FALSE CEILING
False ceiling is provided below the roof slab on suspended supports. The false celling is usually provided for temperature control (heat insulation for AC), to install lights, or to conceal electrical and other networking cables and ugly or too high ceiling. False ceiling is an example of modern construction and architecture in both residential and commercial applications.
Components or Parts of False Ceiling:
The following figure shows the various components of a false ceiling:
Types of False Ceiling:
False ceilings can be differentiated into many types based on their uses, material used and appearance and visibility. The major classification based on materials used are listed briefly below,
- Gypsum Ceiling.
- Plaster of Paris Ceiling
- Fiber Ceiling
- Wooden Ceiling
- Glass Ceiling
- Synthetic Leather or Cloth Ceiling
1. Gypsum Ceiling: Gypsum false ceiling is a hydrated sulfate of calcium. It comes in the shape of square boards that are hung with the help of iron framework. The finishing work on these boards like paints, laminates, wallpapers and texture finish gives good look
Advantages:
- Lightweight
- Sound and thermally insulated
- Soft and Fire resistance
2. POP Ceiling: Plaster of Paris (POP) is the majorly used material in the construction of false ceiling. POP is obtained when gypsum is heated to a certain degree. It gives the both aesthetical and functional help.
Advantages:
- Used for hide members of structure, ventilation ducts and conduits.
- Excellent insulator for heat and cold.
- These are attractive & gives smooth finish to the ceiling.
- Almost no maintenance and has a long life span.
3. Fiber Ceiling: This is also called as grid false ceiling. Fiber false ceiling are in high demand for the commercial office construction of false ceiling due to low cost and east installation. The material used to manufacture fiber ceiling panels are man made by synthetic and natural minerals
Advantages:
- Low cost & easy installation
- Maintenance under the false ceiling is easy.
- Comes in many shape & sizes.
4. Wooden ceiling: Wooden false ceiling is used due to its natural textures and pattern. This types of false ceiling gives a pleasant look to the eyes. Wooden false ceiling being costly, is not used in malls and hospitals but can be installed in residential buildings. They can be given various finishes, or painted to get the right look.
Advantages:
- Provide decorative and artistic look to the room.
- Provide better insulation
- It gives warm feeling to the room
- It is stylish in design.
5. Glass Ceiling: Glass ceiling is a non-crystalline material with the property of brittle and transparent. But this can be altered to make it non brittle and non-transparent using some admixtures.
Advantages:
- Can be used where light ventilation needed.
- Improve aesthetical appearance of the building.
- Mostly used into the dome structure.
6. Synthetic Leather or Cloth Ceiling: The materials used in this type of ceilings are either leather or cloth. As both the used materials are man-made they can be given any form, shape and design which improves the aesthetic view of interior of the building. As these collects dust and has low light transferring property.
Advantages:
- Easy to make any form, shape & design
- Low cost of installation and maintenance.
- Suitable for tents and temporary buildings
Advantages of False Ceiling:
- 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.
- False ceiling materials are easy to install and cheap as compared to traditional roof systems.
Disadvantages of False Ceiling:
- The most worrying aspect of having a false ceiling would be pests. They can get through into the space between and can start their own breeding which might lead to a lot of trouble.
- Also be careful while putting up decorations or hangings while you have a false ceiling in place to make sure the strength and durability.
- The false ceiling would reduce the height of the ceiling considerably and hence do not install false ceiling unless you have a decent ceiling height.
