By Esther Maganga

Beam ceiling A beam ceiling is one where the supporting joists can be seen as opposed to having the ceiling covered.

Types of beam ceiling

²  Exposed beams – used to create more rustic look

²  Box beams – visible beam covered with drywall

²  Faux beams – more decorative than load bearing

²  Overhanging beam

²  Continuous beam

²  cantilever beam

²  Fixed beam also know as encastre beam

Suspended ceiling Types of suspended ceiling

²  Exposed or lay-in grid

²  Concealed grid

²  Semi-concealed grid

²  Concealed grid for metal

clip-in tiles

Tiles used

²  Mineral fibre ceiling tile

²  Metal ceiling tile

²  Soft fibre ceiling tile

²  Linear strip ceiling

Metal strip

Open cell ceiling

Wooden ceiling

²  Cell frame ²  Metal strip ²  Open cell ceiling ²  Bespoke metal ceiling

Suspended ceiling Pros ²  excellent insulator

²  Easy installation

²  conserve heat

²  Void gap between soffit and ceiling can be insulated

²  Sound proofing – absorb or reflect

²  Fire restraint

²  Hides pipes, ducts and electrical wiring

Cons ²  Tiles yellow over time

²  Tiles regularly need replacing

²  Reduce the overall ceiling height

Concealed grid for metal ceiling with Luminous effect

Luminous ceiling

²  Ceiling that emits lights from its entire surface

through the use of fluorescent light above

translucent glass or plastics

²  Provides the best solution

both aesthetically and

functionally for the

illumination of a space

²  Can be design to fit any budget

²  Gracefully curved arch that unites the ceiling and the upper

walls and corners

²  Often found in Tudors

Pros

²  Offers design flexibility

²  Matches almost any décor

Cons

²  Requires lots of drywalls

(which can be expensive)

Cove ceiling

Design types

No reveal

Top and bottom reveal Top reveal

Bottom reveal

Coffered ceiling ²  Contains sunken panels, often squares or

rectangles

Pros

²  Creates a ceiling focal point

²  Add a sense of height to a room

Cons

²  Custom installation is required

²  Expensive installation cost

Plank (Panel) ceiling ²  Planks or panel are precisely cut, installed side-by-side and

then stained or sealed to adorn flat or vaulted ceilings

²  Semi-concealed and concealed

edges

²  Traditional but also work in

contemporary home

²  Provide elegant feel

Tray ceiling ²  Ceiling has a recessed midsection that’s higher than the

perimeter

²  Style has clean and simple finish with extra layer of crown

molding

Pros

²  Gives a spacious

feel with the extra

few feet of height

²  Contemporary with

a custom look

Cons

²  Installation cost can be costly

Acoustical ceiling ²  Ceilings are typically covered with muted, light-coloured

square tiles, mainly to absorb noise

²  Often found in specialized media e.g home theatre, gym or

music room

Pros:

²  Excellent noise reduction

²  Consumers can choose from multiple designs

Cons

²  May reduce ceilings height

Cathedral ceiling ²  Ceilings with tall, steeply pitched angles that meet

symmetrically at an overhead crease

²  Often found in Tudor but also contemporary

Pros:

²  Offer dramatic airy feel

²  Give additional openness &

greater opportunity for

daylighting

Cons:

²  Not suitable for rooms with another floor above

²  Can also be noisy

Tin ceiling

Pros:

²  Adds a hip quotient to room

²  May styles and finishes are available

for consumers

Cons:

²  Require very high ceiling (at least 10 ft)

²  Can seem claustrophobic

References

Online

²  http://www.ais-interiors.org.uk/assets/Uploads/AIS-Site-Guide-for-Suspended-Ceilings.pdf

²  http://www.archwaysandceilings.com/blog/coved-ceiling-designs

²  http://www.homedit.com/how-to-update-your-interior-with-modern-coved-ceilings/

Images

²  http://pdf.archiexpo.com/pdf/glas-marte-gmbh/gm-kub-luminous-ceilings-made-glass/64219-66547.html

²  http://www.environmentalinteriors.com/Projects.aspx

²  http://www.americantinceilings.com/snaplock.html

²  http://www.wondermanhandyman.com/beforeAndAfterParent.htm

²  http://www.surfacingsolution.com/