5 tips for choosing and installing cornices under a suspended ceiling

Stretch ceiling structures are often used by designers in the design of residential and non-residential premises. But the logical completion of the composition is impossible without the simplest accessory - a cornice. It allows you to complement the interior with curtains that decorate the window and allow you to control the amount of light. But which cornice is better to choose for suspended ceilings among the variety of available options? Here you need to take into account the owner’s taste, ceiling design and other nuances.

Cornice material

Before we move on to a review of various mounting options, let's study what materials curtain rods are made from. This is the easiest thing to deal with.

Wooden cornices are distinguished by their impressive weight, they look solid, but they are also the most expensive. Such a cornice will fit perfectly into a classic interior, and in some cases, into a modern setting. The main thing to remember is that wood does not like sudden changes in temperature (more than 7 degrees) and does not welcome high humidity, but it is durable and able to withstand the weight of heavy panels. Wooden cornices come in a wide variety, but carved models look especially luxurious.
Aluminum cornices are the golden mean; there is a margin of safety combined with low weight and an adequate price. They are not afraid of cold, heat or humidity, do not put a load on the floors, can withstand three-layer lambrequins, but the hollow structure is easy to deform and should be used with caution. There are both laminated and painted models on sale, so choosing the right product will not be difficult.
Steel curtain rods are a good companion to heavy curtains, but such a product is heavy in itself. It is used when the length of curtains is more than 3 m. It is steel curtain rods that are used to decorate stages, and there the weight of the curtain is more than substantial. They can be decorated with wood or plastic to look more harmonious in the room. The cost is higher than that of the aluminum counterpart.
Plastic – a bestseller in any city. Plastic can be painted or laminated in almost any way, so it allows you to bring any design idea to life. Although the material is not so noble, the strength without defects is impressive. However, there are minimal restrictions on the range of movement of curtains. However, it is better not to hang heavy curtains on a plastic curtain rod.

Additionally, sometimes there are forged cornices , which have all the same advantages as steel ones. They are strong, durable, reliable, can withstand the weight of heavy curtains, and look interesting, but it is difficult to call such products universal. They will fit well only into certain interior styles, incl. Provence, country, classic.

In addition, there are also combined cornices. The base, for example, can be made of aluminum, on top of which plastic is used. This combines the strength of aluminum and the wide decorative possibilities of plastic.

We also note that, regardless of the material of manufacture and method of fastening, curtain rods can be designed for 1-4 sets of curtains, i.e. you can hang tulle, thick curtains and a lambrequin for decoration on the same cornice.

Criterias of choice

There are three basic options for fastening the system that holds curtains or window curtains. All of them are universal and quite suitable for stretch ceilings.

But here it is important to remember that this method of interior improvement has its own characteristics, since tension fabric, especially PVC, is completely unsuitable as a supporting structure, does not tolerate cuts and lateral loads, and also slightly reduces the ceiling line.

So, the main classification of cornices is based on the method of their fastening.

Traditional wall option

It is extremely easy to install and requires minimal preparatory measures. It looks very good in interiors with high ceilings, but it looks extremely unprofitable where the ceiling line is lowered.

It is also important to consider the size of the window sill—more precisely, its outlet. Otherwise, it will turn out that even at the maximum reach of the mounting console, the falling curtains will begin to bulge where it protrudes into the room. This looks especially bad with curtains that reach the floor.

Timeless classics are equally well suited for both classic interiors and country style

Ceiling mounted

A little more finicky to install. Its advantage lies in the fact that you can choose to remove the suspension from the wall at your own discretion - there are no technical restrictions, as such.

In this case, it is important to pay a little more attention to the unit responsible for direct fastening to the ceiling, since the load vector coincides with the axis of the hardware that holds the cornice itself. Therefore, everything must be done carefully: no dowels or nails, only plastic dowels and screws.

And even better are anchor structures (especially with heavy curtains) - they hold up best in such conditions. Curtains on such a curtain visually increase the height of the room. Therefore, this type of cornice fastening should be given preference in small-sized apartments with low ceilings - it will create the illusion of additional space.

