A False Ceiling is different from a standard ceiling which is made from decorative material such as gypsum board, PVC panels, tiles, etc. There is an empty space left between the standard ceiling and the false ceiling. The false ceiling is an excellent material to use to improve soundproofing in halls and auditoriums.
The false ceiling is usually fixed at some distance from the original ceiling with the help of metal wires. The distance between the ceiling and the false is in inches but it can be extended up to one foot when the floor height is more than 10 ft.
There are Different Types of False Ceilings available in the market that can be used to make aesthetically appealing ceiling designs.
Types of False Ceilings
There are different types of false ceilings used in home interiors. False Ceilings can be classified into different types according to their materials, appearance, and visibility.
1. POP False Ceiling
The POP’s full form is plaster of Paris and it is nothing but gypsum. POP is one of the popular false ceiling materials used to design ceiling areas.
This material is available in powder form in the market which can be used to make a paste and applied on wooden boards and fiberboard with desired shape and design.
POP material is highly durable and provides good insulation again cold and heat in the room. The false ceiling made from POP looks very appealing and attractive after proper lighting and paintwork.
Pros:
- The POP ceiling is 20-30% cheaper compared to the Gypsum board ceiling.
- It is a highly durable material with minimum wear and tears during a life period.
- They can be easily molded in any shape.
Cons:
- POP material needs high skill to use and apply to the ceiling to give desired shape and design
- The extra quantity of POP is required to prepare because there is not possible to calculate the exact quantity.
- It created a messy place where it is used.
2. Gypsum Board False Ceiling
The Gypsum board consists of a core of set gypsum surfaced with specifically manufactured paper firmly bonded to the core. It is designed to be used without the addition of plaster on walls, ceilings, or partitions and provides a surface suitable to receive either paint or paper.
Gypsum Board is one of the widely used construction materials mainly in interior design works. Gypsum Board is used as surface material and its applications are prominent in wall and ceiling construction.
The gypsum board has superior properties like fire resistance, soundproofing, and lightweight it is used as drywall. It is an excellent construction material for wall, ceiling, and partition walls in residential and commercial structures.
The gypsum board comes in some standard sizes like 600 mm x 600 mm. They are placed as tiles on a metal frame that is hanging from the original ceiling.
Pros:
- The installation is really simple and easy.
- It gives a seamless appearance because it is fixed to the original ceiling without too many metal fixtures.
- They are manufactured in factories, hence their quality and strength are excellent.
Cons:
- The major disadvantages are that it is easily affected by moisture and water.
- Its replacement process is also not easy. It is a very tedious process.
- The leakage in AC pipe or roof ceiling leak can create moisture-rich conditions which result in fungal growth.
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3. Wooden False Ceiling
Wood is one of the most used and popular interior and exterior decoration materials. Wood can be used to create a beautiful false ceiling for your room. Its main benefit is that it can be cut in any shape and size before being used.
Wood is an excellent building material that can be used in combination with other materials like gypsum, glass, metal, etc. The wood comes in form of hollow brick boards and panels to be used as false ceiling materials.
It is also available in different finishes such as natural varnished, laminated, lacquers, and melamine.
Pros:
- Wooden panels are available in various patterns and designs.
- It can be painted as you want.
- It is suitable for cold climate conditions.
- The wood can in fitted to the ceiling with the help of nails and screws. So, the installation process of wood ceilings is easy compared to others.
- A ceiling made with good quality wood is durable and last long for years.
Cons:
- The wooden ceiling is costlier compared to other ceiling materials.
- Its maintenance cost is also high.
- Wood is susceptible to termite attacks.
4. PVC False Ceiling
PVC full form is Polyvinyl chloride is one of light weighted and cost effect false ceiling materials used by homeowners. PVC panels are also used as exterior wall cladding of residential and commercial buildings.
PVC is a strong plastic material and since it is manufactured in a factory, the finished surface is seamless. It can be any manufactured desired shape and size according to requirement.
PVC material is extremely water-resistant which makes it the perfect solution for water leakage problems from the ceiling. It is lightweight, termite-proof, and needs very minimal maintenance compared to other false ceiling types.
Pros:
- PVC ceilings are strong and durable materials. It can be used for many years without any significant wear and tear.
- PVC panels are flexible and non-brittle in nature which is make their handling easy without breakage.
- It cost effective ceiling compared to other materials.
- Its installation is easy and fast, and also does not make the place messy with materials.
Cons:
- PVC ceiling gives a plastic appearance which may not good for nature lovers.
- Joints are sometimes visible between panels.
- It is easily damaged due to heat as it is a plastic material.
5. Metal False Ceiling
A metal false ceiling is made of steel, aluminum, or galvanized iron. The metal false ceiling is available in form of panels, planks, and ceiling tiles. The metal false ceiling is easy to install as its components are prefabricated.
