Suspended Ceiling

Suspended Ceiling Systems Within Your Grasp

Suspended Ceiling Systems

Posted by admin on 2011/01/07

There are many different variations of suspended ceilings out there to choose from when looking for a design that will suit your needs. Read on to find out what some of these variations are.

Concealed suspended ceilings, this will appear as a clean design because all of the suspension pieces are hidden from view. If you are thinking about getting these ceilings that are concealed you will also need to think about whether or not you want it to be accessible (therefore demountable) or whether you want it to be non accessible. You can go either way with the concealed ceiling look but it is a major factor you need to take into consideration before implementing the ceiling in your building as non accessible ones will not allow for you to carry out easy maintenance.

Exposed suspended ceilings are the next design on the list. This is made up of panels placed into a ceiling grid, there are a few design options that come with this type of ceiling including, which size tiles you can use as they are all placed into a grid. Ceilings like this are easy and quick to install which is a bonus if you need the ceiling fitted within a limited amount of time. This ceiling type allows for easy access to maintenance as this can be carried out within the ceiling void. This is another bonus for this ceiling type.

The next type of suspended ceilings is free span which will require you to know some of your requirements. Ceilings of this type have ceiling planks which are held together by the perimeter trim, these suspended ceilings will mainly be used for corridors as they span up to 2500 mm and are tiled with planks, therefore making them ideal for corridors. Once again these types of ceilings can be demounted or they can be closed not allowing access at all. If you opt for demountable then you gain full access to the ceiling void allowing for quick and easy maintenance. These suspended ceilings have a smooth seamless like structure.

Also there is the Bandraster grid suspended ceilings system. This is a brilliant system that can be implemented depending on your building type. It can be merged to follow the buildings design with the parallel suspension sections that make up this great system. Say your building is round, the tiles can follow the building around in a curved shape. A horizontal bracing is assembled with the ceiling structure which helps the ceiling from any lateral movement and vibration. This lateral bracing is created in these suspended ceilings with a choice of sections, you can either have exposed or concealed sections where you can also make the planks in the ceiling demountable or completely inaccessible which you may or may not wish to do with this system.

Above are a few types of suspended ceilings that are available to you. There are more but they will not be covered here, but I hope this has been helpful to you and that you take into consideration all of the factors there are before purchasing your suspended ceilings.

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Different Types Of Suspended Ceilings

Posted by admin on 2010/12/16

Suspended ceilings are like a second ceiling, it is placed underneath the existing ceiling and is used to hide pipelines or ductwork. They are generally attached and suspended on wires from the ceiling above and are laid out in a grid where tiles are fitted in. Suspended ceilings can be made with a lot of materials, for example, wood.

Once the suspended ceilings have been installed you can fit in fluorescent lights or install air ducts etc. They are used a lot to cover up this kind of work anyway so suspended ceilings being installed to cover air ducts can easily be integrated in. Also you can install insulation into your suspended ceilings which absorbs heat and sound.

Suspended ceilings are also implemented so that maintenance can take place in the void that is made when the ceiling is installed.

When designing and purchasing your suspended ceilings you are going to need to decide whether or not you want the ceiling to be demountable or completely non-accessible. If you make you suspended ceilings demountable then this will allow you to easily access the ceiling void and perform maintenance on the ceiling or on other objects that the ceiling is concealing. If you make your suspended ceiling non accessible then you will not be able to perform ceiling maintenance easily as you will not be able to get into the ceiling void.

You should consider the above very seriously as the ceilings will need to be redone if you wish to be able to change a non accessible ceiling into a demountable one.

There are many different types of suspended ceilings systems but all are different depending on your requirements yet the concept is the same. For example there is the free span suspend ceiling system that is mainly used for corridors. This kind of system is made up of ceiling planks which are held by the perimeter trim on their short edges. This kind of system can be installed quickly and pretty easily, also it can produce a very nice effect when finished which is usually smooth. These types of suspended ceilings can be made de-mountable for maintenance or non-accessible; if you opt for the de-mountable type then the ceiling planks are removed to allow you your easy access.

Another suspended ceiling system is the bandraster system; these types of suspended ceilings are very flexible and can be made to match with any kind of building architecture. Once again these suspended ceilings can be made accessible or non accessible. These suspended ceiling are design with either concealed or exposed sections which link up to achieve lateral bracing, therefore these systems can be modified to fit any building.

Another system is the exposed suspended ceilings system which is another system which can be installed quickly and efficiently and also allows for you to do maintenance work in the ceiling void easily. These types of suspended ceilings have tiles slotted into a suspended grid allowing for it to be edited easily as well.

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How To Install Suspended Ceiling

Posted by admin on 2010/11/23

How to hang suspended ceilings yourself? Installing suspended ceilings on your own can take quite a bit of time. Installing either a tile or suspended ceiling in a 9′ by 12′ room will require approximately 16 hours of work, longer if some unusual situations occur. As a result, the job is best undertaken by at least two people who are somewhat experienced in doing technical jobs around the house. However, one does not really need any specific expertise to do the job, as the tools and techniques that are in the process used are pretty basic. Using mostly household tools, a suspended ceiling is well within the capabilities of most homeowners.

You usually don’t need a permit to work on your suspended ceilings, but it is always a good idea to check the regulations at your local building department, just in case. Better safe than sorry.

