Selection of spotlights for suspended ceilings. Chandeliers for suspended ceilings - tips for choosing

The market for lighting fixtures for suspended ceilings today is simply overflowing with all sorts of modifications and options for lamps. When visiting stores, your eyes are simply blown away by the wealth of choice.

Naturally, the article will not present all, but only three types of lamps most often used for installation. Let's consider their advantages and disadvantages separately.

G5.3 luminaires

The first type is lamps for light bulbs with a G5.3 base. This type is shown in the photo below:

There are halogen and LED versions. The main disadvantage of halogen ones is that the lamp reflector transmits some of the light into the stretch ceiling.

The result is a picture where all the insides of the ceiling and communications are visible. Namely – fastenings, electrical wiring, mortgage.

Previously, this problem was solved in two ways:

• the back wall of the light bulb was covered with foil
• or simply painted over

Now everything is much simpler. It is enough to purchase an LED light bulb, the back surface of which is completely opaque and the light from it passes only downwards.

The disadvantage of the lamp itself is that the bulb is set quite deep inside.

Because of this, the light diverges at an acute angle, without covering the maximum possible area, and without scattering throughout the room. It turns out that the lamp will shine as a spot.

In addition, due to the very small diameter, the power of the LEDs is limited.

Even a more developed radiator will not allow installing a light bulb of more than 7 W.

And this is if it is made of aluminum. When we are talking about some kind of composite cooling design, it is unlikely that such a lamp will last long. It will simply overheat and burn out.

In other brands, due to their larger size and better cooling conditions, you can “shove” all 15 W.

Luminaire GX 53

The second type of lamp is brand GX 53. Its main advantage is the larger diameter of the bulb. In addition, the lamp itself is not recessed here, but rather protrudes from the plane by several millimeters.

Due to this, the light is as diffused as possible, and the lighting angle is quite wide. We can say that this light bulb shines 180 degrees.

There are two types of lamps for such lamps:

• LED
• energy saving

Everyone advises installing LED ones. Firstly, they last much longer, and secondly, they flare up instantly after switching on.

For energy-saving devices, this requires a certain amount of time, often several tens of seconds!

Heating of lamps

What should you pay attention to when choosing light bulbs for this type of luminaire? First of all, on the shape of the base. When you buy LED bulbs, choose ones that have cooling grilles.

Since there are specimens with a flat surface, completely covered with plastic without a hint of at least some kind of lattice.

New products with so-called composite radiators have also appeared. Externally, they can be completely smooth in shape. According to the manufacturer, thanks to the combination of different materials and components (aluminum and plastic in one casting), a cooling effect is achieved similar to lamps with powerful aluminum radiators.

However, many companies are openly hack-working and follow the path of reducing their costs, while not providing the proper quality, hiding behind only catchy names. In fact, there may not be anything composite there. Here's the confirmation:

There is a common belief that LEDs do not heat up at all, but this is not entirely true. In any case, they generate heat, and this heat must be removed. And all this ultimately affects the service life.

On average, such lamps should last at least 3 years. Although most manufacturers have a 1 year warranty. Often this whole matter is reflected on the packaging in operating hours.

Lack of heating in lamps is the most important parameter for suspended ceilings. Otherwise, the wrong choice can lead to deformation and sagging of the film, or even damage. Since the stretch ceiling is highly thermally sensitive, under the influence of heat it loses its elastic properties, melts and stains form on it.

Varieties of GX-53

GX 53 luminaires are available in a very wide range of colors. The most popular model from Ecola GX 53 H4 has up to nine colors. Their bore diameter is 90mm.

A set of quality products should always include a thermal ring.
It is necessary specifically for installation in a suspended ceiling. Without it, the film will simply rip spontaneously in the direction you don’t want at all.

The GX53 H4 models gained popularity due to the fact that they take up very little space in the ceiling space. This lamp also has a very reliable mount.

The eyelet on which the spring is attached is made of metal and does not fall off over time.

So for similar models GX53 H6 everything is made of plastic. And plastic ages over time, especially under constant exposure to heat. This fastening breaks off and the lamp hangs in the air only due to the electrical wiring.

An additional advantage over the G5.3 is that the lamp protrudes a few millimeters from the lamp body. This results in a 180-degree diffusion of light without the formation of dark corners in the room.

True, some people don’t quite like it when the light bulb is not flush and not completely recessed into the seat. For this design, choose the GX53 FT3225 brand. It’s exactly what it’s called – a deep recessed lamp.

However, firstly, it is more expensive, and secondly, there is the same problem with the fastening plastic, and there are only three color options.

Therefore, look in stores for new H4 models, but with a recessed seat for the lamp. There are some of these too, just follow the labels on the packaging.

All of the above models are suitable for installation in ordinary rooms - living room, kitchen, bedroom. For installation in a bathroom, you need to buy waterproof ones with a degree of protection IP65. For example, the GX53 H9 lamp.

It has its own nuances. There is a silicone gasket on top, and the lamp itself is protected by glass, which can be removed by turning it. From the side of the illuminated room, the device is completely protected from splashes of water.

However, this same protection limits the power of the lamps. All this should be indicated on the packaging.

• for LEDs – 6W
• for energy saving – 9-11W

More than these capacities cannot be used.

Installation of a lamp in the ceiling without a mortgage

Another plus of the GX53 H4 is that with some modification they can be mounted even without a mortgage. This may be needed if you don’t want or can’t lower the ceiling low.
The whole change takes a few minutes.

