Shop Outdoor Blinds & Shades
Can I purchase outdoor blinds and shades at Spotlight?
While we nearly all enjoy the warmth and light of the sun, sometimes you may prefer to keep the sun off your face, or even just away from your precious fixtures and furnishings, to stop them fading. Outdoor blinds come in a variety of styles and options at Spotlight, which means you can find the outdoor blind or shade that suits you and your home best right here!
Why use outdoor blinds and shades?
Having blinds or shades fixed to the exterior of your property means that you dont have to worry about the installation interfering with your interior window dressing such as curtains or sheers. In addition, some retractable awnings are heavy, which might put a strain on your interior walls, and some are motorised, which means the sound is less intrusive when the blinds are installed on the outside of your home.
The heavier material used for these exterior blinds is also more capable of protecting you and your possessions from harmful UV rays. Lightweight interior blinds may do, and when it is not in use, you will not see an exterior blind, so it does not impede your view from inside the house.
What types of blinds or shades can I get?
For windows, choose from retractable awnings or roll up awnings in a number of styles and different sizes. All blinds come complete with fixings and instructions so you can put them up yourself once you get them home.
Another great idea is to have patio blinds. If you have an outdoor seating area, balcony or veranda, these see-through patio blinds can improve the quality of your outdoor time by keeping away flies and insects while you are eating or enjoying a drink outside. They can also extend the length of time that you can enjoy your outdoor space, by protecting you from wind and rain, while still allowing you to enjoy the lovely view from your seating area.
Handy fixing kits enable you to join two or more patio blinds for wider openings and to fix their sides to your walls, to avoid wind creeping past the edges. Easy to install and use, you will be able to open the blinds if the weather turns nice, and quickly lower the blinds if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
Does Spotlight sell any other types of blinds?
As well as exterior blinds, Spotlight also stocks a huge range of interior blinds in a variety of styles and designs, including Roman Blinds, Venetian Blinds (both metal and wood), Vertical Blinds, and Roller Blinds. Choose from sheer Roman or Roller Blinds that ensure privacy and filter the light or blockout blinds that can keep the light out at all times, or if you prefer, use Venetian or Vertical Blinds that are adjustable, so you can vary the level of light and control the view as desired.
Shop Outdoor Blinds – Rollup & Patio Blinds
How To Maintain Your Outdoor Blinds?
Have you selected some outdoor blinds from Spotlight, and do you want to keep them in pristine condition for some time to come? If so, we urge you to read through our guide below, which will provide you with everything you need to know about outdoor blind maintenance.
How Do I Clean Outdoor Blinds Made From PVC?
One of the common materials you will encounter for outdoor blinds is PVC. Not only is this one of the most popular types of outdoor blinds, it is also one of the easier ones to clean.
To clean outdoor blinds made from PVC, you will need a gentle detergent and some water. Ideally, you want 1/20 to be detergent out of this mixture. Then, apply the cleaning solution to your PVC outdoor blinds. You can apply with a simple microfibre cloth, but you can also use a soft brush or sponge.
Once you have cleaned the area with the cleaning solution, always make sure you rinse your outdoor blinds. Before you start, please make sure that the water pressure is not too high, as this can cause damage to your blinds. Also, once you have rinsed the blinds, always keep them open or down to let them dry.
How Do I Clean Outdoor Blinds Made From Canvas & Acrylic Fabric?
Even though canvas and acrylic fabrics are brilliant for outdoor blinds, they can be more difficult to maintain. In fact, one often has to obtain specialist cleaning products to remove stubborn stains from the outdoor blinds. Of course, there is an alternative for those who do not want to obtain expensive cleaning products.
One method to clean fabric outdoor blinds is with a hypochlorite bleach. Of course, we must warn you that this product must be diluted heavily before you attempt to use it on the fabric. If your bleach is not properly diluted, it will cause damage to the fabric or leave an unwanted discolouration.
When cleaning your outdoor blinds, it is always best to use a soft brush or a sponge. Avoid brushes with hard bristles, as these can damage most materials used in outdoor blinds, this includes the canvas and acrylic outdoor blinds.
Once you have finished cleaning the stains from your outdoor blinds, it is also necessary to rinse your blinds. Once again, always ensure that you do not use too much water pressure, as this can cause damage to your fabric or even cause rips.
What Additional Tips Can You Provide For Cleaning Outdoor Blinds?
