Types Of Ceilings In Building Construction  

When it comes to ceilings, did you know there are various types to choose from for your building construction? A ceiling is essential in any building as it comes with functionality, purpose, and aesthetic design. Choosing the right ceiling for your facility can help create a visually appealing space without too much effort. There are quite a few things you can get when you choose the right type of ceiling for your building, and this can include the right lighting because of proper light diffusion, soundproofing, insulation, and even fire-resistant qualities.   

Knowing which ceiling you need for your building will be easier if you learn more about the different kinds of ceilings in building construction. The types are:  

• Interstitial Ceilings Exposed Ceilings  
• Acoustical Ceilings  

• Suspended Ceilings  
• Convective Chilled Ceilings  
• Radiant Chilled Ceilings  

1. Interstitial Ceilings 

You might not find this a common type of ceiling, but you may have already seen one. An interstitial space is an intermediate space between regular-use floors. You can find these ceilings in hospital rooms, clinics, and other laboratory-type areas. It is because a laboratory and even hospital rooms often get rearrangement from time to time. This type of ceiling will ensure more flexibility in your buildings’ interiors. You can usually find these ceilings in buildings that have:   

• Electrical and communications wiring  
• Air-conditioning ducts  
• Oxygen  
• Chilled water  

• Vacuum pipework  
• Chemical sewer pipe work  
• Water and waste pipework  
• Fuel gas lines  
• Compressed airlines  

The main advantage of choosing this type of ceiling is that it will allow all kinds of maintenance or renovation work without interrupting the activities in the building.  

2. Exposed Ceilings 

You might consider this ceiling common as it did become one of the trendiest ceiling types in the past years. The structural or mechanical components of your building will be something people can see. Because of the exposure, it omits the concept of a ceiling. While it may not be for everyone, aesthetically, this type of ceiling has its fair share of advantages. It provides easy access to the building components, making maintenance and repairs easier. The main disadvantage of this type of ceiling is the lack of aesthetic appeal, but with the right tools, you can quickly fix it and increase its aesthetic appeal.  

3. Acoustical Ceilings 

Another common type of ceiling would be the acoustical one. This type of ceiling comes from fibrous materials that can absorb sound energy. The acoustic ceiling is usually for places with a significant possibility of sound propagation. It must not be mistaken, however, for materials that reduce sound transmission between spaces. It can only modify the acoustic character of the area, so if you want to lessen the sound leaks, you might want to consider adding another layer of insulation.   

4. Suspended Ceilings 

You might also have already seen suspended ceilings in some buildings. They are secondary ceilings suspended from the central ceiling, typically in the form of a floor or roof slab. It creates a void between the top canopy and the suspended one. Having this extra space in between can be helpful when installing sprinklers, ventilation, air ducts, plumbing, and even wiring. You can even place speaker systems, CCTV, and other essential equipment in these spaces. It can also slightly increase the fire-resistant qualities of your interior as the suspended slab separates the fire from anything you can locate above it. While it may seem unconventional, people choose this type of ceiling because of its functionality and aesthetic appeal. 

5. Radiant Chilled Ceilings 

It is not one of the common types of ceilings and comes in the form of chilled water coils in panels with insulation that you can find above. It works because the ceiling surfaces cool the space through radiation and convection. Because of this, they are a fantastic alternative to traditional cooling solutions. At the same time, you will also need a space requirement of at least 100mm depth. You can even choose to embed cooling coils in the plaster ceiling. Having this type of roof does help you with thermal control, especially if you need these types of spaces to cool most of the time. 

If you choose which type of ceiling you want for your building, create a checklist of your needs and expectations. While people overlook ceilings, selecting the right one for your establishment can significantly help you. Either way, whether you choose one that exposes your building components or hides them, you can always install general-purpose insulated access panels for easy access to these components. You can even enjoy the additional insulation benefit.