The cornice does not have to adhere to a straight line or go from wall to wall

Recessed or hidden

In fact, it is a type of ceiling fastener. But, unlike its open counterpart, there is always a special niche under the cornice, hiding all the elements of curtain hanging from the observer. It goes well with any interior style, but requires some technological tweaks.

With a hidden cornice, the curtains seem to come out, fall out from behind the ceiling, which gives the entire structure visual weightlessness

Also, in addition to the method of fastening the cornice, it is important to pay attention to the main material from which the structure is made. There are several standard options:

tree. Most often found in wall structures or as a decorative element in baguette systems. Quite an expensive cornice, but the texture of natural wood gives a special nobility to the appearance of the curtain hanging system;
plastic. The most budget-friendly type of cornice. It is very attractive with a variety of colors: it can be white, multi-colored, or imitating natural materials. The flexibility of the material makes it possible to construct systems that are very complex in configuration and design. Thus, you can find a plastic cornice either in the French style or in the hi-tech style;

aluminum. Lightweight, durable, quite durable cornice. A large selection of textured and color polymer coatings allows you to choose a model that matches any interior;
steel. It is superior in strength to all previous options, so a cornice made from it is recommended for heavy and thick curtains, for complex compositions with lambrequins and other weighting components. In terms of price, it is probably the most expensive option. But such extravagance often pays off in reliability and durability.

When choosing the type of cornice, it is better to adhere to the following rule: you should first assess the load on the entire system and only after that evaluate the external data of a particular model, choosing the one that best suits the interior.

Types of cornices by type of installation

Despite the fact that the topic of the article touches on cornices that are mounted under a suspended ceiling, it would be wrong not to talk about an alternative solution. So, according to the method of installation, curtain rods are:

wall;
ceiling

Wall cornices

The wall mounting option is the simplest, fastest and cheapest. Someone might think, why even bother with installing a cornice under a suspended ceiling, if at any time you can take it and attach it to the wall. Yes, it’s convenient, easy, and minimal preparatory work is required. In addition, the cost of wall cornices is lower than ceiling cornices. Another significant advantage is that there is no need to make holes in the fabric of suspended ceilings (however, with a hidden ceiling installation, you won’t have to make holes in anything either), and it will be much easier to replace the cornice with curtains if necessary.

On the other hand, a wall cornice can make low ceilings visually even lower (it seems to “cut” the room), so in standard apartments this option should be chosen only when funds and time are limited, and there are no special requirements for aesthetics. Wall-mounted cornices look best in rooms with high ceilings. However, it is impossible to say that this installation option looks unsuccessful, because if you approach the issue wisely, you can get a decent result, but again, if we are talking about a room with high ceilings.

When installing, you should take into account the window sill outlet, otherwise the curtains will unsightly bend around it instead of falling beautifully. You can carry out all the installation work yourself, having a level and a screwdriver in stock. Installation can be performed before and after the installation of suspended ceilings. However, installers still advise fixing the crossbar after the stretch ceiling - this way you can more clearly guess the height. And it’s much easier to focus on a baguette and microplinth that has already been leveled (especially important for several individual parts).

Installation is carried out on two brackets, and if the length of the cornice is more than 2 m, additional fasteners will be needed every 1.5 m. During installation, it is also important to take into account the distance from the cornice to the ceiling sheet - it should be such that the hooks, rings or other products on which The curtains are attached without damaging the suspended ceiling.

Ceiling cornices

Curtains attached to the ceiling cornice look as if they are flowing out of nowhere. The visual effect cannot be compared with wall mounting. In addition, such a cornice helps to visually “raise” the ceiling. Since the element is fixed at the top, the wall appears longer than in reality. This is an excellent design solution for a typical old housing stock with a wall height of 2.5-2.7 meters.

Ceiling cornice is an excellent alternative to drilling into walls. It is not always possible to violate the integrity of a vertical surface, especially after a fresh, expensive finish. In this situation, it is more logical to fix the cornice to the ceiling. In addition, we can highlight the fact that the ceiling cornice can withstand a large mass. The owner of the premises will be able to choose any fabric, including dense ones with a lot of weight.

