Ceiling types and Finishes Prepared by: Joshima V.M., UoN Oman

Types of Ceiling

1. Drywall ceiling

2. Drop/

suspended

ceiling

3. Coffered ceiling

4. Cathedral ceiling

5. Shed ceiling

6. Tray ceiling

7. Panel ceiling

8. Cove ceiling

9. Tin ceiling

10.Popcorn ceiling

11.Luminous ceiling

12.Beam ceiling

13.Acoustical

ceiling

DRYWALL CEILING

Drywall is a panel made of gypsum plaster

pressed between two thick sheets of

paper.

This is the ceiling style commonly seen in

most homes.

Conventional drywall ceilings are typically

2.4m high, have an uncluttered, flat

surface, and are easy to decorate.

start with one corner of the room, by using a full drywall board.

Metal stud ceiling frame

polyethylene vapor barrier

Installing drywall on ceiling

Fixing the drywall ceiling with screws

Drywall ceiling joints

Finishing drywall ceiling with putty

Drop/ Suspended Ceiling

A suspended ceiling or “drop ceiling” is a

metal grid ceiling that hangs below an

existing flat ceiling and is attached by

hangers or wires.

Lightweight, acoustic panels are laid into

the metal grid to create the ceiling.

Suspended ceilings stylishly hide wiring,

plumbing, mechanical fixtures, and the

original ceiling.

Drop/ Suspended Ceiling

Drop/

Suspended

Ceiling

COFFERED CEILING

Coffered ceilings is

made using a 24” x 24”

grid system and either

deep or shallow

lightweight, coffered

panels that fit inside.

The effect creates a

waffle-like pattern that

takes a commanding role

in a room.

Cathedral Ceiling

Cathedral ceilings goes

up to 4.5m or higher,

creating a dramatic

design element, as well as

an open, spacious feel to

a room or entryway.

CATHEDRAL CEILING

Shed

ceiling

A shed ceiling has a flat surface that slants upward on one side. These ceilings are typically seen in homes with dormers or in homes where the attic has been extended to create additional living space.

TRAY CEILING

Tray ceilings are flat with a rectangular

center that is recessed to add architectural interest and provides a sense of spaciousness.

This inverted space may be used for lighting fixtures or to add a visually appealing design element, like a contrasting paint color or even a different ceiling material.

Tray ceilings are typically seen in living and dining rooms, which are often the main entertainment areas in a home.

Tray ceiling

Panel ceiling

Panel ceiling

Planks or panels are precisely cut,

installed side-by-side and then stained or

sealed to adorn flat or vaulted ceilings.

They provide an elegant or cozy cottage

feel.

Cove ceiling

Cove ceiling

A gracefully curved arch that unites the

ceiling and the upper walls and corners,

eliminating sharp transitions and offering

soft lines.

Tin ceiling

Tin ceiling

Traditionally, sheets of thin tin

plates are stamped with a

design and snugly meshed.

Today, a faster way to achieve

the tin look is to use a hand-

painted finish or aluminium or

plastic panels.

Your ceiling must be at least

3m high to pull off the look, In

smaller rooms tin ceilings can

seem claustrophobic.

Popcorn ceiling

Lumpy off-white or gray ceilings were

commonly sprayed onto the drywall

ceiling.

Popcorn ceilings also are messy to

remove.

It collects lot of dust and is difficult to

clean.

Beam ceiling

Beam ceiling

Exposed beams or joists, often in a dark

finish to contrast with a white ceiling.

They're arranged horizontally and

generally intersect at various points. They

provide a masculine or rustic elegance.

Acoustical ceiling

Acoustical ceiling

Acoustical ceilings are typically covered with muted tiles.

This ceiling feature isn't about "look" as much as it is about absorbing noise in a home theater, gym or office.

These ceilings are often used in specialized media or music rooms.

