

For indoor aquatic facilities that are looking to renovate their pool areas, stretch ceilings provide a sustainable option as paint is eliminated from the process, thus eliminating any interior fumes, leftover paint and cans, and harsh chemical cleaning agents, which may be required for new paint to adhere. Eliminating replacement walls and ceilings for damaged or badly repaired drywall or plaster can keep tons of old material out of landfills and save on the transportation of new materials. Stucco ceilings would involve much heavier material and create much more mess, during removal and installation. Stucco also requires waterproof paint in wet rooms.

Stretch ceilings, on the other hand, allow an aquatic facility to change the finish and/or remove the ceiling much more easily. When tracks and membranes are cut at the factory, there is no waste left on site for disposal.

 

 

Esther Yates-Abrams writes blog posts, social media content and informational literature for Laqfoil Ltd., a Toronto-based manufacturer and installer of stretch ceilings. She is a recent graduate of Ryerson School of Interior Design in Toronto, Ont., with special interest in research and writing, and environmentally and socially responsible design. She can be reached via e-mail at esthera@laqfoil.com[8].

 

 

Melissa Gooding is the operations manager for Laqfoil Ltd. She has more than 10 years’ experience in marketing, operations, and new business development in the design and construction industries. She can be reached via e-mail at melissag@laqfoil.com[9].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/aquatic-facility-interior-design/

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