Some cleaning tools can help to make the job a little easier, this goes from sponges to dedicated outdoor blind cleaners. If you still need such tools or accessories, be sure to check out the range of blind accessories available at Spotlight.
When it comes to stains, it is also worth mentioning that some stains are more persistent than others. There are certain things that must therefore be removed as soon as possible to prevent them from affecting the material, this could include bird droppings, dirt, and even sand picked up by the wind. If you notice these things on your outdoor blinds, clean them as soon as possible to prevent discolouration and/or fabric deterioration.
To remove potential persistent stains, never scrub the material. For example, if you want to remove bird droppings, you can add a warm sponge with some clean water on the area for a short time, this should help to lift the stain naturally. If you do scrub, it could cause the stain to settle, this especially applies to materials such as fabric.
Another top tip is never to clean fabric outdoor blinds when it is humid outside. While most outdoor fabrics have some resistance to water and humid surroundings, adding water combined with high humidity can still cause mould to settle on your fabric outdoor blinds. So, always make sure the weather is good before you undertake a cleaning task.
Finally, always remember to stay away from abrasive cleaning solutions when handling outdoor blinds. Some products are simply too strong to handle your fabric or PVC, so if you do decide to use a more aggressive cleaning product, always make sure it will not cause damage to the material.
Spotlight on: Retractable Awnings – ABC Blinds Blog
When it comes to reducing the amount of heat, glare and sunlight entering your home, there’s no doubt retractable awnings are a product to have on your radar. Here’s everything you need to know about retractable awnings:
Benefits of Retractable Awnings
They’re great for reducing heat
Designed to maximise comfort by minimising sun exposure, retractable awnings (aka folding arm awnings) do a brilliant job at keeping the sun at bay and moving heat away from your window, making them a more efficient (and cost effective) option than internal blinds alone.
You can enjoy your outdoor space more often
Designed to fold out and retract when not in use, these awnings can create shade over your garden or table, when you need it. Not only perfect for getting more use out of your space, they double to extend the lifespan of your outdoor furniture, too.
They can save you money
Retractable awnings can often end up saving you money in the long term, because of the shade they provide to the inside of your home. Your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home, which results in lower electric bills (and significant savings!).
They’re available in a huge range of colours and styles
Think awnings are outdated? Think again. Not only are retractable awnings bang-on-trend in 2017, these days they come in so many styles, colours and fabrics, there is bound to be an option to complement your home design. Choose from high-quality fabrics including polyester, cotton, canvas, acrylic, mesh, block-out and sunscreen (confused? Check out our ABC’s of blinds).
They’re retractable to fold away when not in use
Retractable awnings have a cantilevered structure, which means they’re fully supported by the building and can retract completely against the wall. The ability to retract means they’re able to stay out of the elements when not in use, extending their lifespan so they remain a solid investment for much longer.
Cleaning your awnings is a must
All awnings need to be cleaned somewhat regularly (at least once per season), especially if your awnings are prone to moisture or dust, which can lead to unhealthy mould growth. Give them a wipe down and a bit of TLC, and they’ll be serving you well into the future.
They’re more expensive than regular awnings
Sure, non-retractable awnings are cheaper, but they’re also more likely to be damaged by the elements. Having the ability to fold your awnings away during very bad weather means you can keep them protected and secure for much longer.
Interested in retractable awnings? We’d love to hear from you! Give us a call or pop into one of our showrooms to check out what’s on offer and find out more.
Product Spotlight: Sunesta Awnings
Posted on Wednesday, October 14th, 2015 at 4:19 pm.Your Sunesta retractable awnings will add style to your home for many years to come!
Whether it’s for a home or business, retractable awnings combine versatility and style. There are a lot of benefits to Sunesta awnings. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of owning a Sunesta awning for your home or business!
Durability
One of the major benefits of Sunesta retractable awnings is the company-wide commitment to durability. Most homeowners are willing to pay for quality items when it comes to the fixtures around their home. They know they will receive a retractable awning that is built to last. Sunesta awnings are one of the best awnings on the market and will help keep your home cool when it really matters. These awnings are perfect for homes in a variety of climates and can withstand severe winds when they are both retracted and fully extended.