To illuminate rooms with suspended ceilings, pendant and spotlights (built-in and surface-mounted) are used; LED strips are used for decorative lighting of rooms. When choosing lamps, owners of apartments and cottages are interested, first of all, in the design of these electrical appliances. The specialist will say that When choosing luminaires, the types of lamps are decisive. Fixtures and lamps for them are individually selected for different interiors. The choice of lighting fixtures depends on the type of room and the tasks that the lighting fixtures will solve.

Selecting lamps for rooms with suspended ceilings

For rooms with suspended ceilings only suitable halogen and energy-saving (fluorescent and LED) lamps. Energy-saving lamps provide even, bright light and do not overheat the ceiling. LEDs consume less energy, heat up less, and wiring for these lighting devices takes up less space.

Energy saving lamps (fluorescent and LED)

Unlike incandescent lamps, energy-saving lamps have high light output. Energy savings are achieved by the fact that with less power they create intense, bright light. There are several dozen types of fluorescent energy-saving lamps. They differ in size, bulb design, base parameters and color of the luminous flux created (the light of these lamps can be daylight, warm, cold or neutral white). The light spectrum of these lamps contains ultraviolet radiation, so they should not be placed closer than 30-35 cm from the eyes.

Luminous output LED lamps higher than fluorescent ones. They do not have tungsten filaments (like incandescent lamps) and fragile glass bulbs (like fluorescent lamps). These lamps do not burn out from frequent switching on and off and create a comfortable, almost natural light for the eyes.

LED lamps last an order of magnitude longer than others. They begin to shine at full power immediately after switching on. A fluorescent light bulb takes about 30 seconds to light up completely.

In energy-saving lamps, the intensity of the glow changes in accordance with the frequency of the current in the network, which can cause discomfort for some people.

Halogen lamps

Halogen lamps are classified as incandescent lamps. They can have different shapes, different bases, different compactness and different designs. Bromine or iodine vapor is added to their cylinders.

The lamps have good color rendering and light output. These lighting devices do not burn out due to voltage surges, are highly durable and have a long service life. Currently, many types of halogen lamps with a small bulb are produced, which, in particular, allows them to be used in interior spotlights. Do not touch the flask with your hands, as fatty particles on the fingertips remaining on the quartz glass of the device can lead to its burnout. The light bulb should only be touched with a clean cloth or napkin.

Halogen lamps can also be used for lamps on suspended ceilings if their power is less than 35 W.

Lamps for indoor lighting have different designs. Let's look at the features of using lamps with different bases.

Lamps with base G5.3

Lamps with a G5.3 base can be halogen or LED. Halogen lamps released several years ago have one drawback - their reflector is translucent, so it transmits light behind the lamp (behind the stretch ceiling).

As a result, all elements of technical structures become distinguishable - wiring, embedded parts for lamps and fastenings. Five to ten years ago, the problem was solved simply - the back of the lampshade was covered with foil or special fire-resistant paint. Now there is no need for such an “improvement”, since there are halogen light bulbs on sale with a bulb coated at the end with a light-proof layer.

The disadvantage of the G5.3 model is that the light bulb is located deep inside the lampshade, from which the light comes out at an acute angle and is not scattered at all.

Lamps with GX53 socket

In the GX53 model, the light bulb is not recessed inside; it protrudes from the plane of the structure. The height of the protruding part is 4-5 mm. The beam angle of such a lamp is as wide as possible; the light spreads almost 180 degrees. LED and energy-saving lamps are produced with the GX53 socket.

Lamps with G9 socket

The main difference between lamps with a G9 base and previous options is that the bulb protrudes completely from the ceiling, resulting in the most diffused light. In terms of glow efficiency, they are superior to the model with a base G5.3, but lag behind the model with GX53 base.

When buying an LED light bulb, you should pay attention to the design of the device. There must be a metal cooling grill around the bottom. LED light bulbs don't get very hot, but they still get hot, and that heat needs to be dissipated. Overheating of the device greatly reduces its service life. On average, such a lamp with a cooling grill lasts three years, with a warranty from the manufacturer of about one year.

Tables. Standards of specific illumination of luminous flux for residential premises.

Room	Index
	22 W/1 sq.m.
	15 W/1 sq.m.
	26 W/1 sq.m.
	60 W/1 sq.m.
	20 W/1 sq.m.
	12 W/1 sq.m.

Note: Data based on incandescent lamp use.

Spotlights

Spot (surface and built-in) lamps are an integral part of modern living space. Proper lighting can highlight the beauty of the interior and hide its flaws. Technically well-placed lamps create an environment that is comfortable for the eyes.

Spotlights are best suited for additional lighting in large rooms, such as living rooms, bedrooms, children's rooms, and dining rooms.

As main lighting, they are good for small spaces - bathrooms, toilets, dressing rooms and corridors. In small rooms, point sources distribute light evenly over the entire ceiling area. This allows you to illuminate all parts of the room equally.

The electrical equipment needed to connect the lamps takes up a certain part of the space in the house. The size of the niche above suspended ceilings depends on the type of lamp. If wiring is installed for halogen or fluorescent lamps, the suspended ceiling is placed approximately 8-12 cm below the main one, for LED spotlights - 6 cm.

