Stretch ceiling is a universal covering that can serve for many years. It does not fade and does not lose its appearance even under the influence of internal factors of the room. Having installed it, you can always forget about the need to repair the ceiling until you get tired of it.

In what situations may it be necessary to dismantle the ceiling?

Sometimes situations arise when you need to dismantle suspended ceiling, but I would like to put it in its place later. For example, you want to repair the walls, lay tiles, re-arrange the wiring, or you need to soundproof the ceiling from the neighbors above. But your suspended ceiling is still good! There are even situations when the customer and the installer do not fully understand each other and the customer receives something completely different from what he expected. In these situations, the question arises: Is it possible to somehow remove the suspended ceiling, and then, after various dirty works, install it in its original place?

Reuse of tension fabric.

To understand whether your canvas can be reused, you should first understand what material the entire structure is made of. You also need to understand what method of fastening the canvas was used.

In most cases, the canvas can be carefully removed for later use. The question is whether you are qualified enough for this procedure. Plus you will need special tools:

gloves;
scissors;
long-nose pliers;
mounting spatula;
mounting clothespins;
screwdriver;
screwdrivers;
special construction knife;
heat gun(if the film is vinyl);
stepladder.

Ideally, entrust this work to the company that performed the initial installation of your ceiling. In this case, it will be possible to avoid or minimize damage to the canvas. The installers who stretched the fabric will know all the nuances of the room and understand where to start dismantling.

It is worth considering that even if you were able to dismantle the ceiling yourself, this does not mean that you will be able to put it back in place.

Currently, such ceilings are mainly made from polyester vinyl films. Fabric sheets are usually placed on profiles with a clip system. In this case, precise cutting of the canvas is not required: the material reaches the object in the form of a cut, which slightly exceeds the area of the room. After inserting the film into the profile, the craftsmen trim off the excess material. If you remove such a ceiling, there will not be enough fabric left for re-tensioning. That is why, after removing the fabric ceiling, you will have to re-order the canvas. But this can just help if, as a result of renovation, you have reduced the area of the room. Wall leveling or laying tiles, can significantly reduce the area, and your canvas will be suitable for a new stretch.

Approximately the same system is used when installing ceilings using the glazing bead method. It is used when installing tension fabrics made of polyester fabric and pvc films. In this case, as in the first example, an approximate cutting of the material is performed, and the excess is cut off after filling. Therefore, it will be possible to re-install such a ceiling only if the area of the room has decreased.

It will be possible to reuse the tension fabric if the ceiling is made of vinyl film, which is fixed into the profiles using a harpoon method. And if the area of the room did not change. This method uses precise cutting of the canvas to the size of the ceiling, taking into account the shrinkage of the material. A special profile or hooks are welded along the perimeter of the PVC film, which are inserted into the profile and provide reliable fastening with walls. This ceiling can be reused as much as you like. The main thing is to carefully dismantle the canvas.

Removing and installing the ceiling yourself: pros and cons

Now you understand whether you can use the suspended ceiling again. But is it worth carrying out such a complex procedure yourself, because there is a risk of ruining everything? Our experts strongly advise against removing and installing suspended ceilings with your own hands.

In addition, in this case you lose the right to warranty service for your ceiling structure. Damage to the coating will lead to the need to completely replace it. Therefore, without having experience working with tension fabrics and special tools, it's not worth risking your ceiling. The best thing is to entrust the dismantling and re-installation to our installers. They will do this work quickly and efficiently, so that you can enjoy a flawless and perfectly even stretch ceiling for many years to come.

A suspended ceiling system, like any other, may need repairs, for which it must be partially or completely dismantled. You can invite craftsmen or try to do everything yourself. Let's figure out how to remove it yourself so as not to spoil the panel.

1. Determine the type of tension systems

Before you start work, you need to decide what you have to deal with. The principle of fastening directly depends on the material from which the canvas is made. This can be one of two varieties:

Textile. Made from synthetic fibers, impregnated with special compounds. It is characterized by high strength, wear resistance, and is not sensitive to low and high temperatures. Completely safe, fire resistant, and retains sound well. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting low ductility, significant weight and higher cost compared to the analogue.
Film. It is made of polyvinyl chloride and can have different thicknesses. Sensitive to increases and decreases in temperature. It stretches when heated, and cracks when frozen. It is safe provided that it is a high quality product.

Methods of fastening structures

Regardless of the fixation method, installation of the suspension system begins with the installation of profiles. It is they who will subsequently hold the tension panel. Three methods are used to fix it:

Harpoon. A special edge is welded along the edges of the canvas; its shape resembles a harpoon. The film is tucked into the profile, where the edge spreads out and holds the ceiling in place.
Bead or wedge. The edges of the canvas are fixed in the profile with a special spacer element called a bead.
Cam, also known as clip-on. The material is held by specially shaped elastic plates located inside the baguette.

