When a complex renovation of a room is carried out, the owners try to pay due attention to even minor details. When decisions are made about external matters, people try to be especially careful. The comfort of the entire room and the overall impression that is created upon entering it depend on the beauty and appropriateness of the colors of this part of the room. Many designers choose ceiling tiles as a finishing material. This decision is often dictated by its practicality and versatility.

Main types of ceiling tiles

If the method of production of these products is assessed, the following varieties are distinguished:

• Stamped tiles. Manufactured using the technology of pressing composite materials. Sheets of foam plastic are folded evenly into a specially designed shape, and a special press compresses them, that is, the elements are stamped, giving them identical contours. This type of ceiling tile does not allow for a wide variety of decor, so it is usually of the same type. It is chosen by those users who do not have special requirements for the overall design of the room, do not like bright shapes, textures and colors, and are limited to the classic style or minimalism. Adhesive for this type of foam ceiling tiles is usually made from polymer materials.

• Cast foam ceiling tiles, the price of which is more than 350 rubles per package, have their own characteristics. Its alternative name is injection. The raw material, as usual, is foam. However, it is placed in molds not for compression, but for sintering. Foam ceiling tiles of this variety stand out from the rest with their rather high quality, but they also do not differ in the variety of shapes, textures and shades.

Extruded tiles

This foam ceiling tile, the price of which can rise above 500 rubles per package, is the most versatile. This species has many names by which users recognize it better. This repair material is often called laminated or extruded, which is suitable for these elements due to the peculiarities of the manufacturing technology.

Polystyrene foam is first converted into foam by exposure to special substances and temperatures. The tiles are shaped using a vacuum. This is the most beautiful, durable, rich, memorable and high-quality decor. It is quite interesting, and choosing the right option can take a very long time, since there is a chance to find the ideal ceiling covering that is appropriate in a particular interior. Sometimes adhesive for this type of foam ceiling tile is available in a liquid nail configuration.

Ceiling tile shape

When evaluating the shape of ceiling tiles, the following varieties can be distinguished:

• Square. This is the most common and convenient option for installation.
• Rectangular. It is produced rarely and not by all companies, but sometimes it has an unusual design, which is emphasized by an unusual shape.

Varieties by color

Foam ceiling tiles are often divided into groups based on appearance. As a rule, the front side is completely covered with a special film, which simultaneously performs both a protective and decorative function. It can be painted to match any elements. Typically the colors resemble wood, patterned fabric, ceramics or stone.

Recently, foam ceiling tiles have begun to be produced, the sizes of which differ from others, and you can paint them in the desired color yourself. That is, when choosing this building material, you do not have to decide on the required shade or pattern. This option allows you to give the tiles the most suitable color in order to skillfully combine them with the rest of the decor in the room.

Where are foam ceiling tiles used?

Such tiles are currently considered a universal building material, so they can be used in any room, even for narrow-profile purposes. Typically, such elements are used for a living room, hall, personal office or bedroom. This building material is capable of visually making the ceiling higher, so it is especially appropriate in the listed rooms.

Foam tiles are very often chosen for the kitchen. It is very convenient to wash. Sound-absorbing foam tiles will look great and be beneficial in a child's room. This function is provided if it is installed, the availability of which should be checked in the instructions for a specific type of product or directly with the seller. If you decide to use tiles to decorate a bathroom or toilet, materials with a smooth or slightly corrugated surface are selected.

Advantages of the material

Foam ceiling tiles have many positive qualities. The modern user cannot help but appreciate them. Usually they first talk about the various heat and sound insulating properties that all foam ceiling tiles have. The weight of such products is small, so their installation is quite easy. The material is also quite decorative. Even its simplified samples look interesting and can dilute even the most austere interior.

This finishing material is represented by a wide range of choices on the modern building materials market, so it will not be difficult to choose the optimal tile, focusing not only on the style, design and size of these products, but also on the pricing policy.

Other benefits

If the ceiling is finished with this tile, the owners can be sure that it will not succumb to rotting processes and will not become moldy even after a fairly long period of use. A surface covered with such material cannot be damaged under the influence of high humidity or constant dampness of the room. This building material is successfully used in buildings of any type.

