The Benefits Of Using Suspended Ceiling

Suspended ceilings are used in many different types of buildings, most popularly found in offices and other communal spaces. They have multiple advantages in terms of functionality and add a smooth finish to any room. Within this guide, we will be taking a look at the main benefits of using suspended ceilings. 

What Is A Suspended Ceiling?

Suspended ceilings (commonly referred to as dropped ceilings or false ceilings) are formed by installing a gridwork frame full of individual tiles. On completion, this creates a suspended ceiling – resulting in a finished look that’s modern, clean and stylish for all types of buildings.

While typically used in structures such as schools, hospitals, offices, industrial units and retail units, suspended ceilings are growing increasingly popular within domestic settings, too.

The Benefits Of Suspended Ceilings

Suspended ceilings completely hide and conceal any pipework, wires and electrics that may otherwise be on show, which is why they’re so common in large and busy business settings. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of this type of ceiling.

Improved Acoustic Performance

A suspended ceiling not only acts as an effective sound barrier to stop sound travelling between floors - you can also employ sound-absorbing tiles to efficiently improve the general acoustics of a space. Rooms such as offices and meeting areas will especially benefit from the tile’s sound absorption, helping to prevent echoes within the environment and reduce distractions – both of which may help to improve worker’s productivity.

Easy Access

One of the most practical advantages to a suspended ceiling is the easy access it provides. Not only do the ceiling’s tiles hide and conceal pipes and electrical systems, but they also offer a convenient entry point to them – ideal for businesses that depend on regular checks to be carried out on utilities.

Likewise, domestic spaces will benefit from having such easy access when it comes to electric or pipework repairs. Suspended ceiling tiles can be removed and dropped back into place without the need for any tools or special skills to be used, which is what makes them so versatile.

Insulation

An attractive benefit of a suspended ceiling is its energy efficiency. Suspended ceilings reduce the ceiling height of a room, which reduces the amount of air that’s lost to the top of the ceiling – effectively trapping the warm air that surrounds the room. This not only creates a more energy efficient area but can also result in lower energy bills.

Varied Design

As opposed to a traditional, standard ceiling design, suspended ceilings provide the opportunity for you to be flexible when choosing a style. Available in multiple different patterns, colours and materials, suspended ceiling tiles have a great variety of designs, allowing you to choose one that best suits the rest of the building.

Safety Standards

Fire-rated ceilings are required for spaces like corridors and fire escapes. Fire-rated ceilings are tested by manufacturers to ensure they retain their structural integrity for a specific set period of time, generally 30 or 60 minutes, to test how successfully the ceiling can hold back the fire. Most suspended ceiling tiles are designed with these safety requirements in mind.

Bright Lighting

With so many colours and designs to choose from, suspended ceilings make it easy to brighten up any space. After all, the quality of light within a room contributes to not only its look, but the mood of those in it. With this in mind, it’s important to pick panels that are going to best reflect the light.

Particularly relevant in workspaces, a room with poor or dimmed lighting can result in headaches and fatigue, which is why good lighting can lead to better productivity and improved comfort for workers. Opting for brighter tiles can also make the space look bigger, with ceilings that possess a high light reflectance returning up to 90% of the light back into the space.

Suspended ceilings have been around for many years, but their popularity continues to rise. With so many practical features at your disposal, opting for this type of ceiling is a wise move to make.