How to make a glass ceiling
The technology of making silicate glass ceiling coverings should be classified as unique, since it involves the development of processing methods for a rather heavy and brittle material. In addition, the combination in one material of such physical characteristics as hardness and fragility greatly complicates its processing. On the other hand, the indisputable advantage of using glass as a suspended ceiling is its aesthetics, which allows to realize truly unique design solutions.
In this article we will try to tell you in as much detail as possible about how to make a glass ceiling in the bathroom, as well as acquaint you with some of the subtleties of the installation procedure associated with increased fragility of the material used.
At the heart of the approach to the manufacture of glass surfaces is the need to ensure the safety of people who are constantly in the room. That is why the main attention in their arrangement should be paid not only to the strength of the frame used, but also to the reliability of fastening all the structural elements.
Note! Toughened glass is expensive, but it is more durable. In addition, even if such a glass is broken, it will crumble into small pieces, which, due to their small mass, will not be able to cause harm to a person. The inconvenience of mounting is that the tempered glass is not cut - it must be made in the size of the window into which it will be inserted.
We also note that everyday contact with glass surfaces will require you to pay more attention and caution when carrying out any public events at the premises (outdoor games, for example), since the consequences of accidental glass breakage can be extremely sad.
Glass virtues
Despite all the problems listed above, the decision to make a glass ceiling contains a number of positive aspects, such as, for example:
- glass ceilings on a frame base in the form of profiled billets of aluminum or galvanized steel resistant to high humidity and sudden temperature changes;
- in the absence of destructive mechanical effects such ceilings can serve you as you like;
- and, finally, glass coatings are not afraid of heating, which provides unique opportunities for arranging “glowing” ceilings.
It should be noted that even in the absence of illumination glass ceilings are a fascinating picture. In addition to pure aesthetic appeal, they are able to create the illusion of the depth of space, visually expanding the size of the room. The use of a special backlight greatly enhances this effect.
The advantages of such ceilings should also include a noticeable simplification of the process of caring for their surface, which is simply wiped with a conventional sponge soaked in detergent composition.
Execution options
It is clear that in the arrangement of the ceilings with their own hands a simple transparent glass can not be used. And indeed, this contradicts the main purpose of the glass construction, which is to hide the irregularities of the floor surface and at the same time place behind it all the communications in the apartment (electrical wiring, water pipes, elements of ventilation systems, etc.).
In this case, the following versions of the suspended structure are usually considered: - Suspended ceiling of frosted glass, which has a very reasonable price and allows you to realize the option of "soft" and diffused lights.
- Glass ceilings of special stained glass panels with any pattern applied on them in one way or another.
- Mirror glass ceilings.
Installation procedure
When preparing a reliable base for a suspended ceiling of any type, typical cassette structures are most often used, which allow for the installation of glass panels in the simplest and most reliable way. Their fixing in the cells of the frame can be done in two ways: with the help of glue or with the use of special fittings.
In the second case, in the glass sheets cut to the size of the cell, it will be necessary to prepare small holes for fixing accessories. We should not forget about the lighting devices, under which in the appropriate places of the glass surface must be decorated technological holes. These holes are made with a small margin in size, eliminating the direct contact of the illuminator housing with glass. The resulting gaps can then be closed with a special decorative lining, included in the kit light. Note! When preparing the holes for fixing reinforcement, one should indent a margin of at least 2 thicknesses of the glass sheet. Before fixing the mirror blanks in the cells of the structure (before screwing the fastener of the fittings), it is recommended to glue a special anti-splinter film onto the glass surface, precluding the possibility of splitting and falling fragments if it is accidentally damaged.
For small sizes of mirror blanks (in the bathroom, for example), for attaching them to the cells of the framework, it is more convenient to use a special adhesive, the procedure for which you can read in the instructions attached to the product.
Video
Through this video, you will learn the secrets of installing glass ceilings, get information about the materials used and the cost of the installation of the ceiling: