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The concealed ceiling grid system is one of the most popular ceilings used in modern buildings today. With its sleek, hidden feature, the ceiling grid can create a smooth, continuous surface while providing easy access for maintenance and repairs. There are several types of concealed ceilings that can be used in different construction types. This section will highlight the following types.
These are categorized based on what construction feature and style they serve.
This is the most common type of installed suspended ceiling. In this type, the main grid support is suspended from the building structure and the tiles or panels are placed within the grid perimeter. The main feature of a concealed grid ceiling is that the grid framework is hidden from view. Only the panels or tiles that provide the finished ceiling look can be seen. This type of ceiling is usually easy to install and is popular in commercial interiors such as offices, schools, hospitals, and retail stores.
A concealed grid drywall ceiling is common in areas where a frameless appearance is desirable, like in high-end residential or commercial spaces. This type of drywall ceiling grid is used with a suspension grid but is used to attach gypsum boards/drywall to the grid so only the drywall shows up in the finished ceiling. The grid is hidden between the drywall joints, giving the ceiling a smooth, seamless look. Concealed grid drywall ceilings allow designers to have different ceiling designs, like curves, cutouts, etc.
Acoustic ceilings are built to help reduce noise and enhance acoustical comfort in a variety of spaces. These ceilings have panels that have been specially designed with sound absorption properties to minimize echo and ambient noise. They are most commonly installed in schools, auditoriums, restaurants, and other commercial spaces where noise levels should be kept to a minimum. The concealed grid framework ensures the focus is on the acoustic performance while giving the ceiling a modern, sleek look.
Concealed grid track pop ceiling grids are designed to achieve a clean, modern aesthetic while providing accessibility features to the building systems, like HVAC or electrical wiring. In this kind of ceiling, the main grid framework is set into a track system that allows for easy panel removal and reinstallation. This makes them versatile and highly functional. They are ideal for use in commercial buildings like offices, hospitals, and schools where regular maintenance and access to the building's systems are crucial.
The design of a concealed ceiling grid system is key in determining the end result in functionality and aesthetic appeal. A designer must consider several factors when designing this system. These factors include material choice, grid configuration, and how to combine the overall design with the architecture of the building. These factors will be discussed in detail in this section.
The materials used to construct the grid and the ceiling panels or tiles play an important role in the system's performance, appearance, and longevity. Common materials used for the grid include steel, aluminum, and sometimes brass. Each of these materials has its advantages.
Steel has obvious benefits, as it’s strong and can be easily shaped into any configuration to fit the design. Aluminum is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for places that experience high moisture, like restrooms or swimming pools. Ceilings themselves can be made using different materials, like gypsum boards, fiberglass, metal, and acoustical tiles, to achieve different ceiling design effects.
The grid configuration will affect how the final installed ceiling looks and its ease of use. The concealed grid pattern/ design will determine how the ceiling grid will be suspended and how the tiles or panels will be supported. This is usually a square, rectangular, or geometric design. More custom grid configurations may be required for unique architectural styles. Acoustic Concealed Grid Ceilings require special, specific grid configurations to support sound-absorbent panels.
The design of the concealed ceiling grid should provide space for important building systems such as lighting, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical wiring. This is especially important for commercial interiors since these systems must be easily accessible for regular maintenance. Integrated lighting fixtures and other elements to achieve this without compromising the ceiling's aesthetic appeal will benefit this process.
While functionality is the main consideration during the ceiling grid design phase, aesthetics should also be considered, especially if the building is commercial. A modern concealed ceiling grid will make the overall interior design look more sophisticated. Different finishes and colors can be used on the grid and ceiling panels to match the building's design. Using bespoke or unique grid configurations can also help achieve a particular design style.
Every construction project involves a certain amount of "scrap and build" as new structures go up and old ones are demolished in the process. A concealed ceiling grid system has its own unique set of challenges and opportunities regarding the scrap and build. This section will discuss these.
As with any other structure in a building, the concealed ceiling grid will have to be carefully considered in the demolishing and building process. Destruction demolition involves removing all parts of the existing ceiling, including the existing ceiling grid, that will prevent the new construction from being put in place. Constructive demolition, on the other hand, involves keeping both the existing items and elements that could be useful in constructing the new building.
Just like with other systems, extracting existing concealed ceiling grids requires careful attention to detail. The extraction must be done to avoid damaging both the grid and the existing surfaces. For instance, a suspended concealed grid may be difficult to remove without damaging the drywall integration or the roof above.
The extracted material is often repurposed or reused in the same structure, which poses a problem if the ceiling grid is damaged in the extraction process. It also has to be timed as much as possible with the rest of the demolition and construction activities so it doesn’t negatively impact either of these processes.
One common purpose of demolition and parallel construction is to minimize waste and find ways to reuse as many materials as possible. Advanced planning and the option to use tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) can assist in identifying which materials can be salvaged and reused in the new construction and integrated into a new designed concealed ceiling grid system.
This can significantly reduce the impact of waste in the environment and also cut the costs of the construction project.
Collaboration with the design, demolition, and construction teams is critical to achieving ideal results when attempting to make both of these processes as cohesive as possible.
Communication between the architects and the contractors regarding the requirements and possibilities of the existing ceiling grids will help prevent destruction and waste and allow new elements to be integrated into the construction.
To ensure the right decision is made, the following factors should be considered.
The key purpose of the ceiling grid should be considered. Is it meant for purely aesthetic reasons, or does it need to provide access to mechanical items in the ceiling space? Hidden grids are better suited for high-end style applications. Tracks are better suited for areas where inspection and maintenance are regularly required.
This is particularly important if heavy items need to be mounted on the ceiling, such as light fixtures or HVAC diffusers. Ensure the selected grid is strong enough to support the proposed ceiling materials and the additional loads that will be placed on it.
Different types of ceilings have different sound characteristics. An acoustic ceiling or sound-masking tile is ideal if low noise levels are important in the space.
Budget is obviously going to be a very important deciding factor. Basic grid systems are much more affordable than custom-designed or imported ones.
Maintenance requirements regarding accessibility and cleaning should also be considered. This is particularly important for spaces like hospitals, offices, and schools, where easy and low-cost maintenance is often among the top considerations.
The ceiling grid system is integrated with the building's roof. Therefore, the underlying roof has to be considered during the selection process. Consulting with the roofing contractors will help avoid problems during construction and finish the project on time. Ensuring all systems work together will provide good insulation and lower energy bills.
A: It’s a suspended system of ceilings with a grid that’s hidden from the view to give a sleek and modern appeal. It helps provide an aesthetic appeal to the space while providing easy access for maintenance purposes.
A: Unlike other ceiling systems where the grid is suspended and easily visible, in the pop ceiling grid system, the grid remains hidden from view. This provides a continuous, upscale finish to the ceilings while providing utility.
A: It provides aesthetic appeal and superior acoustics, depending on the type of panels used.
A: They’re great for any interior space, whether residential or commercial, like offices, hospitals, schools, retail stores, restaurants, and more, where easy access and good acoustics are important.
A: Yes! Depending on the kind of materials used or types of panels incorporated, it can be customized to fit particular design styles or acoustical performance.
