False Ceiling: How to plan a false ceiling for your home

Introduction

False ceiling designs are all the hype lately. And, it would be apt to say that a good interior design project is considered incomplete without a proper false ceiling. While most people prefer to have a false ceiling for beautification, false ceilings can serve various other benefits too. These are available in different options and thus homeowners can select the right false ceiling design that resonates well with the other interior elements of the house.

What is a false ceiling?

A false ceiling is mainly the second ceiling of a house that is installed just below the actual ceiling. The false ceiling hangs about 8 inches from the actual ceiling with the help of metal or wooden suspensions. There can be some false ceilings where the entire actual ceiling gets covered and lowered from its original height. On the other hand, there can also be many such cases where some part of the actual ceiling is visible and the false ceiling is designed in different patterns.

Materials used for false ceiling

False ceilings are available in different materials from which you can choose the one that matches up well with your home interiors. Here are some of the most common materials used for false ceilings.

• Gypsum:
  Gypsum is a material that mainly has a base of calcium. These usually arrive in the form of boards and are white in color. So, once the pattern of the false ceiling design is decided, these Gypsum boards are cut out in the right shape, colored in the preferred shades, and then hung from the actual ceiling with the use of wooden or iron suspensions.

• Plaster of Paris:
  Plaster of Paris or most commonly known as PoP is the most commonly used false ceiling material for home interior designs currently. These are also the favorite of the designers because creating unique designs with them is very convenient. Most homeowners prefer to get a PoP false ceiling also as they are long-lasting and require lesser maintenance even in severe weather conditions.

• Wood:
  Apart from the above two materials, wood is also a great choice of material for the purpose of false ceilings. The natural look of wood offers a fantastic result when used in the right way. But usually, wooden false ceilings are not much used due to their expensive price tag and high maintenance required when compared to the above two options.

How much does it cost for a false ceiling?

It is always a good idea to estimate the cost of installing a false ceiling before actually starting the home interior project in your home. Here are some of the factors based on which the cost of a false ceiling can be determined.

• The False Ceiling Material:
  The very first factor that you need to check out is the material that you are using for the false ceiling. Wood is the most expensive false ceiling material available while the options of Gypsum and PoP are available in the same price range that is much lesser than wood.

• The Quality:
  Once you have decided upon the material, you will find that particular material is available in different options. Hence, you need to choose a particular quality of the material that you wish to use. Now again the higher is the quality, the higher will be the cost.

• The Design:
  The cost of the false ceiling will also depend upon the design that you are selecting. A complex design will demand hard work and extra dedication from the designers. So, it is quite obvious that complex designs will increase the cost of false ceilings.

• The Size:
  The size of the material to be used will again depend upon the design that you have selected. Thus, if the design is complex and covers the entire ceiling, then the cost will increase according to the size of the material as well as the designer’s cost.

• Other Costs:
  Apart from the cost of purchasing and designing the material, there can be several other factors that will determine the cost of the false ceiling installation. The lighting, finishing, and other factors should be taken into consideration so that you do not have to bear these costs later on.

Types of false ceiling designs

So, one of the eminent factors that impact the cost of a false ceiling is its design. There can be enormous design options available when you are about to start selecting the right false ceiling for your home. Here are some of the eminent options to go for.

Single Layered False Ceiling:

If you are aiming at keeping it simple, getting a single-layered false ceiling is a great idea. This can be very much used for the bedroom to keep the interior minimalist. If you are in favor of using wooden material, having a single-layered false ceiling designed in the form of planks can offer a great look.

Multiple Layered False Ceiling:

The option of multiple layered false ceilings goes great with the PoP material. These are a great option for bigger spaces where such false ceiling designs can create drama without making the room congested. You can combine different shapes or can make use of similar shapes for creating different layers. Usually, multiple layers are created to add lights in between that helps in enhancing the aesthetics of the room.

Plus Minus False Ceiling:

As the name suggests, it is a design where the whole actual ceiling is not covered with the false ceiling. Some places can be left open while some are covered. To have such a design, the most appropriate material is again PoP.

Coffered False Ceiling:

This is quite an unusual false ceiling design where squares are created bordered by wood with sunken ceilings in them. Some of the sunken ceilings can be plain while some of them can have beautiful carvings on them.

Floating False Ceiling:

Floating false ceilings have been trending very much lately. A particular shape from the gypsum material is cut out and then they are hung halfway in such way from the ceiling that they offer an illusion of floating. These are often used in the kid’s room in the form of clouds or other options.

False ceiling shapes

While PoP is the material that can be customized quite conveniently, there are materials such as gypsum that may also come in already customized shapes. Some of the shapes that can be available are here.

• Boxes:

The boxed shape is great for single-layered false ceiling designs. It adds the illusion of the actual walls being farther than the center of the room – so the overall room looks much bigger than it actually is.

• Peripheral:

The peripheral shape is used in case of offering a minimalistic look to the interior. These are great also for houses with already low ceilings.

• Geometric Shapes:

Geometric shapes such as triangles and circles are suspended with the help of metal or wooden suspensions from the actual ceiling and they offer a dramatic look to the interiors.

• Slats:

If you have chosen wooden material, you can install wooden slats to form your false ceiling.

• Inverted Cove:

If the ceiling of the house is quite high, this shape can help in bringing down the height and also offers great space for installing lights as well as chandeliers.

Advantages & Disadvantages of false ceiling

While false ceilings might sound fascinating, it is always a great idea to learn the advantages and disadvantages first.

Advantages of False Ceiling:

• False ceilings offer amazing layers to enhance the look of your home interior,
• It also helps in hiding away the wires and other items on the ceiling.
• In houses with higher ceilings, the false ceiling helps in lowering them,
• False ceilings are also great for the purpose of insulation.

Disadvantages of False Ceiling:

• False ceilings are not a great idea where the original ceiling is already low,
• You will require experts only who can create and install the false ceiling design with precision.

False ceiling for different rooms in a house

Having a false ceiling in different parts of the house is your own personal choice. But here are some of the options to go for.

• As the living room is the place where you greet your guests, having a false ceiling has become mandatory now.
• Having a multiple layered bedroom false ceiling can help in customizing the light options depending upon your mood throughout the day. 
• A false ceiling in a kid’s room is definitely a great option to beautify the room.
• The false ceiling in a kitchen offers you extra lighting as well as offers insulation. 
• The dining area always gets extra comfortable when the ceiling is lowered a bit using a false ceiling.
• Using the right false ceiling in the false room with a chandelier enhances the lighting of the room.

False ceiling FAQs

Q1. Why have a false ceiling?
Though it is a personal choice of an individual, false ceilings definitely have a number of benefits such as lowered ceilings, insulation, beautification, and others.

Q2. How long can my false ceiling last?
If maintained properly, a high-quality false ceiling can last even more than 20 years.

Q3. What changes does a false ceiling bring in lighting?
Having a false ceiling helps in getting different lighting options together, without getting the messy wires noticed so that you can use the right lights in a customized way as per your mood. Also, the installation of false ceilings is said to offer energy-efficient lighting solutions.