A suspended ceiling, or dropped ceiling, ordinarily takes the shape of a matrix of aluminum supports with rectangular or square tiles placed between them, which is hung below the roof or next floor to give an area for ventilation, cabling and water lines, and to establish an appealing look and feel without noticeable mess.
The suspended ceiling was conceived in 1958 by an American called Donald Brown and it has altered little since. Suspended ceilings are generally seldom found in domestic situations, but they are often found in office and industrial facilities where building construction techniques are different and a lot of utilities including HVAC, loudspeakers and fire detection are utilised.
Suspended ceiling systems usually are not without downsides, nevertheless, and can become ugly after several years of being installed. Regularly, the panels can become discoloured due to tobacco smoke or rain water leaks. Panels can sag downwards, or repeated removal and replacement for maintenance may end up in the edges and corners of the panels becoming broken. Once the layout of the space demands changes, suspended ceilings can be modified to match the new design but this is frequently performed amateurishly by basic building contractors and may end up in a inadequate overall look. In humid environments including swimming pools, mildew could become a concern if left without treatment.
Stretch ceilings can be a new development that may be a superior option to suspended ceilings in many cases.
A stretch ceiling is a PVC sheet which is attached at all sides to the wall surfaces and placed under tension such that it becomes smooth. A stretch ceiling has many of the advantages of a suspended ceiling, in terms of covering up ugly roof beams or old plaster, but gives you a more eye-catching finish and neater installation around columns and other unusual features. The ceiling may also be arched or curved to take advantage of the space available, and may be supplied in a range of shades and even illuminated from above by coloured lighting. They are also immune to mold and mildew because water just flows off them, which makes them suitable for use in damp environments.
Stretch ceilings are an interesting modern alternative to traditional suspended ceilings and are increasing in popularity.