Foam ceiling tiles can perfectly hide all irregularities, defects and protruding parts if they are laid according to all the rules. This building material is not only convenient, but also easy to interact with, so not only a professional, but also a beginner can complete the finishing. To process the tiles and adjust them to the desired width and length, just use a regular knife. A person even without repair skills can ensure an excellent appearance of the coating. Also, this material has an affordable price, which always influences the final decision when choosing it.

Flaws

The ceiling is not durable enough. Repairs will have to be carried out regularly, but it should be remembered that during the optimal service life, which is provided by foam ceiling tiles, no complaints arise about the material. It does not release negative substances into the environment, as it is properly processed and covered with a protective coating.

When exposed to direct sunlight, the tiles gradually turn yellow. Thick curtains on the windows can protect her from this. It would be even better to place the material where the sun’s rays do not reach the surface or only affect it for a short time.

Polystyrene foam is not fire resistant and can become very dangerous if it catches fire. This is a huge disadvantage in products such as foam ceiling tiles. When mounting the lamp, you should remember that the lighting device cannot be mounted higher than 30 cm from the ceiling.

Painting the ceiling covering

Let's figure out whether foam ceiling tiles are painted. It should be remembered that not all varieties of this material can be painted. If the coating is laminated, attempts to give it a different shade are in most cases useless or do not give a lasting positive result. If the tile is susceptible to painting, it is advisable to use a water-based or acrylic mixture. If the question is how to paint foam ceiling tiles, you must take into account all the indicators listed below.

When choosing paint, you should consider the quality of the coating. The degree of dullness, consumption, and the presence of antiseptic additives or protective elements in the composition are also important. Painting of foam ceiling tiles is done from the window. When performing work, you must constantly maintain smooth movements. If everything is done efficiently, the ceiling tiles will look great and beautifully complement the interior of the room.

If you want to renovate your apartment, but don’t have a lot of money for materials, then you should pay attention to foam ceiling tiles. A wide selection of textures and colors allows you to find the best option for every taste. Ease of installation will allow you to glue the tiles yourself.

Peculiarities

Everyone has been familiar with foam plastic since childhood, the full name of which is extruded polystyrene foam or styrofoam. It is very popular in the construction industry. Today, various building materials are made from polystyrene foam due to its unique structure. It consists of a huge number of small air cells.

Foam plastic is characterized by lightness of construction, ease of processing, and is also distinguished by the ability to create any shape of the product. Another important feature of this building material is that it retains heat excellently. The versatility of polystyrene foam is evident in the fact that it is used in the creation of many building materials.

Mostly, foam ceiling tiles come in a square shape. Standard sizes are 250x250, 300x300 and 500x500 mm. On sale you can find rectangular options, which are usually called panels. This option is used for finishing ceilings in public spaces not intended for residential use. The standard size is 1000x165 mm.

Modern manufacturers of foam ceiling tiles offer this material in other forms, and sometimes you can even find irregularly shaped options. This variety allows you to create amazing compositions on different topics.

The foam is presented in white color and is complemented by an ornament on the front side. Such tiles are usually used to finish the ceiling for painting using a water-based composition. To ensure excellent paint absorption, this material has a matte finish. This option costs very little, so it is very often used for subsequent painting.

The foam board has a thickness of up to 14 mm, but standard sizes vary from 2.5 to 8 mm. The lightness of the material is one of its main advantages.

So, to cover a ceiling of 20 m², you will need approximately 4 kg of foam tiles.

When calculating the required number of tiles measuring 500x500 mm, you should round the ceiling area to a larger number, which is divided by five. Because in the last row the tiles will have to be cut. If diagonal laying is used, then another 15% should be added to the total number of tiles.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Extruded polystyrene foam, like other materials, has advantages and disadvantages.

The main advantage of foam ceiling tiles is that they can be easily glued to any surface. The low weight of the material, as well as the ease of cutting, contribute to quick and easy installation.

This material is characterized by excellent heat and sound insulation properties. It can even be used for arranging children's rooms, since it is safe, because it does not contain harmful substances.

Many people prefer this finishing material because it is inexpensive, and the installation adhesive is affordable. If you choose the right finishing material for the ceiling, then it will last for many years. When using large tiles, ceiling cladding can be done very quickly. Since foam tiles are thin, the ceiling height remains virtually unchanged after installation.

Foam tiles can be painted. White material can take on any shade. Tiles can be painted up to seven times.

