In architecture, ceilings are the overhead surface that separates a room from the floor or roof above it. They conceal infrastructure elements such as plumbing and electrical wiring. Ceilings Perth can also provide opportunities for decoration, such as fresco painting and mosaic tiles.
Lizzy McAlpine encapsulates this sentiment perfectly with her hit song, Ceilings, which gained traction on TikTok in 2020.
The ceiling often gets a bad rap as an overlooked design element, but with the right treatments, this space can become a room’s focal point. One popular option is to add wood beams, which can help create a sense of warmth and rustic charm. Whether left natural or stained in a rich color, these beams can bring dimension and style to a home. They can also enhance other room elements, such as furniture and fixtures, creating a cohesive look that’scomplementary to any interior design style.
Unlike the solid wood beams used in many home improvement projects, joists are prefabricated and manufactured to be the same size and shape. This allows for more consistency in the overall look of the ceiling, as well as for a quicker and less costly installation. While reclaimed and hand-hewn beams can provide a gorgeous Old Country feel to a room, these textured pieces also require a greater level of maintenance in order to keep the space looking its best.
For those who want to bring a more modern and clean feel to their ceilings, joists can be painted in a variety of colors to match other structural elements within the room. One great way to refresh these ceilings is with a limewash paint, which provides the perfect balance between traditional and modern looks.
Other options for decorating these unique ceilings include using a wide array of lighting. For instance, spotlights and track lighting can create dramatic accents and draw attention to the structure itself. Other styles of lighting, such as pendants or chandeliers, can be more subtle and highlight the beams’ natural textures without overshadowing them.
Other design features that can be used to elevate the appearance of wood beams on a ceiling include herringbone, curved, and trellis patterns. Some beams can even be painted or stained to fit specific decorative tastes. These decorative ceiling treatments can give any room a custom touch that sets it apart from the rest.
Drop Ceilings
Suspended or drop ceilings add texture and dimension to an area that’s often overlooked in a room’s decor. They also conceal important home systems like plumbing and electrical components, yet allow easy access for repair and maintenance – unlike drywall. They’re also available in a variety of colours, finishes and qualities for an eye-catching effect or to meet specific acoustic needs.
These ceilings are created by fitting a grid with panels that are free-floating above the structural ceiling. They can be made from a wide range of materials, including fiberglass, wood and metal, and provide a small amount of insulation as well as sound dampening. This type of ceiling also allows for easier mounting of lighting, venting, heating and other elements.
Historically, drop ceilings were made from gypsum and were very heavy. But they soon became more streamlined with standard brackets and a basic t-bar grid configuration that opened new possibilities for ducting, ventilation and heating. They’re also much lighter and can be constructed from a variety of materials, including mineral fiber, to achieve varying levels of acoustic performance.
The biggest drawback to a dropped ceiling is that it’s not as sturdy as the walls and ceilings of a traditional home, so it can sag or even collapse over time. However, this can be corrected by putting a new ceiling grid in place or using a more durable material for the panels.
One other downside of a drop ceiling is that it’s typically more difficult to mount lighting fixtures, and you’ll need to be very careful with the placement of any lighting that you do put in. In addition, because the drop ceiling is hung above the structural ceiling, it can interfere with a home’s air exchange system by keeping cool or hot air trapped in the ceiling space.
Aside from these issues, most homeowners find that installing a drop ceiling as a DIY project is very manageable and can save them money compared to the cost of hiring someone to do it for them. It’s a good idea to carefully read through any installation instructions and safety reminders that come with the kit you’re purchasing.
Vault Ceilings
A vaulted ceiling, also known as a cathedral ceiling or a groin vault, creates a dramatic change in the spatial geometry of your room. It brings grandeur with a capital G and opens up the space, making it airier, lighter, and brighter than before. Vaulted ceilings can also make your home more attractive and may increase its resale value, particularly in areas with a view.
Vaulted ceilings can be created by either stick-framing, meaning installing each joist and rafter individually, or by setting roof trusses that have been engineered from the manufacturer with the vaulted space already accounted for. The trusses can be either scissor or parallel chord, and their undersides are arranged in a specific way to create the desired vaulted shape.
The extra vertical space a vaulted ceiling offers also allows for taller windows and skylights, which can help bring natural light into a room. This will reduce the amount of energy you’ll need to use for lighting and can brighten up even the darkest rooms.
However, you’ll want to be aware of the energy costs associated with vaulted ceilings. They’ll be more expensive to heat and cool than similar spaces with flat or low ceilings, as the warm air produced by your furnace rises up through the vaulted space. This can create a drafty feel and may result in increased energy costs, especially in colder climates.
Adding a vaulted ceiling to an existing structure will require significant structural modifications and should be done with the help of professionals. If not done correctly, the ceiling could collapse or otherwise damage the structure of your house. It’s always best to consult with architects and engineers before pursuing this project.
Vaulted ceilings aren’t suitable for every room in the house, but they can be a wonderful design feature in new construction homes. The open space they create can add drama and a sense of grandeur, and it’s an ideal spot for high-end lighting (think chandeliers) or other large decorative features. They also offer more wall space for painting or hanging art, which can further add to a room’s charm and appeal.
Ceiling Tiles
Ceiling tiles are lightweight construction materials that are used to cover a ceiling and improve the acoustics, aesthetics and thermal insulation of a space. They can be made of different materials including mineral fibre, gypsum wallboard, fiberglass, perlite, clay, cellulose and metal. They can be installed in a ceiling grid or directly bonded to the surface of a building. They are typically installed in commercial and industrial spaces.
There are many types of acoustic ceiling tiles available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Mineral fibre ceiling tiles are a popular choice due to their durability and sound-absorbing properties. They are also fire-resistant and cost-effective. They can be installed in a standard suspended ceiling grid, and they are often used as an alternative to traditional drywall.
Another option is a fibreglass ceiling tile, which is manufactured from woven glass fibres and can be found in recording studios because of its high sound-absorbing qualities. This type of ceiling tile is easy to install and can be customised to suit the design of a room. It is also lightweight and durable, making it a popular choice for commercial and industrial spaces.
For those looking for a more sustainable option, there are ceiling panels made of wood or recycled materials. They can be used to create a unique and textured ceiling that brings natural elements into a space. They are available in a wide range of colours and textures, and some have a high light reflectance rating, which can help to reduce energy costs by increasing the amount of natural light reflected.
There are also ceiling tiles that are fire-rated to meet specific building codes. These are often Class A fire rated, which means that they can prevent rapid flame and smoke spread, and withstand significant fire exposure for longer than most other materials.
When selecting acoustic ceiling tiles, it is important to consider the environmental impacts and health issues. Some of the porous materials used in these ceilings can breed fungi, mold and bacteria, which have been linked to respiratory symptoms such as asthma, sinus problems and bronchitis. Humidity control and a good ventilation system can help to prevent these microbes from growing in your ceilings. The glues used to bind the composite materials in these ceiling tiles can sometimes contain formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen and respiratory irritant. The best ceiling tiles will be free from formaldehyde, as well as any toxic chemicals or antimicrobial treatments.