The metal ceiling panels are manufactured in different sizes and shapes for ceiling work. They are fixed on a steel metal grid which is supported by a cross or T section hung from the ceiling roof. It is the most durable and long-lasting material compared to others.
The thickness of metal panels is generally in the range of 0.4 mm to 1 mm used for false ceiling work.
The metal surface coating is in the form of power which is utilized in aluminum and steel false ceilings. The shape of the metal panels used for the false ceiling is square type or plank type or perforated type.
Pros:
- Metal false ceilings are highly durable materials that offer good wear and tear resistance during utility periods.
- The metal false ceilings are highly resistant to fire. Therefore, it is the best choice for commercial and office buildings.
- They keep their original shapes during the utility period. Its maintenance cost is less compared to others.
Cons:
- The wooden ceiling is costlier compared to other ceiling materials.
- Its maintenance cost is also high.
- Wood is susceptible to termite attacks.
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6. Glass False Ceiling
Glass is one of the most popular false ceiling materials used in the world. The glass material is non-crystalline and has brittle and transparent properties. It is popularly used for decoration and lighting work in the home.
As it has good heat insulation properties is used for false ceilings for office and residential buildings. Glass is available in different shapes, sizes, and colors which makes it the most versatile material used in the construction industry.
Because of its transparent nature, it makes smaller spaces looker bigger in size.
Glass is used in form of panels which is a better ceiling solution for restaurants, offices, libraries, etc.
Pros:
- Create an illusion of a small room that looks bigger.
- Heat and moisture resistant.
- Offer a premium appearance to the space.
Cons:
- Its handling work is difficult because with small mistakes they get a break.
- Its installation requires special fixtures and skilled labor work.
- The glass panel needs regular cleaning as it gets affected by dust.
- A glass false ceiling is one of the costly options for a ceiling.
7. Fibre False Ceiling
The fiber false ceiling material is made by mixing synthetic and natural materials like tars, vegetable fiber, and bitumen and wood fibers. It is popularly known for its excellent insulation properties like soundproofing and acoustic nature.
Because fiber works as reinforcement, it gains the properties like hardness, toughness, and resistance to fire that is make it a highly recommended false ceiling material for commercial buildings such as retail shops, shopping malls, and offices.
Pros:
- Provide better acoustic and sound insulation.
- Resistance to fire is excellent.
- It is a strong and durable material.
Cons:
- It gets damaged by water and moisture easily.
- It required regular maintenance.
8. Fabric and Synthetic Material False Ceiling
For making the false ceiling of fabric and synthetic, the most popular materials used are cloth and leather. As the materials are manufactured in factories, they can be made with the required shape and size.
The ceiling made with fabric and synthetic materials gives an excellent visual appearance. Its light transferring properties are quite low compared to others and also can get easily affected by dust, it is only recommended for temporary building and tents false ceiling work.
Pros:
- Its installation process is fast and does not require any special work for that.
- Its false ceiling is aesthetically appealing.
Cons:
- It is easily affected by dust and moisture.
- It is recommended for temporary work.
Advantages and disadvantages of False Ceiling
Advantages of False Ceiling
- False ceiling installation is not too difficult a task you can fix it easily with suitable tools and equipment. In fact, you can install its own self, but it is advisable to hire an experienced professional for work.
- The false ceiling work gives a lean and clutter-free look by hiding all the ductwork, pipes, and electrical wiring work.
- Any damage can be easily repaired by just replacing the damaged false ceiling panels.
- It offers excellent acoustic and soundproofing in space. Its material can be selected such that it absorbs noise and make the space quiet as possible.
- False ceiling is the most economical option for homeowners when the original ceiling is getting damaged by water leakage and loose plaster fall. So, its saves ceiling renovation cost with a new aesthetically appealing ceiling option.
- It is an energy-efficient option as it helps to reduce the heat in summer and cold in winter with low electricity expenses.
Disadvantages of False Ceiling
- The major drawback of false ceiling installation is that it reduces the floor height by several inches or feet as it is fixed at some distance from the original ceiling.
- The false ceiling required regular maintenance and it does not have long life perhaps.
- The sagging of the false ceiling is a common problem that occurs during the utility period.
- The false ceiling material is lightweight and is not solid which makes them extremely dangerous during an earthquake or any other accident case.
There are lots of false ceiling materials available to use. A false ceiling is any extra ceiling other than which is actually cast during construction. As the original ceiling is made of concrete which cannot be given desired design and color the false ceiling is the option for that.
Among all the above 8 false ceiling types a POP, Gypsum, wood, and PVC are the most popular and extensively used false ceilings in office, home, commercial buildings, office buildings, and shops.
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