Suspended ceilings are supposed to be hung from the ceiling joists with a metal grid. This creates the opening between both the joists and the ceiling where wires, pipes, and ductwork can be installed and worked on. A tile ceiling is either glued directly to an existing ceiling or onto so-called “furring strips” that are glued or nailed to the existing ceiling. This type of ceiling works very well both in covering over any older existing ceilings or where a lack of height is a consideration and a suspended ceiling would drop a bit too low for comfort. All you need for a suspended ceiling is sufficient head space. Requirements vary, but most codes insist that you need a minimum 7 1/2- feet ceiling height for a new construction.

The key to installing your own suspended ceilings is using the right tools. Fortunately, a suspended ceiling isn’t that difficult to install and requires no expensive equipment. However, since you are most likely covering a medium-size to large room, the metal grid would require at least two people to install it. Many of the tools needed for either suspended or tile ceilings are the same, including 20′-25′ metal tape, putty knife, straightedge, nails, a handsaw, a ladder, safety goggles and face mask, a pencil, chalkline, a drywall pan, a miter box, a screwdriver, tiles, ganer wire, cross tees and a coping saw.

Suspended ceilings needn’t just look great in your house, they also hold many great advantages. They muffle sounds, cover up wires and cables, support lighting systems and often have fireproof characteristics. An acoustical ceiling with tiny noise-trapping holes is the ceiling of choice for noisy rooms like kitchens. Ceilings made of mineral fiber on the other hand are a good option for rooms with a possible fire hazard. But for most other purposes, a classic suspended ceiling is the best choice, as they are light-weight and easy to install.

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Ceiling Light Fittings Can Enrich Your Home

Posted by admin on 2010/11/04

Today, there are many options available if you are looking forward to remodel your house to give a beautiful look. You can use numerous things to redecorate your house to change the complete home decor. One of the most beautiful stuff that you can add to your home decor are the ceiling light fittings. These ceiling lights are simple yet elegant light decoration that you can fix in your ceiling to enhance the elegance of your house. For decades these light fittings have been a key source of lighting for thousands of homes.

You can install them either in your living room or in your bedroom. You are only limited by your imagination when it comes to installing these light fixtures. There are hundreds of models available in the market and one of the most valued light fitting is the suspended ceiling lighting.

These types of suspended ceilings are perfect for the house and office remodeling. If your ceiling is not perfectly layered then it is recommended that you should install this type of ceiling. After that it is quite simple to install but the only thing that you have to consider is the lighting for suspended ceilings. Installing a suspended ceiling lighting system is very simple and to install them you do not have to be an expert. You can install them on your own. However you have to keep in mind different states and countries have laws on electrical wiring on a house. Therefore make sure to do your background checks. Alternatively, hiring an electrician is a good option.

These days there is wide range of suspended lighting options available for you. But you should try to select the one that blend with the theme of your house. These fixtures are available in a wide collection of patterns and styles of ceiling panels. They are not too expensive and many of us can afford them to redecorate our home decor.

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How To Remove Old Ceiling Tiles

Posted by admin on 2010/10/28

Sometimes you need to remove the ceiling tiles for one reason or another. Removing ceiling tiles is a job you can do easily on your own. But the difficulty level of removing tiles is largely depends the way they were installed. Two types ceiling tiles are common suspended and interlocked ceiling tiles. Suspended These are relatively easy to remove, but difficulty arises when you have to remove interlocking ceiling tiles. Interlocking tiles requires more work and effort.

Another important fact you have to keep in mind before working with tiles is the presence of asbestos in it. Before 1980s, asbestos is widely used in tiles. Asbestos is dangerous for you. And if you want to know that your tiles contain asbestos or not you may have to send it to government authorized testing centers. In case tiles have asbestos, it is better to hire a professional.

Required Items

Following items are required to remove the old ceiling tiles:

- Needle-nose pliers
- Garbage can
- Putty knife
- Tarps
- Pry bar/claw hammer
- Utility knife

Steps

Removing Suspended Ceiling Tiles

1. Before starting removing the ceiling tiles, put a tarp on the floor. This tarp will help you to collect debris and dust come out of the ceiling. Arrange a large dustbin and place it in a room.

2. Push the ceiling tile up. To dislodge these from its track, pick it up.

3. To take the ceiling tile away through the opening between the tracks, you need to hold these in a particular angle. Take away all the tiles in the same way and throw them into the garbage can or dustbin.

Removing Interlocking Ceiling Tiles

1. First step is same as you follow for suspended in it. Cover the floor with tarp and place a large garbage can to collect all the debris and dust.

2. You have to figure out the way tiles are installed. Mostly tiles are stapled or glued to furring strips. Take a utility knife and notch the edge of the tile. Lift the tile gently with putty knife and see if it is glued or stapled.

3. Take the rim (molding) away from the ceiling. To remove the rim, put the putty knife along the edges of the rim and softly tap it with hammer. Pry the knife away to remove the rim.

4. For removing tiles, you can take help of pry bar or claw hammer. Place the pry bar or hammer on the edge of it and tap a little. Move the bar of claw hammer back and forth; this will loosen the hold of tiles. Remember glued tiles need more effort and force than stapled tiles

5. Remove all the tiles one by one and throw them into the garbage can. If your tiles contain staples, take them away with needle nose pliers.

Precautions

- Asbestos is harmful substance and it should be treated with due care. The best way is to hire a professional to work on this. If it is unavoidable for you to work on the tiles containing asbestos, follow all the safety measures. You need to have a respiratory mask, safety goggles and protective clothing as well.

- Many states have some rules and regulations for treating and discarding asbestos. Follow the rules and regulations strictly.

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