False ceiling designs provide extra beauty to the building. A False Ceiling is not similar to the standard ceiling which is prepared by the use of decorative material such as gypsum board, PVC panels, tiles, etc.
There is a gap left between the standard ceiling and the false ceiling. The false ceiling is the best material to utilize to enhance soundproofing in halls and auditoriums.
The false ceiling is normally kept at a certain distance from the original ceiling with the use of metal wires. The gap between the ceiling and the false is kept in inches but it can be increased up to one foot when the floor height is higher than 10 ft. The false ceiling is a fixed grid of metal that is tied to the original ceiling.
The false ceiling provides a better appearance to the room but is also very useful in concealing heavy wires, pipes, and insulations. In many multi-stories offices and business buildings, a false ceiling is utilized to give an HVAC system that provides a clean air supply in the room.
This system can be easy maintenance by just detaching the affected area ceiling panel and attaching it again. The false ceiling system is inexpensive and easy to fix. There are various types of False Ceiling materials found in the market that can be utilized to prepare aesthetically attractive ceiling designs.
1. Types of False Ceilings
There are different types of false ceilings used in home interiors that can be classified into different types according to their materials, appearance, and visibility.
The 8 major types of false ceilings majorly used are as follows:
1. POP False Ceiling
2. Gypsum Board False Ceiling
3. Wooden False Ceiling
4. PVC False Ceiling
5. Metal False Ceiling
6. Glass False Ceiling
7. Fibre False Ceiling
8. Fabric and Synthetic Material False Ceiling
1. Plaster of Paris False Ceiling
The plaster of Paris in the short form known as POP is a gypsum-made ceiling. Plaster of Paris is a commonly used type of false ceiling material utilized to build the ceiling area. POP materials are found in powder form in the market which can be utilized to prepare a paste and use on wooden board and fiberboard with the intended shape and design.
Plaster of Paris material is highly long-lasting and gives good insulation against cold and heat in the room. The false ceiling prepared by POP looks very attractive and outstanding after proper lighting and paintwork is done.
Advantages Of POP False Ceiling
✔ POP provides decorative smooth interior finishes to the ceiling.
✔ POP does not contract when setting, therefore it does not create cracks after hardening.
✔ It can effortlessly be molded into any shape as per the design.
✔ Lightweight and quite durable.
✔ They need less maintenance.
✔ Withstand fire.
✔ Great thermal insulator in various weather conditions.
✔ POP ceiling holds a long Life span.
✔ The ceiling surface can be painted to convey a more attractive gaze.
Disadvantages Of POP False Ceiling
✔ It can not be used in moist rooms like toilets and bathrooms.
✔ Lots of wastage during application.
✔ The site needs to be cleaned well after installation.
2. Gypsum Board False Ceiling
Gypsum board made of a core of set gypsum surfaced with specifically prepared paper firmly attached to the core. It is prepared to be utilized without the addition of plaster on walls, ceilings, or partitions and gives a surface best to get either paint or paper.
Gypsum Board is a majorly utilized construction material majorly in interior design works. Gypsum Board is utilized as surface material and its uses are important in wall and ceiling preparation.
The gypsum board has higher features like fire resistance, soundproof and lightweight it is utilized as drywall. It is the best construction material for wall, ceiling, and partition walls in residential and commercial structures.
The gypsum board is available in some standard sizes like 600 mm x 600 mm. They are kept as tiles on a metal frame that is swinging from the original ceiling.
Types Of Gypsum Boards
• Regular Gypsum Board
• Fire Resistant Gypsum Board
• Moisture Resistant Gypsum Board
• Fire and Moisture Resistant Gypsum Boards
Advantages Of Gypsum False Ceiling
✔ They are lightweight and easy to establish.
✔ They are factory-made hence they are uniform, good quality supply smooth finishes with minimal joints.
✔ Gypsum is a soft material and supplies diverse shapes and textures like plain, curved, stepped, coffered, etc.
✔ They are effortless to clean.
✔ They can withstand fire.
✔ They are good in thermal and sound insulation.
Disadvantages
✔ Uninstalling or repairing of gypsum ceiling is difficult and may require the entire ceiling to be broken.
✔ It can not be used in moist areas like the bathroom, toilet, laundry room, etc.
✔ It can not be molded Like a pop false ceiling.
3. Wooden False Ceiling
Wood is a commonly utilized and popular interior and exterior decoration material. Wood can be utilized to make a beautiful false ceiling for your room. Its major advantage is that it can be chopped in any shape and size before being utilized.
Wood is the best building material that can be utilized in blending with other materials like gypsum, glass, metal, etc. The wood is available in form of hollow brick boards and panels to be utilized as false ceiling materials. It is also found in various finishes such as natural varnished, laminated, lacquers, and melamine.
Advantages:
✔ Easy to establish.
✔ Durable
✔ They are used in cold seasons.
Disadvantages:
✔ Vulnerable to termite attack.
✔ Chan be damaged from the fire.
✔ Requires high maintenance.
4. PVC False Ceiling
The full form of PVC is Polyvinyl chloride. It is one of light weighted and costs affect false ceiling materials utilized by homeowners. PVC panels are utilized as exterior wall cladding of residential and commercial buildings. PVC is a strong plastic material and since it is prepared in a factory, the completed surface is smooth. It can be prepared in any desired shape and size according to requirements.
