Bathroom Ceilings
Moisture and condensation can be a problem in bathrooms and shower rooms as many wall and ceiling coverings can get adversely affected by wet conditions.
Ceramic tiles have generally been used to provide a waterproof lining to walls but they are not suitable for use in overhead situations so other materials have to be used for ceilings. Bathroom ceilings are usually finished using one of the following methods:
- painted plaster
- painted texturing compound
- wallpaper over plaster
- wooden tongue and groove boards
- UPVC panelling
- ceiling tiles
Baths and showers can generate quite a lot of moisture in the air so you should ensure the products you choose can tolerate these conditions.
As well as the overall cost you should also take into consideration the life expectancy of the finish you are applying - paint might be cheap but if you have re-apply it very year it the cost can mount up over the lifetime of the bathroom (not to mention the extra work and hassle involved in applying it). Plastered ceilings will need a covering of some description the most common being paint, wallpaper, painted wallpaper or painted texturing compound, such as Artex® .If the plaster or texturing compound contains too much moisture the paint can start to peel. There are some specially formulated paints suitable for use in bathrooms that are more tolerant of moist conditions and sometimes also contain a fungicide to prevent mould growth. Wallpaper and painted wallpaper can also suffer from moisture damage with mould spots appearing or the paper itself can start to peel if the adhesive is a affected by the moisture.
Timber tongue and groove cladding are also used for lining bathroom ceilings. The planks slot into each other to provide an attractive alternative to plain ceilings. The planks will need to be varnished or painted to seal them and prevent moisture ingress. As with most timber products, tongue and groove cladding will boards can need re-coated from time to time. There are now several upvc alternatives to timber cladding which give similar or improved appearance with the advantage of a maintenance free surface.
UPVC ceiling cladding is an ideal way of covering the bathroom ceiling as it is totally waterproof, is unaffected by steamy conditions, will not rot, will not harbour mould and requires no maintenance. There are panels available with a plank effect similar to timber tongue and groove, cladding in woodgrain finishes as well as plain white panelling that will mimic the effect of a painted plaster ceiling. Ceiling cladding is an ideal choice as they are relatively easy to fit, will cover up any imperfections and look good for years. They are also quite cheap, especially when consider the fact they will require no maintenance over their lifetime.