Suspended Ceiling Systems

Suspended Ceiling Systems And Your Options

2010/05/24 | Author: admin

There are many different options to choose from as far as suspended ceilings go. Here are some of the variations to make you aware of the subject.

Concealed suspended ceilings: This is perhaps the design that gives cleanest looks, as none of the suspensions can be seen. Here, there are two options: one allows you to reach it for maintenance, thus remaining accessible. It is also known as demountable. The other design is non-accessible. This needs a serious thought, which one to go in for. As can be understandable, the non accessible kind poses problems of maintenance.

Exposed suspended ceilings make the other design. Such a ceiling comprises of panels housed into a ceiling grid. This kind of ceiling offers some design options as to the kind of tiles that you may like to choose, as they are all accommodated in the grid. As these are easy and quick to install, they are ideal if you are looking to saving time and like the execution to be really fast. The added advantage is that the void between the original ceiling and the one that you get installed makes maintenance easy as it can be done within the void.

Now we come to the suspended ceilings that have free span. It needs you to assess your requirements. This design of ceilings requires planks, held together by the perimeter trim, and is generally used for corridors, as the spans run up to 2500 mm and are tiled with planks, thus making them ideal for corridors. These types of ceilings can be in demountable style or they can be closed with no access at all. If you decide to go for the demountable design, you gain full access to the ceiling void, enabling quick and easy maintenance. These ceilings provide a smooth seamless like structure.

Finally, we come to Bandraster grid suspended ceilings system. This is a very smart design that can be implemented, depending on the type of building. It can be designed to go along the buildings’ design with parallel suspension sections that constitute this exceptional system. Meaning, if the building is round, the tiles will go around the building in a curve. A horizontal bracing is assembled with the ceiling structure to help the ceiling from any tangential movement or vibration. The lateral bracing of this kind of ceiling can be prepared with a choice of sections. It can either have exposed or concealed sections, allowing you to make the planks in the ceiling demountable or completely inaccessible.

These are the usual types of suspended ceilings. There are many more, beyond the scope of this article, but this information shoulde prove helpful to you and be considered before buying your suspended ceilings.

Installing Suspended Ceiling By Yourself

2010/04/22 | Author: admin

Installation of a suspended ceiling on your own is not a tough job really, but it takes considerable time. The installation of a tile or suspended ceiling in a room of 9X12 feet would easily require sixteen hours, or may be more as some unusual circumstances could develop. Though it doesn’t need any special skills or tools for execution, it is recommended to have at least two people who have reasonably good technical skills, preferably with some exposure to handling some kind of a technical job.

Though one doesn’t really need a permit to install a suspended ceiling, it is better to remain safe and seek a confirmation from your local building department.

As the name itself suggests, suspended ceilings are hung down from the existing main ceiling by incorporating metal grid and joists. Installation of such a ceiling naturally creates a void between itself and the existing ceiling. This gap proves very useful for housing or working upon pipes, wires and ductwork, keeping all these items hidden from the view of the onlookers or occupants of the room.

A tile ceiling may either be glued on to the existing ceiling or on what is known as “furring strips”, which are glued or nailed on the existing ceiling. This kind of ceiling works very well in covering any old ugly looking present ceiling. It also serves an excellent purpose at places where it is not feasible to have a suspended ceiling. You should understand that suspended ceiling drops down by about eight to ten inches from the main ceiling, thereby reducing the effective height of the ceiling, which could pose problem if the height of the room is already low. Going by the codes of construction, the minimum permissible height of ceiling is seven and a half feet.

The installation of suspended ceiling necessarily requires proper tools. The installation is not so difficult and doesn’t require any expensive equipment for the purpose. As you would be covering the ceiling of a medium to large sized room, the metal grid needed for its installation would require at least two people. Most of the tools needed for installation of suspended ceiling or tile ceiling are the same and include: 20′-25′ metal tape, putty knife, a screwdriver, straightedge, nails, , a ladder, tiles, safety goggles and face mask, a handsaw, a pencil, chalk line, a drywall pan, a miter box, cross tees and a coping saw.

Apart from making your room look great, there are many advantages to a suspended ceiling. As already noted, they provide cover to wires, pipes and ducts. They muffle sound and have fire resistant characteristics. That makes them desirable for ceiling of noisy rooms like commercial kitchens. In such cases they are provided with tiny holes to get the desired acoustic effect. Tiles made from mineral fibers are fire resistant; conform to prescribed fire codes and thus a good option for fire hazardous rooms. Otherwise, a typical suspended ceiling makes an excellent choice, being lightweight and easy to install.

Best Reasons To Have Suspended Ceilings

2010/03/07 | Author: admin

All over the world different kinds of ceilings are employed for buildings with different designs, but one that is most favored and has already revolutionized the building business is the suspended ceiling. You can have such ceilings at many places with good reasons.

Primarily, suspended ceilings are a secondary ceiling, and as the name suggests they are suspended down the main existing ceiling. This is achieved by using a metal grid on to which are installed ceiling panels, giving it the looks of a real ceiling.

Of the many reasons that prompt people to have suspended ceiling, the most important is that these can be installed in almost any room of any building, whether it’s your home, office or even a large public building like a supermarket. Nevertheless, one good reason for places like supermarkets and shopping centers to have suspended ceilings is that it provides an easy way to cover up air ducts, pipes and cables etc., thus making them invisible to visitors while presenting a neat look to the whole space.

