Introduction
Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces
Suspended false ceilings are extremely popular and widely used in commercial spaces. They add the required design element to the space while also being versatile and practical. They also have other benefits such as – they help in improving or providing acoustic treatment or sound proofing, increase energy efficiency, provide thermal and heat insulation, etc.
In this article we will discuss the Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces and why installing them is a smart investment. From providing a safer working environment to improving the overall aesthetics and giving your space a cleaner and seamless look, the benefits are innumerable.
Be it revamping a space or designing and building a new one, it is worth considering installing these ceilings. Apart from improving the acoustic and sound proofing properties and providing energy efficiency, they also offer better access to electric systems and HVAC systems while concealing them and also give numerous options for installing different kinds of lighting.
These False ceilings are durable, easy to maintain and come in a variety of designs, materials and colours making them the perfect choice for all kinds of commercial spaces. Depending on the design and material option for the ceiling, it can add the needed oomph to your space and attract a lot of customers or even tenants or potential buyers.
Advantages of False Ceiling
1. Improved Aesthetics
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
Suspended false ceilings are one of the best ways to enhance the overall outlook of your space while also being extremely functional. Once installed and finished with perfection, they give the space a clean, seamlessly smooth and sophisticated – modern look to any commercial establishment. They help conceal all kinds of wiring, piping, ducts, etc., making the room look neat and organized, giving the space a more professional atmosphere.
By using different materials, you can change the outlook of your room by adding colours, textures – for example, wooden or metal false ceilings can give you a more rustic or industrial look, acoustic tiles can add a pop of colour to the room and give it a modern look. Depending on the look and design of your room, you can choose the right kind of material.
False ceilings come in various kinds of materials and finishes such as mineral fiber tiles, gypsum boards, metal tiles, wooden tile, PVC, etc., that can be used on their own or in a combination with others to create different looks and styles for your space.
Most of these materials can be cut into shapes and sizes as per your preference of design. Squares, rectangles, hexagons are a few shapes that are a few of the favourites. There are limitless, numerous options of materials to choose from, that can go with the aesthetics and outlook of your commercial space.
2. Energy Efficiency
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
Suspended false ceilings can play an integral role in energy efficiency and energy saving. Insulation materials used in the suspended ceilings can help regulate the temperature or you also have materials such as Fiber glass wool tiles that provide similar benefits.
The insulations can prevent heat loss and trap the heat inside in winters and in summers, they can prevent heat gain, keeping the room cooler. This can in turn lead to reduced electricity consumption as the HVAC system of your commercial establishment will not have to work as hard to maintain the optimal temperatures.
Suspended ceilings can also help improve air quality indoors as they can trap allergens, dust, pollutants, etc, reducing its circulation and giving you healthier and cleaner air. Materials such as mineral fiber have high insulation properties.
False ceilings can provide a barrier between the outdoor and indoor air, regulating temperatures in your commercial establishments. They also trap air within the gap between the suspended and original ceiling, that can help reduce noise transfer. You can also use various insulation materials in the cavity of ceiling to improve acoustic or sound proofing qualities.
Suspended false ceilings are used in numerous ways to provide energy efficiency. You can install lighting that are energy saving and efficient such as LED lights; you can install diffusers in the false ceilings to have better air circulation and regulate air supply and ventilation by allowing the flow of fresh air, hence reducing the use of cooling or heating.
All these are ways of saving energy consumption, in turn reducing costs of running your commercial spaces.
3. Acoustic Properties
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
Suspended false ceilings can also help in improving acoustic properties in a commercial space. These false ceilings can absorb and reduce the reflection of sound, making the space more conducive and comfortable for communication. You can also provide insulations that help with acoustics or have materials installed that hinder the passage of sound from one room to another, providing sound proofing solutions and reducing noise pollution.
A variety of materials can be used in the suspended false ceilings to control the levels of sound in the room. For instance, by using materials that have high sound absorbing qualities such as acoustic tiles, the levels of sound can be reduced and intelligibility of speech can also be improved.
Apart from these, you can also use soundproofing panels or partitions across the room and ceiling to create separate spaces within the establishment to have a better control over the sound levels. Acoustic panels are available in different materials, designs and options, each with their own unique properties.
