What is false ceiling?

A false ceiling is a ceiling made beneath the main ceiling of the room or building. In other words,
it is a second layer of roof suspended from the main roof with the help of metal or wooden frame.
It is also known as dropped ceiling. False ceiling has multiple advantages. It improves the
aesthetics of the room. False ceiling is provided to keep the room cool during summer and warm
in winter. It is also provided to conceal the ugly mesh of electrical wires, light fixtures, air-
conditioning ducts and other fixtures.

The false ceiling is hung or fixed in a framework made of Aluminium or GI sections or wooden
batten fixed with the main ceiling. The false ceiling is fixed at a minimum distance of 8 inches
from the main ceiling. False ceiling is made by various materials like Plaster of Paris, Gypsum
board, Plywood, PVC sheets etc. The choice of material depends upon the use and design of the
false ceiling. Different materials have their own advantages and disadvantages. Few of them are
discussed below.

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,

1. Gypsum False Ceiling:

Gypsum false ceiling is a hydrated sulfate of calcium. This type of false ceiling are
lightweight, sound insulated, fire resistance, soft and thermally insulated.
 Gypsum false ceiling 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.

2. Plaster of Paris 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.

Plaster of Paris false ceiling are attractive, almost no maintenance and has a long life span.
They are very excellent insulators or heat and cold.

These types of false ceiling don’t only hide the ugly members of structure, ventilation ducts
and conduits but also give smooth finish to the ceiling.

Its only disadvantage is that it is not much durable and its colour fades away with time.

3. Fiber False Ceiling:

Fiber false ceiling are in high demand for the 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. As these are man-made they come in many shapes and sizes.

4. Wooden False Ceiling

Wooden false ceiling is used due to its natural textures and pattern. Nowadays this types of
false ceiling are used commonly as it 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.

Wooden false ceiling has many disadvantages, majorly which are:

 Prone to thermite attack.
 Prone to warping.
 The room should be thermally controlled.
 5. Glass False Ceiling:
One of the type of false ceiling used in construction are of glass. It 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.

As glass is a good insulator of heat, it can be used for false ceiling. This type of false ceiling
improves aesthetical appearance of the building.

6. Metal Ceiling:
As metal is a hard and durable material, it is used extensively in the false ceiling. When the
metal surface is polished it gives a shiny surface which is a treat for eyes.

The metals used in this are galvanized iron and aluminum. The cost of this ceiling are low as
they are easy to install and access. The hidden members of the structure are easily accessed as
the panels are easily removable and reattached. The construction cost becomes less as the
installation, fixing and maintained is low.

7. 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 it’s only used in temporary tents
or other 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. Make sure you know the strength and durability, do’s and don’ts with regard to your
ceiling.
 Lastly, 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.

acoustical tile
Definition
A term applied to modular ceiling panels in board formwith sound-absorbing
properties. This type of tile is sometimes adapted for use on walls.

Benefits of using acoustic ceiling panels

1. 1. Benefits of Using Acoustic Ceiling PanelsNoise problems can affect your lifestyle at
home and your work at office. Projectsparticularly where sound quality and reverberation
control is important are also places wherenoise levels can make a difference. In such
places acoustic ceiling panels are used to improvethe quality of sound and keep noise
levels contained within the room. Sometimes noise levelscan get exceptionally high
causing inconvenience to neighbours and other occupants withinthe building. To
eliminate these problems, you can choose suitable acoustic solutions that areavailable at
leading online companies.Benefits of Acoustic Ceiling SolutionsThere are many ways to
sound proof your home and office. However, the solution youchoose should provide
effective and long term results. There are some renowned companiesthat offer some of
the best solutions to sound proof your space and enhance the quality ofsound. Some of
the advantages of using acoustic ceiling panels are, these products are highlysound
 absorbent, they take away the harshness out of your hard ceilings, they reduce echo,they
improve the quality of sound in your rooms, they reduce noise levels that permeate
fromone storey of the building or house to another, they are humidity and fire resistant,
thesuspended ceilings also offer coverage of unsightly wires and pipes and provide easy
accessin the event of repairs or remodelling work in your homes.Applications of Acoustic
ProductsAcoustic solutions can be used in different types of building projects. In many
residentialprojects, acoustic ceiling panels are used in living rooms and television or
music rooms.These products also have their application in several commercial setups
such as in the field ofeducation like auditoriums, lecture theatres, classrooms and halls,
in public places like sports,functions, events and entertainment venues, in commercial
setups like offices, boardroomsand conference halls, in sound studios like radio,
television and recording rooms, in retailsetup like shops and shopping centres.Tips for
Choosing Acoustic SolutionsPurchase acoustic products depending upon the sound
traffic in your room or the kind ofsetup you own. Here are some tips to help you.
Determine the maximum noise levels youencounter on a daily basis. Determine why you
want to install acoustic ceiling panels; is it toenhance sound quality or to keep outside
noise entering into your space. Take into accountthe kind of job you do in the space
where you plan to have these products. Consider the areaof your ceiling and also take
into account the installation and product costs.