2. We carry out preparatory work

Before you shoot, start with preparation. First of all, you need to choose a stepladder. It should be stable and high enough to make removing the canvas comfortable. In addition to this, you will need the following tools:

Spatula for . Its main difference from conventional construction is the absence of pointed corners. If this is not the case, you can make it yourself. To do this, take a regular tool 9-10 cm wide, grind off the sharp edges on it and round the corners.
Mounting clothespins. They are used to temporarily secure material to baguettes.
A strong screwdriver, its end should be bent.
Pliers with curved long jaws.
In addition, when dismantling the PVC coating, you will also need a heat gun. With its help, the film is heated so that it becomes plastic.

After all the tools have been prepared, it is necessary to prepare the workplace.

We temporarily remove from the room all items that may deteriorate under the influence of high temperature, remove plants and .
If possible, we protect from overheating that part of the environment that cannot be removed.
We dismantle everything

3. Determine how to remove a suspended ceiling with your own hands

The technology of the dismantling process depends on the method chosen for installation. Let's look at each of them in detail.

Harpoon fastening

Used only for PVC coating. The fastener is very convenient because it allows you to disassemble the structure many times without damaging the panel. They start removing the film from the corner. Actions are carried out in the following sequence:

If the joint is closed decorative elements, we remove them.
Turn on the heat gun and raise the temperature in the room. This is necessary for the film to heat up and stretch. The tension will decrease and the mount can be disassembled. We heat the film from the center to the corners.
Use a screwdriver to press out the harpoon. Carefully insert the spatula into the gap and lift the harpoon. We move the tool left and right, thereby pressing the fastener away from the baguette. We do the same on the opposite wall.
Pull the spatula down, releasing the panel from the retainer. Moving the tool along the profile, we continue to remove the film.

If the covering is subsequently intended to be pulled back, it must not be deformed.

Fixation with glazing bead

Used for all types of ceilings. For dismantling, it is necessary to remove the fastening elements-beads from the profile. We offer step-by-step instructions.

Heat the polyvinyl chloride until it softens. If the ceiling is fabric, this is not necessary.
We take long-nose pliers or a bent screwdriver and very carefully open the profile.
Place the spatula behind the bead and pull it down. The fastener comes out of the groove and releases the panel.

As in the previous case, we secure it with clamps so as not to deform it.

If the glazing bead fastening is dismantled, it will be possible to put the tension panel in place only if the installers have left a sufficient supply of material. Otherwise, it is not possible to stretch the fabric.

Clip fastening

Designed for installation of low-tensile coatings, such as polymer-impregnated fabrics. A clip is a type of fastening into which the edge of the covering is tucked inside. To remove it yourself, you need to remove the edge from the lock. We begin dismantling from the middle of the wall.

At the junction of the ceiling and wall surfaces, press on the panel. At the same time, carefully loosen the fastening with pliers or a screwdriver. The fixation of the fabric loosens and it can be removed from the clip. We do everything carefully to preserve the canvas. You will need it for subsequent installation. True, this is only possible if the fabric was not cut too short during installation.

Features of dismantling the fabric structure

Many people are concerned about maintaining the integrity of the fabric during dismantling, since it is not elastic enough. Fears are in vain if the work is done correctly. There are several rules to consider:

Remove the fabric covering only from the middle to the corner. Subsequent installation, if provided, is carried out in the same way.
Warming up the room during operation is necessary, but it should not be as strong as for PVC film.
Small irregularities can be removed yourself by heating the problem area. It is important to know that the heat source should not be brought close to the coating. Otherwise it will become deformed.
It is impossible to partially remove the fabric panel, as is possible for a film panel. The fasteners will not withstand the weight of the material, which will lead to the breaking of the fasteners.

To eliminate any remaining questions, we suggest watching a video on the topic.

As you can see, if such a need arises, you can remove it and put it back. We told you how to do it right. This is a rather complex procedure that must be performed with strict adherence to technology. It is unlikely that you will be able to cope alone. It is advisable to find assistants who will ensure safety and high quality works

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How to dismantle a stretch ceiling - 4 mounting options ceiling covering

A stretch ceiling is a pure decorative covering made of tightly stretched reinforced vinyl film or thin fabric. During installation, it is attached to a special profile, which is installed under the main ceiling along the entire perimeter of the room, and then leveled and stretched due to the heat-shrinkable properties of the material.

Despite the fact that such coating has a long design life, for one reason or another, every home owner may have a situation where it needs to be removed. From personal experience I can say that dismantling a suspended ceiling with your own hands is quite possible for anyone home handyman. To make it easier for the reader to cope with this task, below I will talk about how best to do this.

In what cases is it necessary to dismantle a suspended ceiling?