The ease of installation allows you to do everything yourself without special skills.

But besides its advantages, foam tiles also have some disadvantages, which you should familiarize yourself with before deciding to work with this material.

The main disadvantages of polystyrene foam include its fragility, so you need to be very careful with it. A significant disadvantage is vapor permeability. The ceiling can no longer absorb excess moisture. It is quite difficult to mask the seams between the tiles. You should not buy very cheap polystyrene foam, as it is prone to yellowing quickly.

Species

Modern manufacturers offer three types of foam plastic boards, which differ in properties and manufacturing method.

Stamped

Produced from polystyrene blocks using the stamping method. Its main characteristics are light weight, low density, and the presence of a relief print. Its thickness varies from 6 to 8 mm.

This tile is the cheapest, so its properties are significantly lower than those of other types of foam tiles. It does not have a protective coating, is susceptible to exposure to water and is characterized by fragility. This ceiling cannot be washed, so for cleaning you can only use the dry version or wipe the surface using a damp sponge.

This type of tile cannot boast of a clear shape, so gaps of different sizes may appear during installation.

Extruded

It is made from polystyrene mass using a pressing method. It is characterized by high density. Its thickness is generally only 3 mm. It has a protective coating, so it can even be washed with water. Since extruded tiles have a smooth surface, they can imitate the surface of wood, marble or other materials.

The main advantages are long service life, beautiful appearance and excellent strength. If we talk about the disadvantages, it is worth highlighting that the tiles cannot be painted, have an uneven surface on the inside, and noticeable connecting seams are formed during installation.

Injection

It is of the highest quality. It is produced using the method of baking polystyrene in molds. Its thickness is 14 mm. The peculiarity of this type is the increased strength and clarity of the geometry of the relief print. The joints of the tiles during installation are of high quality, which guarantees the creation of a complete surface.

Injection tiles are fireproof because they do not burn. It can be washed using various detergents. If desired, it can be painted.

This option is even suitable for finishing a bathroom.

How to choose?

To make the ceiling look beautiful and even, you need to follow the advice of experts when choosing it:

• The tile must have smooth edges, then its installation will not take much time, and there will be no large gaps between the tiles. If it has bent or deformed edges, then it is not worth purchasing at all.
• It is necessary to check the material for strength. Just apply a little pressure on the edge of the tile. If it crumbles, then material of such low quality should not be purchased.
• It is necessary to pay attention to the uniformity of the structure and density of the foam. There should be no waves or dents on it.

• An important criterion is the quality of the print. The drawing must be clear and easily readable.
• Before purchasing, tiles should be checked for quality. You need to lift it by one edge and shake it slightly. If the edge has not broken off or deformed, then it can be used to finish the ceiling.
• If you want to create a single canvas without joints, then you should use the seamless option. It has a straight edge without edging. But here you need to approach the gluing process competently; each tile must be precisely adjusted to the neighboring one.

• Don't buy foam tiles online, since the material in the picture and in reality is not always the same. It’s better to look at samples to understand what the material looks like and how it feels.
• Many buyers leave positive reviews about foam tiles. Therefore, remember that even among inexpensive materials you can find a decent option for repairs.

Surface preparation

First, you need to pay attention to the condition of the ceiling surface, onto which foam tiles will be glued in the future.

It is necessary to carry out preparatory work:

• If there are level differences of more than one centimeter on the ceiling, then you should start by leveling the ceiling.
• If wallpaper has been glued to the surface, it is necessary to dismantle it and carefully treat the ceiling with a primer.
• To remove whitewash from the surface, it must first be washed off and then primed.

• If the ceiling was painted with oil paint, then it must be thoroughly washed with soapy water, then all the swollen paint must be removed.
• A ceiling painted with water-based paint must be moistened generously, then dried using a heater or a draft, and after 30 minutes the paint can be removed from the surface using a spatula.

To glue tiles to the ceiling, you can use one of the following methods: parallel, diagonal, offset (reminiscent of brick laying) and combined (implemented by using tiles of different colors).

In order for the elements to be arranged evenly and in a certain order, you should first make markings on the ceiling:

• You need to draw two perpendicular lines using paint cord. It needs to be stretched like a string. Each line will divide the surface into two equal parts. The geometric center will be located at the point where they intersect.
• To do the installation in a parallel way, it is enough to create a marking of two lines. To be sure, you can also draw parallel lines at a distance equal to the width of the tile.