Since the corridor and hallway are the passage part of an apartment or house, a low ceiling will not be noticeable. In spacious hallways, you can install a small chandelier as the main lighting, and built-in lamps as an additional light source.

If only spotlights are turned on in the room, a calm, peaceful environment with soft, subdued light is created. If the designer wants to emphasize the different levels of the stretch ceiling and decorate its protruding part, then you should first choose a chandelier, and select spotlights for it. Spotlights can be rotary And non-rotating

. Rotating shades are designed to direct light only to a specific area - a desk, a section of the kitchen table or onto a wall, in order to advantageously show its texture. According to the degree of protection against moisture, these electrical appliances are divided into moisture-proof lamps And lamps for dry rooms

On the lighting market you can see hundreds of types of spotlights. They are made from a wide variety of materials - glass, plaster, aluminum, crystal, plastic. The lampshades are decorated with stained glass overlays, rhinestones, carved wooden elements, and metal openwork details. If, according to the designer’s idea, the lamp should be hidden or unnoticeable, you can choose the most minimalist option (a white lamp with the same white ring around it).

The design of modern apartments and private houses is very diverse - you can find many styles in their decoration, from loft and baroque to high-tech. A wide selection of spotlights does not in any way limit the imagination of the designer and customer.

Crystal spotlights are interesting and very beautiful. They can diffuse light, creating rays and patterns on the ceiling and walls. These electrical appliances come in different styles. Lamps in the Art Nouveau style have geometric, square or rectangular decorative elements; in classical style models you can see hanging parts made of glass or crystal. Floral style models combine combinations of glass leaves, buds and petals. Crystal lamps with LEDs built into the edges or inside are especially beautiful.

A crystal lamp will not cast glare if a lamp with a matte finish is inserted into it. For the same reason, it is not recommended to install fluorescent light sources in it. LEDs are the ideal choice in this situation.

Chandeliers and pendant lamps

Chandeliers are designed to illuminate the entire room, but the center of the room receives most of the light. These electrical appliances can be of any size; the only restrictions on choice are the size of the room and the height of the ceiling. The higher the ceiling, the more freedom of choice the owner of the room has.

Pendant lamps with one lampshade are often installed in rooms with multi-level suspended ceilings. They are designed to illuminate a specific area in the room.

A chandelier may consist of one or several lamp shades, which are located at different distances from each other and at different heights. The choice of this lighting device depends on the style of the room and the tastes of its owner. In any case, the chandelier should be installed by a professional who knows all the intricacies of installing electrical appliances.

Chandeliers with multiple bulbs can reach significant temperatures. If the temperature of the lampshades exceeds 60 degrees, the ceiling will begin to turn yellow, darken, it may sag, and eventually lose its beautiful appearance. Depending on the lamps used, the distance from the chandelier shades to the ceiling should be at least 15-60 cm.

Energy-saving lamps and lamps with LEDs provide minimal operating temperatures. They are used in chandeliers located in close proximity to the ceiling; they are ideal for plate chandeliers.

The distance from the lampshades to the ceiling depends not only on the type of light sources used, but also on the direction of the lampshades. If the lampshades are directed with their sockets upward, the safe distance will be maximum.

For light decoration, LED strips are used, less often - lamps with special diffusers-nozzles. LED strips are a flexible, transparent plastic strip into which small spotlights are mounted. The thickness (3 mm) and width (1 cm) of the strip allows you to hide it behind suspended ceiling structures, for example, behind a ceiling plinth.

Decorative lighting of this type has a number of advantages.

1. The backlight, hidden behind the ceiling plinth or decorative panels, provides completely diffused light.
2. Hidden lighting does not affect the visual perception of the height of the room.
3. LED strips do not need to be decorated in any way.
4. The installation is done in such a way that air is constantly supplied to the light sources.
5. Lighting can further reveal the merits of a room’s design.

LED strips are mounted around the perimeter of the room or in a certain area according to the project. Using this lighting device, you can create either stripes of light or individual luminous areas of geometric or arbitrary shape.

The color of light sources can be very diverse. Such lighting fixtures are fireproof and easy to install.

The ceiling canvas acts as a lampshade for the LED strip hidden in the perimeter cornice. The decorative light is smooth, matte, and the LED dots on the strip are not visible behind the cornice.

The flexible plastic base of the LED strip acts as a board and conductor of electricity. To operate, the device is supplied with a current voltage of 12-24 V. Power from the network is provided through a converter unit. If the design allows you to regulate the voltage, then a controller is used. You can also control the voltage in the LED strip using a special remote control. The tape easily adheres to degreased metal ceiling structures (to do this, just remove the protective film from the adhesive layer).

Decorative lighting “Starry sky”

LED lamps are also used for decorative lighting in the “Starry Sky” style. To get a picture on the ceiling, you need to arrange the LEDs in a certain way (randomly or in the form of constellations).

Stretch ceiling “Starry sky”

Scheme of stretch ceiling “Starry Sky” with fiber optics

LEDs are mounted on a rigid frame and connected to each other. Then the wires are routed to the control panel. Small light bulbs are projected through the ceiling material. From the control panel you can change the brightness of the “stars”. The “starry sky” effect is also created by projecting slides onto the ceiling and using a Swarovski glass lens.

Video - Which lamps are better for a stretch ceiling and why

Stretch ceilings look luxurious, all that remains is to select lighting sources and determine which chandeliers are suitable for stretch ceilings? The peculiarities of this ceiling decoration lie in the materials from which it is made - they can be damaged and deformed if the configuration of the lighting fixture is chosen incorrectly.