Style
While you may like the benefits of a retractable awning, you might be leery of your options in terms of fabrics. With Sunesta, you can chose from 180 awning fabrics that are available in a variety of colors and patterns. Unlike other fabrics that are constantly in the sun, your Sunesta fabric will not fade in the sunshine. The awning fabric is solution-dyed acrylic so that the colors can remain vibrant and not faded. You also have a choice in your frame colors, so you can easily create a stylish look for your residential or commercial property.
Mildew-Resistant Fabrics
You may have heard horror stories from friends or family members about mold and mildew growing on their awnings. Mold and mildew is a serious concern when it comes to any outdoor fabric. But you can put those fears to rest with Sunesta’s awning fabric. While it’s true that mold and mildew can attach itself to an awning if it has the right conditions to grow, but you won’t have to worry about that with Sunesta retractable awnings. These fabrics are made from synthetic fibers that are designed to prevent mildew and mold growth.
Unobstructed Views
A typical awning might restrict views because of support poles. When a Sunesta retractable awning is placed in an extended position, it doesn’t need support poles. This allows you to sit back in the shade while stilling keeping your unobstructed views.
Sunesta awnings will give your home the perfect amount of shade and style for your home or business. So, are you ready to add a Sunesta retractable awning? Call Carroll Awnings today!
Call Carroll Awning Today!
Carroll Awning provides the best quality energy efficient awnings and frames for any business or restaurant, as well as homes and apartments, for any time of the year. For a free estimate, call 1-800-999-5617 or click here to contact us online.
Five Ways Automatic Awnings Will Improve Your Life Outdoors this Fall
1. We’re in the southwest, and we need shade all year.
There’s a good chance you won’t be getting chill bumps on your first fall afternoon in the south. In fact, it may still be balmy. This is all the more reason to give you and your family or friends plenty of well-deserved shade with a festive awning that covers the outdoor space in style. From patios to decks, everyone will stay cooler with an awning overhead, no matter the weather. Plus, we all know winter has its share of humid days too.
2. That late autumn sun won’t be in your eyes.
Everyone cherishes summer for the long days and late nightfall. When fall arrives, one of the telltale signs is how the sun blinds you in the late afternoon. Guess what? An automatic awning is the perfect answer to this dilemma; as the sun moves, your awning can adjust its position keeping that piercing daylight out of your face. It even offers UV protection.
3. Fair-skinned friends (and all friends) will attend your parties.
Dying to throw a festive autumnal gathering with spiced cocktails and other non-weather nods to the season? Well, trust us, your friends will be more willing to come over and participate under a stylish automatic awning.
4. Your dwelling space will be larger.
Everyone craves a bigger space to live and thrive in, and an automatic awning will allow your outdoor space to have a new purpose and bring delight to family members and friends. Your living room and sitting room aren’t the only places to host gatherings—guests love relaxing outdoors in the right setting. And don’t forget about sending the kids outside for lunch while you enjoy the peace and quiet.
5. Automatic awnings are fun.
Automatic awnings, also known as motorized awnings, work independently from those annoying, old-fashioned hand cranks. Best of all, they come in a variety of colors and patterns and give your home and outdoor space that extra pizzazz along with the ease of functionality. What better way to express your love for the outdoors and your personal taste?
Want to know more about automatic awnings and how they’re perfect for celebrating the change in season and enhancing your home? Visit the Academy Window Covers website at academywindowcoverings.
Corpus Christi, Texas 78411
361-852-6088
Feature in the Spotlight: The BunduAwn Batwing Awning
Truck Camper Adventure is proud to present, Feature in the Spotlight, a periodic look at a truck camper feature or option that is new and revolutionary or just plain cool. In this third installment, we take a closer look at BundutecUSA’s new BunduAwn Fold-out Awning.
It’s no secret that I’m no fan of the standard, retractable RV awning on truck campers. It’s not that I don’t think they have any value, they do. But I don’t think that retractable awnings are particularly that useful and practical on a truck camper. That opinion changed after watching a demo of BundutecUSA’s new BunduAwn awning at the recent Overland Expo West (note that some literature still refers to this awning as the BunduEL or the BunduHalf Wing, the old names). Unlike the standard RV awning, the BunduAwn opens out with three arms on one pivot and provides coverage on two sides of your camper rather than just one. Not only that, but the extended arms of this revolutionary awning are also self-supporting. No poles are needed! When opened, another small support arm pops up to provide additional height to the slope of the roof to provide better drainage during rains. The zippered travel bag, when open, closes the gap between your vehicle and the awning to prevent water running down the side of the vehicle. It essentially works like a gutter while the awning is deployed.
