A seamless new ceiling, installed over the old one
A stretch ceiling is a thin PVC or fabric membrane held in a perimeter track just below your existing ceiling. It hides what is there and finishes with no seams, tape lines or visible fasteners.
Choose a stretch ceiling when you want a smooth, modern finish without demolition, such as covering popcorn texture or a damaged ceiling. It suits moisture-prone rooms in PVC and sound-sensitive rooms in fabric. Installation is a specialist trade, not a DIY job.
PVC or fabric
There are two main types, and the room usually decides.
| Option | PVC film | Woven fabric |
|---|---|---|
| How it installs | Heated, then stretched into the track | Stretched into the track at room temperature |
| Finishes | Matte, satin, high gloss, metallic, translucent | Soft matte with a subtle textile texture |
| Good for | Bathrooms, kitchens, pool areas | Bedrooms, home theaters, commercial rooms |
| Worth knowing | Moisture-proof | Breathable and absorbs some sound |
Problems a stretch ceiling solves
Popcorn or damaged ceilings
Covers the old surface with no scraping and little mess.
Over popcornBasements
Useful around moisture and low ceilings, with the height loss kept small.
For basementsDropped ceilings
A cleaner alternative to tile grids in homes and offices.
Stretch vs dropFeature ceilings
Backlit panels and starry-sky effects for bathrooms, bedrooms and theaters.
Backlit designsHome theaters and music rooms
Fabric membranes can be part of an acoustic plan.
SoundproofingLiving spaces
Matte for a painted look, gloss to bounce light around.
Living room ideas
What decides the price
The main factors are the finish, how complicated the room shape is, the lighting you build in and the ceiling height. A plain rectangular room in matte and a backlit feature ceiling are very different jobs.
Our stretch ceiling cost guide goes through typical ranges, and the complete guide to stretch ceilings covers materials and installation. For a number on your room, send us its size, a photo, and the lighting you have in mind.
Fire and acoustic documentation is provided per product and per project. Tell us what your project requires, and read more about fire ratings for ceiling systems.
How a stretch ceiling project runs
Scope
Send the room size, ceiling height, a photo and any lights, vents or sprinklers in the ceiling.
Estimate
A rough estimate from photos is free. An in-home consultation with measuring and samples is $200, credited in full toward your order.
Install
The track goes around the perimeter, then the membrane is locked into it. There is far less mess than with drywall work.
Common questions
Can a stretch ceiling go over my existing ceiling?
Yes, that is how it is designed to work. A track is mounted around the room just below the existing ceiling, so there is usually no need to remove it.
Can I install a stretch ceiling myself?
We do not recommend it. Tensioning a membrane into a track is a trade of its own.
Where do you install stretch ceilings?
Tell us where your project is and we will confirm availability. For Arizona, see our Phoenix stretch ceiling page.
How long do stretch ceilings last?
It depends on the membrane and the room. Our durability guide goes through what affects it and how warranties work.
Send a photo and the room size. We will take it from there.
Room dimensions, ceiling height, a photo of the space as it is now, and whether you want it installed or supplied. That is enough to scope it and come back with a rough estimate — free.
In Arizona? Call (520) 838-4766 or request an Arizona quote.
Reviewed by Jeff Lemon, Foamtec LLC, DBA Elite Ceiling Designs · CA Lic. #1065307 · NV Lic. #0094327 · AZ ROC #351501