What are false ceiling | What are the types of false ceiling

What Are False Ceilings

A lower ceiling or secondary ceiling hung below the main (structural) ceiling is called a false ceiling.
The false ceiling is usually provided for the temperature control (AC heat insulation), the installation of lights, or the concealment of electrical and other networking cables
The area above the dropped ceiling is called plenum space
Due to the versatile nature and other important features, the false ceiling has become an an essential feature for every commercial place.

General Benefits Of False Ceiling

The general advantage that everyone is familiar with is that it improves the esthetically appearance and proportion of the interior spaces, but this benefit is only the tip of the iceberg, as there are many advantages that the false ceiling gives to a few of them listed below:

Hides ducting and other structural elements under the ceiling
Works as a heat insulator
Works as an acoustic barrier by reducing echo problems. (Specially in theaters, conference halls, auditoriums, etc.)
False ceiling can also act as a fire separator if the material used in making ceiling tiles are mineral fiber or fire rated wood panels

Types of False Ceiling:

False ceilings can be differentiated into many types based on their use, material used, appearance and visibility.

The main classification based on the materials used is briefly set out below:

GYPSUM BOARD FALSE CEILING

As the name suggests, these are made of gypsum, a hydrated calcium sulfate, has the quality of withstanding for a long time
Gypsum is the most widely used false ceiling material. The panels come either with tapered or square edges
Gypsum boards can be easily fixed either by nailing directly to ply or other plain surfaces or placing on a galvanized iron (GI) metal grid
Gypsum the board comes in standard sizes of 6 feet X4 feet and 8 feet X 4 feet.

Types Of Gypsum Boards Available In Market

Regular Gypsum Board
Fire Resistant Gypsum Board
Moisture Resistant Gypsum Board
Fire and Moisture Resistant Gypsum Boards

Pros

Bears load up to 15 kg
Gypsum boards are easy to install and clean
These boards can give your ceiling a seamless look without too many joints
Since these are manufactured in a factory machine, the consistency of the product’s finish and quality is maintained

Cons

However, easy to install, it can be a difficult process to uninstall these boards. Repairing these means that the complete ceiling will have to be broken down
With time moisture seeps into gypsum boards through leaking roofs or air conditioning pipes. This could result in fungal growth in the ceiling or even cause reshaping of the boards
Gypsum boards are expensive than POP

COFFERED FALSE CEILINGS

The coffered ceiling is a group of sunk panels of various shapes in the ceiling.
Dating back to when they were made of stone, a coffered ceiling was considered an architectural feat of construction
In modern times, the coffered ceiling often refers to a custom wooden frame over ceiling panels to create the look of the historical design
Coffered ceilings are formed by recessed panels surrounded by sloping beams that create a grid pattern. It's a classic Greek and Roman ceiling design.
A coffered ceiling can bring drama or add subtle architectural details to any room

Pros

Coffered ceilings can be good for acoustics, absorbing excess sound in an area
A coffered ceiling can increase the resale value of your home by a significant amount
Because of the height, Coffered ceiling can create the illusion of a higher ceiling

Cons

Coffered ceilings are expensive because ceilings require professional installation and advanced carpentry skills
Coffered ceilings make the most sense in rooms that already have higher-than-usual ceiling heights (say, ten feet or more).
While the coffered ceilings are capable of creating the illusion of a larger space, they also run the risk of lowering the low ceiling

PLASTER OF PARIS FALSE CEILING

Plaster of Paris (POP) is the majorly used material in the construction of a false ceiling. POP is obtained when gypsum is heated to a certain degree. It gives both aesthetical and functional help
Among all the false ceiling materials, it's cheapest
It gives a smooth finish and one can mold it to suit any design innovation on the ceiling. This versatile material is best suited to modern homes where warm cove lighting brightens the house
Plaster of Paris false ceiling is attractive, almost no maintenance, and has a long life span. They are very excellent insulators or heat and cold
These types of false ceiling don’t only hide the ugly members of the structure, ventilation ducts, and conduits but also give a smooth finish to the ceiling

Pros

It is light in weight and more durable
It is a very good fire-resistant and therefore a very good heat-insulating material.
It does not shrink while setting. Therefore, it does not develop cracks in heating or setting.
It blends easily with water and is easy to spread and level.
It gives a firm surface on which the colors can be set
The plaster of Paris gives a decorative interior finish. Its gypsum content provides it a lot of shine and smoothness
It can easily be molded into any shape

Cons

The major drawback of POP is its tendency to crack over time
The process of mixing the contents of the on-site POP is messy and complicated. Of course, after installing this type of suspended ceiling, a lot of cleaning is needed
During the application process, a lot of POP mixture is wasted

WOOD FALSE CEILING

Plywood ceilings are popular for their visually attractive feature
It can be used both for domestic and commercial purposes
Wood false ceilings are used more commonly due to its natural textures and patterns
They are widely preferred as they consist good acoustic properties, insulation properties, high insulation strength, and give your house a natural and cool appearance.
The type of wood used for ceilings is Barn wood, Faux wood etc
They are costly and can be installed in residential buildings, commercial, restaurants etc

Wood panels are among the more expensive panels because of their high cost of material and the higher cost of maintenance

Pros

They are strong and attractive
They can be given various finishes or painted to get the desired look
They can be easily treated to increase their lifespan

Cons

Wooden ceilings are difficult to maintain as they are prone to termite attacks
The room has to be thermally controlled to reduce the humidity in the air
Wood is also prone to warping and other physical changes that happen over time
Wooden false ceilings are costly; therefore, it is necessary to consider the total false ceiling costs before proceeding.