Like all of the Bundutec awnings, the BunduAwn is quick and easy to deploy—it takes about 1 minute—and is constructed entirely of aluminum. This makes the awning not only lightweight (just 27 pounds), but also resistant to the elements. The fabric is made with the Riptech400 material which is a woven polyester/acrylic blend manufactured to endure the harshest climatic conditions, even those found in Africa. The awning’s fabric is also coated with an aluminized material to reflect heat away from the awning. This reflective material, which is also waterproof, provides a temperature difference of 10 to 15 degrees underneath. The BunduAwn also performs better in the wind than your standard retractable awning. When deployed, it’s designed to withstand up to 35 mph winds without the need for support lines. With support lines, I saw this awning remain fixed and rock solid during wind gusts of 50 mph (at the Overland Expo everyone had stowed away their awnings due to high winds except for BundutecUSA). The BunduAwn is currently available in 8-foot lengths.
Can the BunduAwn be used on any truck camper without a rear ladder? It can, but it’s best used on a pop-up truck camper, so that it can be reached for deployment. On a hard-side truck camper, you’ll need to either mount it lower on the side of the camper or mount it near the roof line and use a ladder or step stool to reach it so that it can be deployed and stowed away for travel. If you watch the official video, you’ll see what I mean. Mounting the BunduAwn is easy and the awning includes all of the mounting brackets and hardware that you’ll need to install it. The awning’s size and ease of use means that it can be used on all kinds of vehicles and RV’s including utility trailers, toy haulers, and van conversions longer than 8 feet. This trend setting awning retails for $1,110 and can be purchased directly from BundutecUSA. So if you’re serious about purchasing an awning for your truck camper or trailer, I’d give the BunduAwb a serious look. I certainly am.
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Spherical (arched) canopy in the village.![]() |
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Shed shed at the facility in the village. Sosnitsy, Volosovsky district. |
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Gable canopy with green polycarbonate in Svirstroy |
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Single-slope shed for 2 cars in the village of Bolshiye Gorki |
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Single-pitched shed for 4 cars in Pushkin, Slavyanochka-2 garden |
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Spherical canopy with forging elements on the front side in the village.![]() |
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Spherical canopy with polycarbonate in the village. Vyritsa |
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A lean-to shed for a utility block in the village of Sosnitsy, Volosovsky district |
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Non-standard spherical canopy in Nevskaya Dubrovka |
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Gable canopy on stilts in the village of Rakhya |
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Shed canopy on point foundations in the village of Vsevolozhsky district |
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Spherical lean-to shed on point foundations in the village of Lemovzha |
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Canopy over the porch of a private house.

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A porch canopy is not only a practical element of the building that protects the front door and the area around it from bad weather, but also an excellent decorative component of the facade. It consists of two main parts – the frame and the cover. Installation of the frame has a lot of subtleties and rules that you need to know about in advance in order to properly install the canopy over the porch of a private house.Photos showing the whole process from start to finish will help you understand the features of the construction of such a building.
Wooden awning over the porch painted bright yellow
Forms of canopies and their types
Any canopy can be divided into two types: suspended and supporting. In the first version, the entire weight of the structure is held by the wall to which the frame is attached. Therefore, suspended awnings and awnings are best mounted from lightweight materials. Support options are more practical.Thanks to the additional support in the form of support pillars, you can not save on space, turning the canopy over the porch into a real terrace. Railings or fences are additionally installed to such structures for more serious protection from bad weather.
The canopy is adjacent to the walls and is equipped with an additional metal support
The shape of the canopies can be different. The most commonly used options are:
- single slope. When arranging them, the slope is placed from the house so that the water can flow down, and snow does not linger near the wall.For a similar shape, a gutter must be installed;
- gable. Canopies of this type are the most common, since their installation is not difficult. The slopes are arranged on both sides of the porch;
- hipped roof. Rounded or sectioned canopies perfectly protect from unpleasant weather conditions and visually ennoble the facade;
An arched canopy above the entrance to the house
- arched.
The canopies made in the form of an arc are mainly made of polycarbonate.This modern material, due to its properties, allows you to create truly unique designs;
- dome (spherical). Sheds of this type are smaller in area and, due to their good streamlined shape, are indicated for arrangement in areas with increased wind loads;
- concave. This design looks quite original with almost any facade. When installing such a structure, you can not be afraid of excessive accumulation of snow.
