Different Types of Ceilings Present in Residential and Commercial Buildings

The amazing thing about having buildings constructed at different periods throughout history is that we are left with an eclectic mix of designs. No two buildings from different periods are ever the same. That much is evident when you compare a home built today to one built half a century ago.  

However, the differences can go far beyond what you see from the outside. Even the ceilings in homes and commercial buildings can be different. But how different? Let’s put it this way; your commercial or residential property could have any of the following ceiling types.

Suspended Ceilings

Pay a visit to your local café, retail business, or office, and you would have likely spotted a suspended ceiling, also known as a dropped ceiling. Essentially, these ceiling types are a building’s secondary ceiling.

They are installed below an existing ceiling with metal grids to conceal lighting fixtures, wiring, pipes, and other unsightly building necessities. They tend to be built with T-bar grids to create an attractive yet cost-effective ceiling.

Conventional Ceilings

If you have a plain, flat ceiling in your home that sits around 2.4 to three metres above the ground, you have a conventional ceiling. Typically, these ceiling types consist of drywall and other low-cost materials that allow for easy installation and replacement.  

These ceiling types are installed in new and existing homes and can be painted a colour of your choice. Although, most people opt for a variation of white.

Exposed Ceilings

If you like the idea of being able to see every component of your home, then you may request an exposed ceiling in the design of your new house or commercial building. Rather than have a finish, this ceiling type has all interior building components open.

Such ceilings can allow for easier access and maintenance. They can also be incredibly well-designed so that your ceiling can become a feature in your home with exposed beams and trusses.

Coffered Ceilings

A unique ceiling type you often see in hotels, churches, and high-end homes are coffered ceilings. They are luxurious, aesthetically pleasing, and a little bit pricier than your average ceiling. Typically, specialists have to install these ceiling types.

Tightly-Attached Ceilings

Tightly-attached ceilings are not common, but some residential and commercial buildings have them. They consist of tongued and grooved timber, plasterboard, or gypsum, that has been attached tightly to concrete slabs, steel joists, rafters, or timber joists.

They can sometimes be more expensive than other ceiling types because care must be taken to work around pipes, vents, and sprinkler heads.

Tray Ceilings

If you are trying to make your building seem taller than it is, your builder may recommend tray ceilings. These ceilings start out around the edges at a standard height but then step up to raise the centre and create a 3D effect.

Not only can they add the illusion of space, but they can also allow a chandelier or feature lighting to become a focal point in any home or business.

Acoustical Ceilings

To prevent a tall or large building from sounding echo-y, you may choose to install acoustical ceilings. While they don’t reduce sound transmission, they can reduce how the sound is reflected. This is thanks to the fibrous materials used to form the ceiling that absorb sound rather than bounce it around.

Coved Ceilings

Look around any theatre, church, or formal home, and you may identify a coved ceiling. These ceilings are crafted in a dome design with curved edges and not a sharp angle in sight. This dome effect allows a room to feel softer while also creating an archway to separate one room from another.

Cathedral Ceilings

Many elegant, high-spec homes feature cathedral ceilings, which have an inverted V-shape. The most common material type for these ceilings is linear wood, which is both practical and eye-catching.

Even though they are not the most energy-efficient ceiling type, the wood can act as a natural insulator to combat that problem and bring down energy costs.

Shed Ceilings

You may identify a shed ceiling in the top storey of a house, an attic, or a loft. These ceilings are unique in the respect that they start with a high point at one end of the room or storey, then slope down to the other end. Wood ceilings can also be suspended on a slope.

Popcorn Ceilings

Another ceiling style that is worth being aware of is the popcorn ceiling. This ceiling type is also referred to as textured or stucco and is common in many older homes in New Zealand.

Many people like the character they bring to a home, while others can’t wait to get rid of them. But whether you like them or hate them, there’s one thing you need to be aware of regarding them: they may contain asbestos.

Not all popcorn ceilings contain asbestos, but several do. As a result, if your ceiling is looking worse for wear or you’re about to undertake renovations, it can be worth getting an asbestos test to find out.

By doing so, you can learn whether removal is a task you can handle yourself or if you need to contact an asbestos removal company in NZ to tackle it for you.