Disadvantages Of Acoustical Tile

Water Damage

When your roof leaks or a pipe above your ceiling leaks onto a drywall ceiling, you can touch up the
water stain after fixing the leak. When water leaks on an acoustical tile, the tile will start to yellow and
eventually begin to fall apart. All of the ceiling tiles stained and affected by the water leak will need to
be replaced.

Smoke

When people install an acoustical ceiling, they can sometimes forget how their own habits will affect
their home's decor. When cigarette, cigar or pipe smoke discolors a drywall ceiling over time, you can
either scrub the ceiling clean or use a fresh coat of paint to solve the problem. Acoustical ceiling tiles
absorb smoke and begin to turn yellow. Once your ceiling tiles have been discolored by smoke,
replacement is the only option.

Room Height & Energy Costs

A drop ceiling with acoustical tile will reduce the head space in your room after it is installed. Areas
that already have a low ceiling, such as a basement, prove impractical for an acoustical tile ceiling.
Drop ceilings also help capture heat and make a room more energy efficient in the winter. A finished
room in an attic, though, may become too hot during the summer if it has a drop ceiling. The extra
cost of running an air conditioner to combat the heat created by the ceiling may offset any energy
savings.

Sound

Drop ceilings help prevent some noise from the floor above from affecting the people in the rooms
below. Commercial buildings such as schools and hospitals use this feature of acoustical tile to
create quieter rooms. But acoustical tile also captures sound within a room and can affect the sound
quality of stereos and home theater systems. Extra sound deadening measures will need to be taken
to help offset the sound retained by the ceiling tiles.
Types of Stairs
When talking with customers regarding stairs and railings, it is helpful if we all use
the same terminology. There are many types of stairs that we can build or add
railings to. The following list describes some of the more popular stair types:

Straight Stairs
Straight stairs are certainly one of the most common types of stairs found in both
residential and commercial properties.

Advantages of straight Stairs:

 Straight stairs tend to be the easiest to go up and down or ascend/descend as we
say in the industry.
 They are typically the easiest to build however this depends allot on the level of detail
in the design.
 Straight stairs only need to be connected at the top and the bottom (no intermediate
supporting structure is required).
 They work well with minimalist designed homes due to their inherent simplicity.
 By selecting thinner treads, open risers and thin metal stringers, straight stairs can be
made more transparent than other types of stairs allowing less obstruction to the
view beyond.
 No landing is required if the number of risers are kept under 16 or the overall vertical
height is less than 12 feet.
 Its relatively easy to build railings and handrails for straight stairs.
 Measuring for railings is simpler also.
Disadvantages of straight stairs:
 Straight stairs use up a fair amount of linear space which has to be planned for in
your design.
 Some of the other stair types create a privacy barrier between the floors of your
home. Straight stairs do not offer this privacy.
 A stair 12 feet high requires a landing to break up the span. The addition of a landing
will use up allot more space and therefore these types of stairs are seldom used in
residential construction. You will see these more frequently in large commercial
buildings.
L Shaped Stair (or sometimes called quarter turn
stairs)
The L shaped stair is a variation of the straight stair with a bend in some portion of
the stair. This bend is usually achieved by adding a landing at the bend transition
point. The bend is often 90 degrees, however it does not have to be. If the landing is
closer to the top or bottom of the stairs it is sometimes referred to as a long L stair.