Wooden porch canopy completed with U-shaped support
Basic requirements for the arrangement of sheds
There are certain rules for installing awnings over the porch of a private house.Photos of possible options show the arrangement in accordance with all regulatory requirements. So, when installing such a structure, you need to know the following subtleties:
- the minimum width of the canopy must be at least 1.5 times the door;
- the canopy must be strong and resistant to any wind loads;
- the slope of the slope may not be less than 20º;
- the structure should ideally match the main style of the facade.
Wooden shed attached to the house
Wooden awning over the porch of a private house.Photos of stages of work
No special skills are required to equip a wooden structure. To make it you will need:
- timber 5×5;
- board 20×1.5;
- drill;
- saw;
- fasteners.
Small awning over the porch of a modern house
Work stages:
- A beam is required for the manufacture of support pillars and the frame of the future canopy. The supports are fixed to the base and to the wall using large screws and dowels.It is possible to install a bar in the wells with their subsequent filling with cement mortar or ordinary crushed stone.
- Installation of rafters is carried out on one side on a support board (or fixed directly on the wall), and on the other side on supports. To connect the elements of the rafter structure, corners or self-tapping screws for wood are used.
- A crate is laid on top of the resulting frame. The distance between the boards should not exceed 90 cm, and their location should be such that they fall into the middle of the roofing material.
- The roof can now be laid. Its parts are also screwed with special screws.
Plastic canopy with a stretched water-repellent fabric
Important! The lathing should be created strictly perpendicular to the rafter system.
Do-it-yourself metal canopy over the porch
When creating a metal canopy, ordinary or shaped metal pipes are used, which are deepened into the ground by about 50 cm, after which they are filled with cement mortar.The rafters can be made of duralumin or metal corner. It is also possible to use a wooden beam. The rafters are laid in such a way that the roof of the finished shed exceeds the area between the support pillars in area. Fastening of beams can be done with special fasteners or seams using welding.
Related article:
If the covering of the canopy over the porch with your own hands is made from a metal profile or metal tile, then the sheets must be overlapped to avoid leaks.Before laying a profile, it is worth taking care of high-quality hydro and vapor barrier.
Polycarbonate canopy without pillars
A canopy made of polycarbonate looks great over the porch of a private house. Photos of various options presented below demonstrate the uniqueness of style solutions. Such sheds do not require special conditions, they can perfectly withstand both the hottest days and severe subzero temperatures. Due to the lightness of the covering material, they can be freely attached to the wall of the house without additional supports.
Spotlights are mounted in the canopy above the porch
To make such a canopy over the porch with your own hands, you will need the following tools and materials:
- welding machine, grinder, screwdriver, drill;
- polycarbonate sheets;
- self-tapping screws with thermal washers;
- steel profile pipes;
- level, roulette.
Polycarbonate triangular canopy
Arrangement of polycarbonate canopy.Stages of work
- The mounting location is marked on the wall.
- The frame of the future structure is made of square shaped tubes. All elements are welded together.
- Holes are made in the frame, with which it will be attached to the wall.
- The resulting structure is screwed to the wall, then treated with special anti-corrosion compounds and painted.
- Polycarbonate sheets are being installed.
The porch of the house is complemented by a flower bed and a wooden shed
When fixing cellular polycarbonate, you must adhere to some rules.The end sections must be covered with a special sealing tape. The sheets are fastened to each other using connecting profiles. Mandatory sealing of the junction of the canopy itself and the wall in order to avoid leaks during bad weather.
Important! If an arched structure is planned, then it is possible to bend the polycarbonate sheet to a radius of no more than 70 cm.
Otherwise, the sheet may burst.
L-shaped visor over the porch tiled with porcelain stoneware
Rules for installing polycarbonate
Another important condition for fixing polycarbonate is maintaining the gaps between the sheets of about 3-5 mm.Since such a material has a fairly high coefficient of expansion, it requires additional space to change its geometry on hot days. Another little subtlety. It is recommended to install sheets in a factory protective film, this excludes the possibility of damage to the material even at the assembly stage.
Suspended canopy structure using wood and metal
The frame for such canopies can also be made of aluminum. This material does not corrode, does not require additional processing and bends perfectly.It is ideal for creating rounded designs. Frames made with forging elements look quite interesting.
As you can see, it is quite easy to independently equip a shed over the porch of a private house. Photos of the stages of work clearly show all the subtleties and features of such structures.
