Types Of False Ceiling & Designs

What Is False Ceiling?

False ceiling is an artificial ceiling installed below the original ceiling of a room. In simple words, it is the secondary ceiling that hangs below the main ceiling with the support of frames. These ceilings do not carry any load of the structure.

The minimum height should be 8 inches below the original ceiling. For example pop and gypsum false ceiling. In this article, will discuss different types of false ceiling and designs used in room.

Purpose Of False Ceiling

These types of ceilings are mainly used

• To enhance the beauty of a room’s interior.
• To conceal electrical wires and cables.
• To manage the height of too high ceiling.
• To Provide sound and thermal insulation.
• To install lights and other fixtures.

Advantages Of False Ceiling

The advantages of false ceiling are as follows:

Aesthetic

• Great for aesthetics, once installed, it will be the star attraction of your room. It can change the look and feel of an ordinary room turning into an extraordinary room.

Hide Wirings

• It hides the electrical wirings, plumbing ducts and other fittings.

Thermal Insulation

• It helps to keep your room much cooler in summer and warm in cold by creating a gap between the terrace and ceiling.

Sound Insulation

• Great for acoustic. It helps to reduce outside noise and makes your room quiet and comfortable.

Fire Protection

• It helps to stop spreading fire in building.

Lighting Option

• It let you play with lighting. You can conceal any lights behind the ceiling.

Electricity Savings

• It saves our electricity bills by increasing air conditioning performance.

Easy Installation

• Easy to install with the help of right tools.

Disadvantages Of False Ceiling

• It reduces the actual ceiling height of a room. If the main ceiling does not have sufficient height, it will make your room look smaller and claustrophobic.
• It is easier for damp and moisture to gather in between the original and secondary ceiling. The dampness could spread with time causing the main ceiling to be affected badly.
• Requires regular cleaning otherwise pests will damage.
• The suspended ceiling may get discolored or stained after few years.
• These ceilings are not as solid as the conventional ceiling, problems could arise during natural disasters like earthquakes.
• Another risk is the falling of installed fixtures.
• Difficult to repair concealed electrical cables, pipes, etc.
• Installation requires skilled professionals.

Types Of False Ceiling

1. Gypsum False Ceiling

Gypsum is a popular false ceiling material obtained from calcium sulphate. Gypsum false ceilings are made using gypsum boards, panels, sheets, or ceiling tiles.

Gypsum boards are produced in factories and available in prefabricated form. They are assembled on the working site using metal or wooden formwork.

Gypsum is available in different color options like red, white, yellow, brown, and grey. It is also available as a colorless material.

To make the ceiling more beautiful, you can use paint, laminate, or wallpaper over the boards. Gypsum false ceilings are mostly used in rooms having large spaces and require central air conditioning system.

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

Advantages of Gypsum false ceiling are as follows

• Gypsum boards are lightweight and easy to install.
• Gypsum boards are factory made hence they are uniform, good quality and provide smooth finishes with minimal joints.
• Gypsum is a soft material and provides various shapes and textures like plain, curved, stepped, coffered, etc.
• Gypsum ceilings are easy to clean.
• They are fire resistant.
• They are good in thermal and sound insulation.

Disadvantages Of Gypsum Ceiling

Disadvantages of Gypsum false ceiling are as follows

• Uninstalling or repairing of gypsum ceiling is difficult which may require the entire ceiling to be broken.
• It can not be used in moist areas like bathrooms, toilets, laundry rooms etc.
• It can not be molded like pop false ceiling.

2. POP False Ceiling

POP or plaster of Paris is another common type of false ceiling material widely used. Plaster of Paris is obtained by heating gypsum through calcination or heat treatment.

POP comes in powdery form and when water is added it forms a glue-like paste that hardens rapidly. This paste is applied to the fibreboard, wooden boards, or metal framing system to make the ceiling.

POP false ceilings are very attractive and can be molded to any shape and design. These types of false ceiling not only hide the ugly structural members like beam, ventilation, ducts, and conduits but also gives a smooth and uniform finish to the ceiling.

Advantages Of POP False Ceiling

Advantages of POP false ceiling are as follows

• POP gives decorative smooth interior and finishes to the ceiling.
• It can easily be molded into any shape as per the design.
• Lightweight and quite durable.
• Fire resistant.
• Great thermal insulator in different weather condition.
• POP ceiling has long life span.
• The ceiling surface can be painted to get more appealing look.
• POP does not shrink when setting, therefore it does not develop cracks after hardening.
• They require less maintenance.

Disadvantages Of POP False Ceiling

Disadvantages of POP false ceiling are as follows

• It can not be used in moist rooms like toilets, bathrooms.
• Lots of wastage during application. The site needs to be cleaned well after installation.
• POP ceilings are costly.
• POP ceiling requires skilled and experienced labor.
• Difficult to repair.