• To use the diagonal method, additional markings must be made. From the geometric center you need to draw lines to the perpendicular lines of the first marking, while maintaining an angle of 45 degrees.
• The first tile should be glued in the center of the ceiling. There are times when work can be started from the most visible corner of the room.

Gluing technology

The process of gluing foam tiles to the ceiling is quite easy and simple:

• You need to apply glue to the tiles, namely in the center and along the edges. If desired, glue can be applied to the entire surface.
• The tile should be pressed firmly against the ceiling surface and wait about 30 seconds.
• You need to gently remove your hands. If the tile stays on the ceiling, then you can move on to the next one.

• The last row of tiles is most often smaller than its standard height, so it must be cut using a sharp knife to create the required size.
• When the entire ceiling is glued, you should move on to working with the cracks. To eliminate them, you can use acrylic sealant or putty. If the tiles are glued using putty, then the seams can be sealed immediately during the gluing process.
• After completing all the work, it is necessary to let the tiles dry completely, so the ceiling should not be touched for 24 hours. After drying, you can begin painting the tiles if desired.

How can I wash it?

Ceiling tiles can be cleaned of dust using a vacuum cleaner or a soft fluffy brush. But sometimes you just need to wash it.

To clean foam tiles, you can use whatever detergents you have on hand, but it is better to give preference to liquid detergents. This could be liquid laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent.

The powder usually contains abrasive particles that will not damage the surface of the tile, but may leave streaks after washing.

You should be very careful with stamped tiles, because they have a low density, so they can only be washed as a last resort. Injection and extruded tiles are not afraid of contact with water, as well as mechanical stress during washing.

Foam tiles are washed in the same way as a suspended ceiling. You need to take a soft cloth or sponge and first moisten it in a soap solution, which consists of detergent and water. The solution must be distributed between the relief depressions. To wash the foam, you can use a damp sponge or flannel.

Today, there are a lot of options for finishing the ceiling covering - a variety of tension and suspended structures, painting, and some generally prefer wallpaper conservatively. However, the most popular ceiling is made of foam plastic. Ceiling tiles have become widespread due to their obvious advantages - they are inexpensive, you can decorate the ceiling with their help yourself, and the building materials market is replete with a variety of design solutions based on foam plastic. In this material we will try to review the strengths and weaknesses of this material, and also tell you how to install a ceiling made of foam plastic slabs in your apartment.

Foam tiles are divided into many types according to various criteria. For example, the shape of the tiles can be rectangular panels, as well as their square, diamond-shaped or hexagonal variations. The front surface of the material can be laminated or not, smooth or embossed. The front side can be painted to match various natural materials - wood, stone, etc. Depending on the room in which you plan to decorate the ceiling with foam tiles, additional requirements may be imposed on the material, for example, in the bathroom you should use waterproof tiles.

Another criterion is the manufacturing method. There is an injection tile, it is produced by casting and sintering raw materials in a mold, its thickness is 9-14 mm. Pressed tiles, as you might guess, are obtained by stamping using a press; the thickness ranges from 6 to 7 mm. And the last one, extruded tiles, made from extruded strip, have standard dimensions and are covered with film or painted. A significant advantage of all these types of foam tiles is their unpretentiousness. If the tile has a laminated coating, it is enough to wipe it with a damp cloth; in the absence of such a coating, a dry cloth or vacuum cleaner will do.

Advantages and disadvantages

This material could not have gained its popularity without a huge number of advantages over its competitors, among which we highlight the following features of polystyrene foam:

• Foam tiles are easy to use - they can be glued to almost any substrate, and concrete and wooden floors are equally suitable.
• Pasting the ceiling with foam tiles is a good option also because the material has excellent heat resistance and pipes that conduct heat do not pose a threat to the durability of the material.
• Foam ceilings are incredibly durable and can last for decades in the absence of physical damage.
• Polystyrene foam is used in the renovation of many premises due to its highest sound and heat insulating properties.
• The material is lightweight, which means you won’t have to face the difficult question of how to glue these products - inexpensive glue without high strength indicators will do.
• Installation is simple and convenient; foam panels can be easily cut and adjusted to the desired size.
• Polystyrene foam is an environmentally friendly material.
• The price, both for the material itself and for its installation, which can be done with your own hands, is very low, and therefore this is one of the most budget-friendly finishing options.
• Foam plastic has high potential in matters of decorating a room - there are not many alternative finishing methods that can boast such a wide range of products of all colors, shapes and textures.

