Ceiling rail - a new generation cornice - is used in window decoration as a device for hidden fixation of curtains. The structure can be installed on any surface, including suspended ceilings and suspended fabrics. Curtains attached to the track system drape beautifully and provide weightlessness to the composition. This simple technique helps to visually increase the area of the room and is actively used in the design of modern interiors.
Ceiling rail for curtains with bandeau
Ceiling rail with wood panel
Classification of ceiling tires
The structure can be installed on any surface, regardless of the initial characteristics. Any tire for curtains, regardless of the type, has its advantages and disadvantages.
Ceiling rail cornice in the interior
The advantage of modern hanging systems for curtains and curtains is that with a well-thought-out scheme for moving the hooks, no less attention and time was given to developing the design of the decorative part.
Single row
They are distinguished by their enviable compactness and are suitable for attaching window textiles. Curtains placed on such a rail can be successfully complemented by a single-layer organza drapery or light curtains.
Double row
Double textiles with different layers of fabric are fixed. For example, you can choose a dark curtain along with white tulle. The two-row option is convenient to use and very easy to install.
This is what a standard ceiling rail with two rows looks like.
Three-row
In this case, the rail type of plates is used. Tires are designed to create complex compositions. In addition to a transparent or dense layer, you can place a lambrequin on them, thanks to which the compositions look complete. Thanks to this design, the curtain fabric can be silently moved to the sides and returned to its place.
Ceiling bus shape
Nowadays, manufacturers offer a wide range of ceiling tires of various shapes and sizes.
Strings
The possibilities of use for such models are quite narrow, even if they have a bend. Depending on what characteristics a particular model has, the range of applications is determined. There are several features that you should know about in advance:
- The weight load is taken on by special threads made of polymers or metal, so it is recommended to attach only light curtains to the tire;
- If the weight of the fabric is large, the cables will sooner or later sag;
- It will not be possible to create a row ensemble using such products.
The strings will sag unevenly if the elements of the assembled curtain weigh differently. As a result, the canvases will be at different levels, and in this case, even the most attractive space will lose its presentable appearance.
If you do everything correctly and place light textiles on the cornices, it will create an unusual airy effect.
What should you consider when choosing a cornice?
The first and main question that needs to be answered before purchasing a hidden cornice: is the film already stretched or are you just going to install a stretch ceiling? The choice of material, design, fastening method and other key points depends on the answer.
- Already installed. If during the work the craftsmen did not secure the mortgage along the window, the installation of a ceiling cornice for suspended ceilings is practically impossible. Although there are methods, they all involve piercing or even cutting through the fabric, so one careless action can lead to damage and forced replacement. To avoid this, purchase a wall curtain rod: in the extensive range of curtains of different colors, styles and designs, everyone will find something for themselves.
- Still in the plans. In this case, the possibilities are almost limitless: ask the craftsmen to fix a wooden beam (mortgage) or make a niche along the window, or still give preference to a wall cornice if it suits the chosen interior style.
When the choice of fastening type is made, proceed to the next stage. When searching for a cornice for a suspended ceiling, consider:
- Material of manufacture. They are made of wood, plastic, aluminum. We'll look at this in more detail in the next section.
- Design features. For example, if you already have curtains with eyelets, only a model with a rod will do. There are also string, bus and profile ones.
- Number of "tracks". How many layers of fabric are expected? A single is enough for light tulle or simple curtains without it, a double is a standard suitable for securing tulle and curtains, a triple is necessary for complex designs with lambrequins. The most popular tire curtain rods have two or three levels.
- Size. Without numbers, of course, nowhere! A hidden cornice or rail is most often mounted from wall to wall - therefore, to determine the dimensions, it is enough to measure the wall with the window. If the curtain under the suspended ceiling is wall-mounted, choose an option 25-50 cm larger than the window on each side.
Advice! In order not to make a mistake with the size of the rod, take a telescopic one - this way you can adjust its length directly at the installation site.
The photo shows a hidden curtain mount
Profile
This type has the following advantages:
- Only modern technologies are used in production, thereby achieving increased strength of products. The service life is also increased.
