Building Character: Common Ceiling Types Explained
Though a strong foundation is essential to the longevity and robustness of any building project, once the essentials have been completed, you can focus on adding character by experimenting with various ceiling types.
Often overlooked, pardon the pun, the choice of ceiling design can be an important component in the perception of spaciousness and architectural aptitude, whilst they bring the overall character of a room together.
Today, we’ll take you through some of the most commonly used ceiling types. Use this as an opportunity to broaden your artistic flair and create new ideas on how you can stamp your signature onto projects.
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The Conventional Type: Flat Ceiling
Possibly the most common type of ceiling type – particularly in the UK – do not underestimate the opportunity for artistic expression: particularly relating to the height of the ceiling.
For homes in the UK, the most commonly found ceiling height is approximately 2.4 metres, as it is standardised, offers a decent perception of space, does not require specialist tools to access (particularly ladders) and is also highly cost-effective as a result.
A well-finished flat ceiling can create a sense of a supreme finish by expert workmanship. Creativity can be expressed when discussing to which extent the client wishes to deviate from the average ceiling height.
A higher-than-average ceiling – often called a Tall Ceiling – can create a perception of luxuriousness, increased brightness in visuals and a feeling of freedom thanks to the spaciousness. Do consider that making the ceiling without consideration for the decorating, fixtures and fittings can create a room that feels cold both in the artistic and literal sense.
Creating a ceiling lower than the conventional standard can contribute to a feeling of cosiness, warmth and homeliness. However, be sure to avoid going too low or you risk making the room feel claustrophobic.
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To the Peak: Vaulted Ceiling
Becoming more popular in recent years – most commonly in top floor rooms that feature skylights – the vaulted ceiling is an understated artistic direction that can add character to a room, without deviating too much from the accepted norm: beneficial for projects that are to be sold on after completion.
The main benefit of the vaulted ceiling is the perception of spaciousness and openness it creates, whilst still presenting homely vibes.
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A Step Above: Tray Ceiling
Similar in style to the flat ceiling, the tray-style ceiling demonstrates a far more brave departure from the conventional whilst offering a warm sense of familiarity.
The main characteristic of the tray ceiling is the ‘step’ perimeter which is commonly a foot lower than the central bay. This gradient adds a sense of loftiness and character to the room, which may often create a feeling of studiousness or professionalism.
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Balancing Act: Beam Ceiling
Providing a classic, rustic look, the beamed ceiling is a style in which the structural beams of the ceiling are on view. This look can provide a whole array of looks to a room depending on which finish polish you use on the wood.
Adequate for both classic and contemporary aesthetic, the beamed ceiling will never go out of style.
The exposed ceiling, also a type of beam ceiling, offers a lived-in, earnest style that can appeal to many creative, artistic, spontaneous individuals.
No ceiling type is perfect though. Exposed ceilings are often noisier and more expensive to heat, so do be aware of such an intrinsic disadvantage.
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Office Space: Suspended Ceiling
Found most commonly within professional settings, such as offices and retail establishments, the suspended ceiling is a ceiling under another ceiling.
Also known as dropped ceilings, they normally use suspension wires and metal framing that is connected to the structural ceiling, which are used to hold relatively large slats of cork or fibreglass. This ceiling type is often used to obscure defects in the structural ceiling or to hide air conditioning, industrial-level piping and wiring.
Suspended ceilings are easier to install which makes them an efficient option when it comes to saving time and money. When you hire professional suspended ceiling contractors you can expect a finished ceiling that has a wonderful finish and an aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, drop ceilings are famous for their soundproofing qualities and they allow for additional maintenance work to be carried out later on easily and with little inconvenience.
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Industrial Revolution: Exposed Ceiling
Becoming more widely adopted by fitness gyms, sales showrooms, business startups and open-plan offices the exposed ceiling often exposes what the prior mentioned suspended ceiling seeks to obscure.
Usually featuring a consistent design philosophy in relation to air ducts, piping, shafts and the like, the completely open plan nature of the exposed ceiling and the often-used industrial look to the facades creates a high-energy, hard-working atmosphere.
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Like Patchwork: Coffered Ceiling
Similar to the beam ceiling, though offering a more intricate design, the coffered ceiling looks like a meshing of the aforementioned beamed ceiling design and the tray ceiling.
Though expensive to design and fit, it is one of the boldest choices of ceiling type to feature in a room, though in some it can appear to be overdone if the room is not decorated to compliment it, or if the room is too small to accommodate such a design in all its splendour.
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To the Heavens: Cathedral Ceiling
At a glance, the cathedral ceiling bears an uncanny resemblance to the vaulted ceiling; however, the devil is in the details.
The key factor differentiating the cathedral ceiling from the vaulted ceiling is that of the centre point: it features steep, symmetrical sloping sides and a characteristic central point that is higher than its two sides. Adding a breathtakingly majestic look to the room, it will astound anyone who views it.
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Use Your Dome: Dome Ceilings
Dome ceilings offer a diverse range of character traits to your room. They can create a dramatic sense of artistry and theatre, whether than be in a classic, contemporary or futuristic.
Ornate and decadent, as they often vary in size they can span an entire room, or used to highlight a small offshoot of a wall as a feature, such as for a reading area or drinks bar.
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True Classic: Tin Ceiling
Traditionally made from steel and popular in the 1800s, tin ceilings were originally used to prevent ceiling damage from heat and soot. They were often formed into ornate design patterns to add style to their function.
Though they are far from fashionable in today’s design scene, the tin ceiling could find a home in the kitchen that features Victorian design motifs.
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Asymmetric Artistry: Shed Ceiling
Often found in converted lofts and attics, shed ceilings are a singularly sloped choice where one side of the room is taller than the other.
More modern in design, they are merely another variety of vaulted ceilings, they are commonly employed to maximise the use of a physically limited space. They are pleasing to the eye when well done and featured with skylights or a treated wood finish.
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Finely Aged: Barrel Vault Ceiling
Often creating a Latin American or classical European flavour to a room, barrel vault ceilings often cover the entirety of a room: usually rooms which are longer than they are wider.
Evoking a rustic charm that many ceiling types cannot match, barrel vault ceilings are often finished in brick or carefully selected stone.
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Embroidered Eloquence: Groin Vault Ceiling
Often explained as a coming together of the barrel and vaulted ceilings, the groin vault ceiling offers a near-embroidered finish to a room.
Magnificently lavish and opulent, the arches and half-domes create a dramatic silhouette and lighting angles that have the ability to be the centrepiece of any kitchen or communal dining room.
Based in Wiltshire, South West England, AB Drylining offers expert-quality suspended ceiling installations carried out by a friendly, knowledgeable and experienced team.
AB Drylining also provides the absolute highest standard of work, across a wide variety of building services, including dry lining, plastering and floor screeding.