The right chandelier will not only preserve the finish, but will also add to the splendor of the design.

Features of suspended ceilings

The selection of specialized chandeliers for suspended ceilings is small. But knowing the nuances, it is quite possible to choose a suitable model from the usual range. There are recommendations for the fastening mechanism and structure of the chandelier body. The fact is that the structure of its body must have good thermal insulation to prevent overheating of the ceiling covering. In addition, the material of suspended ceilings requires a certain structure and location of the lampshades.

Characteristics of the right chandelier

Expensive ceiling coverings are located close to light sources - lamps. It is a PVC film that should not be heated to more than 60 degrees. A slight excess of temperature norms and the film may begin to undergo unsightly deformations, or even burn out. Based on this, it is obvious that not every chandelier can be used to illuminate a room with suspended ceilings.

Please note the required characteristics:

1. The lamp must be designed so that the flow of light is not directed towards the ceiling. Otherwise, expensive material may begin to burn out;
2. recommended configuration of lampshades – closed models or directing light to the sides and downwards;
3. choose chandeliers that will provide a significant distance from the ceiling to the lighting elements to prevent heating of the coating material;
4. a suspended ceiling in an ordinary small room “eats” centimeters in height, so massive and overly complex chandeliers will make the room visually lower. This advice does not apply to room heights below 3 m.

When estimating the length of the suspension, keep in mind that the lamp is attached to the rough ceiling surface, so a certain length of the suspension is hidden under the tension covering.

Mount selection

It is important to consider the type of fastening of the chandelier to the ceiling, since this is the most critical moment.

Suitable and unsuitable chandelier mounting:

• “Yes” - Suspended, which are mounted on a special hook.
• “No” - Overheads, placed using an overhead panel, which in turn is attached to the ceiling with self-tapping screws.

For suspended ceilings, a suspended option is suitable, since the overlay panel cannot be placed on a stretched film. As already noted, it is also important to choose the size of the suspension, making allowances for the distance between the draft and suspended ceiling.

You can make sure that the hook for fastening is placed below the level of the stretch ceiling. In this case, it is necessary to take care of the fastening in advance before stretching the ceiling.

Which lamp to choose?

With the current variety of light sources, it is sometimes difficult to understand the choice of lamps. Which lamps to choose - heating, halogen or LED, and what nuances will have to be taken into account?

You may have decided to choose a lampshade that has upward-facing horns. This is undesirable, then you must clearly check the distance from the lamps to the ceiling, and it can be different for each type of lamp.

• Incandescent lamps. Incandescent lamps are the most inexpensive, however, they heat the air, wasting precious electricity, and this also heats up the surface of the ceiling. For this reason, such lamps are the worst choice to use in conjunction with such a finish. The distance from the PVC film and a conventional incandescent lamp with the horns facing upward should be at least 40 cm, in other cases - 25 cm. The lamp power should not be more than 60 W . If the distance is smaller, then the chandelier should have reflectors that will prevent the ceiling from fading.
• Energy saving. Energy-saving lamps are perfect because they practically do not heat up and can be used at a short distance from suspended ceilings. Apart from the power converter, the lamp has no elements that can heat up. However, keep in mind that there is mercury vapor inside the lamp, so if you break it, you need to take immediate action.
• LEDs. LED lamps are simply created for suspended ceilings - they have high efficiency and low heating. Such lamps last a long time, but their main advantage is a directed light flux without reflectors, emitting a flow of light into only one hemisphere. LED low-voltage lamps are considered the most practical, but they require the installation of a power supply. Its placement should not be in an empty area above a suspended ceiling, since there is no ventilation there and overheating may occur.
• Halogen lamps. Halogen lamps with a power of 35-40 W, directed upward, must be removed from the surface of the coating by at least 30 cm, 20 W - by 20 cm, and for 10 W, respectively, 10 cm.

Design secrets

You should not choose overly chic chandelier options only if you are sure that suspended ceilings will not fade into the background. For example, huge cascading crystal chandeliers can both neutralize the beauty of the coating and emphasize it.

A few design secrets:

• the canvas of stretch ceilings in light colors should be enhanced with a chandelier of a contrasting color;
• black stretch ceilings will create excellent harmony with a white or metal chandelier;
• A glossy ceiling surface can be combined with a fancy-shaped chandelier if you want to create a unique reflection effect.

Plafonds-plates, pendants or chandeliers with horns

All these lamps are very popular and have their own characteristics. Variants with multiple horns are perhaps the most common. The main thing is that they are not directed straight up, especially if you are going to use incandescent or halogen lamps. Please also take into account the fact that the light directed at the ceiling will create circles on the ceiling - you may not like this effect. But if the horns are directed downwards and to the sides, you don’t have to worry about circles on the ceiling or damage to the film.

Dish chandeliers may seem very impressive in design, but without a reflector above each bulb, this type of chandelier cannot be used for a suspended ceiling. But such elements are not so often found on sale.

If you choose those models where the lampshade covers the lamps from below, choose long pendants, then the surface of the ceiling film will be safely away from the light. Such a lamp can be safely placed on a suspended ceiling.