metal FALSE CEILING

Metals such as aluminum and galvanized iron are widely used in false ceilings. Metals are hard and durable by their very nature
All metal ceilings are designed for quick and economical installation on standard exposed systems or purpose-built grids that are easy to install and remove with minimal tools
The flexibility of the grid system makes for easy integration of services such as lighting, sprinklers, and air grilles. minimum tools
These can also be quickly removed and re-installed, making it convenient to house water pipes, AC ducts and electrical wires away from public glare
The cost of this ceiling is low as they are easy to install and access
The construction cost becomes less as the installation, fixing, and maintenance is low
Metal ceilings are ideal for modern workspaces, Breakout zones in offices, Kitchens, Hospitals

Pros

Minimal maintenance
Acoustical performance achieved through perforation
Fire and water-resistant
They do not crack or warp with time and retain their shape. So, peeling is unheard of. Metal ceilings need almost zero maintenance and repair
They can also be easily removed for any kind of maintenance purpose

Cons

Metal tiles do not have many advantages, except for the cost of real metal materials.
The investment can be substantial plus the cost of a protective coating to prevent corrosion over a time!

PVC false CEILING

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the perfect plastic material for false ceilings.
PVC ceiling panels are a highly cost-effective alternative to other costlier panels
PVC ceiling tiles solve the problem of dirty and unhygienic ceilings because they are easy to clean and maintain
It is one of the few types of false ceiling that are easy to install, lightweight, waterproof, termite-proof, and require very little maintenance
They do not get affected by UV light and hence are colorfast
They can also be finished in a variety of ways giving flexibility in design

Pros

PVC ceilings are inexpensive to make and install
They are mass-produced and available through a wide variety of distributors. You can get almost any color you desire
PVC false ceilings are durable and sturdy. They last for a very long time and need very little maintenance

Cons

One of the biggest arguments against PVC as a material is that it makes use of chlorine, which is hazardous and toxic gas in its natural state
Of course, PVC ceiling material do not generally contain vast amounts of free chlorine. However, over time they may break down in such a way that minute traces of chlorine are introduced into the air.
PVC is not the most attractive ceiling covering. Many people consider PVC to be inferior in appearance and choose to avoid it for esthetic reasons

glass FALSE ceiling

One of the types of false ceiling used in construction is of glass
It is a non-crystalline material with the property of brittle and transparent. But this can be altered to make it nonbrittle and non-transparent using some admixtures
Because glass is a good insulator of heat, it can be used for false ceilings. This type of false ceiling improves the aesthetical appearance of the building
Glass ceiling panels can be a suitable roofing solution in establishments such as libraries, restaurants, book stores, and jewelry shops
Their transparency can be used effectively to make small spaces look bigger

Pros

It allows the eyes to travel and explore the space without obstruction
Glass can be colored, patterned, or laminated to create an interesting focal point for a room

Cons

The glass ceiling panels need to be handled with care during the installation process
Glass is one of the most expensive false ceiling materials on the market
Dust and dirt easily show on glass. Hence, it needs to be cleaned regularly
Its fixing requires special skills and specific fixtures

GRID FALSE CEILING

Fibre ceiling tiles are developed by natural or synthetic minerals
This type of drop ceiling uses mineral tiles that are ceramics, reinforced with natural stone, wood, vegetable fiber, bitumen, and tars.
These elements increase the insulation capacity of the product. Therefore, they are perfect for areas where heat and sound insulation is needed
Fiber ceiling tiles are available in a range of sizes, shapes, and designs. They 're cheap and easy to install!
Grid False Ceiling is one of the most common styles of false ceiling used in commercial office spaces
However, fiber ceiling panels are not suitable for residential applications because they lack aesthetic appeal

Pros

They have high insulation against sound and fire
The fiber increases the hardness and the toughness of the material
The material can be decorated with paint or other finishes that improve the aesthetics of the room
Easy to install and tiles can be replaced with no effort
Easy to keep as you can remove the ceiling tiles whenever you want

Cons

It cannot be used for residential areas as they are appealing for home interior
They are highly susceptible to water damage

fabric or cloth false CEILING

They are not highly recommended as they collect dust over some time. The light diffused through the fabrics gives the room a comfortable intensity and a warm mood
This kind of false ceiling is not as functional as others but definitely raises the look of a room

Pros

Installation is quick, easy, and does not require a highly skilled professional
Very few styles of false ceilings can equal the aesthetic value added by high-quality fabric

Cons

Cloth quickly accumulates dust and stains. It also absorbs smells.
This can not be used as a permanent feature of home decor

thermocol FALSE CEILINGS

If you are staying on the top floor of the the building or any other where heat is transmitted on your slab, then thermocol the ceiling will for sure reduce your heat
You can apply thermocol on the ceiling and then you can do a false ceiling in it also. From this method you get more heat insulation
Heat can’t be reduced fully but to 50%-80%
It's very cost-effective
It’s easy to install and maintain

Pros

Installation is quick, easy, and does not require a highly skilled professional
Mostly used for heat insulation

Cons

It gets dusty easily
This cannot be used as a permanent feature of home decor

Advantages and disadvantages of false ceiling

Pros

It provides a smooth homogeneous surface to the roof
It provides fire protection as it creates compartmentation
False ceiling helps in acoustical treatment
It conceals all the non-pleasing elements and hides it from the viewer’s eyes
It also hides the pipelines and the electrical cables running in the room. All the ducts of air-conditioning can be hidden under it

Cons

The most worrying part of making a false ceiling will be insects. They will get into space and continue their own breeding, which might lead to a lot of problems in the future
Always, be careful when putting up decorations or hangings when you have a false ceiling in place. Make sure you know the power and durability of your roof, do it, and don't.
Finally, the false ceiling would significantly reduce the height of the ceiling and therefore do not install a false ceiling unless you have a decent ceiling height.