Mineral fiber panels possess excellent sound absorption properties, making them a popular choice; metal panels are more durable and fire resistant; fabric wrapped panels provide a more sophisticated look with the needed pop of colour to match the aesthetics of your room; perforated metal panels are mainly used as they have great sound reflective qualities and are also aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
The type of material used and panels installed completely depend on the requirements and needs of the commercial space along with the its ability to match the look and feel of the existing or planned décor.
4. Accessibility and Maintenance
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
Suspended False ceilings are created in a way to improve the accessibility of the ducts with wires, piping, etc. in the space above them. Accessibility is key in maintaining HVAC and other ducts in commercial spaces. These ducts and spaces can be accessed from below, thanks to the suspended ceilings, helping reducing the time, cost and effort involved in maintenance.
These false ceilings can also be designed with features such as drop down panels or removable panels that can help ease out the process of maintenance and provide easier access. These ceilings are relatively easier to maintain as they can be cleaned, repaired, repainted, etc from below without needing access equipment’s such as scaffoldings, etc.
A simple ladder can do the trick. They can also be designed in a way to have removable panels so it becomes easier to change single damaged panels rather than bread and redo the entire ceiling. All these aspects significantly reduce the cost of maintenance and repair of these ceilings.
5. Cost-Effectiveness
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
When it comes to cost effectiveness, it can be assumed that suspended false ceilings are a cheaper option when compared to ceilings such as solid plaster ceilings or popcorn ceilings. This cost difference can be attributed to the fact that false ceilings can be manufactured and installed with more efficiency, reducing the cost of labor and material.
These ceilings can also be designed as removable panels, reducing cost or repairs and replacements caused by damages. All in all, these kinds of ceilings are cost effective for commercial establishments, mainly in terms of maintenance cost.
Different Types of False Ceiling Products
1. Gypsum Ceiling Tiles
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
Gypsum Ceiling tile and PVC Gypsum laminated Ceiling tiles are one of the most commonly used false ceiling materials as it is lightweight, fire-resistant, is extremely easy to install and also cost effective.
Gypsum Ceiling tiles like G.R.G (Glass reinforced gypsum) is widely used in open areas. As they are mostly perforated in nature, they help in improving the Acoustics of the Room.
Whereas, PVC Gypsum laminated ceiling tiles are widely used in water prone areas such as Washrooms, Toilets, Lobby areas etc. These False ceiling tiles are water resistant in nature and very cost effective as well.
2. Acoustic Ceiling Tiles
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
As the name suggest, these tiles have great acoustic properties that are designed to improve the sound quality in a space. Wood wool ceiling tiles, Mineral fiber ceiling tile, Fiber Glass wool Tile, PET Polyester Ceiling tile are some of the widely used False ceiling materials.
They are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and pre finished colors. However, it is better to take the opinion of an Acoustic consultant in order to determine which Acoustic Tile will be best suitable for your commercial space as each tile mentioned provides only a certain amount of absorption.
3. Metal Ceiling Tiles:
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
These tiles are extremely long lasting, durable and provide a modern, sleek look to your space. They are available in various finishes and textures such as anodized, perforated, powder coated, etc. Metal ceiling tiles are made of Pre – painted Galvanized iron and are perforated in various sizes and shapes.
Perforations are available in the form of circles, squares, mesh, diamond shape etc. These tiles can also be powder coated to any color of your choice to match the other elements of the room.
4. Wood Look Tiles or Planks:
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
These are extremely popular in commercial spaces. If you are looking for a wooden, rustic look, these will work out perfectly. They are made with materials such as MDF or PVC. They are not necessarily made of wood; you also get wood look alike panels made in PVC.
They not only give a very premium look but also are very easy to install and require very little maintenance. Apart from this, they are also very cost effective when compared to real wood false ceiling. PVC Ceiling planks are available in a variety of colors such as Teak, Pine, Walnut, White, Ivory, Marble finish etc.
5. Translucent Ceiling Panels
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
These translucent panels are perfect if you want to incorporate natural light into your space, while reducing the use of artificial lighting. Polycarbonate, acrylic are a few materials that are used for translucent panels. Although a little high in costs, they make up for the costs through energy savings in the long run.