3. Wooden False Ceiling

Wood is often used in false ceiling designs due to its natural patterns and textures. Wooden false ceiling gives a warm and rustic look to your room interior. Wooden panels come in the form of hollow blocks, panels, or boards, and plywood.

You can also paint or add various finishes like laminates, and veneers to give the ceiling attractive and luxurious look. Earlier wooden ceilings were more in use, but nowadays, they are only used in residential buildings.

Advantages

• Easy to install.
• Durable.
• Various finishes and paint options.
• Possible to soundproof your space using sound absorbant wooden panels.
• They are very helpful in cold regions.

Disadvantages

• These types of ceilings are prone to termite attack and warping.
• Prone to fire damage.
• The room should be thermally controlled to reduce the moisture.
• Requires high maintenance.
• Very costly.

Use

Residential buildings, homes, and Restaurants.

4. Fibre False Ceiling

Fibre false ceiling is gaining its popularity due to low cost and easy installation process. Fibre ceilings are always in high demand in commercial applications like showrooms etc.

These types of false ceilings are made by mixing natural and synthetic materials such as vegetable fibre, bitumen, tars, wood, and stone.

These elements have better insulation properties therefore they are suitable where heat and sound insulation is essential. Fibre ceiling tiles are factory made and come in variety of shapes, sizes, and patterns.

Advantages

• Easy to install.
• Heat and sound insulation properties.
• Fire resistant.
• More Hardness and toughness.

Disadvantages

• Due to a lack of aesthetics, they are not suitable for residential applications.
• Prone to water damage.

Use

Showrooms.

5. Metal False Ceiling

As metal is very hard and durable material, its use in false ceiling designs is increasing widely. In this type of ceiling, the most common metals used are aluminium and galvanized iron.

When metal is polished it gives a shining appearance which can be a visual treat. Metal ceiling tiles are available in wide variety of styles, textures and finishes.

Advantages

• Easy to install.
• Durable and long-lasting.
• Do not crack or warp over time.
• Fire resistant.
• The hidden members can be easily accessed as metal ceiling tiles or panels are easily removable and re-attachable.
• Require low maintenance.
• Low labor cost.
• Easy to repair.

Disadvantages

• Metal panels are costly.
• They require coating to protect from corrosion.

Use

Industries, schools, hospitals, offices, homes.

6. PVC False Ceiling

PVC or polyvinyl chloride is a common material in false ceiling design. They have long life span of more than 10 years with low maintenance. PVC ceilings are cost-effective alternative to the conventional ceiling.

PVC is a lightweight plastic material that comes in PVC panels of various designs, sizes, and colors. They have hollow core and smooth shiny surfaces.

PVC panels incorporate with flush fitting, hidden ceiling lights, and can access air vents, hatches, and sprinklers without any trouble.

Advantages

• Hassle-free and easy installation.
• PVC panels are strong and highly durable.
• Lightweight.
• Easy to clean.
• Waterproof.
• Require less maintanance.
• Low cost.

Disadvantages

• PVC is dangerous to health.
• These ceilings are less attractive compared to pop or gypsum ceilings.
• Not resistant to heat.

Uses

As PVC panels are waterproof, they are suitable in moist or damp areas like bathrooms, toilets, basements, etc.

7. Glass False Ceiling

Glass is a good material to work with for adding beauty to false ceiling designs. Glass is a non-crystalline transparent and brittle material. However, they can be made non-brittle and non-transparent by using suitable additives.

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.

Uses

i) Jewelry shops, resorts, libraries, book store etc.

8. Fabric or Synthetic Leather Ceiling

Fabric or synthetic leather is used only for ornamental purposes. They are aesthetically very good but functionally weak. Therefore these types of ceiling are useful for temporary structures like tents, exhibitions or event rooms, yoga rooms, and restaurants.

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.

Uses

Tent, yoga room, event room, exhibition room, restaurant etc.

Conclusion

False ceiling is the extra ceiling hung below the original ceiling used in room interior for various purposes like aesthetics, fire protection, sound and thermal insulation, etc.

False Ceiling Designs

False Ceiling Designs For Bedroom

False Ceiling Designs For Living Room:

False Ceiling Designs For Hall:

FAQ

1. Which type of false ceiling is best?

Gypsum and POP ceilings are best for home interior.

2. What is the minimum height of grid ceiling from original ceiling?

The minimum height of secondary ceiling should be 8 inches from the main ceiling.

3. What are the 3 types of lighting?

• Ambient or general lighting.
• Accent lighting.
• Task lighting.

4. What is the most popular ceiling finish?

Popcorn Ceiling Texture.

Also Read

POP Vs Gypsum Ceiling – Which Is Better?

Difference Between POP And Putty

Types Of Vaulted Ceiling

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