In addition, there are cornices that provide an area for installing LED lighting. This solution allows you to turn the most ordinary cornice into the highlight of the interior.

Let's be honest, there is also a flip side to the coin: to secure the cornice using the open method, you need to make holes in the canvas. In this case, the suspended ceiling becomes more vulnerable in the event of flooding with water from neighbors above. Fortunately, this is practically the only disadvantage (which is absent with a hidden installation) and, if the prospect of flooding from above does not frighten you, you can install the cornice on the ceiling without any doubt.

What types of curtain rods are there for suspended ceilings?

A cornice is the simplest design for hanging curtains. On store shelves you can find models that differ in:

Mounting method
Manufacturing materials
Shapes and sizes

Based on the design features, it is worth highlighting:

Round or square rod
Metal string
Profiles of different shapes

When figuring out how to hang a cornice on a suspended ceiling, you need to consider the available options. To do this, one of two technologies is used:

Outdoor installation
Hidden installation

Types of cornices according to installation features

It would seem, what options could there be, because the ceiling cornice is attached to the ceiling, and that’s it. In fact, there are some features, depending on which there are two options for installing a ceiling cornice.

Open installation method

The cornice will be visible to everyone who enters the room. It is impossible to attach the cornice to a suspended ceiling, therefore a mortgage is installed under the suspended ceiling in advance, on which the cornice will be mounted after the installation of the canvas. The work order looks approximately as follows:

On the rough surface in the area of the future cornice, a support is pre-fixed - usually a wooden beam. To ensure maximum durability for the trim and cornice, the timber is pre-treated with an antiseptic or coated with a hydrophobic primer. attach the mortgage to the dowels, fixation occurs in pre-drilled holes
After this, the tension fabric is installed as usual, without any special features.
The cornice itself is attached using self-tapping screws at any suitable points above which the beam is located. During its installation, you cannot do without several holes in the newly stretched ceiling. However, if a real professional takes on such work, the above-mentioned changes will in no way be noticeable. To avoid deformation of the stretch ceiling, plastic rings are installed, and the holes are burned out with a special soldering iron, rather than scrolled with a self-tapping screw. In the end, holes are also made in the ceiling for chandeliers, and this does not cause concern to anyone.
It is extremely important that there are no gaps between the wooden base and the film - otherwise, the ceiling will “lead” and the canvas will be subject to deformation. If the ceiling is not very level, then special mounting wedges can be used between it and the mortgage.

Experienced installers strongly recommend choosing a thick beam so that the structure being fixed does not collapse to the floor under the weight of the curtains. In case of such a problem, you will have to redo both the suspended ceiling and the curtain. In addition, even before installing the stretch ceiling, it is better to select curtains and cornices so that workers can make the correct markings

The Master Ceilings organization offers a wide range of suspended ceilings made of PVC or turnkey fabric with installation in Moscow and a number of regions. The company's installation teams have extensive experience working with curtain rods and will help the client with the choice in a specific situation. A small but pleasant bonus for those who finished reading: until May 31, 2022, for your first order with the promotional code REMSTROIBLOG, we will give you a discount on your first order, free electrical wiring, as well as installation of lighting and cornices. Hurry up to take advantage of this great offer!

Hidden installation

This option fits well into the concept of minimalist room design. The essence of such installation is that an indentation is made from the wall to a certain distance, from the border of which the suspended ceiling will begin. A niche is created. In a similar way, you can create the feeling that the curtains are flowing directly from the ceiling, and this will visually make the apartment more spacious and tall. The cornice can be mounted on a wall or ceiling, but the second option is chosen much more often.

The hidden installation method allows you to get a much more aesthetic result, but this solution is also more difficult to install. Several features will need to be taken into account

It is necessary to think over the design of curtains and purchase a curtain rod before installing a stretch ceiling, because workers will need to determine the size of the niche and build it correctly;
the size of the niche is calculated individually, but, as a rule, it is 15-20 cm;
do not forget to take into account the design of the curtains and the width of the folds - it is important that the fabric does not constantly rub against the niche and suspended ceiling
the cornice can be of any type.

