Suspended Ceiling Cost Guide for 2022

If you are seeking to spruce up your living space or commercial premises for 2022, you may want to consider a suspended ceiling. However, like any considerable renovation project, you must take into account various factors: design, capability, materials, workers and cost.

In today’s article we will talk about the costs involved in installing a suspended ceiling. So, how much does installing a suspended ceiling cost?

What Are Suspended Ceilings?

Before we look at the costs involved in a suspended ceiling project, we must first delve into what they are and why you may want to consider installing them.

To facilitate the installation of a suspended ceiling, a sturdy metal framing system is hung from the structural ceiling, which will be built upon further to create an entirely new ceiling. Customisable and practical, not only do suspended ceilings help create a tidier atmosphere via concealment of pipes, wires and insulation, they can also be used to house custom lighting and augment/dampen acoustics.

Interested in suspended ceilings? Check out the 13 most popular suspended ceiling types in the UK.

Why Would You Install a Suspended Ceiling?

If you have ever worked within an office or industrial building, you will have noticed that suspended ceilings are an incredibly common choice of businesses. Interestingly, suspended ceilings are becoming increasingly more common in residential properties as a way to lower heating costs, reducing acoustic transfer as well as reinvigorating tired settings.

Suspended ceilings also have the benefit of creating a tidier presentation: the ideal choice if you wished to conceal piping, wires, insulation or older roofing beams.

The Cost of Suspended Ceilings

Though no two projects will have the same costs associated with their completion, it is helpful for any would-be property renovator to have an approximated average in mind. Much like any considered purchase, budget is crucial:

Budget Suspended Ceiling

As of 2021, lower cost suspended ceilings have an average cost of £20 to £30 per square metre.

Medium Tier Suspended Ceiling

A suspended ceiling project that is finished to medium range will fetch, on average, approximately £25 to £40 per square metre.

Top of the Range Suspended Ceiling

The average approximate cost of a higher-end suspended ceiling is £35 to £50 per square metre, though entirely bespoke projects are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Extra Customisation Options

As suspended ceilings create additional space within a room, you may consider implementing the following customisation options to make the most of the transformation:

Air conditioning system
Fire safety – including sprinkler systems
Insulation
Lighting (read about the best suspended ceiling lights here)
Sound systems
Acoustics augmentation/dampening

Additional Things to Consider – Price Fluctuation Factors

Although we have looked at the average prices for various types of suspended ceilings, there are numerous factors that may affect the price of the overall project.

Location

As expected, certain areas of the countries will have higher prices – typically relative to the affluence and living costs of an area – so renovation in a house or commercial property within Greater London will usually be more expensive than that of similar properties in Birmingham, Manchester or Bristol.

Ceiling Height

As higher ceilings typically require more design input, materials and take longer to install, the costs will be reflected in the final price.

Suspended Ceiling Material and Quality

The type of material you wish to install will affect the price of the project.

Additional Customisation Features

Each feature you add to the final project will be demonstrated in the final price, particularly relevant if you wish to install an AC system or soundproofing.

Multiple Ceilings

Installing a suspended ceiling in multiple locations within a building will increase prices. Many contractors will exercise discretion when pricing up project costs and implement savings as part of a package.

Building and Location Access

Extraneous costs – such as parking or congestion charges – will often be implemented within the price as some locations will have relatively high access charges for contractors to conduct their work.

Am I Able to Install A Suspended Ceiling Myself?

Unless you are a tradesman and trained to do so, it is not advisable to attempt to install a suspended ceiling yourself.

Although there are kits available for purchase that can assist you, it is advisable to consider all variables and potential negative outcomes associated with undertaking such a challenging project. Not only is the job very difficult to complete to a high standard without training – potentially ruining your property – the dangers involved could also lead to serious injury or even death.

If you wish to look into the installation of a suspended ceiling, please call the experts at AB Dryling.

Pros and Cons of Suspended Ceilings

Consider the following before committing to a suspended ceiling installation.

Pros

Typically cheaper than traditional ceilings
Ease of access to wiring and ducts, simplifying maintenance
Tidier in concealing wires, pipes, insulation and damage/staining to structural ceilings
Straightforward installation process (for trained experts)
Easy to replace damaged tiles

Cons

Tiles tend to deteriorate more quickly, so maintenance costs are higher
Ceiling height is lower

How Can AB Drylining Help

We are professionals in the design and implementation of suspended ceilings: we can assess, plan, install and advise on your suspended ceiling project, with a timely and cost-effective approach.

Give us a call today!

FAQ

Are drop ceilings the same as suspended ceilings?

Yes, the terms are interchangeable.

What is the cost of drop ceilings?

As the terminology is interchangeable with suspended ceiling, the price averages should be the same.

What are the most commonly requested suspended ceiling tiles?

Though there are hughes amounts of suspended ceiling tiles available to pick from, some are more common than others, including:

Concealed grid
Tegular edge
Square edge

Was our guide useful? If so, have a look at our other helpful articles on suspended ceilings!