Which ceiling to choose for the bathroom: 13 best finishing options

Previously, the ceiling in the bathroom and toilet was simply whitewashed with lime. But this is not the best and most reliable finish for a room with such a microclimate. Currently, there are many building materials on sale that make it possible to create durable cladding that has the properties necessary for such conditions. In this article we will take a detailed look at what is best to make a ceiling from so that it lasts a long time, we will analyze the pros and cons of each option, as well as the nuances of installation.

General requirements for finishing materials for the bathroom

The bathroom is characterized by high humidity and relatively high air temperatures due to hot pipes. Therefore, a number of requirements are imposed on finishing materials:

• lack of a breeding ground for microorganisms - fungi and bacteria, which are dangerous to human health and have a destructive effect on building materials;
• resistance to heat and moisture, especially in the shower - these conditions should not lead to changes in the appearance of the skin, otherwise repairs will need to be done quite often;
• strength - we are talking about premises for sanitary procedures and household purposes, so we need high-quality materials that can withstand the strength test and are resistant to mechanical stress;
• resistance to powders, detergents, including those containing abrasives, alkalis and acids;
• easy care - the surface should be well cleaned and, if necessary, tolerate disinfection.

It is desirable that the design provides quick access to communications that may pass under the ceiling.

Materials to be used with caution

Now let's look at materials that are also suitable for finishing a bathroom, but with a number of restrictions.

Cork panels

The cork-covered ceiling looks interesting. It is made from pressed bark and cork oak veneer. Slabs that can be used for a bathroom are covered with a layer of wax on top. The finishing design is not as monotonous as it might seem: manufacturers produce tinted collections.

Cork slabs are presented mainly in two sizes: 30x30 and 30x60 cm. The standard thickness is 3 mm.

This environmentally friendly material has several advantages:

• attractive appearance;
• additional heat and sound insulation;
• hypoallergenic;
• resistance to rotting;
• wear resistance.

The coating has antibacterial properties, so fungus does not appear on the walls even in conditions of high humidity. Another advantage of the panels is that they can be washed with water.

The disadvantage is the porous structure, which allows odors to be absorbed. But this disadvantage is offset by the wax coating.

Installation of tiles is quite simple. First they make the markings. If the sticking is from the center, find this point. Then apply glue (preferably moisture-resistant) to the base and back side of the tile, apply each element and pass over it with a rubberized roller. If it was not possible to find material with a waxed surface, after completion of the work the ceiling is varnished.

Foam tiles

Budget renovations in the bathroom can be done using ceiling tiles. It consists of square panels, most often 50x50 cm in size and about 8 mm thick, made of polystyrene foam and polystyrene foam. The surface can be smooth or with a relief pattern, like modeling.

They produce paintable tiles and laminated products that imitate wood, stone, fabric, leather and other materials. The first type is only white, as a rule, made from foam plastic raw materials and requires finishing with paint and varnish. Laminated tiles have a moisture-resistant protective layer and do not require painting. This type of material is recommended for the bathroom.

The tiles can also be suture or seamless. The first has a small chamfer along the edges, which forms decorative seams, the latter forms a continuous covering on the ceiling, the joints are invisible.

Finishing has its advantages:

• ease of installation - the task can be done even by those who have not done repairs before;
• light weight;
• low cost.

Disadvantages include:

• short service life - up to 6 years;
• the appearance of mold at the joints, so the ceiling needs to be treated with antiseptic impregnations;
• there is no protection against leakage;
• difficulty in cleaning, especially products with a relief pattern that imitates modeling.

Installation of tiles is almost the same as cork panels. If you take non-laminated products, they must be painted with waterproof paint.

Paint and whitewash

This method of repair is resorted to only to save money. Whitewashing the ceiling in the bathroom with lime or chalk does not last long due to high humidity. Therefore, the coverage must be renewed annually. Before finishing, you will have to carefully level the base with a layer of plaster, since even the slightest imperfections will be noticeable.

But if another method is not suitable for some reason, then it is better to select paints with water-repellent properties that can be washed. This is a more practical option, but the finish will still have to be updated over time.

Water-repellent paints include:

• Acrylic - characterized by high viscosity, hides small defects, and has shown excellent results on wooden surfaces. Withstands 1500 wash cycles.
• Latex - used in rooms with a high degree of pollution. The coating can be so durable that it can even be rubbed with a brush and cleaned with household chemicals.
• Silicate - products based on silicate glass. They have increased water resistance while remaining vapor permeable. Prevents the formation of mold and mildew. But these paints are not recommended for use on loose, overly porous surfaces.

Tree

The ceiling is often covered with clapboard, especially in rooms decorated in a rustic style. This material is afraid of moisture and is susceptible to rotting, so it is better to limit its use.

To make the wooden ceiling in the bathroom last longer, you need to consider the following points:

• it is important to choose the right type of wood - preferably Finnish spruce, pine, cedar, alder, teak;
• The lining made from the core of the trunk performed better - it cracks less;
• treatment with water-repellent impregnation is required;
• Between the ceiling and the lamellas there should be gaps for ventilation, which will ensure the evaporation of excess moisture and drying of the wood.

Decorative plasters

Another very popular finishing method, which is valued for the beauty of the relief, or the pattern formed as a result of grouting. But such a surface is difficult to care for.

If you still want to decorate the bathroom ceiling with decorative plaster, then you need to choose acrylic or silicone products that are water-resistant. They contain polymer moisture-resistant additives.

It is recommended to apply hydrophobic paint, varnish or wax on top. And when decorating, give preference to smoother reliefs, for example, Venetian plaster.

Moisture-resistant wallpaper

Sometimes the ceiling in the bathroom is decorated with wallpaper. The main requirement for them is moisture resistance. Vinyl and non-woven wallpaper have this property; glass wallpaper is considered the best option.

It is important to choose the right glue. It must not only match the type of material, but also have water-repellent properties. For wallpaper, waterproof paints and varnishes are used for painting.

GKL

A great way to make your bathroom ceilings smooth and beautiful, but it requires some sacrifices. Basically, you will have to sacrifice the height of the walls. Another nuance is moisture. Even a special type of drywall may not withstand constant contact with water and become deformed. Therefore, any structures made from it must be additionally protected with an appropriate primer and painted with special paints.

Which material is better to choose

There is no clear answer to this question. There is no ideal. But you can purchase a finish with the maximum range of useful characteristics. A comparison table of the properties of different materials will help you decide which ceiling is best to choose for the bathroom.

What's suitable

A lot will depend on the type of building in which the finishing is done. For example, the ceiling in the shower of an ordinary apartment or house is made with standard moisture-resistant coatings, but in a bathhouse you will also need to use heat-resistant varieties, since the air temperature here can be high even in the washing department. In general, the best options would be:

• Panels and structures made of plastic or metal. Moreover, the former are suitable for ordinary rooms, and metal parts are better used where high temperatures are possible, since plastic can be deformed.
• The same can be said about stretch PVC films - such a stretch ceiling will be an excellent solution for a bathroom or shower in an apartment, but is not suitable for finishing baths.
• Simple painting with water-resistant paints and varnishes. This is an extremely budget solution if plane leveling is not required.
• Constructions made of waterproof gypsum plasterboard. Here you need to pay special attention to the distance to the ceiling plane, since even its waterproof version does not tolerate direct water exposure.
• Cork slabs. Few people think about decorating a bathroom like this, much less a room with a shower.