Stretcharama

Stretch ceiling systems for UK homes and indoor pools

Stretcharama is a UK specialist in stretch ceiling systems aimed at homeowners and domestic indoor swimming pools. The company presents itself as a new name in premium stretch ceilings built on three decades of hands-on specialist experience, and describes its founder, Mick Grantham, as having worked in stretch ceilings for that period. Its activity covers design, supply and installation, positioning the system as an alternative to plastering, replastering or repainting an existing ceiling.

The service is described as UK-wide residential work, covering both interiors and domestic pool rooms. The company states that it is not oriented towards price-led ceiling work and frames its offer around specialist advice, careful installation and clean finishes rather than the cheapest possible cover.

Ceiling problems the system addresses

The company targets ceilings that are damaged, dated or simply unsatisfactory for the room. According to its presentation, a stretch ceiling creates a new continuous surface beneath the existing ceiling, which means the old one does not necessarily have to be torn down, patched or covered in dust.

• Cracked, stained, uneven or damaged ceilings, given a new surface without dismantling the room.
• Artex or outdated finishes, modernised without messy plastering or drying time.
• Indoor pool ceilings, where a moisture-resistant system is specified for humid environments.
• Redesign projects, where the finish is chosen around the room.

The company also mentions damp among the ceiling problems it deals with, and states that installations are often completed quickly and cleanly, without a long drying process.

Finishes and lighting

Stretcharama offers four finish routes, which it presents as adaptable to both traditional and contemporary rooms rather than inherently futuristic:

• Matt, a calm finish intended to resemble a perfectly plastered ceiling without the plastering.
• Satin, a softer, more refined surface that lifts light without excessive reflection.
• Gloss, aimed at pools, statement rooms and spaces where reflection, depth and light matter.
• Lighting-integrated, for perimeter lighting, backlit features or atmospheric detail.

Where required, ceiling and lighting decisions are planned together. The company also refers to printed and backlit finishes in its site navigation, and describes the ceiling as the largest uninterrupted surface in most rooms, with an influence on light, proportion and atmosphere.

Indoor pool specialism

Indoor pool ceilings are presented as a flagship specialism. The company designs and installs moisture-resistant stretch ceiling systems for pool rooms, an environment it describes as demanding because of humidity, condensation, reflection and lighting. The stated aims are cleaner, brighter and calmer pool spaces, with a low-maintenance finish. Stretcharama also indicates that it collaborates with homeowners, architects and pool companies on these projects.

Rooms covered

The company organises its residential work by room type: kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living spaces and cinema or media rooms. Kitchens are presented with matt, satin or lighting detail; bathrooms with moisture-resistant surfaces; bedrooms with soft, calm finishes; living spaces as a "fifth wall" for open-plan, contemporary and traditional homes; and cinema rooms with matt, gloss or lighting-integrated ceilings for a controlled atmosphere.

Guarantee and promise

Every installation is stated to be protected by a 15-year guarantee, which the company describes as one of the longest in the stretch ceiling industry. It also offers a "Love Your Ceiling Promise": if a client does not love the new ceiling and says so within 48 hours of installation, the company states that it will remove it and refund the money.

How a project is presented

The process is set out in five stages: a consultation about the room, ceiling condition and design goals; specialist advice on finish, installation approach and lighting; a clear proposal covering specification, plan and protection; a clean installation with minimal disruption; and a protected result backed by the guarantee and promise. The company also maintains a Knowledge Centre with guides on what a stretch ceiling is, comparisons with plasterboard, indoor pool ceilings, integrated lighting, costs and problem ceilings.