A niche can be organized in one of the following ways:

plasterboard box . A box is assembled from a metal profile, which is mounted with a special fastener. Next, the structure is covered with plasterboard, the seams are sealed with putty, and the surface is painted. The width of the box must be at least 50-70 mm, if it is planned to install LED lamps - from 250 mm. The obvious advantage of this format is the wide possibilities for design, and the stretch ceiling does not come into contact with the curtain, so the risk of damage to the fabric when installing new curtains is reduced to zero. A significant disadvantage is that the assembly and installation of a plasterboard box takes some time. Add to this the additional wait until the paint dries, and the installation of the stretch ceiling will have to be postponed for at least another 1-2 days.
wooden mortgage. A piece of timber with a cross section of 30×30, 40×40 or 50×50 mm and the length of the wall (or slightly shorter) is fixed. For fixation, it is practiced to use reinforced metal corners, or, if the rough surface is smooth, long self-tapping screws through the embed. A baguette is attached to the lower edge of the beam, into which the canvas is tucked. The advantages of this option: the whole process takes extremely little time and can be completed by an installer right before installing suspended ceilings (usually the service costs 500 rubles per linear meter). Minor drawback : the wooden beam will be visible from the side of the curtain, but it is important to note that this is not a particularly common situation. However, the reverse side can also be hidden from prying eyes - for such purposes the film is not pulled directly, but with a bend over the bumper (such services will cost the client a little more). It is important to choose dry wood, and before installation, treat the surface with an antiseptic to further prevent the formation of fungus.
Profile for BP-40 for cornices . This method is almost similar to the previous one, but instead of timber, a special metal profile is used. The latter is essentially an aluminum tube 2.5 meters long with a square cross-section of 40x40 mm and a gap for inserting the blade. A definite plus of this material: it is extremely easy for the installer to create a natural-looking rounded corner. The disadvantage is that although the installation process takes a little less time compared to timber, it also costs a little more.
Special profiles “Niche” 2.5 m long or “Curtain” 3.2 m. Installation in both cases is quite simple - on metal corners. The rest of the niche can be covered with a piece of stretch ceiling. Such solutions enjoy well-deserved success, however, for a high-quality result, the installer must have the appropriate qualifications.

There is a type of hidden cornices called combined : in essence, this is any of the previous options, combined with perimeter lighting. From a design point of view, this is an extremely successful solution, and adding an LED strip should not significantly impact the customer’s pocket.

General installation rules

Much depends on the quality of installation. Inept installation of the structure will negate all the advantages of the latter. Therefore, one cannot be irresponsible about the process of fixing the cornice.

First of all, the high quality of installation is largely due to the presence of preliminary markings - they must be applied with maximum precision, especially in cornices, the main guide elements of which are composite.

The second important point is that in most cases, mistakes made when working with stretch ceilings are difficult to correct. Therefore, you must try to do everything carefully the first time.

Third rule: almost all cornices are attached at the edges, and then the attachment points are at least one and a half meters apart. It doesn’t matter whether they directly attract the cornice to the surface, or whether the installation is carried out using external brackets.

Cornice design

When thinking about the future design of the window area of the room, you must immediately decide on the design of the cornice. There are several main options:

string cornice It is a stretched wire with hooks to which the curtain is attached. Most models are equipped with a string tension regulator. An excellent minimalist option, but such a curtain rod is unlikely to withstand heavy curtains;
Read also: How to polish furniture with your own hands. Advice from the experts
tire cornice It looks like a flat plate with several slots for mounting hooks. Several layers of curtains can be attached to one such curtain rod;
profile cornice made of aluminum. Thanks to its high flexibility, it can be bent almost any way, which allows you to use profile cornices to design semicircular window openings;
Separately, it is worth highlighting the flexible cornice , which is made of plastic. It can be given absolutely any shape, creating an unusual trajectory for the curtains. Such cornices are often used not even when decorating a window opening, but for zoning space and creating a screen;
baguette cornice It is distinguished by the presence of a decorative strip around the curtain fastening system, i.e. the hooks will not be visible at all. Sometimes LED lighting is mounted under the bar, obtaining an original result. A good option for open ceiling or wall mounting.