Before running to the store, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the shortcomings, which, unfortunately, are also quite numerous. Although polystyrene foam is an economical option, we do not recommend skimping at all when choosing it: cheap tiles can ruin the entire renovation after a short time - they can turn yellow in the sun, be exposed to moisture, etc. On the other hand, the tiles can always be painted with water-based emulsion and give it its original appearance, as well as protect it from dampness.

The main disadvantage of ceilings made of polystyrene foam tiles is their vapor permeability; the surface covered with such material stops breathing; in particularly advanced cases, fungus may appear, which will bring a lot of inconvenience. One more nuance - although polystyrene foam is extremely difficult to set on fire, it melts perfectly, and therefore contact with lighting fixtures should not be allowed. We have already mentioned physical fragility, so try to transport the material as carefully as possible, and indoors, don’t get too carried away with darts or opening champagne with the cork flying up. Well, the next drawback of the tile texture is the large number of seams, which can spoil the impression of the integrity of the ceiling covering.

Technology of work execution

Material calculation

Estimating the required amount of material in the case of tiles is quite trivial. First, you need to calculate the ceiling area of ​​the room in which the renovation is being done. After you have multiplied, for example, the length of 5 meters and the width of 3 meters, you get an area of ​​15 square meters, we calculate the number of required tiles based on the fact that to form one square meter you need four tiles measuring 50x50 centimeters. Having learned that we need 60 polystyrene foam slabs, we add another ten percent to this number, i.e. 6 slabs, which are designed to eliminate various errors in calculations or help cope with non-standard room dimensions using cuts of these additional slabs.

On the other hand, you, of course, can always buy more material if you don’t have enough, but tiles are inexpensive and it’s better to save time by purchasing a little more than what is needed.

Necessary tool

The process of installing a foam ceiling with your own hands is so simple that you are unlikely to need to run to the building materials store for additional tools. Prepare in advance:

1. Painting cord with which you will draw the axis of the ceiling.
2. A cutting tool such as scissors or a knife.
3. Serrated spatula for applying glue.
4. Roller and paint tray – if it is necessary to prime the ceiling before installing the tiles.
5. Every little thing in the form of tape measures and rulers for measuring distances, rags for wiping the surface and removing excess glue, and so on.

Preparatory work

Before answering the question of how to glue foam to the ceiling, it is worth preparing the ceiling itself. First you need to clean its surface and carefully remove the previous finish, various debris and accumulations of dirt.

After this, especially if the ceiling area is not very level, you should resort to priming. The composition of the primer will prevent the subsequent penetration of various microorganisms into the cavities of the foam, and the adhesion of the tile and the base will increase.

After the surface is ready, it should be marked. For this we will need a painting cord. Marking can be done both longitudinally and diagonally. Diagonals can be obtained by pulling a cord from one corner of the room to the opposite, and repeating this procedure for the other pair of corners. Having obtained the intersection of the diagonals, you should find the centers of each of the walls, and then look for the centers of segments equal to the size of the side of the tile.

The process of finishing a foam ceiling

First you need to understand the use of glue. It can be applied to the tile completely or dotted on the protrusions present on the product. The glue should be applied with a comb, and in the case of large differences in ceiling height, we recommend that you also apply the glue to the ceiling itself.

There are types of glue, for example, ELTITAN, which sets better when left on the tile for 10-15 minutes, so carefully read the instructions for the adhesive you have chosen.

The process of gluing the ceiling with foam tiles should begin from the center of the room, otherwise there is a possibility of failure of the seams between the tiles.

Do not forget to first turn off the power to the room, just in case, and also use gloves so as not to stain the foam panels. If you plan to place a lighting device at the intersection of the diagonals, then the corners of the central tiles should be cut off. Press the tile tightly, but do not use excessive force - the material is fragile and can be damaged.

In the future, it is necessary to cover the entire ceiling surface with parallel rows of slabs. We do not recommend gluing the entire surface as quickly as possible; it is better to seal the seams after installing a small area and remove excess glue, and after that proceed to the next batch.

Beautiful, inexpensive and easy-to-install finishing material for the ceiling - is it a myth or reality? Expanded polystyrene ceiling tiles, a material that captivates with its variety and low price, can boast of all these qualities. We understand the advantages and features of choosing ceiling polystyrene foam, and also study the basic principles of installation.

No. 1. What is ceiling polystyrene foam?

Decorative tiles are made from polystyrene, which foams when heated. During production, they add to the material flame retardants and carbon dioxide, substances that increase resistance to high temperatures. Expanded polystyrene tiles made in this way, although they melt under the influence of fire, still perform better than ordinary polystyrene foam. By the way, you can also find ceiling tiles made from: they are not only less safe, but also rougher in appearance. The presence of fire retardants in the composition of the slabs indicates marking: domestic manufacturers add the letter C, foreign – F.

The material may vary greatly in size, shape, color and appearance. On sale you can find tiles in square, rectangular and designer shapes. The surface can imitate country style or exquisite stucco in the style. The classic color of the tile is white, but colored versions and products with a laminated surface are also sold. Standard sizes are 50*50 and 100*16.5 cm, but other formats are also available.

No. 2. Advantages and Disadvantages

Expanded polystyrene ceiling tiles are among the most popular. Buyers appreciate it for numerous advantages:

• affordable price. In this regard, tiles can become a competitor even to ordinary ones. The most expensive samples with an exquisite design, which do not allow you to determine at first glance what the ceiling is made of, will cost much less than, for example, a system of suspended or suspended ceilings;
• ease of installation. You can cope with gluing ceiling tiles on your own, without any special skills. Considering the low price of the material, it can be called an ideal choice if the budget for repairs is limited;
• great variety. On sale you can find both the simplest white tiles with a simple pattern, and materials that very accurately replicate the structure of wood or wood, so you can use ceiling tiles to decorate any interior. White tiles can be painted in any desired shade;
• additional heat and sound insulation premises;
  
• resistance to temperature changes and high humidity, so the tiles can be used even in;
• tiles do not steal height, unlike stretch and suspended ceilings. Additionally, it hides small irregularities and cracks that would definitely have to be removed when painting;
• expanded polystyrene - although an unnatural material, it does not pose any particular danger. It does not emit harmful substances under normal operating conditions, unless, of course, it is made with high quality and has all safety certificates. Tiles become dangerous at high temperatures, i.e. during a fire;
• The material is easy to care for; it can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or a damp sponge;
• high maintainability. If part of the ceiling is damaged, then several old elements can easily be replaced with new ones, so always take tiles with a reserve.
  

Now about shortcomings:

Experts convince us that truly quality ceiling tiles thanks to the additives used does not turn yellow for a long time and almost does not support combustion. Conscientious manufacturers claim that all the myths that exist among people are caused by the abundance of low-quality products on the shelf, and they advise you to always ask for a certificate of conformity. Sometimes we ourselves are to blame for the fact that the experience of using polystyrene foam turns out to be negative. It’s not just about choosing low-quality tiles, but also about choosing the wrong adhesive, on which a lot also depends.

Expanded polystyrene ceiling tiles can be used in almost any room. It is undesirable to just glue it in the kitchen, and you can still find other material.

No. 3. Main types of polystyrene foam tiles

Depending on the type of production, ceiling polystyrene foam can be of the following types:

• stamped or pressed;
• extruded;
• injection.

Stamped plates produced by placing polystyrene foam blocks in special forms and then squeezing them. The result is products with the simplest and not very relief patterns, small thickness (about 6-8 mm) and very fragile. Since such slabs are not covered with a protective layer, they absorb dirt well and are difficult to clean. The main advantage is the price.

Extruded panels are considered the most durable, durable, reliable and moisture resistant. The material is produced by hot extrusion of strips of raw materials. The result is tiles with a slight grain size and an almost smooth, dense surface, making it possible to apply a decorative coating. Such panels can be simply white and have complex patterns, or they can imitate the surface of any type of wood or stone. Due to high density, minimal porosity and impregnation with water-repellent compounds, the material obtains sufficient resistance to moisture. It is extruded tiles that can be seamless, which we will discuss below.