In addition to technical parameters, the chandelier should complement the beauty of the stretch ceiling without creating a stylistic imbalance. As a rule, the coating film is glossy and perfectly reflects light. For this reason, you need to take into account that the light of the chandelier does not create unwanted glare, especially in the bedroom, where the lighting is designed to bring coziness.

How to choose a suitable chandelier:

• If the ceiling is glossy, then it will be beautiful if the chandelier softly diffuses the light across the canvas.
• For the living room, you can choose a lamp with many low-power lamps, which, when reflected, will create the effect of depth and double the number of light sources.
• Stretch ceilings themselves have a luxurious appearance and reflective gloss of the film, so you should not choose lampshades with prisms and reflectors.
• To illuminate a small room of about 10-12 m2, a chandelier with 3-4 shades is enough, and for rooms from 12 m2 - with 6 shades.
• For spacious rooms, chandeliers are combined with spotlights and other light sources to provide spectacular illumination.

Considering the mirror ability of the ceiling, you need to know in advance about the possibility of reflecting the ugly “filling” of lampshades and other elements in it.

It would be great if the store provides you with a special catalog of chandeliers for suspended ceilings, where you can see its appearance in the finished interior.

Experts have their own secrets in choosing chandeliers for suspended ceilings, accumulated with experience. Without taking their advice into account, you can choose expensive lamps with many options and details that are not useful and can ruin an expensive surface. Using the advice in this article, you can avoid unpleasant mistakes associated with damage to the beautiful glossy surface of the ceiling and choose the ideal light source.

Video gallery

You should approach the issue of choosing lighting for a stretch ceiling very responsibly. Too powerful lamps can damage the canvas, which, under the influence of strong heat, will lose its elasticity and appearance. To decide which lamps are best for a stretch ceiling, you need to note the main features of the room: the dimensions and height from the main slab to the canvas. And also take into account personal preferences and the style of the room.

There is a misconception that a suspended ceiling involves the installation of only small light sources. In fact, the usual volumetric chandeliers can also be used to illuminate a room.

However, you should not choose too large structures, as well as lamps in the shape of plates. In the latter case, there is a high risk of damage to the tension surface due to high temperature and low air circulation, which arise due to the tight fit of the body to the canvas.

Lamps suitable for suspended ceilings differ in the mounting method:

• Invoices. This option involves mounting light sources on special overhead rings, which are installed on the canvas after connecting the power supply.
• Built-in. Small lamps that do not attract attention and practically merge with the ceiling. They are installed using a spring fastening, which allows you to tightly press the light source to the canvas.
• Hanging. All types of chandeliers that are hung using special fasteners on a hook built into the main ceiling slab. This is the simplest method; for massive models, a more complex structure will be required.

Surface-mounted lamps are the cheapest and easiest to install. They use light bulbs with low power, because... Due to the design features, the distance between the ceiling slab and the canvas is too small. Therefore, overhead lamps are installed as additional lighting, because... Installing a light source that is too bright will damage the material. Recessed lamps require a larger distance between the canvas and the ceiling, which means powerful light bulbs can be used. Therefore, they often act as main lighting.

Which lamps are best to use for a suspended ceiling?

Traditional incandescent lamps are practically not used in suspended ceilings due to their tendency to overheat and the large depth of installation.

The most commonly used lighting sources are the following, which have power limitations:

• LED (40 W);
• Energy saving (45 W);
• Halogen (35 W).

The ideal lamp for a stretch ceiling would be an LED one, which practically does not heat up and will not damage the canvas.

LED light bulbs are installed in low rooms, because... the required height between the main and suspended ceilings is 5 cm. They are distinguished by natural light that is pleasant to the eye. The cost of this type of light bulbs is slightly higher, but this is compensated by low energy consumption and a long service life. In addition, LEDs have several base options. This allows you to choose a lamp without fear that the lamp will be unsuitable for it.

LED lamps for suspended ceilings: which ones are better to choose

LED lamps are able to provide an uninterrupted flow of light of various colors, which does not tire the eyes or impair vision. You should choose them based on personal wishes and purposes of use.

All LEDs can be divided into 2 groups:

• With internal arrangement of lamps;
• With light bulbs located outside the housing.

Lamps with external lamps are the best basic lighting for a suspended ceiling. Economical and safe, they help to obtain a diffused stream of light that is pleasant to the human eye.

Lamps with built-in bulbs emit a directional stream of light. Therefore, this type of LEDs is used to illuminate a specific area in the room, as well as for zoning the room.

Lamps for suspended ceilings: how to choose an LED strip

LED strip is an ergonomic type of lighting, which is a strip with electrical conductors on one side and an adhesive surface on the other. Both the main and additional light sources can be used.

LED strip is ideal for lighting a room with a high matte ceiling.

The brightness of the lighting depends on the number and size of LEDs located on the strip. For the ceiling area, it is better to use 30 - 60 LEDs per meter with a warm white glow. Brighter light will hurt your eyes. In addition, you will need a high-power power supply, which is not so easy to disguise.

What is better in a suspended ceiling: a chandelier or spotlights

The choice of lamp type will depend on personal preferences and the characteristics of the room being designed. Chandeliers are great for providing key lighting in a large room, such as a living room or bedroom. Spotlights are needed in small rooms (kitchen or bathroom).

To get sufficient lighting, it is important to correctly calculate the number of lamps. Using halogen or LED bulbs, it is better to install one for every 1.5 square meters. meters of ceiling; energy-saving - one for every 2 square meters. meters.