Cornices also differ in the number of guides. The most popular models are those with two guides: you can hang tulle and curtains on such a cornice. If it is necessary to decorate the structure with a lambrequin, choose a cornice with three guides. If blinds are chosen to darken the room, and only translucent tulle will be attached to the cornice, then you can take the simplest and cheapest option with one guide.

There is a classification according to the control method:

mechanical curtain rods are a true classic. To open and close the curtains, you need to pull the cord. Everything is simple and reliable;
A motorized curtain rod allows you to open and close curtains simply by pressing a button. The decision is justified if the curtains are long, wide, heavy, and you regularly manipulate them.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the so-called. “smart” curtain rods , which, thanks to a controller and a sensor system, can open and close themselves according to a certain schedule or depending on the light level in the room. In some cases, you can enable the effect of presence when no one is at home.

Price for curtain rods

The price of cornices for suspended ceilings depends on several factors. A budget option is a wall-mounted curtain rod. The price varies, depending on the material used to make the cornice, from 270 rubles per linear meter. up to 2000 rub./p.m. For ceiling plastic curtain rods, the price varies, depending on such nuances as the length of the cornice, double or triple cornice, with or without the use of corner elements - from 500 rubles/piece. up to 1600 rub./pcs. Baguette cornices – from 2000 rub./piece. up to 9000 rub./pcs. The approximate cost of additional work to install a ceiling plinth in a niche is about 2,000 rubles. You can check the prices for curtain rods in your region by following the link.

What else do you need to know about ceiling cornices?

There may be a slight loss in ceiling height. A complex design can take away at least 5, or even 10-15 cm, but well-chosen curtains visually compensate for such losses.
Loss of height can be completely avoided if you use the open beam method. In this case, first fix the baguette of the glazing bead or harpoon system, and after fixing it according to the existing level, adjust the location of the site.
You can not limit yourself to just one wall with a cornice, but extend the plasterboard box or profile along the entire perimeter. If you connect the LED strip along the inner box, you can get a beautiful two-level structure like a floating ceiling.
In small spaces, the use of both hidden and open variations is justified. But it’s better to refrain from using wall mounting; remember the immutable rule: the fewer elements, the better.

Finally, remember how important it is to correctly fit the cornice into the style of the interior. For large rooms decorated in a classic style, a wooden wall cornice is suitable - it will only emphasize the luxury of the room. In a modern minimalist interior, hidden cornices, perhaps with lighting, will look much better.

The article was written for the site.

Tags:Windows, Ceiling

Installation companies: who to trust?

Expert opinion

Mikhailova Maria Vasilievna

Furniture store manager. Knows everything about comfort and interior design

Recently, more and more companies have appeared that are ready to undertake the installation of tension structures. What companies can you trust to install suspended ceilings in Moscow?

There are several options here:

