FALSE CEILING

Prepared by,

Ar.Krithika R,
SAID, SRMIST, KTR Campus
 A false ceiling is a ceiling made beneath the main
ceiling of the room or building. In other words, it is a
second layer of roof suspended from the main roof
with the help of metal or wooden frame. It is also
known as dropped ceiling.

False ceiling has multiple advantages. It improves the

INTRODUCTION aesthetics of the room. False ceiling is provided to
keep the room cool during summer and warm in
winter.

It is also provided to conceal the ugly mesh of

electrical wires, light fixtures, air-conditioning ducts
and other fixtures.
Types of false ceiling (based on
material)
Advantages of false ceiling:

wooden ceilings
A ceiling helps cool the room. When the height of the
room is too much, providing a ceiling helps to reduce the
height.
Gypsum ceilings "Reducing the height also helps in reducing the capacity
of the air-conditioner ,covering the upper area also has
the multiple advantages such concealing the wiring,
lighting fixtures, air-conditioning ducts, security cameras,
Thermocol ceilings and other fixtures.
The ceiling also acts as an attractive base for all kinds of
decorative electric lights and fans. These apart, a ceiling
Metal / fibre ceiling helps eliminate echo in the room. In bathroom, ceilings
can be provided to hide the pipes or any other fittings
above.
PVC ceiling
etc
Disadvantages of false ceiling:
One disadvantage with this ceiling system is reduced headroom. Clearance is required between the grid and
any pipes or ductwork above to install the ceiling tiles and light fixtures. In general, a minimum clearance of 100
to 200 millimetres (4 to 8 in) is often needed between the lowest obstruction and the level of the ceiling grid.

A direct-mount grid may work for those who want the convenience of a dropped ceiling, but have limited
headroom. Stretch ceiling supports require less than one inch of vertical space, and no space is required for tiles
to be lifted out with a stretch ceiling, but a greater clearance space may be chosen to allow room for MEC or for
aesthetic reasons.

Dropped ceilings generally conceal many of the functional and structural elements of a building, creating an
aesthetic paradigm that discourages the use of functional building systems as aesthetic design elements.

Concealing these elements makes the complexity of today's advanced building technologies more difficult to
appreciate. It is also more difficult to perform maintenance on or diagnose problems with the concealed systems.

As a renovation tool, dropped ceilings are a quick and inexpensive way to repair a ceiling or reduce HVAC
costs. Some materials may show their age quickly— for example, mineral fiber sags, is damaged easily when
handled, and stains easily, but stretch ceiling, tin and vinyl do not have these characteristics.
 ELEMENTS
A SUSPENDED CEILING OF OF
SYSTEM CONSISTS A 3FALSE CEILING
PARTS:
▪ P RIMARY MEMBERS
▪ S ECONDARY MEMBERS AND
▪ M AIN CEILING M ATERIAL OR TILES (E.G.
ACOUSTIC BOARDS, CLOTH ETC.)