Spotlights can be used to illuminate small areas, for example, shelves in a dressing room. And also installed together with a chandelier as additional lighting.

Spotlights for suspended ceilings: how to choose a suitable light source

Spotlights are very popular due to their low cost and ease of installation. A huge variety of shapes, colors and sizes allows you to choose the ideal option for a room of any style and purpose.

In order for the ceilings to last a long time, the selected spotlight must meet a number of requirements:

• Operating temperature that is not capable of damaging the canvas (up to 60 ⁰C);
• The light bulb power should not be more than 35 W;
• The presence of a mirror part to reflect light;
• No sharp ends that could damage the ceiling during installation.

An interesting solution would be a design with a movable element, thanks to which you can adjust the direction of the light. Such a lamp will allow you to change the lighting, highlighting the necessary parts of the room.

It is desirable that the point light source also have a wide border that will hide the installation structure.

Which lamps are suitable for suspended ceilings: choosing the ideal chandelier

When choosing a chandelier for a stretch ceiling, you need to take into account the texture of the fabric, the type of light bulb used and the features of the room. Classically shaped lamps are ideal for a matte surface; unusual and intricate ones are ideal for a glossy surface. A lot of bright highlights will be provided on the ceiling by chandeliers with open LED bulbs, which can be installed directly under the canvas. Such lamps do not heat up and will not harm the coating.

When using halogen lamps, the chandelier should be located at a distance of at least 30 cm from the ceiling. The choice should be made in favor of the lamp whose shades will be directed downwards.

Choosing which lamps are best for a stretch ceiling (video)

The best lighting option for a tensile structure, suitable for all the features of the room, are LED lamps, which do not heat up and do not pose a danger to the ceiling. Both the main and additional light sources can also be used, changing depending on the wishes of the apartment owner and placing accents in the interior.

September 29, 2016
Specialization: Capital construction work (laying a foundation, erecting walls, constructing a roof, etc.). Internal construction work (laying internal communications, rough and fine finishing). Hobbies: mobile communications, high technology, computer equipment, programming.

Today I want to tell you about spotlights for suspended ceilings. They are one of the most common light sources for such structures due to their versatility, original appearance and safety.

In this article you will learn how to choose products suitable for a suspended ceiling and how to install a spotlight in a canvas stretched over guide profiles.

Features of suspended ceiling lighting

When planning the lighting of any room, you must adhere to several rules that improve the ergonomics of using the room. It is especially important to pay attention to the following factors:

• light sources should evenly illuminate the entire area of ​​the living room;
• the lamps used should not be too bright so as not to irritate the eyes;
• lighting should not distort natural colors and interfere with the perception of the surrounding reality.

Most of these parameters are met by an ordinary incandescent lamp installed in a chandelier. But not in the case of suspended ceilings. In addition to all of the above, the devices used should not have a destructive effect on the fabric used, look beautiful against the background of the stretched surface and have convenient installation devices.

Spotlights meet all these requirements. They not only allow you to conveniently illuminate the necessary areas in the room, but also play a big role in the design of the room. Therefore, further we will talk about them.

Types of spotlights

There are various types of spotlights available for sale. They differ from each other in appearance and several technical characteristics. I divided all the models into several groups and depicted it all on a diagram:

And now about each variety in more detail.

By installation method

I'll start with the method of installing lighting fixtures. To install spot lighting on a suspended ceiling, it is necessary in any case to violate the integrity of the canvas. An incision is made in the right place, around which a plastic ring is installed that fits the size of the lamp. Thanks to this limiter, the decorative material does not spread further.

Afterwards a light source is installed in the hole. And according to how it is placed, products are divided into several groups.

The following location options exist:

1. Above the level of the tensioned fabric. Spot lamps installed above a suspended ceiling create the impression that light is emitted from the entire surface.

This miracle looks very impressive, but has several significant drawbacks:

• the efficiency of the light source will be very low, since most of the light flux is scattered above the level of the stretched PVC or fabric ceiling;
• due to the lack of air convection between the stretched surface and the floor slab, the lamp heats up, which can lead to melting of the decorative fabric. To avoid this, LED spotlights are usually used for suspended ceilings.

Typically, this arrangement is used when a “starry sky” type stretch ceiling is installed.

1. At the level of the stretched fabric. In this case, the lamp is installed in the bracket so that it is strictly in the same plane with the tension structure. The light flow is not scattered, that is, the efficiency of the lighting device will be much higher.

However, this installation method has its drawbacks. First of all, this is the power of the lamps. It should be limited to 35 Watts. But such products are not always designed for a voltage of 220 volts, which requires the installation of step-down transformers.

1. Below the level of the suspended ceiling. Spot lighting devices that are installed in a decorative coating in such a way that they protrude above the surface at a certain distance.

The advantage of this solution is that almost the entire light ceiling is used for its intended purpose, losses are minimal, and efficiency is maximum. However, this arrangement also requires a responsible approach to the selection of products in terms of lamp power and voltage used.

There are also fiberglass threads on sale, which are usually used to create the “starry sky” effect. But such light sources are classified as point sources only with great stretch, so I will not consider them in the article.

By lamps used

The main task when choosing lighting equipment specifically for tension structures is to choose the right lamps that are inserted into the lamps. There are three options here.

