What is a suspended ceiling made of?
Suspended ceiling tiles can be manufactured from several different materials, such as mineral fibre, metal, plasterboard, and laminates. Suspended ceiling tiles are often perforated to provide specific levels of acoustic absorption that can be used to control the reverberation time in spaces.
The suspended ceiling tiles are made from two materials: mineral fibre and metal.
Mineral Fibre ceiling tiles
Mineral fibre ceiling tiles are made from an accumulation of processed, recycled and natural materials. Materials such as recycled newsprint, clay, perlite, starch and fibreglass.
Depending on the characteristics and performance of the tile, a soft mineral fibre tile will contain more fibreglass (or mineral wool); this allows a higher sound absorption, but less sound attenuation and insulation compared to a hard mineral fibre tile.
Hard mineral fibre tiles contain more clay, which means better insulation because the material is heavier and denser.
Metal ceiling tiles
In comparison to the ceiling tiles above, metal ceiling tiles offer a functional and stylish finish to any project or business premises. Alongside excellent aesthetic appeal, the steel ceiling grid is highly credible and provides a high-end alternative to the more traditional mineral fibre ceilings.
What does suspended ceiling mean?
A suspended ceiling means that it is a ceiling suspended from the floor or roof construction above. Basically, there is a gap between the suspended ceiling and structural floor slab, usually between 3 and 8 inches wide. Suspended ceilings are also referred to as dropped ceilings or false ceilings.
Why install a false ceiling in your office?
This type of ceiling is a very popular feature in commercial buildings and properties; this is because they provide useful space for concealing wires and other installations which would otherwise ruin the interior appearance of the place.
The space gained from installing a suspended ceiling proves useful in many other ways too. It can be used for the distribution of heating, ventilation and air conditioning services, as well as plumbing, wiring services. Or, it can also be used as a platform for speakers, light fittings, CCTV, fire and smoke detectors, motion detectors, sprinkler systems and more!
How are suspended ceilings installed?
1. Measure room dimensions
The first stage of installing a suspended ceiling is measuring the dimensions of the room, this is so you can accurately design the suspended ceiling grid.
2. Measure the drop around the room perimeter
When all the accurate dimensions are complete, the next stage is determining how much the drops need to be. You can do this through measuring the perimeter around the room, and marking out the drop.
3. Fix the beams to make a grid
This stage is all about fixing brackets to the underside of the floor slab; this helps to support a series of interlocking metal sections that form a grid.
4. Install any extras such as lighting and air conditioning
After the grid has been installed, you can then begin installing any additional things such as lighting, air conditioning and anything else you’d like to be concealed by the false ceiling.
5. Place your chosen tiles
The final stage of the suspended ceiling installation process is to place your chosen ceiling tiles.
Contact Wessex Interiors
If you’re interested in suspended ceilings, particularly for a project in Southampton or Portsmouth, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with our friendly and professional team today by calling 02380 663 100, or through filling out our online enquiry form, and we’ll be in touch.