After the apartment is done major renovation, I think that it is unlikely that anyone will want to remove suspended ceilings because they have nothing better to do. At the same time, no one is immune from troubles, so at any moment a situation may arise where it cannot be avoided.

To understand in what cases and why it may be necessary to dismantle suspended ceilings, below I will give several typical everyday examples from everyday life;

One of the most unpleasant moments that residents of apartment buildings often encounter is water or sewerage leakage from neighbors on the top floor. In this case, the accumulated water must be carefully drained through the hole for the chandelier, and the suspended ceiling covering must be removed for a while so that the main ceiling and walls can dry normally;

In the free space between the main ceiling and the suspended ceiling decorative coating, usually performed hidden installation engineering communications (electrical cables, ventilation ducts, water pipes, etc.). To ensure access to them during scheduled maintenance or repair, the tension covering will also have to be removed;
In order not to damage or stain the tension fabric during execution cosmetic repairs, painting walls or gluing new wallpaper, it is also recommended to temporarily dismantle it;

If you somehow damage the stretch ceiling, then in order to seal it or repair it, the canvas will still need to be removed;
Over time, dirty stains or difficult to remove grease stains may form on the ceiling covering (this problem is especially relevant for), or it appearance, over many years you may simply get tired of it. In this case, it will be easier to remove and throw away the old coating, and install a new sheet in its place., cut to the same dimensions;

If, after a water leak, the main ceiling is not properly dried, then in a closed space between the ceilings, without a normal flow of fresh air, mold can quickly form on the walls and ceiling. In the event of a home sewer leak, unpleasant smell from mold, a fetid odor from sewage will be added.

Tools and equipment for dismantling

In most cases, dismantling a suspended ceiling in any room of a typical residential apartment is easy to do without outside help, by the efforts of one person, although if there is such an opportunity, it is better to attract a partner to help you.

To do this job you will need the following set of tools:

An electric or gas heat gun will be needed to heat the canvas to a temperature of 45°-50°C. The fact is that over time, reinforced vinyl film loses its elasticity, and when cold it stretches very poorly, so to make your work easier, I advise you to preheat it;

It is most convenient to carry out such work with a small stepladder, but if you do not have one in your household, then to work under the ceiling you can use a high, strong table or homemade trestles assembled from scraps of lumber;
A long flat-head screwdriver with a blade width of 10-12 mm. For ease of work, I advise bending its end at an angle of 30°-45°, at a distance of 40-50 mm from the edge;
Large flat screwdrivers with a straight, wide blade – 2 pcs.;
A set of metalwork pliers and pliers: medium pliers – 1 pc., pliers with extended flat jaws – 1 pc., pliers or round nose pliers with extended curved jaws – 1 pc.;

Two flat metal spatulas with rounded corners: one with a blade width of 40-60 mm, and the second with a blade width of 80-100 mm;
To temporarily fix unfastened sections of the panel, it is convenient to use special clips such as clothespins, which are used when installing suspended ceilings;
From my experience, I can say that working with a stretch ceiling with bare hands is not very comfortable, and fingerprints may remain on the heated film. Therefore, I recommend preparing thin household knitted gloves in advance;

During dismantling, the stretched thin vinyl sheet can very easily be damaged with one careless movement. To prevent this from happening, all tools must have corners rounded and sharp edges ground off, and after processing sharpening machine, remove remaining burrs and burrs using fine sandpaper.

Preparatory work

Before dismantling the suspended ceiling with your own hands, you will need to free up space along the walls along the entire perimeter of the room. At the same time, it is not necessary to remove all the furniture from the room; it is enough to move the high shelves and shelves to such a distance that a free passage 700-800 mm wide is formed along each wall.

Over many years, a large amount of dust can accumulate on the ceiling covering, which, when dismantled, will certainly begin to fall down. To protect the remaining pieces of furniture in the room from contamination, I recommend covering them with wide plastic film;

If there is a chandelier on the ceiling, spotlights, backlighting or other ceiling lights, they will need to be removed after first turning off the power supply to the distribution panel;
Wall lamps, sconces, window cornices, shelves, paintings or other interior items that are attached to the wall at a height of less than 300 mm from the suspended ceiling will also need to be temporarily dismantled. At the same time all wires from each electrical appliance, I advise insulating and numbering;
While the heat gun is operating, the air temperature in the room can rise to 50°C, so all indoor flowers, as well as fish, birds, hamsters and other pets, will need to be temporarily moved to another room;

To reduce electricity or gas consumption and save time on heating tension fabric, work on dismantling a suspended ceiling is best done in the warm season. If you do this in winter, then while the heat gun is operating, front door and a window in the room, I advise you to curtain it with an old cotton blanket or a thick thick blanket.