Acoustic ceilings are judged, by their Noise Reduction Coeffcient which measures the average percentage of sound energy that a material absorbs. An NRC of 1 indicates perfect absorption.

Acoustic tiles can be different colors, shapes and elevations.

Luminous ceiling

Luminous ceiling

Plastic ceiling panels cover the fluorescent light fixtures.

When the fluorescent light is turned on, the ceiling panels will soften the radiant light and appear luminous.

Natural sunlight is the example for Luminous Ceilings.

The room appears with daylight illumination with an almost shadow-free, homogeneous lighting - as if there is no artificial light source.

No disturbances.

Ceiling installation

1. Ceiling installation in a building need to

focus on various factors for the strength,

safety and durability of the installation.

Safety

Ceiling systems are not designed to carry

excess or additional structural load.

Hence catwalks are installed where

access is required to other services above

the ceiling.

Any load that is installed below the ceiling

should be independently supported.

Safety

A catwalk is an elevated

service platform from which

many of the technical functions

of a building such as lighting and

sound, may be manipulated.

2. Fire resistance

Fire –resistance rating is used to indicate

the performance of a constructed ceiling

system.

Fire rating is expressed in time. In minutes

or hours.

3. Humidity

Modern ceiling panels are all designed and composed to improve sag resistance.

Tiles are manufactured to different humidity specifications, ranging from 70% to 95%.

Humidity in the buildings must be stabilized before installing the ceiling tiles.

Adequate ventilation and insulation should be provided to prevent condensation.

4. Light Reflectance

Light reflectance is the ability of surface

to reflect light back into the space.

Ranges from 0.8 to 0.92, reflectance of

0.85 is considered to be high.

5. Accessories

Baffles: are used to assist with

acoustical control in open

plan offices.

Signs are used to offer

information.

Appendages may include a

range of items like

promotional items suspended

from ceilings in retail stores

for a limited period.

6. Control joint

Control joints are installed/ provided to

give room for expansion or contraction

due to climate changes.

These are either manufactured devices

for the specific purpose or field fabricated

with suitable materials.

Baffle/ sign weight should not place stress on the ceiling grid. In case the weight exceeds the limit, extra support should be given to the ceiling grid.

Suspension of these items should always be from the main tie.

Any suspension that caused the grid to deflect more than 1/360 of the span is not allowed and should be suspended separately.

Thermal Insulation

Insulation is the cost effective way to

improve energy efficiency of a home or a

building.

Insulation of building envelopes keep the

heat balance to improve comfort and save

energy.

Thermal insulation

The term insulation refers to materials

which provide substantial resistance to

heat flow.

When these materials are installed in the

ceiling, wall or floors of the building, heat

flow into/ out of the building is reduced

and the need for heating and cooling is

minimized.

Principles of insulation

Resistance to heat flow is achieved by the

use of either bulk insulation or reflective

insulation or a combination of both, which

work in different ways.

Bulk insulation: reduces heat transfer through

conduction and convection.

Reflective/ Radiant insulation: reduces heat

transfer with the help of air spaces to reduce

radiant heat transfer. This reflects heat rather

than letting it pass by.

Thermal mass

Thermal mass is the ability of the

materials to absorb heat, store it and

release it later.

Thermal values

Thermal performance of all buildings

components except doors and windows

are expressed in terms of R-value.

For doors and windows, U-value express

the thermal performance.

R-value ( Thermal Resistance)

This is R-value, also known as thermal

resistance.

Higher R-value better resistance and

better insulation.

Products with same R-value will provide

exactly the same insulating effects, unless

they are correctly installed.

U-value (Thermal Transmittance)

U-value is the transfer of heat through a

material, combination of materials or

materials in combination with air spaces.

U-value indicates the thermal properties

of glass and helps to calculate the heat

losses and gains.

U-value is the reciprocal of R-value.

R= 1/U

If R=2, then U= ½

A smaller U-value results in lower heat

flow and therefore less heat loss.