- If the model is made of plastic, it is better to install lightweight products on it. Cornices made of metal and aluminum are able to cope with increased loads.
- Tires for slatted ceilings can be equipped with various additional elements that greatly simplify the operation of the product. They should have a special location so that the details do not distract attention from the key accents of the interior.
- Easily and quickly installed on bay windows and other elements.
This is what profile curtain rods look like, photo.
Device Features
The ceiling rail is a plastic or aluminum base with grooves for suspension runners in the form of hooks or clamps on rollers. The package also includes:
- end caps for profile;
- curved sidewalls, if provided for in the design project of the cornice system;
- plastic plugs for fixing and movement limiters of the sliders;
- connecting elements, if the profile length is insufficient and you need to use more than one blade;
- Delighter is a special strip that is installed in the middle of the cornice. The device ensures tight closing of curtains that hang in one row. In this case, one curtain is wound behind the other and no gap is formed between them;
- fasteners in the form of screws and dowels.
To decorate the bus system, exquisitely designed hoods made of plastic or wood are often used. Sometimes the baguette trim is made from the same fabric as the curtains.
Ceiling rail fixation for curtains
Metal curtain rod
Installation of ceiling rail for curtains
Rounded
The rod holder itself is most often made round. Such models have a number of advantages compared to analogues:
- A simple device, even if the mechanism is steel;
- Possibility of arranging curtains of different lengths.
The rounded cornice is distinguished by the fact that it can successfully fit into any interior, regardless of style. The exception is ultra-modern trends or luxurious decoration of structures.
Round rod holders are attached only to walls. It is important to take into account the characteristics of the materials from which the tire is made. A typical product range is most often represented by wood and metal products. They come with a plug.
Types of cornices by installation method
According to the method of fastening, these products are divided into 3 types: ceiling-mounted (mounted only on the ceiling), wall-mounted (mounted only on the wall), universal (combining the previous 2 types). They also differ in size, although there are key criteria for tire manufacturing:
- single-row ceiling tires, which are made of plastic;
- The double-row rail curtain rod is designed for two rows of fabrics: you can hang, for example, curtains and tulle.
- three-row ceiling products: they have 3 rows, which makes it possible to hang a lambrequin, curtains and tulle at the same time.
A double-row tire curtain rod is more functional than a single-row one. Hollow ceiling tires are used for curtains made of lightweight fabric, and with wooden filling for heavy curtains. The set of ceiling rails for curtains includes: a rail (the main element of the curtain rod), roller runners (clips and hooks on which curtains are hung), connectors for the rails, a stopper (limites the movement of the roller runners), rotating elements, corners (edge rotating elements) and edge element. The busbar curtain rod can be controlled in 3 possible ways: manually, using a cord (by pulling the cord built into the curtain rod) and remotely (by remote control).
The following types of curtains look good on cornices of this type:
- Italian - completely non-retractable, assembled with cords and ribbons;
- French - made of tulle or silk;
- Roman - smooth canvases divided into equal parts, reminiscent of blinds;
- Austrian - gathered with a ribbon at the top;
- Chinese - the fabrics exactly match the dimensions of the window opening.
You may also be interested in: Flexible cornice - choose the type and install it yourself
Baguettes
Such a cornice can be stylized to resemble wood of any species. Baguette has plasticity that meets European standards. The mount itself is placed under the bar and does not spoil the overall appearance of the product. The tire itself is placed on the wall at some distance from the ceiling (10-15 cm).
Materials
In order for the ceiling cornice to please the inhabitants of the house, before purchasing you need to carefully study the properties that the materials have. Not only the service life of the tire, but also the safety of family members depends on this.
We attach the cornice to a regular ceiling. Video
It is not difficult for an intelligent person who knows how to do at least simple installation work to understand the technology of attaching a ceiling cornice. The main thing is to have the necessary tools at hand. But in addition to a regular screwdriver and dowels, you will need a hacksaw for metal, a powerful drill and good (sharp) drill bits for concrete.
