Types of commercial ceilings
(For office spaces, retail spaces, restaurants and other commercial spaces)
The open space concept in interior design responds to people’s natural need for space and freedom.
Even though it’s not very common, ceilings are an important part of interior designing that deserve to be given equal attention like walls, floors or any other area in a commercial space. A lot of companies tend to have a simple white, plain ceiling without putting much detail on them.
However, it’s worth mentioning that ceilings are an essential part of an office space. A little bit of attention while designing can help improve the appearance of your commercial space.
The best interior designers use unexpected materials to create veritable ceiling landscapes, turning the raw ceiling materials, tones and textures into their canvas.
Moreover, choice of material to use during the building process is very important. There are four different types of ceilings that we are going to explore in this article; gypsum ceilings, acoustic ceilings, timber ceilings and Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ceilings.
Gypsum ceilings
Gypsum, chemically known as calcium sulphate Dihydrate, is a soft sulphate mineral. It is used for decoration and construction, dating back to ancient Egypt. There are two types of gypsum; Natural and Flu-Gas Desulfurization (FDG).
Natural gypsum occurs in sedimentary rock formations. It is one of the most superior qualities and consistent material. Gypsum rock is mined and quarried, crushed and ground into a fine powder. Natural gypsum has adequate whiteness, high purity and it is low in cost, which makes it feasible for the cement industry.
Flu-Gas Desulfurization (FDG) gypsum has been used to manufacture gypsum boards for more than 30 years. A by-product of desulfurization of flue gas from stacks of fossil-fueled power plants, emissions captured from smoke stacks can be purified into a hard substance and manufactured into gypsum. FDG production and sales encourages power producers to capture “waste” for reuse.
Both natural gypsum and FDG gypsum have the same composition.
Gypsum is mostly used in wall and ceiling construction. It is usually used on site in the form of plaster.
Some advantages of gypsum include;
1. It’s reduced time and cost of construction,
2. it’s ability to give a comfortable, aesthetic ambiance as a construction mineral,
3. and it is free of odor,
Gypsum is also fire resistant in nature. This resistance is due to the presence of water in gypsum products. For example, a gypsum plaster board of 15mm would possess 3 liters of crystal water within it. When fire approaches the water, it undergoes evaporation resulting in a protective layer covering the gypsum product. This is essential as it helps to stop fire from spreading to further materials
Acoustic ceilings
Acoustic ceilings are mostly known for their ability to absorb sound. Acoustic ceilings are made of Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) for sound absorption and Sound Transmission Class (STC) for blocking sound.
There is a huge variety of acoustical ceiling options. A dropped or suspended ceiling is very common. The standard color is white or off-white, however, if you would like to color, you can paint the panels, though you may want to check with the manufacturer’s instructions, just to make sure you don’t lose any of the tile’s sound-dampening qualities.
For sound control and noise reduction, it’s advisable to determine what works for the space that you have based on how you intend to use the space.
Timber ceilings
Timber ceilings are basically made out of wood that’s prepared for use in building and carpentry. Ceilings made of timber are not only attractive and unique, but they are also long lasting. However, before choosing a timber design for your ceiling, take time and choose from several varieties of wood, a good timber species. It is always advisable to use locally available material. This is mostly what determines the type of timber to use. Sustainability, cost, and suitability play a huge role when it comes to choosing.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ceilings
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ceilings are the most common types of ceilings today. PVC is largely manufactured plastic that is found in different materials from toys to construction material. Some of the advantages of PVC are it’s affordability, the ease of installation, it’s hygienic, it’s user friendly and it does not need further finishing after installation. The best PVC to use is heavily plasticized PVC, which has been found to be quite safe for long term use
Are you currently searching for the best material to use to construct your ceiling? discuss your ceiling options carefully with your building contractor and determine whether the material they intend to use is the best option for your commercial space.
