An Affordable PVC Tray Ceiling System Adds A Practical Touch of Elegance
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Decades of wear and plumbing misphaps may have been concealed in the trio of ceiling levels shown above. |
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(HIT) - While most seasoned do-it-yourselfers have “war” stories about seemingly simple repairs that go awry. It might be difficult to top the surprises this Pennsylvania homeowner found—the day water from an upstairs drain burst—and leaked all the way down into the kitchen. That it had actually come down through three separate ceilings, likely put up there by three separate generations, was still to be discovered.
Stately homes with spacious high ceilings and multiple layers of wallpaper have long been known for the secrets they keep, and so it was with this former farm house from the early 1920’s. After the initial spill of water was cleaned up and the source pipes turned off, exploration began at the point where there was a reasonably small breakthrough. The bathtub drain was indeed completely clogged. Extensive plumbing replacement would be required before the ceiling could be repaired. The recessed lighting had been compromised as water poured down on the floor below; and also throughout the housing for the exhaust hood and fan. Happily a brand new dual power range just below the spill was spared everything but dust, debris, and falling plaster.
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| New plumbing will fix the emergency, but what about the integrity of a once lovely room? |
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Once the rubbish from the three different levels of ceilings had been removed and the various plumbing and wiring misfortunes exposed, there still remained the problem of replacing the ceiling at some level. Then the homeowner would be faced with the task to tie the whole thing together, restoring the room aesthetically, and separating the view of an upstairs bathtub from the breakfast nook below.
A glamorous new products just introduced to the home improvement market seems to have been made to order for the project.
The “Fix”
While getting to the bottom—or in this case the top of the problem—required literally removing the plaster, the lath framing and even bricks and cement from a long ago kitchen fireplace; there was always the bigger question. How to put this all back together? And even more important would the already compromised beams support the project.
The timely discovery of a new home improvement product known as The Elegant Tray Ceiling System seemed to offer the best kitchen finishing solution for this massive repair project. Foam PVC construction would render the panels light in weight, resistant to fire, and strong enough to conceal wiring, lighting, and/or plumbing. The system meets all the code requirements and exceeds in the need for ease of handling with a 12’ panel weighing only 18 pounds. Additionally, PVC is reusable making it a candidate for Green Building Council approval.
The Elegant Tray Ceiling system is 80% less costly than traditional tray ceiling installation.
The newly affordable tray ceiling panels are consistent in size and designed according to the developer, as a means to make a room in a home a lot more elegant, give it more value and be just as affordable as other minor upgrades that are usually recommended.
Searching For The Affordable WOW Factor
According to Ron Launs, Elegant’s inventor and developer, “I was looking for a way to achieve an elegance that perhaps had been previously overlooked. In this search I came to the conclusion that the most neglected surface area in a home was the ceiling, also known as the ‘fifth’ wall.”
There were a number of decorative products on the market i.e. crown molding, medallions, domes, panels and more, but none produced the WOW factor that would receive constant enjoyment and applause from friends and family. “If a whole new affordable ceiling choice were offered, would ceiling architectural preference change?” The Harbor Beach, Michigan entrepreneur decided to find out.
Asking 4,000 Homeowners
To answer the proposed question, a survey was conducted through the Wayne State University business graduate school which confirmed a high level of enthusiasm for the proposed product.
Elegant Tray Ceiling System vs. Traditional Tray Ceiling
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Where looks matter … this newly affordable tray ceiling system offers a cost effective decorating answer. |
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The Elegant Tray Ceiling System has been installed in homes from the Midwest to Vancouver, British Columbia and in every job the homeowner did the installation himself, without complication. “In every home,” says Launs, “The homeowner received the WOW effect the elegance of the tray ceiling was meant to produce”. It is gratifying to contribute to a homeowner’s enjoyment of home elegance and verify the original premise of bringing value into a home inexpensively without compromising quality.
The Elegant Tray Ceiling System can be installed in a 12' X 14' room in about 8 hours by a do-it-yourself homeowner for about $395. Wood framing (2" x 2" x 8') and drywall screws for attaching the framing to the walls and ceiling can be purchased at any lumber yard or big box store. The Elegant Tray Ceiling System panels attach to the framing quickly and easily using a pneumatic nailer that can be rented for the day for $35 to $45 from most tool rental stores. No mitering is necessary for 45 degree corners, clean up is minor and painting can be done the same day. For added elegance, architectural molding can be purchased separately and mounted directly to the tray ceiling panel surfaces.
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A perfect fit with PVC Crown Moldings in a variety of styles and finishes |
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A typical traditional tray ceiling can be done by a do-it-yourself homeowner, but normally installation is done by professionals. The cost ranges from $2,000 to $2,500. Whether drywall or MDF board is used, installation lasts two full days. Dust from sanding and cutting settles in nearly every room in the house, making clean up a major job for the homeowner.
The Elegant Tray Ceiling System panels measure 6.5" x 12" and can be purchased in 12' and 8' lengths. For the 7.5' ceiling the panels can be easily trimmed to 4.5" x 10" for a good fit. End-cap and third sides are available for ceiling remodeling of room decor designs using only 3 walls.
The Elegant Tray Ceiling System is available on-line at www.eleganttrayceiling.com
Decades of wear and plumbing mishaps may have been concealed in the trio of ceiling levels shown above. New plumbing will fix the emergency, but what about the integrity of a once lovely room?
Where looks matter … this newly affordable tray ceiling system offers a cost effective decorating answer. A perfect fit with PVC Crown Moldings in a variety of styles and finishes.
Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center
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