Option 1: harpoon type mount

As I already said, the finished ceiling covering, in a tightly stretched state, is attached along the entire perimeter of the room to a special wall profile. Today there are four different types fastenings for fixing the tension fabric, which differ in the shape of the supporting profile and the design of the locking mechanism.

So that any home owner can easily rent suspended ceiling, and without damaging the fabric or vinyl covering, this article will present step by step instructions, which covers all types of fastenings and locking mechanisms.

The harpoon-type fastening system is designed for installation of suspended ceilings made of reinforced vinyl film. The main difference between this system is that the tension fabric is cut out strictly according to the shape and size of the main ceiling before installation, without any reserve. Then, along the entire perimeter of the canvas, a flexible plastic profile is sewn or welded, the cross-section of which has the shape of a harpoon.

During installation, this harpoon is inserted into the grooves of the supporting profile, and its hook is fixed to the longitudinal rib. After this, the canvas is heated with hot air, and it stretches on its own, thanks to the shrink properties of the vinyl film. To hide the locking mechanism from prying eyes, decorative overlay inserts are attached along the perimeter of the profile.

If the tension panel on your ceiling is harpooned, then to dismantle it you will need to perform the following steps:

Regardless of the type of fastening, any ceiling made of vinyl film is more convenient to remove in a warm state, therefore, before dismantling the ceiling covering, the air in the room must be heated to a temperature of 45-55°C;
During the heating process, the heat gun must be periodically moved around the room so that the ceiling covering is heated evenly over its entire area;
While the air in the room is heating up, you can dismantle the overhead decorative inserts, which are attached to the supporting profile with latches;

It is more convenient to start this work from the corners of the room. At the beginning, each strip needs to be pryed off with a wide flat screwdriver, and then smoothly pulled down with one hand, and then intercepted with the other hand so that it does not fold or break over a long length;
It is more convenient to start dismantling the tension fabric from the middle of each wall of the room. To do this, you need to insert a wide flat spatula into the groove of the supporting profile, then slightly lift the plastic harpoon hook and try to disengage it from the metal longitudinal rib;
The free lower part of the harpoon hook must be grabbed with pliers with thin long jaws, and with moderate force, pull it down so that it comes out of the groove of the supporting profile;
Thus, you need to release only 200-300 mm of the harpoon hook along each wall of the room, after which it can be easily pulled out by hand.

Not every home has its own heat gun, and in my opinion, it would be unreasonable to specifically buy one just to remove suspended ceilings. To solve this issue, I advise you to rent it, because in this case, the cost of renting for one or two days will not be so high.
When choosing a heat gun, you should check its power consumption, because very powerful models may require a three-phase connection to the electrical network, which may not be available in your apartment.

Option 2: Cam clamping

The cam system can be used both for the installation of fabric stretch ceilings and for the installation of reinforced vinyl sheets. In cam fastening systems, the wall supporting profile is not made of metal, but of thick, rigid PVC plastic. The tissue fixation mechanism is a self-clamping structure, which consists of movable and fixed cams.

In a free state, the edge of the canvas is easily tucked between two cams, and when the ceiling is tensioned, the movable cam is pressed against the stationary cam, and clamps the stretched panel between them, due to the friction force.

The main difference between the cam mounting is that it does not have decorative overlays, so the dismantling work is a little easier. To release the stretch ceiling from the cam clamp, proceed as follows:

In the case of vinyl ceiling covering, before starting work it needs to be heated to the desired temperature in the same way as I wrote in the previous section;
If the stretch ceiling is made of impregnated fabric, then there is no need for preheating;
You should also begin dismantling the canvas from the middle of each wall. To do this, you can use two wide flat-head screwdrivers, or two narrow metal spatulas;

They need to be carefully inserted into the gap between the ceiling covering and the lower fixed cam at a distance of 300-400 mm from each other, at a slight angle to the horizontal, and then simultaneously lowered down;
At this time, the blade of each screwdriver or spatula will slightly lift the movable cam, after which the section of the panel between the spatulas can be freely pulled out of the clamping profile;
For further work, the spatula will need to be inserted between the cams in those places from where you have just pulled out the canvas, and thus, step by step, gradually dismantle the entire stretch ceiling.

The main advantage of the cam-type clamping system is its relatively low price, compared to other types of fastening. In addition, this system allows you to install a tension covering on minimum distance from the main ceiling, therefore it is often used in typical residential apartments with low ceilings.

Option 3: wedge film fastening

A metal supporting profile for wedge fastening of vinyl film may have two or three narrow longitudinal grooves. The wider outer groove is designed to install a plastic expansion wedge that holds the vinyl ceiling taut.

The narrower inner groove is used to attach the outer decorative overlay, which is installed after installing the tension panel. It is needed to hide the tension mechanism and decorate technological gaps around the entire perimeter of the room.

When using wedge fastening, dismantling suspended ceilings is considered to be the simplest, moreover, in this case the likelihood of damage to the vinyl sheet is minimized.

