Ceiling Finishes

 Ceilings are just one of the many details that we have to pay attention to as designers.  Knowing the structure of the ceiling and how to use it to our advantage can help with lighting, cooling, and heating.  There are many different kinds of ceiling finishes.  Ones that we went over in the book were cathedral/sloped ceilings, suspended ceilings, and exposed structure ceilings.

Cathedral/sloped ceilings can be finished in gypsum wallboard or plaster.  Wallboard is similar to drywall and it is most often used in residential settings.  Some major disadvantages are that it does not absorb sound and it soaks up moisture, so it is not recommended in kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms unless it has a moisture retardant on it.  Plaster is the other finish for cathedral ceilings.  It has been used in many historical buildings as well, and was also used for crown moldings and medallions.

  This is an example of a cathedral ceiling with exposed wood beams.

 This image shows a sloped ceiling with gypsum wallboard being installed.

Another option of ceiling finishes is having a suspended ceiling.  These ceilings are used in most commercial environments. They are preferred because of the noise-cancellation that comes with having mineral fiber tiles and fiberglass.  Grid types include exposed T-bar, Recessed T-bar, and a Concealed grid.  This type of ceiling can be environmentally friendly because the tiles can be made from recycled materials.  When designing a commercial business I would use this ceiling tile preferably because it helps cancel and control all the noise that will go on in a business.  Other kinds of tiles that are used are wood and metal.

Suspended ceilings with an exposed grid using mineral fiber tiles.

This image shows wood tiles with a concealed grid type.

The last ceiling type is having an exposed structure.  This type shows the the mechanical, lighting, and plumbing systems.  Also keeping your ceiling exposed can show off the ceiling structure that can be made of wood or steel and that can help add character to a room.  HAWAC is a great example of an exposed ceiling.  Within the building you can see all the exposed water systems and vents along with the structural system as well which is concrete blocks.  In HAWAC you can see how they have to use wall partitions instead to cancel the sound since there is nothing above to capture the sound.

This image does a great job at showing the ventilation system and lighting systems.  It also adds to the design of the room.

You can see the steel structural system and the vents that circulate the air, and how it helps make the space feel more open.