When aspects on home improvements were being thought about, one of the requisites for creating chic and elegant office spaces seemed a ‘false ceiling' that gradually became a trend because of its advantages.
The inclination to bring in something ‘false' was for the reason that one could conceal exposed cables, wires, ducts, and cracks in the main concrete ceiling.
Explains architect Ramesh of R-Square Designs, “A false ceiling is suspended from the main ceiling. The suspension is fixed to the walls, roof or beams of the superstructure. In simpler words, a false ceiling is a second ceiling that can bring in extra features to enhance aesthetics and ease out some functional aspects too.” If wires are hidden, fancy lighting fixtures such as hidden lights could be fixed, and central air-conditioning could be provided, all through the false ceiling. These fancy ceilings could mask service lines in air-conditioning systems, electrical wiring and provide thermal insulation and sound-proof rooms for meeting rooms and auditoriums.
Materials
Several materials are used in making a false ceiling. It is constructed with metal panels coupled with insulating materials.
While aluminium or steel panels can be laid on a visible steel grid with T-sections or cross-sections that are suspended from the ceiling by rods that have long-lasting surface, one can stretch metal sheets to form various shapes, which can be suspended from the ceiling. This treatment is ideal for obtaining a variety of shapes in the metal, without changing its soundproofing.
Gypsum board is another sought-after false ceiling material. It is lightweight, flexible and fire- and moisture-resistant. Gypsum board panels are tough and economical, and are fast replacing other ceiling materials such as Plaster of Paris (POP) as they are used for renovating old ceilings too.
Room environment
Says Venkat Subramanian, MD, Saint Gobain Gyproc, “Though having a false ceiling may appear as a slightly expensive proposition at first, it has distinct functional as well as aesthetic advantages which make it worth the money. It is no surprise that false ceilings are slowly forming an integral part of any interior design for new and old constructions. Both gypsum plasterboards and Plaster of Paris (POP) boards have been used in the construction of false ceilings in India. In most office and commercial interiors, gypsum plasterboard-based false ceilings are used as they are faster to construct and have many more advantages over traditional POP ceilings.”
Mr. Venkat explains that the insulation against heat due to the air gap between the two ceiling layers is what helps the room remain relatively cool. “Also due to a smaller air volume, your power bills due to air-conditioning will be reduced significantly,” he says.
Gyproc ceiling solutions
Gyproc plasterboard ceilings are lightweight that help in better levels of performance in terms of strength, fire rating, acoustics and thermal insulation than PoP, says Venkat. “Since gypsum boards have been in use across the globe, the market today has international players, while Saint-Gobain Gyproc offers certified ceiling solutions in India.”
Gypsum false ceilings with genuine Gyproc metal framing and accessories will cost approximately Rs. 65-70/sq. ft installed, while a designer ceiling variant with patterns will cost around Rs. 90-100 /sq. ft installed, depending on the design variations.
