However, such ceilings can reduce your room’s height and tend to deteriorate quickly, thus leading to an unsafe ceiling. These types of ceilings can effectively cover up unsightly pipes, ductwork or wires while providing sound insulation. Refer to to the codes of your jurisdiction for more detailed information. Drop ceilings are very common in both residential and commercial properties.
Some of these considerations include wider edge moldings, limits on size of ceiling or weight of ceiling, additional attachment requirements, additional bracing requirements, and additional inspection requirements. 12" x 12"įor suspended ceilings in seismic zones, special considerations must be made. Standard sizes are listed below in inches. Whatever term you use, if you want to hang signs, banners, or even. Ceiling panels can be made in virtually any shape. Drop ceilings are also called suspended ceilings, grid ceilings, or T-bar ceilings. In addition to the standard panels, custom panels are available from most manufacturers. Lay-In ceiling panels come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Finally, ceiling panels are dropped into the grid to finish the ceiling. Edge molding shapes are attached to the walls around the perimeter of the room. Shorter cross T segments connect to the main beam T shapes to make a rigid frame. The continuous main beam T shapes are suspended from the structure above by hanger wires. The diagram below identifies the major components of a suspended lay-in ceiling. The most common sizes are 24" x 24" or 24" x 48". The come in various shapes and sizes and are laid into an exposed grid. Lay-In Ceiling Panels are more common today. Tiles were popular in the 1980s, but are not used as often anymore. The effect was to create a monolithic look while still providing access to services above the ceiling.
In reality, these are actually ceiling panels.Ĭeiling Tiles are mechanically fastened to a concealed suspension grid. However, ASTM C636 Standard Practice for Installation of Metal Ceiling Suspension Systems for Acoustical Tile and Lay-In Panels makes a distinction between tiles and panel. We often refer to the ceilings you see below as an "ACT ceiling", meaning acoustic ceiling tiles.
Acoustic Ceiling Tilesįirst, we have to address the nomenclature for suspended ceiling systems. Ceiling TilesĪcoustic Lay-In Ceiling Panels vs. These systems are manufactured to conceal HVAC, lighting and other infrastructural elements, while maintaining their complete operability. Manufacturers such as Arktura, offer concealed grid systems that can render a variety of complex visual patterns from simple, repeated elements. This type of suspended ceiling uses the panels themselves, which fit neatly together edge-to-edge, to conceal the actual grid. The panels stay in place by gravity and can be easily removed by lifting them up and out of the frame.Ĭoncealed Grid Systems: Concealed grid ceilings have a more higher-end look than the standard panels systems. Long strips, called “mains” are connected with shorter strips called “tees.” This grid of mains and tees are then filled with panels to form the second ceiling. One of the most common panel system is the “tee” system.
Panel and Tile Systems: Suspended ceilings are often composed of a series of panels that form the visible surface of the ceiling. NYU Steinhardt School by Matiz Architecture & Design Suspended Ceiling Systems