News

Suspended ceilings are a budget-friendly, elegant design solution very popular in buildings around the globe. They are most commonly used in commercial buildings; however, these are slowly gaining popularity in more domestic settings too.

But if you’re unsure what suspended ceilings are and whether this is something you should consider for your property, then you’re in the right place.

Below, we’re going to take a look at what suspended ceilings are and the different types available, sharing 10 examples of where these are most commonly used to deepen your understanding. We’ll also look at the benefits of this type of ceiling.

Read on to find out more.

What are suspended ceilings?

Suspended ceilings go by a number of names; they might also be called false, drop or dropped ceilings too. Essentially, these are secondary ceilings suspended a couple of inches from the structural roof above.

The concept of a drop ceiling has been around for centuries, though they were once used as a purely decorative feature in places like Japan. Nowadays, they have a lot more practical uses, and this is reflected in the types of buildings they are used in.

There are several different types of suspended ceiling, and these include:

• Exposed grid
• Fire-resistance rated suspended ceiling
• Suspended drywall ceiling
• Bandraster suspended ceiling
• Modular suspended ceiling

To help you build your understanding of suspended ceilings and what these might look like even further, we’re now going to look at some examples of how these are used in real-life settings.

Examples of how and where suspended ceilings are used

As we said above, suspended ceilings are more popular in commercial settings and some of the most common places you’ll see these ceilings include:

1. Offices and conference rooms
2. Hospitals
3. Schools
4. Retail units
5. Shops and shopping centres
6. Industrial units
7. Public buildings, including theatres, lobbies and auditoriums

Suspended ceilings are also increasingly being introduced into domestic settings as well, and these include:

8. Flats
9. Homes, particularly kitchens and conservatories
10. Home offices or outbuildings

From these examples, it’s easy to see just how popular and versatile suspended ceilings are, and this is because this type of ceiling has so many great benefits. We’ll look at these in more detail below.

What are the benefits of a suspended ceiling?

We’ve briefly touched on one or two reasons that you might opt for suspended ceilings. However, there are lots of other great benefits to be had. Some of the top reasons that suspended ceilings have become so popular include:

Lower prices

Suspended ceilings are by far one of the most cost-effective solutions. These materials are affordable, and the installation doesn’t take as long as other solutions. They also don’t cost a lot to maintain, so it’s easy to see why buildings such as offices, flats or schools might choose this style when sticking to a budget.

A neat finish

Because these ceilings are suspended just below the roof, they are an effective way to hide any faults or blemishes above. Not only this, but in spaces like offices, hospitals or places that have a lot of lights, wires and other installations, this is the perfect way to hide unsightly wires or pipes.

Smooth style

As well as covering unsightly wires and blemishes, suspended ceilings are a popular design choice because they offer a clean, smooth finish. This looks great and doesn’t take as much money or work to achieve.

Better fire safety

Most suspended ceilings are made with fire-resistant materials, which means they are safer. With increased building fire health and safety regulations, it’s easy to see why these are used so often in commercial properties.

Thermal qualities

As well as being fire-resistant, the materials used in suspended ceilings also have better thermal qualities. This can improve the overall insulation of the building, which is a great way to keep the heat in and reduce your heating bills in the colder months. It can also be better for temperature regulation in the summer, keeping rooms cooler.

Better acoustics

Finally, as long as they are installed correctly, suspended ceilings can improve the noise distribution in a building, and many can have soundproofing qualities. These panels have a higher density for better acoustic qualities, which, again, can be helpful in commercial properties such as schools, offices and musical venues like theatres.