6. LED Ceiling Panels
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
These panels providing lighting solutions that are energy efficient. They are available in many sizes, shape options and can also be used to create different lighting effects to match your décor. They are widely used in open areas. These lights are suspended in a random or even manner using wires in order to create a floating or cloud design.
7. Stretch Ceiling Systems
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
As the name suggest, this kind of ceiling uses stretchable materials that is placed over a metal framework or PVC Gripper track system. They are one of the newest trends in the market. They can be used to create multiple shapes and design effects. A particular design is printed on the fabric and stretched on to the ceiling in order to create a visual effect.
8. 3D Ceiling Panels
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
3D panels are offbeat, unique panels that can create a statement. They can be made in any design and finish you prefer or there are also readymade panels available in the market to choose from. They are mainly used in certain areas as a highlighter in order to break the monotony from other elements. They are widely installed in Reception areas, Lobbies, Meeting rooms, Cabins etc.
9. Coffered Ceiling Systems
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
These are used to create designs of recessed ceilings. They can be made with various materials and can also be designed as per specific design requirements. Coffered ceilings fall under the Niche segment as they are quiet expensive when compare to the other standardized false ceiling materials.
Conclusion
“Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces”
To conclude, we can suggest that suspended ceilings can provide various benefits in commercial spaces such as provide energy efficiency, aesthetics, acoustic benefits, ease of maintenance and accessibility as well as cost efficiency. These ceilings can also provide sound proofing, heat, and thermal insulation, etc., which will improve the functionality of your commercial establishments.
Suspended false ceilings are the way to go as they provide innumerable benefits and features while giving your space a cleaner, seamless and more aesthetically pleasing look. We highly recommend installing false ceilings specially for commercial establishments as they can help uplift your space with the kind of material you use and also provide cost efficiency by the benefits listed throughout the article.
Faq's - Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces
1. What is a suspended false ceiling?
A suspended false ceiling is a secondary ceiling that is hung from the main ceiling of a commercial space. It is typically made up of a grid system of metal frames and panels that cover up electrical wiring, ductwork, and other unsightly elements.
2. What are the Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces?
Some of the benefits of installing a suspended false ceiling include improved acoustics, enhanced aesthetic appeal, increased energy efficiency and better indoor air quality.
3. What are the Acoustical Benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces?
The grid system and panels of a suspended false ceiling help to absorb sound rather than allowing it to bounce around a room. This is particularly beneficial in noisy commercial spaces where a quieter environment is needed.
4. Can suspended false ceilings improve the aesthetic appeal of a commercial space?
Yes, suspended false ceilings can enhance the aesthetic appeal of commercial spaces by hiding unsightly elements such as pipes, wires and other mechanical systems. They can also provide a more polished look to the space.
5. How can suspended false ceilings increase energy efficiency?
Suspended false ceilings can contribute to increased energy efficiency by trapping heat in rooms during the winter and keeping it out during the summer. This reduces the strain on HVAC systems that are used to regulate the temperature in commercial spaces.
6. Do suspended false ceilings require maintenance?
Yes, suspended false ceilings do require maintenance, but it is minimal. Regular dusting and cleaning can help to keep suspended false ceilings in good condition.
7. Can suspended false ceilings be customized to fit specific commercial spaces?
Yes, suspended false ceilings can be customized with a variety of colors, textures, materials, and lighting options to fit specific commercial spaces.
8. How long does it take to install a suspended false ceiling?
The installation time for a suspended false ceiling depends on the size and complexity of the space. It typically takes a few days to a week, but larger or more intricate projects may take longer.
9. What are the cost benefits of Suspended False Ceilings in Commercial Spaces?
Suspended false ceilings are cost-effective in the long-term. They can help to reduce energy bills and maintenance costs, while also improving the overall value and appearance of commercial spaces.
10. Are suspended false ceilings environmentally friendly?
Yes, suspended false ceilings are environmentally friendly. They are made from sustainable materials and can help to reduce the overall carbon footprint of a commercial space by improving energy efficiency.