As in the first option, before starting work, the air in the room needs to be heated to a temperature of 45°-50°C, and while it is warming up, you can remove the decorative trims from the supporting profile;
After all the linings have been removed, you need to pull out the plastic wedge clamp from the groove of the supporting profile on each wall;
It is more convenient to do this work from the corner of the room, since in each corner there are technological gaps between the wedges on two adjacent walls;
You need to insert a wide flat-head screwdriver into this gap and try to press the outer profile strip towards you. At the same time, use a second screwdriver to pick up the edge of the wedge clamp and try to push it out of the groove;

Thus, you need to remove approximately 250-300 mm of plastic wedge clamp from each corner of the room from the groove. After this, the work will go faster, because then the wedge can be pulled out simply by hand, without the use of screwdrivers;
To properly preserve the dismantled canvas, I advise you to first pull out the wedges along one short and two long walls of the room. Then, starting from the short wall, gradually remove the panel and immediately roll it up, and only after that pull out the last wedge from the profile fixed along the opposite short wall.

The wedge mounting method allows you to leave a small supply of vinyl film on each side of the panel after installing the stretch ceiling. This solution, firstly, significantly facilitates installation and dismantling work when installing and removing suspended ceilings, and secondly, it allows you to install and dismantle the same panel several times, with minimal risk of damage to the film.

Option 4: glazing bead fastening method

The bead fastening system is most often used for installing suspended ceilings made of fabric fabric.. The fabric does not have heat-shrink properties, so this system has a special type of locking mechanism that allows the fabric to be evenly stretched during the process of fastening it.

This mechanism is one of the types of self-clamping fasteners, and as a clamp for fixing the fabric in a tense position, it uses a long metal or plastic bead, which in cross-section has the shape of a cam or eccentric.

The ceiling fabric is cut with a small margin, and during installation it is inserted into a longitudinal groove on the supporting profile, into which a clamping bead is then inserted. Under tension, the fabric is clamped between the supporting profile and the glazing bead due to friction.

As I already said, fabric ceiling coverings are not characterized by heat-shrink properties, moreover, over time they do not lose their elasticity, therefore, to dismantle a fabric stretch ceiling, it is not necessary to use a heat gun;

The bead groove in the metal supporting profile is closed along its entire length with a plastic decorative plug, so to remove the canvas, it must be dismantled first;
Start pulling out the glazing bead, best from the corners of the room. To do this, you need to place a wide, thin metal spatula between the stretched fabric and the bead, and, as far as possible, lift it up until it touches the supporting profile;
The glazing bead is usually made in the form of a closed hollow profile. In order to pull it out of the groove, you need to insert a curved screwdriver into its end;

Next, you need to simultaneously lift the spatula up with one hand to loosen the tension of the web, and with the other hand press down on the screwdriver to force the glazing bead to disengage in the supporting profile;
Once you can pull out the first 300-400 mm of the bead, further work will be easier. It will also be necessary to lift the canvas with one hand with a spatula, and with the other hand to pull the glazing bead out of the groove;
To carefully remove the fabric from the ceiling, I recommend doing the same as in the description of the previous option: first remove the beads along one short and two long walls of the room, then roll the fabric into a roll, and only after that pull out the last bead.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the bead type locking mechanism is by far the most expensive of all. existing species stretch ceiling fastenings. The main advantage of this method of fastening is that the ceiling fabric can be removed and reinstalled an unlimited number of times. For example, if a stretch ceiling becomes dirty, this allows you to dismantle it and send it for dry cleaning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to give readers one simple but very useful piece of advice: before you start dismantling a stretch ceiling, you should think carefully about whether you can install it back yourself in the same way in the future? If you are still confident in your own abilities, then before starting work, I recommend watching the video presented in this article, and if you have any questions, I suggest discussing them in the comments.

November 11, 2016

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Despite the beauty and durability of the tension covering, there are situations when it is necessary to dismantle it. This is necessary not only when replacing the coating with a new product, but also when carrying out its restoration after flooding or damage. Before removing the suspended ceiling, you need to figure out what type of covering you have installed. The method of dismantling and the possibility of reinstalling the product depend on this.

Methods for dismantling a stretch ceiling

Methods for removing the tension panel directly depend on the type of coating and the fastening profiles used. There are two types of coatings:

Film products made of polyvinyl chloride. They stretch well and set by heating to high temperatures. A heat gun is used to heat the panel. Installation and dismantling of a PVC stretch ceiling starts from the corners of the room and moves towards the center of the room. Once removed, this type of covering can be reinstalled.
Fabric seamless ceiling products mounted without preheating. They stretch worse and are cut with extra material around the perimeter. This margin is trimmed after installation. Installation and dismantling begins from the central part of the walls and moves towards the corners. After removal, it will not be possible to put the woven fabric back due to the lack of necessary allowances around the perimeter, which were cut off after the first installation.