Advantages of L shaped Stairs:

  L Stairs can be more visually interesting.
 They provide a visual barrier between floors so they can add some privacy.
 Also L Stairs can help somewhat with sound transmission between floors if the stairs
are contained within walls.
 Some believe they are safer than straight stairs as the central landing reduces the
number of treads one could fall in a given flight.
 The landing can provide a place to stop and rest while ascending.
 They can be located in a corner of a room if this works better for your design.
Disadvantages of L shaped Stairs:
 L shaped stairs are a bit more difficult to build.
 A support is typically required for the landing in a L type stair. Often this is built into
the surrounding walls so it goes unnoticed. In modern dwellings however it is usually
desirable to open up the space leaving the stair structure visible. In these cases the
supporting structure can be visually minimized by taking advantage of the strength of
steel to create slim supporting members. Through careful engineering,it is possible to
eliminate the landing support all together.
 Handrails for these types of stairs require more skill and planning to construct.
 In climates where basements are used, stairs are typically stacked over each other
for efficient use of space. Since basements are often used for storage, large items
can be difficult to move in and out of the basement.
U shaped Stairs (or sometimes called half turn stairs
or switchback stairs)
U Shaped stairs are basically 2 parallel flights of straight stairs joined by by a landing
that requires 180 degree turn in the walk line. If a third flight is inserted into the
middle of the stairs, it would become a double L stair (or quarter landing).

Advantages of U shaped Stairs:

 U shaped stairs can be easier to fit into an architectural plan.

 They offer some architectural interest.
 The landing(s) can offer a resting point part way up the stairs.
Disadvantages of U shaped Stairs:
 These types of stairs are a bit more difficult to build.
Winder Stairs
Winder stairs are a variation of an L shaped stair but instead of a flat landing, they
have pie shaped or triangular steps at the corner transition.

Advantages of Winder Stairs:

 The main advantage of winder stairs is that they require less space than many other
types of stairs. They are very common in older homes, often used as a secondary
staircase where the grand staircase may have been in the entry and the winder used
as a access to the kitchen.
 They have more visual interest. Winder stairs seem to create a more seamless
transition,visually, as they meander around corners. For this reason they have gained
popularity in modern homes. Their compactness has also made them attractive in
sustainable home designs.
Disadvantages of Winder Stairs:
 Winder stairs are a little harder to navigate than L stairs.
 It can be more difficult to add a handrail to these than some of the other types of
stairs.
 Like L shaped stairs, a center support is typically required.
Spiral Stairs
Spiral stairs are a often confused with curved stairs. Although, both types of stairs
follow a helical arc (like the shape of a spring), spiral stairs usually are made very
compact and the treads radiate around a center pole.

Example of Spiral stairs Projects

Click the image links for more Spiral stairs examples

Advantages of Spiral Stairs:

 One of the key advantages of spiral stairs is their compactness. They are very
popular on beach front decks where space is at a premium. They are also used
extensively on city lofts for the same reason.
 Spiral stairs can be attractive and there are may variations on railings styles which
can have a major impact on the overall appearance of the stair.
 Since the center pole and landing typically provide the structural support for the
stairs, they do not need much in the way of extra support structures making
installation easier than many other types of stairs.
Disadvantages of Spiral Stairs:
 Spiral stairs are more difficult to navigate than other types of stairs. It is for this
reason that codes do not allow them to be used as the primary access to a full
second floor of a home. Walk ability improves as the outside diameter gets larger so
if you have the space, you may want to consider going a bit larger. We recommend
going 5 feet in diameter if you can.
 It is difficult to carry large items up spiral stairs.
 Only one person can go up or down the stairs at the same time.
Curved Stairs
Curved stairs add elegance to home or business. For this reason they are almost
always located at the entry where it makes the best first impression. Curved stairs,
like spiral stairs are helical however, they tend to be on a much larger radius and
typically do not make a full circle.

Example of Curved staircase Projects

Click the image links for more Curved staircase examples

Advantages of Curved Stairs:

 Curved staircases are often very elegant and traditional but this type of design can
equally be adapted to contemporary designs.
  They are relatively easy to walk up (if the radius is large).
Disadvantages of Curved Stairs:
 Curved stairs are by far the most difficult to build of the various types of stairs. In fact
building curved stairs represents a pinnacle of achievement for any stair builder or
fabricator. For this reason, they are the most costly to build.
Ladders
Since the definition of a stair is a series of steps leading from one floor to another,
we would be remiss if we did not include ladders. Library ladders or loft ladders are
becoming more popular to conserve space in smaller, sustainable designs.

Advantages of Ladders:
 The most compact way to get from one floor to another.
 Very cost effective due to their simple design.
 Can have wheels or fold up to move them out of the way when not in use or to
prevent access.
 Can be used to access shelves that would be to high too reach normally.
Disadvantages of Ladders:
 Ladders are the most difficult to climb, especially while descending.
 Can not be used as a primary staircase.