All buildings have ceilings. But take a closer look – the ceiling you see might not necessarily be the one that came with the original building!
A suspended ceiling is a popular and cost-effective way to transform the look, function and feel of a building. If you’re not sure what one is, this article will provide a suspended ceiling definition and explain the benefits.
What is a suspended ceiling and how are they built?
A suspended ceiling is often referred to as a ‘false ceiling’ or a ‘dropped ceiling’. It’s a decorative type of ceiling that’s hung below the structural ceiling.
Suspended ceilings are created by installing a metal grid and interlocking beams. Tiles are then installed over this network of grids and beams to create a brand-new lower ceiling. The tiles mean that you can easily access the space between the structural and suspended ceiling as required.
Types of suspended ceiling
There are several different types of suspended ceiling each with their own characteristics.
The most common types of suspended ceiling include:
- Tiles or panels: Ceiling tiles or panels are lightweight squares laid across an aluminium grid. These are usually made of mineral fibre, but can also be made from fibreglass, plastic, wood, metal and other materials. Tile and panel suspended ceilings are very economical and easy to install.
- Lath and plaster: Suspended ceilings made from lath and plaster are more expensive than other types of suspended ceilings. But they lend themselves well to artistic designs, and offer excellent durability and life expectancy.
- Plasterboard: Also known as drywall, plasterboard suspended ceilings are common in commercial and residential buildings. They’re decently durable and quite inexpensive.
- Free span: Rather than using ceiling tiles, free span suspended ceilings use planks rested along the edge of the perimeter trim. These are often found in corridors, and are quite easy to install and maintain.
- Aluminium: Since aluminium suspended ceilings reflect light very well, they’re an excellent choice for large rooms that could do with brightening up. Alternatively, you can use them in smaller rooms to make them appear more spacious.
Suspended ceiling advantages
There are many advantages to constructing a suspended ceiling, and they’re very popular in many residential and commercial properties. Here are just some of the reasons why they’re installed:
- Aesthetics: If a building has high ceilings, suspended ceilings may be used to create a warmer, cosier environment. The tiles can be any colour or material, meaning the customisation options are endless.
- Tidiness: One of the key reasons suspended ceilings are used is to hide wires, cables and pipes. This makes for a cleaner-looking and safer building space.
- Insulation: A suspended ceiling can trap heat and sound, making the room warmer as well as preventing sound from escaping into other parts of the building.
- Fire safety: A fire-rated suspended ceiling slows down the spread of fire in an emergency, protecting the building and meaning building residents can escape safely. You can also install sprinklers and smoke detectors for added protection.
- Health: Suspended ceilings are popular with hospitals. This is because antibacterial tiles can be installed to protect patients and keep them safe. Lower ceilings are also easier to keep clean.
- Affordable: Rather than performing many interior adjustments to accommodate wires, pipes, heating and cooling systems, sprinklers and so on, a single low-cost suspended ceiling conceals or holds all of them at once.
- Light: Certain types of suspended ceilings, like ceiling tiles and aluminium surfaces, can reflect up to 90% of light back into a room. This is a great way to brighten your space without installing additional wiring, and can help reduce eye strain, fatigue and headaches.
Is a suspended ceiling the same as a raised access floor?
The two are similar in that they both can be used to store cabling and pipes, but they do have different purposes.
A suspended ceiling is hung below a structural ceiling, while a raised access floor provides additional storage space. So while you might use a structural ceiling to hide unsightly wiring and insulate your office space, you’d use a raised access floor to create a brand new office space between two existing floors.
Find out more about raised access floors.
False ceiling vs suspended ceiling
Although false ceilings and suspended ceilings are essentially the same, and as mentioned the terms are often used interchangeably, there are some slight differences.
Suspended ceilings are complete secondary ceilings that entirely cover the original ceiling, appearing to be a single surface.
False ceilings, on the other hand, are largely decorative, and are often used to create a layered effect in which the original ceiling can still be seen. They’re often suspended by visible supports and are open at the sides. And you can hang each section with gaps in between or at different heights to achieve a particular aesthetic.
How to install a suspended ceiling
The exact process for suspended ceiling installation depends on the type of surface you want. But for a typical tile or panel suspended ceiling, we follow these 6 steps:
- First, our team of creative interior fit-out specialists designs a bespoke ceiling that meets your practical and aesthetic needs.
- On the day of your installation, we start by installing an edge trim around the perimeter of your ceiling.
- Next we plot suspension points for the main runners and mark them out using suspension wire.
- With that in place, our specialists install the main runners into the edge trim. This creates the foundation for your gridwork system.
- We install cross tees into the gaps within the main runners.
- Finally, we fit the ceiling tiles into the suspended ceiling gridwork, concealing your original ceiling with a high-quality and attractive alternative.
CCL Interiors: your suspended ceiling specialists
We specialise in the supply and installation of suspended ceilings. Our talented team works with you to design and create a high-quality suspended ceiling that will enhance your building for years to come.
To discuss what kind of suspended ceiling is right for your space, contact us today.