Each type of panel uses its own fastening profiles. The possibility of safe removal and subsequent installation depends on their type:

baguette with harpoon fixation mechanism used only for PVC installations panels (it allows you to dismantle and re-install the covering);
wedge or glazing bead fixation system it is more often used when installing fabric panels, but is also suitable for PVC products (it will not be possible to dismantle without damage and reinstall the covering);
profiles with a clip fixation mechanism used for installing fabric panels (they allow you to remove the covering, but cannot reinstall it).

Reasons for dismantling

Complete or partial removal of the suspended ceiling covering is necessary for the following reasons:

Need to replace with a new product due to its contamination, damage, flooding, or if you want to change the interior of the room.
Partial dismantling carried out in case of flooding to drain water from the ceiling, dry the ceiling space and tighten the sagging covering.
Complete dismantling of the film ceiling carried out for the purpose of cleaning it. Such procedures can only be carried out with PVC sheets. Fabric ceilings After cleaning, it will not be possible to reinstall it, because there are no allowances necessary for tension around the perimeter of the coating. But it is possible to stretch a fabric product in a smaller room.
Partial dismantling or complete removal carried out when repairing the coating or for the purpose of installing new lighting fixtures.

Tools and materials for ceiling removal

Before removing the suspended ceiling with your own hands, prepare the following materials and tools:

a narrow plaster spatula with rounded corners;
scaffolding or stepladder;
long-nose pliers;
mechanic's knife;
screwdriver with a curved end;
soft cotton hand gloves;
electric or gas heat gun;
clothespins for hanging PVC tension cloth.

Step by step instructions

Start dismantling suspended ceilings with your own hands by preparing the room. First of all, move all the furniture away from the walls so that you can get to the mounting moldings. Remove all sharp interior items that could accidentally damage the coating. If the panel will be re-installed with heating, then take out the cages with animals and flowers. Now we will describe step by step the sequence of dismantling different types of canvases.

Methods for removing PVC ceilings

First, use a heat gun to heat the room. Subsequent dismantling work depends on the fastening profile used.

Harpoon mount

Work begins from the corners of the room. Let's shoot first decorative insert, which closes the mounting gap near the wall. Next, using pliers with long jaws, we grab the harpoon of the panel and pull it out of the crack. It is important that the pliers do not have burrs or sharp edges, otherwise you risk damaging the coating. Therefore, the tool should be polished in advance.

Attention! Be careful. If you grab the cloth rather than the harpoon, you will simply tear the thin film.

After removing the first section of the panel further work are easier and faster. In this case, you do not need to use pliers, but remove the coating from the fastening profile using your hands. To prevent fingerprints from remaining on the heated PVC film, wear protective gloves. As you work, move from the corners of the room to its center.

Bead fastening

First, we warm up the room and remove the decorative insert. Next, use your hands to gently bend aluminum profile. After this, the glazing bead is easily released from the baguette. Using a screwdriver with a curved end, pull the glazing bead out of the fastening profile. Try not to damage the panel or deform the wall profile.

Fastening with wedges

After removing the decorative plug, we bend part of the profile by hand to easily release the wedge and tension panel. We remove the covering first in the corners of the room, and then gradually move towards its central part.

Partial dismantling of the ceiling and installation back

Partial dismantling is often carried out to drain water from the ceiling or minor repairs. The dismantling process proceeds in the same way as described above, only not all of the coating is released, but only that part of it that is located near the problem area.

After this, the canvas is installed back. The ease of performing this work depends on the baguette used. Simply insert into the profile groove using a spatula with rounded edges. The ease of installation of the coating in other types of fastening baguettes depends on how large a supply of film around the perimeter is preserved. It’s good if there is an allowance of a couple of centimeters to stretch and insert the canvas into the grooves of the profile.

Methods for removing fabric

In this case, there is no need to preheat the room. Canvases that are installed in wedge or glazing bead baguettes are dismantled in the same way as film products. The only difference is that work begins from the center of the room and moves towards the corners.

Cam mount

If you use a cam (clip) locking mechanism, you will not be able to partially dismantle the coating; you will have to completely remove the panel. This is due to the fact that the reliability of fixation in this type of baguettes is low and with partial dismantling, the rest of the panel will still jump out of the fastening profile.
Do-it-yourself dismantling of a stretch ceiling, video instructions:

Dismantling cost

Prices for dismantling tension coverings in different regions are different. If you need professional dismantling of a stretch ceiling, the price per m2 starts from $1.2. In any case, when ordering a stretch ceiling dismantling service, the price depends on the type of stretch ceiling and the fasteners used.