Attaching the ceiling cornice - Photo 3
Attaching the ceiling cornice - Photo 4
Get to work, following the order of operations:
- Cut the cornice to the predetermined length and then, if provided by the design, connect its ends with curved sidewalls or plugs.
- Drill a series of holes along the entire length of the cornice with such distances between them as to evenly distribute the load from the weight of future curtains.
- Attach the cornice to the intended location and make marks on the ceiling through the holes.
- Drill holes in the concrete, insert dowels into them and secure the cornice.
- If the ceiling is wooden, it is easy to attach the cornice to it with suitable screws.
PVC
PVC products differ from others in their ceiling mounting. This is one of the most practical options, as it is suitable for placing various curtains. The tire can withstand significant loads, and at the same time it is light and durable. A plastic cornice will help you create complex compositions even in limited spaces.
PVC tires have the following advantages:
- They can be installed on surfaces made of plastic and plasterboard;
- They are light in weight;
- Cornices have a long service life;
- They are very convenient and easy to use.
Varieties according to mounting location
The material is, of course, an important aspect of choice, but the method of installation is considered more important in the context of a stretch ceiling.
Wall cornices
Models that are attached to the wall have one main advantage: they can be mounted both before and after installing the stretch ceiling. In this case, you will not have to make holes in the already stretched fabric, because the curtain guide is not tied to the upper horizontal line in any way.
The disadvantage of wall mounting under a suspended ceiling is that the space will appear lower. Firstly, the ceiling itself eats up 4-7 cm of height. Secondly, the cornice visually reduces the height of the wall. To avoid this, choose the crossbar and brackets in the same color as the walls, fix them as high as possible, bringing them as close as possible to the tension fabric (tread carefully so as not to damage!), choose a glossy PVC fabric and straight curtains right down to the floor.
Important! Be careful when installing; ordering a new curtain will be much more expensive in terms of time and finances than moving the curtains down a couple of centimeters.
The photo shows a wall cornice on brackets
Ceiling cornices
Models of this type, as the name implies, are attached directly to the ceiling. In this case, installation can be carried out directly on the suspended ceiling itself (through a mortgage) or in a niche. Read more about the hidden installation method in the next section.
Advantages of ceiling mounting:
- visually makes the room higher than it is - ideal for old houses with ceilings up to 270 cm;
- installation across the entire width of the wall visually increases the distance between adjacent sides;
- can withstand more weight, suitable for placing heavy blackout curtains;
- makes it possible to install built-in decorative lighting (place an LED strip).
There is only one minus - the installation of a cornice for suspended ceilings should be assumed at the finishing stage, so that the craftsmen can immediately install a niche or install a mortgage during work.
Metal rails for curtains
Products made of metal are widely used in interior decor. The designs are convenient because with their help you can easily realize the most daring ideas related to the arrangement of curtains. For example, curtains can be hung in several rows on aluminum structures.
You should choose a metal product if:
- You need to create an arched opening;
- The walls in the room do not obey the standard laws of geometry;
- A base for roller blinds (including Roman blinds) is required.
The metal version is as versatile as the plastic one. In addition, you can conduct electricity inside them and create beautiful lighting.
Using a rounded metal rail, you can create an arched opening.
Tree
This material is the least popular. It also has sufficient strength, but in order for such a cornice to last for a long time, it must be treated regularly. Only the use of special compounds will preserve the basic properties of the material and increase its service life. The advantages of such structures are environmental friendliness and lightness; they can even be mounted on a suspended ceiling.
Variety of ceiling tires.
Installing cornices on suspended ceilings
In the manufacture of suspended ceilings, many structural materials are used, but not all of them are able to withstand the weight of a cornice with curtains. For example, it is still permissible to attach a cornice designed for a tulle curtain to a plasterboard ceiling. And if you plan to hang curtains, then you will need to install wooden fasteners in the right places in advance, to which you will subsequently secure the cornice with self-tapping screws.
But how to attach the ceiling cornice when installing a stretch ceiling? In a similar way, install timber mortars on the base ceiling. In addition, during the manufacturing process of the canvas, you will have to glue safety rings to the places where through holes are supposed to be made.