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REMOO IN YOUR MAILtypes of bulbs and tips for choosing
A lonely hanging chandelier in the middle of the stream is a thing of the past, and it has been replaced by a large number of devices that, without compromising the intensity of the luminous flux, consume less electricity and look more harmonious.
Stretch ceilings are the most common type of surface finish that is easy to clean and creates a beautiful interior, but it is with this type of coating that you need to responsibly choose your fixtures.
Technical characteristics of devices for stretch ceilings
The covering is made of a composite of fiberglass, PVC and polyester – these materials stretch well, create a beautiful design, but do not tolerate high temperatures and constant heating. In the places where the lamps are attached, yellow spots can form that do not look aesthetically pleasing, and the structure of the fabric is destroyed.
To avoid negative consequences, you need to purchase specially designed lighting fixtures for stretch ceilings. You need to take care of them in advance, choose the quantity and style, because it is they who create the desired effect on the surface.
The correct choice according to the technical characteristics of the luminaires:
- the lamp heats up no higher than 50-60 degrees;
- the stream of light goes to the side or down;
- simple replacement of burnt-out elements;
- The housing is made of a material that is not subject to heat and heat transfer.
It is desirable that the structure be provided with limiters made of reflective materials – this will protect the ceiling covering from the influence of heat generated by the lamps and keep it intact.
The type of lighting, the determination of the attachment points and the number of luminaires are discussed before the installation of the stretch ceiling. The laying of electrical wiring and fixing elements will go under the canvas, so all electrical work is carried out in advance.
Options for choosing luminaires for suspended ceilings
Manufacturers present a wide selection of different elements that can be recessed or suspended.And also you can choose any shape, color and design of the lamp, which is necessary to complete the interior decoration. In advance, it is worth taking care of the method of turning on, off and changing the intensity of the light flux – it depends on how convenient it will be to use additional sources.
Spot elements
Universal devices that allow you to decorate the ceiling in any design. With spotlights, you can create a starry sky or a view of a waterfall.Elements can completely merge with the canvas, protrude slightly beyond the surface and have rotary mechanisms to regulate the flow of light or change its intensity.
Advantages of spot elements:
- a variety of shapes and colors of the body;
- the ability to combine with any interior style;
- easy to install, no quantity limitation;
- low heating of lamps;
- affordable price.
The housing is made of materials that prevent heat exchange between the lamp and the ceiling sheet, they are safe and can be used in any room, including a bath, toilet and kitchen.
Pendant lights
They are made as a classic chandelier or in a set of one large element and several small ones, made in the same design. For stretch ceilings, pendant lamps are lightweight, made with shades of different materials in a wide variety of colors and designs. When choosing equipment, the direction of the luminous flux upwards is excluded, and they are installed at a distance of at least 20 cm from the canvas, which excludes material burnout and ignition.
Advantages of hanging elements :
- variety of designs;
- wide beam angle;
- the ability to adjust the intensity, height and direction;
- Compatible with all bulbs;
- ease of replacing a burnt-out element.
Pendant luminaires also include track systems that are mounted on the ceiling and move along rails that allow you to move the lamp to the desired location.
This type of lighting will be convenient in the bathroom, office, recreation area in the living room, and the variety of the model range will allow you to create a single composition with the main light source.
Spots
A separate type of devices that are used on stretch ceilings. The spots give a directed light flux and are adjusted to the desired angle. The elements are made in different designs, which makes it easy to integrate them into the interior and make them both the main type of lighting and an additional one.
Advantages of using spots:
- compactness of the device without damage to the luminous flux;
- the possibility of combining with other elements;
- allow you to localize the device in the desired place and install an unlimited number;
- wide range of shapes, designs and materials for shades.
The devices are manufactured with different types of lamps in the construction. It is better to choose LED elements that do not heat up to critical temperatures and can be easily changed if necessary.When mounted on the ceiling, recessed spot models or overhead models can be used, which have two or three lamps, which allows the light flux to be sent in different directions.
LED strips
Stripes are more often used as a decorative source to highlight individual design elements. LED strips can be used in unlimited quantities, they do not generate heat and are attached to the ceiling surface. They can be purchased in the form of a strip of the desired size or a module that includes all the necessary equipment for controlling the luminous flux.