As this kind of ceiling is suspended just below the original one, there is a gap created between the two ceilings. This gap proves to be an ideal place to conceal all your wires, cables, piping and ducts etc, giving a neat organized look to the whole place. It further offers easy maintenance as you can dismantle any or all of the suspended ceiling, unlike any normal plastered ceiling which would need to be demolished and rebuilt again, were you to carry any alterations in the piping or wiring.

Another advantage of having suspended ceilings is, these can be made to resist fire. You get fire resistant tiles made from specific mineral fibers and fire proof fibers and conforming to fire safety standards. Not only that, these are available in variety of styles and designs to add to the decor and ambiance of any home or office. It’s a good precautionary measure to keep safety in mind.

Despite all the advantages, there are some limitations too associates with the use of suspended ceiling. While they bring down your energy costs, due reduced volume of place, they could pose problem by way of reducing headroom in the room they are provided. Usually they would shorten the height of ceiling by six to eight inches, so if the room already has a low ceiling, you might have to reconsider having suspended kind of ceiling. But again, it may also depend on the kind of activity carried in the room and the time one is expected to spend there.

5 Superb Basement Ceiling Ideas

2010/01/13 | Author: admin

Though basement ceilings are not the focal points, but it offers an opportunity to add an element of glamour to the room. There are quite many ideas on the subject to make the whole place look more welcoming and warm, while adding to its looks.

Finishing the basement ceiling can entirely change the looks of the room. Here are five creative ideas for you to consider for your basement ceiling.

1. Drywall

2. Suspended Ceiling

3. Mirrors

4. Artwork

5. Paint

Drywall

Though having a hanging drywall is quite common as a basement ceiling, it is not really easy to install one. This is a well-priced material that’s rather tricky to install unless you have had the experience of doing one. If you have never done it on your own, you would do better hiring he services of a professional to help you in the process, or rather entrust him with the job completely. Yet, if you are keen doing it yourself, there are other DIY options you may like to try.

Suspended Ceiling

A suspended ceiling is one of the most popular basement ceiling ideas. It is easily installed. Moreover, compared to other kinds of basement ceiling materials, suspended ceilings are economical. Because it offers easy installation, you save money by doing it yourself without having to hire a contractor. It provides a convenient cover to unattractive piping and ceiling issues generally connected with old ceiling. Suspended ceilings may sound quite plain and dull, but you get them in many colors, styles, and patterns to get the desired look and feel.

Mirrors

Having mirrors on basement ceilings gives a very good feel. The reason being, most of the basements are poorly lit with nominal lighting. Providing mirrors reflects some of the light and gives the illusion of more space. Mirrors are not too difficult to place on the ceiling. So, that’s another easy DIY project for you.

Artwork

Now, that’s a very interesting and creative job that allows you to publicly display your talents and gives a great sense of satisfaction. The different possibilities are: you may paint directly on the ceiling or use readymade pieces. Another easy and good option is to go for stick-on paintings that you will find at most home improvement stores. You get them in many different designs and sizes that are easy to fix on the ceilings. Usually, it’s possible to remove these and re-fix the same to another area, if you are not happy.

Paint

Paints as you know are available in any imaginable color and are quite easy to apply also. It is a low skill moderately expensive proposition. You can make your own styles on the ceiling by using a variety of colors to create interesting patterns. However, certain materials employed for ceilings can’t be painted and it would be worthwhile to seek a confirmation from a professional before venturing into this activity.

Suspended Ceilings – Advantages And Disadvantages

2009/12/28 | Author: admin

Suspended ceiling are a great way to enhance the looks of your office or home. However, they may not work under certain circumstances and have their limitations. So, here we go with their pros and cons.

Pros

- Fire safety. There are ceiling tiles made from fire resistant materials which conform to various fire standards set by councils, commercial organizations and other regulations which you can use in your ceiling.

- Modification. If you are the kind who likes to make changes for whatever reasons, you won’t get a better choice of ceilings. Drop ceilings allow you to change tiles very quickly, whether it’s for repairs or your pleasure.

- Maintenance. Apart from convenience of maintaining ceiling, even building maintenance hardly poses any problems. All the plumbing and electrical accessories like pipes, wires, cables and ducts are hidden in such ceilings that allow easy access.

- Appearance. There is an amazing variety of designs, styles and colors for suspended ceiling tiles and there certainly are some that are sure to match your standards and styles to add to the appearance of your place.

Cons

- Reduced Headroom. That’s one big limitation for this style of ceiling, though it matters only when the original ceiling is already at a low height. Usually, suspended ceilings don’t eat into more than six to eight inches vertically. So, if you already have a low ceiling, you would better consider some other option.

- Cover up damage. The convenience and economics of drop ceiling may motivate some landlords to cover their damaged, not so good looking ceilings thru this technique. That makes it important for the prospective buyers or tenant to look for what may be beneath the natural ceiling.

- Aging. Unless maintained properly, dropped ceilings may begin showing signs of ageing a bit too early. These tiles tend to sag and get damaged rather easily; even a mild shock may cause cracks to appear. Excessive smoking is also bad for their colors. But, as already said, with the convenience and economics of replacing these tiles offer, the user may overlook some of these limitations.

Suspended Ceiling Systems