Incandescent lamps

We are talking about an ordinary lamp with a tungsten filament enclosed in a bulb. I recommend using products not with a transparent, but with a matte bulb, which disperse the light flux more evenly and do not heat up so much. Typically, the resource of this lamp is up to 1000 hours of glow. That is, under normal use it will work for about three years.

Incandescent lamps are installed in open and closed spotlights. I recommend using the latter in rooms where a significant increase in humidity levels is possible - kitchens, bathrooms, balconies.

A significant disadvantage of lamps with incandescent lamps is their large dimensions. The lamp base is screwed into a socket, the length of which can be up to 12 cm. Therefore, the distance between the decorative coating and the ceiling slab should be no less. Alternatively, you can make recesses in the slab for the lamps using a cutter, but I do not recommend resorting to such radical measures.

Halogen lamps

Essentially similar to incandescent lamps, but here an inert buffer gas is pumped into the bulb. Thanks to it, the product receives several advantages:

• with the same brightness, the lamp bulb with an incandescent filament has smaller dimensions;
• Halogen lamps come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Simply put, the products provide much more light and can be installed in compact lamps, including those protected from dust and moisture. Accordingly, it requires a smaller cartridge. The minimum distance between the decorative coating and the floor slab should be from 5 to 6 cm.

The service life of the halogen lamp reaches 4 thousand hours.

I would like to draw your attention to the installation features. The flask of the product should not be touched with hands, otherwise sebum may remain on the surface of the quartz glass and lead to its crystallization and destruction. Therefore, you need to install the product using special gloves, a clean cloth or paper napkin.

LED bulbs

Consists of a large number of LEDs collected in one beam. Unlike the products described above, the LED lamp in a spotlight usually operates on direct current, so it emits a constant rather than intermittent light flux. But you need to connect it through an AC transformer.

In terms of their performance properties, LED lamps are superior to both of the options mentioned above. They have a continuous glow resource of 5 years. In this case, the electric current consumption will be two times less than that of a halogen lamp, and five times less than that of an incandescent lamp.

Mounting LED lamps varies in length. Typically, installation requires a distance between the canvas and the plate of 5 cm. To operate, the lamps require a voltage of 12 or 220 volts.

Requirements for the light sources used

Now I will tell you which spotlights are suitable for suspended ceilings.

By shape

To avoid tearing of the stretched fabric, lamps for such ceilings are made in a round shape. We are not talking about the entire device, but about its landing platform, which is necessary for installation. Therefore, even if you have seen somewhere suspended ceilings with square light sources, rest assured that inside it has a round shape.

The round base - flange - is installed in the landing platform (embedded element), installed above the suspended ceiling. When purchasing, I advise you to pay attention to the difference between the outer diameter of the flange and the body of the lamp itself. It must be at least 1 cm so that the decorative part of the device covers the plastic ring that keeps the hole from further tearing.

I advise you to purchase products whose back part is impenetrable to light. This is necessary so that when turned on, part of the light flux does not fall behind the canvas. Otherwise, the stretch ceiling will be translucent, and a light areola will form around the spotlight, which negatively affects the visual perception of the decorative surface. Although some designers use this effect to create interesting visual effects.

By power

This is one of the most important parameters. The following nuances need to be taken into account:

• maximum lamp power;
• distance from the surface of the canvas to the light source.

The limitations are due to the fact that polyvinyl chloride film, when heated to more than + 60 degrees Celsius, can melt and deform.

To avoid this, in spotlights you can use incandescent lamps with a power of up to 60 W, and halogen lamps with a power of up to 35 W. In exceptional cases, it is possible to install more powerful ones, then measures must be taken to thermally insulate the installation site of the lamp.

If the body of the point light source is located at a considerable distance from the canvas, the power limit will be 70 W. However, I advise you to give preference to LED lamps, the surface of which does not heat up during operation.

By size and other parameters

When choosing lamps, you need to immediately think about how to position them relative to the stretched canvas. The distance between the floor slab and the ceiling depends on the selected lamps and is described in detail in the corresponding section above.

Do not allow the stretched fabric to come into contact with the spotlight to avoid deformation of the ceiling. There must be a gap between the canvas (sealing ring) and the side of the landing platform.

The operating rules for the ceiling do not allow cutting holes in them larger than 15 cm in diameter. Therefore, when choosing, you need to choose those light sources whose size is smaller than the specified value.

If you are going to equip a bathroom, swimming pool or kitchen with a suspended ceiling with spotlights (that is, a room with a high level of humidity), you must purchase devices that meet the IP67 protection standard.

They are both more economical and safer. But to operate them you need a transformer. Therefore, I leave the final decision up to you.

Calculation of the required quantity

A few words about how to calculate the number of light sources for a stretch ceiling. After all, in order to achieve an organic design in a room, it is better to buy lamps of the same type, color and appearance.

When calculating, one should assume that a lamp directed vertically downward illuminates an area of ​​the room equal to 1.5 - 2 square meters. Therefore, to find out exactly how many lamps are needed, you need to divide the area of ​​the room by 2.

I want to warn you right away so that you don’t overdo it. There is no need to install too many lighting devices in the suspended ceiling. They “heavien” the design of the room, make the canvas unattractive and can lead to damage to the surface.

If you have an irresistible desire to focus attention on the upper part of the room, use other design devices to do this. For example, install so-called dancing lamps, with which you can direct the light flux in different directions.

Spotlight placement diagrams

Many people ask me a question about the layout of spotlights. There are no clear rules here; it all depends on your imagination, the area of ​​the room, its purpose and other factors.