THESE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY MEMBERS ARE CALLED

THE STRUCTURAL MEMBERS AND FORM THE FRAMEWORK ON
WHICH THE BOARDS, LIGHTING FIXTURES, A . C DUCTS ETC. ARE
FIXED. THE DIAGRAM BELOW DEPICTS ALL THE IMPORTANT
PARTS OF A FALSE CEILING (SUSPENDED CEILING) SYSTEM:
I) MAIN RUNNERS
2) SECONDARY MEMBERS
3) PERIMETER SECTION
4) HANGING MEMBER
5) tile
Suspended ceilings are created using metal grid systems, which are suspended below the ceiling or
TYPES OF FALSE CEILING SYSTEM
roof deck using a series of wires. the grid filled in with ceiling tiles, which are primarily made from
mineral blends. depending up on the appearance a n d visibility of the false ceilings are classified in to
two types. they are -
• EXPOSED GRID Exposed grid varieties are the
• CONCEALED GRID most c om m on type of
suspended ceiling. They
consist of long metal strips,
called "mains," which are
interconnected with shorter
EXPOSED GRID metal pieces known as "tees
together, the mains a n d tees
A system where the grid is form a grid system ,which
visible a n d into which panels are then filled with
are laid. acoustical ceiling tiles.
The grid is finished in colors to Exposed grid suspended
ceiling systems can
harmonise or contrast with
contribute to passive fire
the panels is known as protection. The system is
exposed grid type ceiling. rapid to install a n d c a n
provide a high degree of
access to the ceiling void.
Exposed grid varieties are the most c o m m on
type of suspended ceiling. They consist of long
metal strips, called "mains," which are
interconnected with shorter metal pieces
known as "tees together, the mains an d tees
form a grid system ,which are then filled with
acoustical ceiling tiles. Exposed grid
suspended ceiling systems c a n contribute to
passive fire protection. The system is rapid to
install a n d c a n provide a high degree of
access to the ceiling void.
M A I N TEE CROSS TEE HANGERS
The m ain runners shall be Cross tees that are
installed so that they are supported by either
level. levelling shall be done main runners or other
with the supporting hangers cross tees shall be
taut to prevent any installed so that fr o m a
subsequent download right a n g l e with the
m ovement when the ceiling interesting runner.
l oads are applied Where hangers wires pass through
main runners, the loops shall be sharply
Cross tees over 6 0 0 m m
bent and tightly wrapped to prevent
l o n g which a re c u t
vertical movement of the runner within
a n d rest o n the w a l l
the loop.
a n gl e shall be
supported by an WALL ANGLE
additional hanger.
Wall angle shall be neatly jointed at
external and internal angles.
All wall angle shall be firmly fixed at
the specified centres to the perimeter
wall or other structure.
▪ CONCEALED GRID SYSTEMS
concealed grid systems use the
acoustical tiles to hide the grid system
from view. this creates a smooth,
clean which is aesthetically pleasing.
the tile used has a small groove built
into it's perimeter, which slides over the
mains a n d tees to cover them.
▪ various metal a n d a few kinds of 🞂intermediate channel
perimeter
🞂 channel is
pop ceilings come under this fixed al ong the acts as basic
category this type is more expensive periphery of false skeleton to hold the
than a n exposed system. ceiling area. the suspended ceiling
▪ this kind of false ceiling perimeter channel is system.
fixed to wall with help intermediate sections
system is difficult for
of screw fit into the hole made
maintenance to access .
areas above the ceiling. in the main t-
sections.
▪ figures showing sections of the
concealed grid ceilings
 Middle Panel - the t w o images show
h o w the middle panels have 2
different types o f grooves m a d e
T-SECTIONS FITTING DETAILS - First for fitting. g ro ove o n one side is c u t
perimeter sections a r e installed a n d in l shape to push the panel while
M ain t-section holds then the hanging m ain t-sections are inserting a n d then getting o the
intermediate t-section with the installed with the help o f hanging clips original position creating a l ock
Soffit cleat is used t o
help o f connecting clip. a n d then intermediate t- sections a r e system.
h ol d the hanging
Hanging clip is used for clip vertically in installed forming the grid fram ew ork .
hanging the m ain t-section position which holds
a n d has adjustable length. the hanging m ain t-
section. soffit cl eat is
fixed to ceiling with
help o f fasteners;

these t w o panels show h o w side

panels are fixed having a gr oov e
o n o ne side a n d having plain
edge o n w al l side after it is fixed in
position a springing clip is installed
which pushes the panel creating a
l o c k system.
 FALSE CEILING
TYPES OF MATERIAL
G Y P S U M FALSE CEILING MATERIAL-
gypsum is a soft gyp boards are plain cost effective plasterboards for
standard performance and used as best substrate
lightweight hydrated sulfate of where seamless finish is required.
calcium. it is a popular
material for false ceiling SIZES AND CONFIGURATION-
because of its:. gyp boards are available in various thicknesses of 9.5
• it is hung from a n iron mm,12.5 mm,15 mm etc. and are available in
repective sizes 1219mm by 1829mm (2ft by 3ft) and
framework to build a false Advantages :- 1219mm by 2438mm (2ft by 4ft).
ceiling. its tapered edges makes • Thermal & sound
it possible to join boards more insulation, lightweight
easily ith good finishes. resistance properties
• it is available naturally in • easy to install but
shades of brown, white red also cheaper
yellow a n d grey. also as • best for home interiors
colorless material. • available in different
• gypsum is quite flexible a n d thickness a n d sizes.
c a n easily provide different • it can give fire
shape a n d texture options- protection up to 2
plain, carved, stepped, and hours
coffered. identification-
-grey face paper
-brown reverse side paper
Perimeter channel- C OMPONENT S O F G Y P S U M FALSE CEILING-
perimeter channel is a n aluminium
channel which is usually fixed to wall Intermediate channel-
around perimeter of ceiling with the intermediate channels are
help of dry wall screws. provided to provide support to
the grid framework for panel
Hanging wire – installation a n d also it holds the
hanging wire or section fitted with ceiling section by connecting
bracket is used to hold the intermediate clip
channel . .
Ceiling section –
ceiling sections are the
sections on which the
gypsum boards are
bolted or screwed
.