The stretch ceiling is quite durable and durable design, so today for many it has become the most popular and desirable. However, sometimes it becomes necessary to remove such a sheet. The reason for this may be a change in electrical wiring, with upper floors, or severe stretch marks. Also, the canvas can be changed if desired to have a different color and. Moreover, the film is removed along with the baguette and can be reused. Those who are faced with this question will be interested in knowing how to remove a suspended ceiling.

Do-it-yourself dismantling of a stretch ceiling, its complexity and features depend on what kind of fastening method was used to install the canvas. This information is in the warranty card. If such a document is missing, you should independently determine the features of the ceiling structure.

Modern suspended ceilings are based on polyvinyl chloride film, which is characterized high degree elasticity, strength and environmental friendliness. This material very susceptible to temperature changes. Thus, at temperatures above + 60°C, it acquires special elasticity and pliability, but as it cools, it hardens and becomes smaller in size. Therefore, during installation or dismantling work, a special device in the form of a heat gun is used.

Many people are interested in whether a suspended ceiling can be reused? The answer is simple - with proper dismantling, it is possible. It is important to know that such ceilings are very tear-resistant, but they can easily be damaged by catching something sharp, which will entail a complete replacement of the canvas. In general, the entire dismantling process includes several stages, each of which requires:

proper preparation;
good tools;
actions according to the instructions.

Preparation

If you are interested in how to remove a suspended ceiling yourself, you should understand that this type of work can be quite complex and, in comparison with the construction itself, require a certain patience. At the same time, this topic is very relevant for most owners who have such structures installed in their house. So, if you need to dismantle a suspended ceiling, first of all, you should acquire special devices, materials and tools that are unlikely to be in every apartment. It is also worth preparing the room for such a process so that everything goes smoothly and accurately.

Tools

To work with PVC film, the materials and equipment required are quite specific, so you should prepare in advance. Before you begin dismantling the stretch ceiling, you should purchase the following:

stepladder, strong table or sawhorse;
a heat gun, with the help of which the canvas is heated;
special blades that have curved ends;
clamps with cords, which are necessary to hold the removed canvas suspended;
screwdriver;
adhesive tape for installation;
narrow pliers with long ends;
insulation tape;
construction knife.

Sometimes they invent their own tools for dismantling work. For example, a metal spatula that is used in construction is made narrower by grinding. This is necessary to ensure obtuse angles. When tools are dull, they are bent to ensure maximum easy access to the protrusion of the profile. It is important to process the spatulas and pliers using sandpaper to get rid of burrs and sand any irregularities. All devices used when dismantling a suspended ceiling should not have sharp corners and roughness, otherwise it will lead to tearing of the canvas.

When all the tools and equipment are prepared, you can begin the next stage of preparation, namely working with the premises.

Room

Dismantling of a stretch ceiling should be carried out in a previously prepared room. Therefore, it is worth performing certain actions indoors:

Removing all items that may be damaged by high temperatures, for example, plants, an aquarium with fish and animals, if any.
Removal.
Dismantling on the ceiling.
Protection metal-plastic windows, computer and other interior items that may be damaged by the operation of the heat gun.

After this preparation, you can proceed directly to removing the stretch ceiling.

Removing the film sheet

To remove a suspended ceiling with your own hands, you need to have information about what kind of fastening was used when installing the film, because the technology of dismantling work will depend on this. Thus, starting from this knowledge, the canvas is disassembled. It is important to understand that removing the entire ceiling structure and just one part of it has different principles and features, which will also differ depending on the installation methods and the chosen type of fastening.

Fastening systems

There are 4 different systems fastenings, each of which has its own advantages and can be used in certain cases:

glazing bead;
harpoon;
cam;
wedge mount.

It is worth considering the principles of each type separately.

Bead fastening system

The principle of glazing bead fastening is to use a special plastic profile, which has different sections. Such a wedge is inserted into the profile, while the canvas is pressed with special density. This fastening system is used when installing structures with vinyl or fabric. To dismantle it you need to have a certain list of tools:

spatula;
screwdriver;
heat gun.

Having prepared everything you need, you should begin the process of removing the stretch ceiling. To do this you need to perform certain actions:

Ensure heating of the entire room using a heat gun while setting the temperature value to about +70°C. Such heating helps to increase the size of the canvas and reduce the pressure that is exerted on the fastening.
Remove the decorative plug.
Having chosen a certain corner in the room, squeeze out the outer wall of the baguette using a spatula.
Pry up and remove the glazing bead using a screwdriver.
Remove the canvas.

If there was a sufficient supply of fabric left when installing the stretch ceiling, then it can be reused.