The PVC material is highly water-resistant which produce it the perfect solution for water loss problems through the ceiling. It is lightweight, termite-proof, and requires very less maintenance than that of other types of false ceilings.
Advantages:
✔ Easy to Install.
✔ Strong, Durable, and long-lasting
✔ Easy to clean.
✔ Need Less maintenance
✔ Waterproof
Disadvantages:
✔ Afetcs to human health.
✔ Unable to withstand fire.
5. Metal False Ceiling
A metal false ceiling is prepared of steel, aluminum, or galvanized iron. The metal false ceiling is found in form of panels, planks, and ceiling tiles. The metal false ceiling is easy to fix as its parts are prefabricated.
The metal ceiling frames are prepared in various sizes and shapes for ceiling work. They are attached to a steel metal grid which is fixed by a cross or T section attached to the ceiling roof. It is the most long-lasting and strong material compared to other types of material. The thickness of metal panels is generally in the range of 0.4 mm to 1 mm utilized for false ceiling work.
The metal surface covering is in the form of powder which is utilized in aluminum and steel false ceilings. The shape of metal panels utilized for the false ceiling is square type or plank type or perforated type.
Advantages:
✔ Easy to Install.
✔ Durable and long-lasting
✔ Withstand fire
Disadvantages:
✔ Costly
✔ Need coating to protect from corrosion.
6. Glass False Ceiling
Glass is a famous type of false ceiling material utilized in the world. The glass material is non-crystalline and has brittle and transparent features. It is utilized for decoration and lighting work in the home and offices.
As it has the best heat insulation features is utilized for false ceilings for office and residential buildings. Glass is found in markets of various shapes, sizes, and colors which gives it the most versatile material utilized in the construction industry. Due to its transparent nature, it shows smaller spaces as bigger in size. Glass is utilized in form of panels which is a good ceiling solution for restaurants, offices, libraries, etc.
Advantages:
✔ Glass ceiling gives an eye-catching look to the room’s interior.
✔ Glass is a good heat insulator too.
✔ The transparent nature of glass can be utilized to make a small space look bigger.
✔ Coloring, laminating and pattering are possible.
Disadvantages:
✔ Glass should be handled with care during installation. Requires skilled workers.
✔ Dust and dirt are easily visible on the glass.
✔Requires proper maintenance and regular cleaning.
✔ Very expensive.
7. Fibre False Ceiling
The fiber false ceiling material is prepared by blending synthetic and natural materials like tars, vegetable fiber, and bitumen and wood fibers. It is usually known for its good insulation features like soundproofing and acoustic nature.
Because fiber acts as reinforcement, it provides the properties like hardness, and toughness, and can resist the fire that making it a very suggested type of false ceiling material for commercial buildings such as retail shops, shopping malls, and offices.
Advantages:
✔ Easy to Install.
✔ Heat and sound insulation properties.
✔ Fire resistant
✔ More hardness and toughness
Disadvantages:
✔ Easily affected by water.
✔ They aren’t suitable for residential use.
8. Fabric and Synthetic Material False Ceiling
For constructing the false ceiling of fabric and synthetic, the materials utilized are cloth and leather. As the materials are prepared in factories, they can be made with the needed shape and size.
The ceiling prepared with fabric and synthetic materials gives an outstanding sight appearance. Its light transferring features are quite less compared to others and also can get dirt by dust, it is only suggested for temporary building and tents false ceiling work.
Advantages:
✔ Easy and quick installation
✔ Better aesthetic appearance.
✔ Affordable.
Disadvantages:
✔ They collect dust and stains easily.
✔ They have low light transferring capacity.
✔ Not useful for home decoration.
3. Uses
False ceilings are used for,
a. Concealing wires
b. Soundproofing
c. Fire safety, energy efficiency
d. To help in moisture and sag resistance.
They are used in,
a. Restaurants
b. Showrooms
c. Hall
d. Resorts
e. Jewelry shops
f. Book Store, Libraries.
4. Components
The components of False Ceiling are shown in the figure below.
5. Advantages
The advantages are as follows:
✔ False ceiling installation is a very hard task you can hang it effortlessly with the best tools and equipment.
✔ The false ceiling work provides a slant and clutter-free look by concealing all the ductwork, pipes, and electrical wiring work.
✔ If any type of damage is seen can be easily maintained by just removing the damaged false ceiling panels with the new one.
✔ It provides good acoustic and soundproofing in space. Its material can be chosen such that it holds noise and make the room as quiet as possible.
✔ A false ceiling is a very inexpensive option for homeowners when the original ceiling has a problem related to water leakage and loose plaster fall. So, its saves ceiling maintenance cost with a new aesthetically attractive ceiling option.
✔ It is an energy-enough option as it uses to decrease the heat in summer and cold in winter with low electricity bills.
6. Disadvantages
The disadvantages are as follows:
✔ It decreases the floor height by some inches or feet as it is attached at some gap from the original ceiling.
✔ The false ceiling needs routine maintenance and it does not have a long-lasting life.
✔ The sagging of the ceiling is a problem that occurs in every false ceiling during the utility period.
✔ Skilled Manpower is needed.
✔ The material used is light in weight and is not solid which makes them highly risky at the time of an earthquake or any other accident case.
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