Connecting clip-
this connecting clip is used
to connect the ceiling
sections and the
intermediate channels .
step 1-
first the perimeter
channel is screwedFIXING
on MEATHOD O F FALSE
the wall at the level of
CEILING -
the false ceiling a n d it
should be ensured that
the level of the perimeter
channel is equal from
the actual ceiling height
on al l four
sides .

step 2 -
then the hanging wire is attached to ceiling with the help of
soffit cleat a n d then intermediate channels
are attached to hanging wires a n d it should be confirmed
that the level of the hanging wire a n d itermedite
channel is uniform a n d aligns with that of perimeter
channel .after this ceiling section is locked with intermediate
channel with the help of connection clip forming the basic
frame work for panel installation.
COMPONENTS O F GYPSUM FALSE
CEILING-
fasteners –
fasteners are the nuts a n d bolts a n d
are used for attaching soffit cleat to the
ceiling .

dry wall screws-

dry wall screws are used to screw the
perimeter channel to the wall .

soffit cleat-
soffit cleat is used to connect the
hanging wire to the ceiling it is usually
attached to the ceiling with the help of
fasteners a n d is
connected to the hanging wire via metal to
metal screws .
FIXING METHOD O F FALSE CEILING -
step 3 -
after the grid is formed the
frame work is ready for
pannel installation. the upper
image shows how the grids
a n d the framework made for
panel installation looks like.

now the gypsum panels of

fixed sizes are taken a n d
simply screwed to the ceiling
sections forming the surface
of false ceiling.
 FIXING MEATHOD O F FALSE CEILING -
DETAILS -
the two images on the right
shows the sectional perspective
a n d isometric views of the false
ceiling with panel installed.

while the image on the bottom

left shows the 2d sectional detail
of the gypsum board fixation
on the ceiling section and
fixation of perimeter channel.
FIXING MEATHOD O F FALSE CEILING -
finishing-
after the gypsum board panels are installed
,the joints at the coner ,the sides of the wall
and between the gypsum panels are
covered wih a tape and the plastered
with p.o.p.
to give a more finished look the whole
gypsum board is coated with p.o.p several
times .

if there are a n y cutouts for lights within

the panels these cutout are covered with
edge beads so that there is no damage to
gypsum board in future from the exposed
edges.
SOME
EXAMPLES-
POP FALSE CEILING
plaster of paris (pop) is
a m o n g the most popular material
used in a variety of commercial as
well as residential roofing applications.
pop is basically gypsum sans its water
content (created by heating gypsum
to a temperature when water
evaporates) available in
powdered form. Advantages :-
• pop false ceilings are in various maintenance free a n d highly durable besides
designs a n d gives different finishes good insulators of cold a n d heat.
different shapes. it hardens when water is added a n d makes for a
• false ceiling besides imparting good ceiling material.
aesthetic appeal, is also very this versatile material suits modern homes the
functional. modern buildings, best where warm cove lighting brightens the
especially, malls, hospitals, a n d also house.
residential buildings have developed
the concept of false ceiling Disadvantages :-
the m a j o r drawback of pop is its tendency to
crack overtime.
 POP CONSTRUCTION :-
TO CONSTRUCT POP FALSE CEILING SOME FASTENER FIX ON
CEILING
IMPORTANT THINGS ARE :
L section
main section/c or u section cross L-S E C T I O N H A N G
section THR OUGH FASTENER

gypsum screw
chicken mesh
plaster of paris (pop) U OR C SECTION
electrical fixtures color C H A N N E L F I X WITH L-
S E C T I O N B Y SCREW
paint

CROSS SECTION BOLTED

WITH C-S E C T I O N
THROUGH BLACK
C O L O R G Y P S U M SCREW

L- SECTION FASTENER FASTNER E L E C T R I C A L WORK

CHICKEN MESH

U OR C SECTION CROSS SECTION GYPSUM SCREW

 FIXING OF L- SECTION WITH
CEILING HELP OF
CHICKEN MESH FASTENER

CROSS SECTION HANGING POP LAYERING

 COMPARISON OF P.O.P & GYPSUM CEILLING

P.O.P GYPSUM

• P.OP BOARD SIZE 2’ X 3’ • GYSPUM BOARD SIZE 3’ X 6’

• MORE JOINT • LESSER JOINT THAN P.O.P CEILLING
• LESSER ON COST • COSTLIER INSTOLATION THAN P.O.P
• REQUIRES MORE CHANNEL • LESS CHANNEL THAN P.O.P
• PERSQFT IS 30 TO 35 RS. • PER SQFT IS 35 TO 40 RS.
• HEAVIER THAN GYPSUM • LIGHTER THAN P.O.P
• SHORTER LIFE SPAM • LONG LASTING THAN P.O.P
• POSSIBLILITY OF CRAKE IS MORE • POSSIBILITY OF CRAKES IS LESS
• CUTTING IS HARD THAN GYPSUM • CUTTING EASIER THAN P.O.P
• HAS LESS STRENGTH THAN GYPSUM • HAS MORE STRENGTH THAN P.O.P
GYPTONE FALSE CEILING
these are the small panels which c a n be
:-

perforated or non perforated plasterboard.

