False Ceilings: Design Choices and How They Get Built
A false ceiling can lift a room or crush it. Done well, it hides wiring and ducts, gives lights a proper home and adds a quiet frame to the space. Done badly, it lowers the room, cracks at the joints and turns every light into a glaring dot. The design and the construction are one decision, because a ceiling is only as good as the way it is built. Here is how to choose the design, and what happens on site. Check the Height Before Choosing a Design Measure the floor-to-slab height and decide how much you can afford to lose. In a room with a generous height, a layered ceiling with a recessed cove works well. In a modest height, a slim perimeter drop of a few inches, or a plain flat panel, keeps the room open. Remember that air-conditioner units, ducts and beams already take space, and the ceiling has to be planned around them. A simple rule helps: the lower the ceiling, the simpler the design should be. Pale colours and a clean edge make a low room feel taller. Common Ceiling Styles...