Harpoon mounting system

The harpoon is a flexible plastic strip that is characterized by medium rigidity. Dismantling this type of fixation is easier than other clutch options. This is explained by the fact that the harpoon mount is characterized easy assembly and the possibility of reusable disassembly of such a canvas. Remove suspended ceiling in this case It’s worth starting from the wall that is located directly next to the corner. First, you should evenly heat the entire ceiling using a heat gun so that the canvas is flexible and stretchable. In this case, the heat flow is supplied at a temperature of 70°C. Sometimes owners practice alternately heating all corners, starting from where they first remove the harpoon, and use a regular household hair dryer. If the fasteners were removed in certain place, which means that the entire canvas can be removed very easily.

The algorithm for removing the ceiling using a harpoon mount includes the following steps:

Detaching a decorative strip that is located around the entire perimeter of the room or on a certain side of it.
Uniform heating of the stretch ceiling, starting from the center of the room and covering all corners.
Search in the corners of the ceiling for a place with a large gap between the wall and the canvas itself.
Using a blunt spatula, the harpoon is pryed and lifted. To do this, move the spatula in different directions at a distance of 15 cm.
Using pliers, the free hook of the harpoon is grabbed and removed.
Further actions can be easily carried out manually, while carefully pulling out the film.

When the room is small, the suspended ceiling is removed without heating with a gun, but with large canvases, preliminary heat treatment is mandatory. It is worth noting that to install the canvas in its original place, the same actions are performed as during dismantling, only in the opposite direction.

Cam mounting system

The principle of cam fastening is to use a special plastic profile that has a cross-section in the form of a clamp. Dismantling of such structures is particularly simple and economical, because it does not require any heating of the room. It is worth noting the importance of taking special care, since the spatula has direct contact with the film when working.

So, to dismantle a suspended ceiling with a cam fastening, one of two methods should be used:

The work begins from the middle of the wall, where two screwdrivers are inserted in the place where the cams are located, the pressure of which will gradually weaken, which makes it possible to freely remove the film from the clamp. These actions continue until the canvas is completely removed.
Dismantling is carried out using a spatula, which is inserted between the cams. After that, the one that turns out to be movable is pressed. Thus, due to the tension of the web, the material will come out of the clamps. Next, the process is carried out manually.

It is worth noting that the material may have characteristic notches from the clamps. When re-installing, they will be useful as a kind of guide.

Wedge mount

The wedge fastening system is one of the easiest to dismantle. Work begins from the corner of the room. In this case, you should perform the following steps:

Disconnect the decorative insert, which acts as a wedge. This will relieve the pressure that is applied to the plug area.
Use a screwdriver to hook the insert by the edge.
Remove the plug from the baguette system.
Remove the canvas from the frame.

The result of dismantling work and re-installation in this type of fastening depends directly on the skill of the master and on whether a small allowance was left by the installers. This fact is very important when reusing the canvas, since this will require tensioning the material, and if it is not enough, then it will be difficult to tension the ceiling again.

Features of removing fabric

Dismantling the fabric sheet does not require the use of high temperature conditions. When a glazing bead or wedge fastening system is used, the canvas is removed in the same way as PVC. The only difference in this process is that work should begin from the middle of the wall towards the corner. Installation is carried out according to a similar principle.

The question arises - is it possible to reuse a suspended ceiling? Yes, it is possible, but it should be noted that re-stretching the fabric is possible if the installation was carried out in good faith, adhering to all the subtleties and rules. For example, if, when installing the covering, the edges were cut off closely, then the ideal tension will be difficult to repeat. After all, the fabric does not have the same capabilities as PVC film and it will not be able to stretch. But with a margin of only a few centimeters, it will be very easy to tension the canvas again. In addition, when dismantling, it is important to carefully and slowly carry out all necessary actions.

It is also worth noting that when installing fabric using clip-on baguettes, it is impossible to partially remove the ceiling. This fastening requires complete dismantling of all material. If these recommendations are not followed, the canvas may jump out of the clips, since the fastening is not so reliable. And with this outcome, a complete replacement of the entire ceiling will be necessary.

When removing the fabric sheet and its subsequent installation, it is necessary to regularly warm up the room. It is important to remember that it should not be as strong as when working with PVC. If you notice small unevenness, after installation, you should heat these areas with a heat gun, which will help them level out. These actions should be carried out without bringing them too close thermal device to the fabric to avoid deformation.

Thus, you can dismantle the stretch ceiling yourself, the main thing is to comply with certain requirements and technologies. To remove the canvas quickly and efficiently, you should follow some rules:

It is best to carry out dismantling with one or two assistants. This advice will ensure the accuracy of the entire work process and, importantly, safety.
When installing a ceiling, you should choose only high-quality materials.
When removing the blade, do not use tools with sharp edges. They can damage both the suspended ceiling itself and any finishing materials.

As you can see, dismantling work, as well as the installation itself, of a stretch ceiling are quite simple, but labor-intensive processes. This task can be completed independently if you have information about all its details and features, as well as act according to a certain technology.