these are mainly for silent or peace
environment required such as office, auditorium
and hospitals etc.
advantages :-
easy to maintain and have long
life span.
sound insulator also heat insulator.
disadvantages :-
• a little heavy
• it c a n fall a n d want high maintenance
WOODEN FALSE CEILING
WOODEN FALSE
W o o d besides being a light weight material, also has its own texture a n d pattern. wooden

viewers eyes. CEILING :-

false ceiling is used very commonly these days a n d have a very pleasant impact to the

• hollow wooden blocks or panels or boards c a n be used to make a wooden false ceiling.
• wooden blocks c a n be easily installed even with the help of nails a n d screws..

advantages :-
• they are most suitable for the cold climates.
• they c a n be colored and available in different
shades.

disadvantages :-
• they are durable but are susceptible to
termite attacks a n d warping.
• more expansive panels because of their high
cost of the material a n d maintenance.
• heavy material a n d less fire resistance protect up to 2
hours.
 W O O L BOARD

MDF BOARD

BLOCK BOARD
PLY BOARD

Rustic pallet board

1)fixing the framework O
COMPONENTS directl
y to the FALSE
F WOODEN beamsCEILING
or ceiling
• start by fixing a wooden framework to act
as supporting structure directly to
the existing ceiling or roofing beams.
• fix the wooden supports with a spacing of 4 0
cm. the ceiling panels are then screwed to the
wooden framework.
2) fixing vertical struts to the
supports
• the next step is to decide o n the height of the
new ceiling.
• measure the desired height from the floor a n d
mark it off at the 4 corners.
• you c a n then use struts of the right
length to fix the false ceiling panels. fix the
struts to the supports o n the ceiling.
• 3) FIXING THE WALL
use a cord a n d a spirit level to mark off the
positions of the wall supports

•
o n the wall.SUPPORTS AND
the underside of the framework will then be
FRAMEWORK
horizontal. fix the wall supports to the wall
al ong the marked lines with plugs and

MEMBERS
screws, a n d then fix the framework members
at the same height to the bottoms of the struts.
all

4) apply the insulation

• the insulation panels are then fitted over
the framework members.
• if y o u have fitted the struts with spacings of 6 0 c m
y o u will be able to fixthe insulation panels without
the need to cut them to size.
5) fix the first row of
• screw the first ceiling panel to the left
ceiling
side
panels
against the wall, using
25 m m plasterboard screws with a
spacing between screws of 20
cm.
• al l ow a n 8 mm expansion gap
between the panel a n d the wall.
this g a p is later covered with a
finishing strip.

6) finishing the joints

• if y o u want to finish the joints between

the ceiling panels, make sure
they are cl ean a n d dust free.
• then fill the gaps with solution a n d
a putty knife.
• to finish the outer edges of the false ceiling neatly,
7) EDGING PROFILE
fix the finishing strips in place with construction
adhesive.
• put a few spots of adhesive o n the finishing
strip, press it into place
FIBER FALSE CEILING :-
it is also known as acoustic or sound proofing
ceiling for their sound a n d heat insulation properties
such as bitumen, tars, vegetable fiber, wo o d a n d
stone.
• because of the reinforcements, fiber
ceiling tiles acquire toughness, hardness.
• but it has a lack of aesthetic appeal so they are
not suitable for residential buildings.
• available in different shapes a n d sizes a n d patterns.
Advantages :-
• Resistance to fire making which makes it
suitable for the commercial applications in noisy
places such as shopping malls, retail showrooms
and offices.
• Low costly and ca be easily installed
• Sound absorption

Disadvantages:-
• Doesn’t have long life
• High maintenance require
M E TA L FALSE CEILING
METAL FALSE
metal such as aluminum a n d galvanized iron are widely used in false ceiling. this

CEILING
ceiling panels c a n be installed easily a n d require very littlie maintenance.
• also be removed easily a n :- d reinstalled which makes it ideal to water pipes, a c ducts an d
electric wires away from the public glare.
• c a n be finished in innovative ways
• available in different sizes a n d thickness for the different purposes of false ceiling.
• consumes very less labour.

advantages :-
▪ long durability
• fire a n d water resistance
• less maintenance

disadvantages :-
• expensive
• light reflectivity