Injection polystyrene foam produced by filling raw materials into a mold and sintering them under high temperatures. The result is a product with precise geometry and a clear relief pattern, the thickness of the slabs is 9-14 mm. Such panels tolerate moisture well, retain noise and heat well, are quite durable and come in a wide variety of patterns. Due to their intricate ornamentation and good performance qualities, such slabs are sometimes even used for wall decoration. Often injection panels are produced with imitation leather, wood, fabric, and ceramics.

No. 4. Surface type

In terms of variety, polystyrene foam ceiling tiles outshine many other finishing materials. Based on surface type, the entire range presented can be divided into the following types:

The shape of the tile can be square, rectangular, diamond-shaped, there are also irregular tiles, the so-called. designer form.

No. 5. Seamless ceiling tiles

Seamless tiles are worth highlighting separately. Many people are confused by the fact that seams are formed during installation. If you glue regular tiles and act carefully, they will be almost invisible, but if you are a perfectionist who wants to get a monolithic surface, then you will like seamless tiles.

The main feature of the material is the special processing of the edges, due to which the seams will be minimally noticeable. As a rule, the manufacturer provides an installation diagram on the packaging, and if you follow it exactly, you can get an ideal, complete ceiling surface.

No. 6. What else to consider when choosing?

When choosing expanded polystyrene tiles, it is very important to personally see and evaluate the quality of the material:

By shape and size the tile can be anything. The most popular are square tiles measuring 50*50 cm, 30*30 cm and rectangular tiles 100*16.5 cm. Calculate the required amount of material not difficult. First of all, you need to know the area of ​​the surface to be finished. It should be divided by the area of ​​the material in the package. For example, if you take a large square tile, then there are usually 8 pieces or 2 m 2 in a package. If the ceiling area is 17 m2, then it is worth taking 9 packages, but 10-11 is better: a small supply will not be superfluous, it will be useful during repairs, especially since during installation and trimming some of the tiles may be damaged. It is better to take a stock of material of 15-20%.

No. 7. The best manufacturers of polystyrene foam boards

The best guarantee of quality is the name of the manufacturer. In order to protect yourself, you should look towards the products of famous companies that value their reputation. Among the largest manufacturers worth noting:

• Armstrong is a company that produces both the most common and quite non-standard tiles. Performance qualities are excellent in any case;
• Ormit is a tile made in Germany, characterized by high moisture-resistant qualities, a wide range of sizes and colors;
• Antares – accepts all types of slabs, the color range is varied. Also produces skirting boards and corners;
• Matrix is ​​a Chinese-made tile of small thickness. The main advantage is the low price;
• Angara, another Chinese manufacturer with an attractive pricing policy, produces panels with a thickness of no more than 8 mm.

When buying tiles, in any case, it is better to make sure that there are quality certificates.

No. 8. DIY installation of polystyrene foam tiles

One of the main and most important advantages of the material is the ease of its installation, but the preparatory work should be given maximum attention.

Ceiling preparation is done as follows:

Another difficulty when gluing polystyrene foam tiles is perform markup and install the first elements correctly. Exists two markup options:

The installation process itself looks like this:

• Glue is applied to the tiles, it is best to use and apply them in dots or stripes. This will save glue and provide the tile with maximum breathability. You can apply a little glue to the end to guarantee;
• the tile is pressed to the ceiling surface in a pre-designated place quite tightly, but without excessive force. After a few minutes, the tile should already stick if a high-quality fast-setting adhesive was chosen;
• if some of the glue gets on the front side, it is better to immediately wipe it off with a damp sponge, otherwise traces may remain;
  
• The remaining elements are mounted in the same way; if necessary, they are trimmed with a paint knife. Trimming will be needed for the outer elements, as well as for the central ones, if there is a chandelier in the center of the ceiling;
• installation . It is also attached with glue. Craftsmen recommend fixing it additionally with small nails in several places, since it will be difficult to keep a long plinth pressed to the surface. The next day, the carnations are removed, and the holes from them are sealed with acrylic putty;
• If discrepancies or seams appear between the tiles, they can be sealed in white.
  

All work is carried out in the absence of drafts. After the glue and sealant have dried, you can paint the tiles if desired, and it is not necessary to use only one shade: relief areas can be highlighted with a different color.

If you pay attention to the choice of polystyrene foam ceiling tiles and carefully install them, the result will delight you for many years.