QUS2207

CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY 2
Topic 2
Ceilings - Details

CEILING TYPES (1/3)
Most standard ceilings are surfaced with the
same materials, and by the same methods, as
those used for walls. Although the
conventional ceiling is flat and 8 feet high, a
norm that corresponds to standard
construction practices and material sizes,
many ceilings depart from these norms for
either structural, spatial, or decorative
reasons.

CEILING FUNCTIONS
The ceiling finish or product is attached to the ceiling battens under
the roof framing and is generally a plasterboard of some form.

Typically we see ceilings as the flat plane above us that hides the roof
or floor framing.

They are usually made of plasterboard on a light timber frame
attached to the roof or floor framing.

However ceilings can be made from a variety of materials and perform
a number of functions listed below.
AESTHETICS
Usually we see a ceiling as a flat white plane that sits above us.
However the ceiling can be made of different materials such as timber
or PVC, be suspended within a grid with different panels giving
different properties, be colored, textured, vaulted, have recessed
elements to it or have a suspended bulkhead.

All these different treatments can add another dynamic or element to
the space. We can create a much more interesting effect and or evoke
a different mood by adjusting the finish or shape to the ceiling.

SOUNDS (1/2)
Ceilings are one of the main areas that reflect sound in a clean manner.
I.e. often the ceiling is a large flat hard plane that is ideal for reflecting
sound. Often this is desirable but sometimes it isn't. Different sound
reflection and absorption properties can be achieved by using different
shapes and materials to either enhance the reflective properties or
reduce them.

For example allowing the sound to be absorbed or passed through the
ceiling can be achieved by using softer materials such as padded
fabrics soft boards or leaving perforations or holes in the ceiling.
(Please note acoustic design is a very complicated subject and for
serious projects should be left to the expertise of a sound engineer
who can measure and design a room for particular acoustical
properties.)
SOUNDS (2/2)
Of course the most obvious way to reduce sound reflection in the
room is to stop the reflection on another level such as the floor and
walls with soft floor coverings such as carpet and furniture and drapery
to absorb or at least distort or break up the sound wave.

The ceiling may also be used to stop sound transference from the floor
above. In this case serious and professional advice should be taken as
this can be a very complicated issue. The main point is to stop or
reduce the sound waves from penetrating to the room below.

CEILING SPACES
This area is often not considered because out of site is out of mind, however
the ceiling space often acts as one of the principal areas that services are
carried through. Therefore when designing the ceiling careful consideration
has to be given to the services that may be carried through it.

These may include ventilation and heating ducts, electrical and data cabling,
recessed lighting and also areas for fixing suspended lighting, plumbing and to
some extent drainage from the bathroom or kitchen above may be carried in
the ceiling and in these cases adequate heat and noise or sound insulation
should be used. This may take the form of lagging or fibreglass blanket. In all
cases the services should be attached to the supporting framing and not the
ceiling itself.

Do not allow any wiring or ducting or plumbing to rest on the ceiling surface.
Good practice is to have all services mechanically fixed to an appropriate
frame and then to either be carried over the ceiling or in the case of wiring for
lights or ventilation ducts to be allowed to drop and attach to the fitting or
penetrate the surface.
INSULATION
The ceiling is one of the primary areas that require heat insulation as this is
the area that heat will rise to and in the case of a ceiling under a roof rather
than a floor also where heat gain from the sun and therefore into the roof
space, an area that will allow heat to enter the habitable space.

Quite undesirable in the middle of summer or if an air conditioning system is
at work. There are a number of methods to use when insulating, the most
common of which is fiberglass wool blanket or bales spread out over the
ceiling to create an insulating barrier.

It does this by creating an air barrier in the insulation stopping or reducing
heat transference.

Heat will naturally rise or "gravitate" and disperse to the cold area. There are
other systems that use granulated and treated paper and items such as
expanded vermiculite.

However the main point is that the majority of systems reduce heat
transference by creating an air barrier.
CEILING TYPES (2/3)
Perhaps the most familiar departure is the cathedral
ceiling, which angles upward from walls to peak, following
the roofs pitch. Such a ceiling adds drama and a sense of
spaciousness to a room. On the downside, a room with
cathedral or higher-than-normal ceilings is more expensive
to heat because warm air rises.

Decorative ceilings may be clad or covered with wood
paneling or, in the case of some old, classic ceilings, pressed
metal.

CEILING TYPES (3/3)
Another familiar variation is the suspended ceiling. This type, often
used to lower a too-high ceiling or to hide cracks and mechanical
equipment, consists of a metal grid that receives removable panels.
The entire apparatus is suspended from the ceiling joists or existing
ceiling.

Other types of ceilings include a coved ceiling, which is rounded at
the corners; a tray ceiling, which has a vertical or angled soffit
around the perimeter; and a vaulted ceiling, which rolls up into a
half-barrel shape.
CEILING MATERIALS (1/2)
A suspended ceiling consists of a metal grid
suspended from joists or the old ceiling and
attached at the walls, supporting lightweight
ceiling panels. These panels may be made of
mineral fiber or fiberglass acoustical board in
plain or decorative patterns, or they may be
any of several types of translucent plastic
panels for above-the-ceiling lighting.
CEILING MATERIALS (2/2)
Several different materials may be fastened to existing ceilings or
directly to ceiling joists. These include wood planks and paneling
and classic pressed metal panels.

A conventional ceiling consists of drywall panels screwed or nailed
to ceiling joists. Joints between the panels are taped and finished
with drywall compound using the same technique as is used for
walls. If this method is used, ceilings are normally hung before
drywall is applied to the walls.

Like older walls, older ceilings often were made of lath and plaster
construction.
PLASTERBOARD CEILINGS (1/3)
PLASTERBOARD CEILINGS (2/3)
PLASTERBOARD CEILINGS (3/3)
SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEMS
There are other systems that use suspension wires to support the
ceiling. Commonly known as the Donn system or suspended ceiling
system. The ceiling is either mounted in, or in the case of a flush
suspended ceiling screw fixed to a metal grid that may or may not be
exposed.

Panels which are usually 1200mmx 600mm or 4ft x 2 ft made of
various materials from styrene to plasterboard, or paint or vinyl coated
soft board are inserted or dropped into the ceiling grid to form a
paneled and suspended ceiling system. This system can also be used to
form recessed or dropped ceilings and is very common in commercial
applications.
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (1/11)
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (2/11)
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (3/11)
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (4/11)
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (5/11)
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (6/11)
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (7/11)
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (8/11)
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (9/11)
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (10/11)
SUSPENDED CEILINGS (11/11)
OTHER CEILING TYPES (1/6)
T and G (or tongue and groove) Ceiling :
This is another common form of ceiling and was
traditionally used in many older homes. Today it is an
expensive finish but aesthetically pleasing and can create a
feature. Even though it is attached to a timber frame,
specific framing design may be necessary because of its
increased weight.
OTHER CEILING TYPES (2/6)

OTHER CEILING TYPES (3/6)
Ply and Batten Ceiling :
Ply and batten is similar to a timber ceiling
and proprietary ceiling panels.
OTHER CEILING TYPES (4/6)

OTHER CEILING TYPES (5/6)
Stretched PVC Ceiling:
Stretched PVC, a new innovative and effective
form of ceiling system that has many
interesting properties, uses and features.
OTHER CEILING TYPES (6/6)

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