Ceiling forms and materials

 In this chapter of our textbook, we read how ceilings come in a variety of forms and materials. Some expose the structure of the buildings, while others are enclosed, hiding mechanical, electrical and plumbing pipes, ductwork, junction boxes and wiring. There are a variety of different ceilings to use in a space. There are cathedral ceilings that conforms roughly to the pitch (slope) of the roof. These ceilings provide a sense of spaciousness that a flat ceiling may not. You also have Directly applied ceilings. This ceiling is one that attaches to the structure of the building. Gypsum wallboard is the most commonly used for the directly applied ceiling material. Lastly, there is Suspended acoustical panel ceilings. These are very common in commercial spaces. The acoustical ceiling provides noise control in large spaces, and the suspended system allows for ductwork, sprinkler lines and electrical wiring to occur about the visible ceiling system.  

Designers sometimes wants to expose the structure of the ceiling to achieve either a rustic appearance or an industrial interior. Lighting and mechanical systems must be carefully joined because all wiring and ductwork will also be exposed. This can be a metal structure when structural steel is left exposed it is subject to both rust and fire. A designer must detail these exposed members to deal with both of these issues. Wood structures are wood beams that are commonly left exposed in certain applications. As with steel beams, careful attention to fire prevention and control must be given.

There are also a variety of different ceiling shapes that can be used, you must give careful attention to the acoustics within such spaces to see which shape should be used most appropriately in that space. There are vaulted ceilings, barrel vault, and domes.


One of the most important things that an interior designer must do is to make sure that they have coordinated the proposed lighting design and layout with mechanical, sprinkler, and ceiling mounted equipment. We also must consider the acoustics and how to deal with the noise control within a space. Designers use ceiling planes to define spaces, assist in wayfinding and enhance overall conceptual approach of the design intent. Usually, the wall and floor are hard surfaces with very little sound absorption, thus the ceiling material is used to control noise within the space.

Baffles are great way to add an acoustic treatment to the room while only partially covering the ceiling. Since Baffles are suspended vertically and the surface area exposed for sound absorption is doubled and higher NRC levels can be achieved. Decoustics custom engineers Fabric, Claro and Wood finished baffles to a wide range of unique shapes and colors with the option of wire suspension or direct mounting them to a T-bar grid. I appreciate these ceiling systems because they are customizable to a wide range of unique shapes and various thicknesses with the option of cutting shapes out of the material for visual impact. Decoustics deliver the ultimate design flexibility and can be styled to compliment any space and meet your specific design requirements.



Resources:

https://decoustics.com/ceilings-walls/

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ceilings/21210301/vaulting-a-ceiling

https://decoustics.com/inspiration/


Comments

  1. Erica,
    I liked how you talked about and broke down the different ceiling types. The images you chose were great! I think as designers, we can consider ourselves lucky if we get a chance to work within these types of ceilings, especially when the space can look larger due to the ceiling. I liked how you talked about baffles as one of your interesting ceiling examples. It certainly helps with acoustics, but to me, it looks so interesting from a visual standpoint and it really can add more depth to the space. Overall, great job!

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  2. Erica,
    You did a great job at summarizing the chapter. I like when you mentioned the truth about steel and that when it is exposed it rusts over time. You also took fire resistance into consideration when dealing with those materials which is crucial. Your pictures you used when explain baffles were very pleasing to the eye. The way they incorporate movement in the space is very effective. They even add a pop of color in an otherwise neutral room.

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  3. Erica,
    I love how when you discussed rustic and industrial style ceiling you brought up how perfectly planned they must be since they are seen, I also liked that you mentioned it can be damaged by rust or fire when metal is exposed. I also enjoyed the images of the different examples of ceilings.

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  4. I think you did a great job explaining the chapter. It was easy to understand, even with all of the different types of ceilings and materials. I really liked how you focused on baffles at the end. They are an easy solution with so many different designs and ways to be installed. I like that you included the second picture of baffles because it shows how baffles can add a pop of color and interest to a space.

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  5. Erica- Excellent summary of the concepts covered in our chapter this week. I really enjoyed your description of the various ceiling types as well as the materials used in these types. Your focus on Baffles show an examples of a ceiling treatment that can enhance design, acoustics and wayfinding. Great work. 50/50 points.

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