Say Goodbye to Boring Ceilings – Elevate Your Style with Suspended Ceilings
Suspended ceilings (also called lay-in ceilings) are easy to install and come in a wide variety of materials and styles. They are also great for hiding ductwork, pipes, and wires.
They can be painted to match the wall color and can have lighting fixtures installed easily. They also improve acoustics and thermal qualities, and most products are fire rated for compliance with health and safety regulations.
Aesthetics
When it comes to interior design, suspended ceilings are a must-have. Also known as dropped ceilings, suspended ceilings create a secondary ceiling that hangs below the original or structural ceiling. They are a great way to hide ductwork, wiring, and other elements that may detract from the overall aesthetic of a room.
Additionally, they can help enhance acoustics and thermal insulation. The lowered structure also provides an opportunity to incorporate unique lighting fixtures that can serve as a focal point in space.
Suspended ceilings are made up of panels that are hung from a metal grid system, or beams. These grid systems come in a wide range of sizes, styles, and designs to suit any interior. Experienced suspended ceiling fitters will take the room dimensions and infrastructure requirements into consideration to design a custom metal frame for your new ceiling. The grid system is then covered with a variety of tiles, or “false” ceilings, that are available in a selection of materials and aesthetics to match your needs and taste.
Some of the most popular false ceilings include coffered, trellis, and reveal shapes. The coffered ceiling is perfect for anyone who enjoys traditional designs and the warmth of wood. A trellis ceiling will give your interior an architecturally stunning look with its geometric and billowing patterns. For those who appreciate a natural feel, our acoustic ceiling system, SoftGrid Wave, provides a subtle flow that feels like moving air.
The beauty of a false ceiling is that you can still access the infrastructure above it. The acoustic ceiling panels can be removed from the grid system without damaging it, and can then be replaced with the appropriate equipment. In the event that you need to change your HVAC system or other components, it is much easier than removing and replacing an entire ceiling.
Functionality
Often referred to as false ceilings, suspended ceilings hang below the original structural ceiling and can improve acoustics by lowering ceiling height and adding absorptive materials. They can also create a cleaner design by concealing wires, heating, and ventilation pathways.
Depending on the type of suspended ceiling, these secondary structures may be comprised of panels or tiles that can offer an array of aesthetics. Mineral fibers, for example, come in a variety of color options and are the most common type of ceiling tile. Woven fabric and latex-faced fiberglass allow designers to create a custom color pallet, while PVC-faced fiberglass simulates the look of painted drywall.
Other types of ceiling systems utilize a stick-built grid that can be filled with a wide range of lightweight ceiling accessories. These include panels containing acoustical materials to absorb and dampen sound, translucent ceiling tiles that work to diffuse light, and tee or cross shape metal grid segments that can be filled with acoustic or thermal insulation.
Other suspended ceiling systems feature an exposed grid that allows easy installation of electrical components, such as lights and air vents. These ceilings can be treated with antimicrobial agents that help to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold, which is especially important in kitchens and bathrooms. They can be insulated to reduce energy bills by limiting the amount of conditioned space in which air is heated or cooled. They can also be fire resistant, which can help to protect occupants and assets. In addition to enhancing aesthetics and boosting functionality, suspended ceilings are also easy to clean, making them an attractive and versatile interior design option. These features make them popular in commercial spaces, but they can elevate the style of any residential space too.
Energy Efficiency
Known also as false ceilings, suspended ceilings have been used for years in office buildings, schools, and hospitals across the UK. These ceilings help to create a clean and tidy aesthetic whilst hiding electrical, heating, ventilation, and insulation pathways. They offer excellent acoustic performance and reduce energy bills by trapping warm air in the room, rather than letting it escape into the atmosphere above.
Suspended ceilings can be easily customized with a variety of lighting fixtures, air vents, and more to suit the design you want for your home or workplace. You can choose from standard white panels to give your interiors a bright and spacious feel or opt for colored or metallic ceiling tiles to incorporate branding or to create a modern aesthetic. Alternatively, you can use wipeable ceiling tiles that are coated with antimicrobial coatings to protect against bacteria and mold growth in humid environments such as kitchens or bathrooms.
Aside from the obvious visual benefits of a suspended ceiling, they can conceal building issues such as cracks, stains, and water damage. They can also hide heating and ductwork, which can improve overall efficiency in an area of a property. They can also be fitted with partitions to optimize space and allow for more privacy within a room or commercial property.
There are a variety of different suspended ceiling styles available including exposed grid and coffered ceilings. Exposed grid varieties are made up of long metal strips, called ‘mains’, that are interconnected with shorter metal pieces, known as ‘tees’. These are then filled with acoustic ceiling tiles and can have a reveal T shape that adds depth to the design. Coffered ceilings are more luxurious, and are often found in churches or libraries as they have a classical aesthetic. These are best installed by professionals who have experience with this type of false ceiling.
Noise Reduction
Suspended ceilings provide a great way to reduce noise and keep your premises quiet and productive. This is because certain types of acoustic ceiling tiles can absorb sound waves and prevent them from reflecting back and forth, thus reducing reverberation.
This helps to create a more comfortable work environment that is conducive to peace of mind, productivity, and healing. This is important in areas such as offices and retail settings, where people spend most of their time.
They’re also great at insulating a space, which helps to lower energy bills by limiting the amount of conditioned air that needs to be used. This is because the gap between the floor and ceiling deck is smaller, so there’s less of a chance for warm air to escape.
In addition, many suspended ceilings come in a range of shapes that offer different aesthetics to suit a particular style. For example, stepped and reveal T shapes can help to give panels depth and a more custom look. Other options include linear panels and a variety of grille and baffle patterns.
Lastly, suspended ceilings can also be treated with antimicrobial agents, which can help to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. This is a particularly useful feature for areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, where the ceiling is often exposed to moisture.
Because they can be easily accessed, it’s also easier to conduct repairs or maintenance on lighting fixtures, cables, and other structures that are housed within a suspended ceiling. This can save a lot of time and money on maintenance costs and makes for a more efficient working environment.
Safety
A suspended ceiling can conceal the ductwork, pipes, and wires that might otherwise be unsightly or cause a hazard to your home or business. They can also help conceal visual imperfections on the actual ceiling such as water stains, cracks, chips, tripping hazards, and peeling paint. Having a false ceiling also makes it easier to inspect and perform repairs on the MEP installations above.
Suspended ceilings are also a great way to improve the acoustic performance of your space. Certain types of suspended ceiling panels are made from soft absorbent materials filled with small holes and can provide superior acoustic qualities. This can help reduce noise pollution and create a more calm and relaxing atmosphere for your occupants.
Finally, a suspended ceiling can be used to add additional lighting fixtures and structures without impacting the structure of the room or changing its size. This can be particularly useful in commercial spaces, such as offices and retail outlets.
There are many different suspended ceiling options to choose from, depending on your needs and the style of your space. Lath and plaster-suspended ceilings are the most traditional type of suspended ceilings and can be very cost-effective for large spaces. They can be created in any shape and can have a number of added features including fire resistance. Tile and panel-suspended ceilings are a more modern option that can be installed in any style of the room. They can be hung from exposed or concealed aluminum grids, and are extremely versatile in terms of their layout. They can even be fitted with insulation to improve energy efficiency, which will result in lower power bills. They are also easy to maintain and come in a variety of colors.