Advantages of using LED strips in design:
- ease of mounting, including hard-to-reach places;
- light weight and exclusion of heating of the web;
- the possibility of creating an original interior;
- regulation of the intensity of the luminous flux;
- unlimited working resource;
- easy belt replacement if required.
The strips are manufactured for dry and damp rooms – this gives unlimited possibilities for their use in any room.Often the tape is equipped with a control unit that allows you to change the intensity of the luminous flux and even the colors.
In the design of ceilings, a flexible neon strip is also used, which does not have point lighting elements. These tapes are made in different colors, they can be easily mounted on any plane and will be an excellent addition to the main luminaire.
Ceiling lighting in different rooms
When choosing the shape and number of fixtures, you must first of all be based on the purpose of the room.In the bathroom, it is permissible to use spots, spotlights and LED strips, but with mandatory moisture-resistant characteristics, otherwise a short circuit cannot be avoided.
Living room and bedroom assumes a complex application of appliances on the ceiling. These are suspended structures in combination with spot lighting or decoration of individual elements with LED or neon strips.
In the kitchen, it is better to confine yourself to built-in elements, which are complemented by spots for highlighting individual zones, if the room is small.A voluminous room with a large dining table, bar counter and a working area for food preparation implies the use of diverse lighting.
In a corridor or hallway, spotlights combined with track systems are the ideal solution to maximize the use of fixtures in the right place.
Rules for the location and installation of luminaires in a stretch ceiling
This type of surface finish looks very nice if supplemented with a competent arrangement of devices.The lighting scheme is drawn up in advance, and during installation, holes are made in those places of the canvas where it is necessary. After stretching the ceiling material, it will be difficult to change the location and choose a different shape of the fixtures.
Rules for installing devices on a stretch ceiling:
- The chandelier is located strictly in the middle of the canvas, regardless of the shape of the room.
The lamp should be no closer than 30 cm from the canvas, and the plafond should look down or to the side.
- Spotlights, if they are the main source, must be in quantity: at the rate of at least one piece per 1 sq.m of canvas. The extreme row is installed 15-20 cm from the wall.
- The symmetrical arrangement of devices is aligned with the far wall from the entrance to the room.
- In the living room, it is recommended to first place the extreme row of appliances, then make a calculation based on the area of the ceiling.
Specially developed lighting standards will help you accurately calculate the required number of LED lamps per square meter. meter of canvas: bathroom and bedroom – 2 pieces, living room – 3 pieces, corridor and hallway 1 piece., children’s room – 3-5 pcs.
The layout depends on the general style of the room and the need for zoning the space. In living rooms, they often use: “snake”, “circle”, “oval”, “arc” and “wave”. With the arrangement of lamps in any shape, you can achieve a unique design, and with the help of an LED strip, you can completely transform the interior.
The optimal choice of light bulbs for a stretch ceiling
Finishing material requires special attention to the choice of the type of luminous element, therefore experts recommend paying attention to the models that heat up the least.Incandescent lamps, which are most often used in ordinary chandeliers, will not work, therefore, when choosing a lamp, you need to pay attention to the light bulb that is installed in it and its power. It is recommended to install lighting devices with a power of 35-50 W next to the canvas, in this case it is better to install one or two elements more than to change the material of the canvas after a few years.
Types of lamps that are used to illuminate stretch ceilings:
- LED elements are the most demanded and safest.The lamps emit a bright white or yellowish spectrum that does not get tired of the eyes and consume the least amount of electricity. At the same time, LED lamps do not heat up the surrounding objects and are fireproof.
They are made in a wide variety of shapes – it can be a ball, an oval or a candle, as well as flat elements for spotlights.
- Halogen bulbs emit a bright spectrum, which gives more light with a minimum of fixtures in the room. Such an element does not heat up, but loses to the LED in power consumption and service life.Halogen bulbs are made both with a regular round base and in the form of plugs, which allows their use in miniature spotlights, which is often used to create light compositions on the ceiling.
- Luminescent elements. They have good performance characteristics and are quite economical in energy consumption. They do not heat up the air and surrounding objects, which is safe for use. The lamp makes it possible to accurately reproduce color when decorating a stretch ceiling and is easy to adjust the luminous flux, but is limited in shape.
Modern manufacturers provide a wide range of lighting equipment for home and office space. You can easily complement the models with each other and create beautiful compositions in the design of a stretch ceiling, while all the elements are safe, they will not spoil the canvas, but only set off its beauty.