Natcom is a company that has been operating in the market for more than ten years. The main direction of activity is the installation of tension structures of any complexity (multi-level, in small rooms, of various geometries, and so on). Masters come free of charge to take measurements, after which clients can choose color, material and installation features;
"Bezshva" is a company that installs suspended ceilings. The peculiarity is the provision of a wide range of services and a good reputation. The main credo is low prices, high installation speed and a guarantee of the quality of the work performed;
"ART DESIGN POTOLKOFF" is a company that installs ceilings, focuses on quality and has only qualified personnel (engineers, installers and managers). Each employee has been working in a specific industry for more than six years;
“Stretch Ceilings Mytishchi” is a company that has been in the stretch ceilings market for a long time and has a reputation as a reliable installer. During the work process, only high-quality materials and modern equipment are used;
“Bely-Bely” is another group of professionals that installs, repairs and maintains tension fabrics. The specialists have more than five years of experience. During this period, we managed to accumulate serious experience in installing ceilings made in Germany and France;
ECOFOLE® is a company that deals with all types of work related to suspended ceilings. During this period, we managed to accumulate serious experience and guarantee quality to each client. The company’s advantage is the use of ECOFOLE® stretch fabrics, which are environmentally friendly and contain no formaldehyde.
"Formula Ceilings" is a well-known company offering a wide range of ceilings from various manufacturers. You can choose from installation ceilings with one, two or more levels. To date, the company has installed thousands of different ceilings. In addition, each client receives a 10-year guarantee. The work is carried out in Moscow and the Moscow region. A separate plus is the availability of tension fabrics from different brands from Switzerland, Russia, Germany and other countries.
"Potolkoff" is a company that has been operating since 2004 and installs high-quality domestic ceilings. Until recently, only foreign-made products were available to customers. Today, domestic ceilings are presented in 12 colors and have many shades. At the same time, the quality is not much different from foreign analogues. During the production process, only modern equipment is used, which guarantees high quality seams.

How to choose a suitable cornice?

Installation of the product is preceded by a choice. To do this, take measurements and select the type of curtains. To get the correct measurement result, consider the following:

The cornice should not interfere with the opening of the window. Provide for the location of the element 5 cm above the opening.
Hanging curtains should not touch window handles, heating, or the ledge of the window sill.
The dimensions of the product are chosen so that when the curtains are pulled apart, the window opening is completely open. In this case, the distance from the edges of the cornice to the slopes is taken into account - 300–400 mm. This value depends on the width and density of the curtains and the location of the window. If desired, curtains occupy the entire width of the room.

Hidden cornice mount

Important! When using multi-layer complex curtains in decoration, take measurements from the outermost layer located as close as possible to the window opening.

How the ceiling cornice is attached
Before taking measurements, decide on the type of curtains and their number. How firmly the curtains adhere to the ceiling depends on these indicators. The use of heavy curtains requires the use of metal profiles or a structure made of hard plastic. Such products are fastened directly through the holes in the tire provided by the manufacturer.

Regarding the levels of the cornice, we note the following: the width of the decorative element and the number of tiers must correspond to the number of expected layers of curtains. If you plan to use tulle, curtains and lambrequins, then a three-level design will be required.

Cautions

If you decide to hang the cornice yourself, it is recommended to take into account all the risks. Stretch ceilings and cornices normally coexist, complementing each other, but film is a delicate and capricious material, and consoles often have sharp edges or jagged edges, especially if made of aluminum or plastic.

Tip: to avoid snagging the ceiling fabric during work and damaging the expensive tension material, it is recommended to cover the edges of the tire with a soft cloth or plugs.

Ideally, to prevent dangerous ruptures in the technological holes made in the film, they are strengthened using thermal rings made of plastic. If this is not possible, the holes are not cut, but burned, as if soldering the edges.

It is better that the installation of the console and ceilings is carried out by the same company: this will protect you from troubles associated with possible damage to the canvas.

You can install the cornice on the ceiling yourself or use the services of specialized workshops. The main thing you should not forget about is caution during the work process!

Special cornice for LED strip

It is, of course, not special, but the fastening technology is exactly the same as a regular hidden one. There is only one difference: if a simple cornice is needed only for curtains and is located next to the window, then the curtain rod for the tape can be placed anywhere.

Maybe you decide to make a two-tier structure right in the middle of the ceiling and place lighting there? Or, around the perimeter of the room?

In general, this is not the point. If you are attaching an LED strip, then you just need to try to make sure that it is not visible from any angle, otherwise the whole effect of the mysterious light goes away and the bare strip looks very ugly.

Also, when planning such a cornice, do not forget that you will need to route and hide the wires somewhere. Well, and perhaps most importantly: do not forget that any LED strip does not last forever.

Therefore, secure it in such a way that it can later be dismantled and replaced without consequences. If you rush and “plant” it on the glue in a continuous layer, you will later damage the putty coating or even the ceiling film itself.

Well, our article has come to an end. We hope you find the information presented here helpful!