As an example, I will give options for placing light sources in suspended ceilings installed in different rooms:

1. Bedroom. In this room, I recommend distributing the lamps evenly across the entire surface of the ceiling. Moreover, for this purpose, use products that are identical in shape, size and color, so as not to create disharmony. An excellent solution would be to use a dimmer - a device that regulates the brightness of the lamps. Another option is to use spotlights arranged around a central overhead or pendant chandelier.

1. Kitchen. Here the placement scheme depends on the layout of the room. With the help of spotlights, you can arrange several functional areas in the room - work, dining, and so on. The workspace needs to be illuminated most intensively.

1. Hallway. This is usually a narrow room, so using light sources you can try to visually expand it. To do this, you can use lamps installed along the walls and along the longitudinal axis. Moreover, the former should shine more intensely so that the central space of the corridor is illuminated less.

1. Plumbing room. For the bathroom and toilet, it is better to install a small number of lamps with bright lamps. And distribute them so that the whole room is well lit. At the same time, I would also make the distance between the lamps the same.

1. Living room. This room, like other rooms with a large area, can be decorated as desired. Typically, point light sources are used to organize several functional areas. It is also advisable to use a dimmer and energy-saving lamps that consume little electricity.

In a multifunctional room (living room combined with bedroom, etc.), I recommend combining several light sources. For example, a chandelier and spotlights. The first illuminates the entire room, and the latter illuminate the necessary areas.

Installation of lamps in a suspended ceiling

In this section I will tell you how to install spotlights in a suspended ceiling. The entire installation technology can be divided into several stages, which I will describe in detail below.

Surface marking

First of all, it is necessary to mark the surface of the floor slab on which the mounting platforms of the lamps will be installed. Moreover, this must be done before you start stretching the fabric.

The markup itself is unlikely to cause you problems, so I'll just give a few tips:

1. If you plan to install a multi-level ceiling, draw a diagram for the placement and connection of lamps so that each level is connected to one circuit.
2. When using 12-volt lamps, it is necessary to provide space for mounting electrical transformers. If you are installing lamps in a bathroom or other similar room, I advise you to install transformers outside the room (for example, in the corridor or in a panel).

1. The exact placement depends on the layout you choose. The general rule is that the distance between adjacent light sources should be within 1 meter, and the distance from the walls should be about 60 cm.
2. Check that the installation location of the lamp does not coincide with the location of the baguettes. In addition, there must be a distance of at least 25 cm from the edge of the mounting platform of the lamp to the baguettes.
3. If you are going to install a chandelier, connect it to a separate electrical circuit. In addition, point light sources will need to be placed around the edges of the room or concentrated in the area of ​​future functional areas.
4. If you are going to install lamps according to some pattern, I advise you to draw everything on a sheet of paper in a box, then transfer the markings to the ceiling and mark the installation locations of the platforms using the boxes. Several examples of such schemes are shown in the photo.

Installation of racks

As you already understand, installation of lamps is carried out using special platforms (embedded elements). This is due to the fact that the stretched fabric itself is not capable of supporting the weight of the lighting fixture without bending.

In addition, the landing platform facilitates the operation of the lamps. For example, you will not have problems with how to remove the product in case of damage or to replace a lamp.

There are embedded elements of various designs. But I use a product consisting of two guides and a round ring that matches the mounting diameter of the lamp flange. The advantage of this design is that the guides with bolts make it possible to flexibly adjust the height of the structure above the level of the floor slab.

The design of the landing platform is shown in more detail in the photo.

As an alternative, I can recommend using seating rings with U-shaped brackets for galvanized drywall profiles. With their help, you can also adjust the height above the ceiling, but this option seems less elegant to me.

The exact installation diagram looks like this:

1. In the marked place, using a hammer drill, make a hole necessary to secure the adjustable stand (number 4 in the photo above). For this I use screws with plastic dowels with a diameter of 6 mm.
2. I secure the adjustable stand to the ceiling using the “quick installation” system or screw-in screws with dowels.

1. Using screws, I adjust the height of the platform for the lamp in relation to the floor slab so that the stretched fabric is located as close as possible to the embedded element, but does not touch it (otherwise the surface of the stretch ceiling will not be perfectly flat).
2. I cut holes in the landing platforms so that their diameter matches the mounting diameter of the lamp. This can be done using a sharp bench knife.

1. I carry out electrical connections connecting the electrical distribution box and the lamps. The advantage of the design is that there is free space between the decorative material and the floor slab, so there is no need to groove the slab. For safety, I advise you to lay cables in special corrugated channels. The result should be a design approximately similar to that shown in the photograph.

1. I am connecting platforms with cables. If necessary, I immediately install transformers.

After testing the system for functionality, you can begin stretching the ceiling and installing the lamps themselves.

Installation of lighting devices

The installation diagram of lamps in a suspended ceiling looks like this:

1. A hole is cut in the canvas in such a way as not to damage the glued retaining ring, which limits further damage to the surface.

1. After this, you can install the lamp. The result should be a design similar to that shown in the diagram below:

Installation of all other light sources is carried out in a similar way.

Summary

Now you know which products are best to use for the job and how to install spotlights in a suspended ceiling. All that remains is to purchase everything you need and start implementing this project. If you have any questions or additions regarding the information presented in the article, you can leave them in the comments.

September 29, 2016

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