Ceilings...
Ceilings
can either of fixed construction or of
suspended
construction. Fixed
ceilings
are normally plasterboard attached to
timber floor joists.
Suspended
ceilings are normally
of
metal
frame (MF) construction.
This section contains the followings topics:
For information on Internal Partition Walls please click
here.
Timber
Joist Ceilings...
In most modern houses, the
ceiling
is constructed from plasterboard which is attached directly to
either the timber floor joists (on ground or middle floors) or to
timber
ceiling
joists (on top
floor) using screws. Typically the plasterboard is 12.5mm thick. The
plasterboard is then either finished with gypsum
Plastering
or
Taped and Jointed.
To meet Building Regulations and Customer requirements a layer of
sound insulation
can be inserted between the floor
joists to absorb sound transference between upstairs and downstairs
rooms. The sound insulation has the added advantages of improving the
thermal and fire performance of the
ceiling/floor.
Also see
Insulation
services offered by
Regency Construction.
In older houses, the
ceiling
may be constructed from wooden laths and then finished using a
lime plaster.
If required, a loft hatch can be fitted in the top floor
ceiling
to allow access to the loft.
Metal
Frame Ceilings - Resilient Bar...
The
simplest of the metal framed
ceilings
is the
Resilient
Bar system. The
Resilient Bar
is a specially
designed metal profile that partially isolates the plasterboard from
the building structure. The
Resilient
Bar reduces sound waves
directly transmitted through the
supporting timbers and can offer substantial improvements to the sound
insulation performance of new and existing timber framed
ceilings
without dramatically lowering
the height of the
ceiling.
One
edge of the
Resilient
Bar is
screwed to the timber framing and the plasterboard is then screwed to
the face of the
Resilient Bar. Typically
the
Resilient Bars are screwed
at 90 degrees to the timber frame structure at 600mm intervals and
sheets of plasterboard are screwed at 90 degrees to the
Resilient Bars.
Resilient
Bar
The
Resilient
Bar also has the added
advantage of helping to eliminate 'screw
popping' which is where plaster on the heads of screws is dislodged
when the timber supporting structure shrinks, twists or warps as they
dry out.
For
added sound insulation, a layer
of
sound insulation
can be inserted between the floor joists prior to installing the
Resilient Bars. This insulation will further reduce the sound
transference
between upstairs and downstairs rooms. The sound insulation has the
added advantages of improving the thermal and fire performance of the
ceiling/floor.
Also see
Insulation
services offered by Regency
Construction.
Suspended
Metal Frame
Ceilings...
Suspended
Metal Frame (MF) Ceilings
are commonly used where:
- The upper floor is of
concrete construction (e.g. flats,
apartments, warehouse conversions)
- Plumbing, Electrical and
Ventilation services need to be
accommodated between the floor and the ceiling
- Existing ceilings require
leveling
- The ceiling design has
several levels
Typically, a metal channel is attached to the perimeter walls of the
room where the
ceiling
is to be installed. Primary Support Channels are then installed over
the perimeter channel and supported at suitable interval from the floor
above by steel angles. A secondary
ceiling
channel is then attached at 90 degrees to the primary channel.
Plasterboard sheets are then screwed at 90 degrees to the ceiling
channel (See example below).

Example of
Suspended
Metal Frame (MF)
Ceiling
If
required,
Suspended
Metal Frame (MF) Ceilings
can also be supported from Timber Joists
To meet Building Regulations and Customer requirements a layer of
sound insulation
can be installed prior to plasterboarding to absorb sound transference
between upstairs and downstairs rooms. The sound insulation has the
added advantages of improving the thermal and fire performance of the
ceiling/floor.
Also see
Insulation
services offered by Regency
Construction.
If required, specially designed service openings and lighting can be
incorporated into the ceiling design.
Suspended
Metal Grid
Ceilings...
Suspended
Metal Grid Ceilings are
a light weight, pre-finish ceiling system.
Suspended
Metal Grid Ceilings offer
a more flexible approach to changing ceiling design and easier
to repair when damaged.
Suspended
Metal Grid Ceilings are
commonly used in offices, public buildings and communal areas of
apartments. The
Suspended
Metal Grid Ceiling system
allows
electrical, plumbing, ventilation and mechanical services to be
concealed between the
ceiling
and the structure above
. Suspended
Metal Grid Ceilings provide
sound attenuation and absorption
.
Ceiling
tiles come in a range of textures, patterned and perforated finishes.
Click
here
to see some of the
Ceiling
tile options available.
Example
of Metal Grid Ceiling
Typically, a shadow batten is fitted to the perimeter walls of
the
ceiling.
A wall angle is fitted to this batten. Metal sections known as
a Main T's are placed across the wall angle from one side of
the room to the other at 600mm centres. The Main T's are
suspended from the structure at 600mm internals by suspension wires.
Cross T's are then placed across the main T's at 600mm centres to form
a 600mm x 600mm grid.
Ceiling
Tiles are then inserted into the grid.
Using
the correct framing is is possible to form
Curved Ceilings. Curved
Ceilings are also known as
barrel or
vaulted ceilings.
Curved
Ceilings can be concave or
convex. Typically
Curved Ceilings
are constructed using metal studs but can be constructed in timber.
Typically the minimum radius is 600mm.

Construction of Metal Curved Ceiling.
Typically, for a metal frame construction, a curved perimeter channel
is fitted to the walls adjoining the
ceiling.
Curved
ceiling support channels are
then suspended from the structure above, typically at 1200mm centres.
Ceiling Sections
are then attached at 90 degrees to the
curved
ceiling
support channels. Plasterboard is then screwed onto the ceiling
sections.
To meet Building Regulations and Customer requirements a layer of
sound insulation
can be installed prior to plasterboarding to absorb sound transference
between upstairs and downstairs rooms. The sound insulation has the
added advantages of improving the thermal and fire performance of the
ceiling/floor.
Also see
Insulation
services offered by Regency
Construction.
Plasterboarding
and Tiling of Ceilings
Ceilings
can be covered in a variety of plasterboard
materials:
Click
here
to see examples of
Grid Ceilings
Tiles
available.
Stud
Partition Wall Work
Undertaken by Regency Construction
Ceiling
Work
Undertaken by Regency Construction includes:
- Ceilings
in new
builds, extensions and
conversions
- Re-boarding of existing ceilings
- Replacement tiling of
existing suspended
grid ceilings
- Repairs to ceilings - see Patching
- Timber
Joist Ceilings
- Metal
Frame Ceilings - Resilient Bar
- Suspended
Metal Frame
Ceilings
- Suspended
Metal Grid Ceilings
- Curved
Ceilings
- Plasterboarding
and Tiling of Ceilings
In addition to
Ceilings,
Regency Construction also offer
the following services to compliment the work:
Areas
covered by Regency
Construction
The
towns and cities covered by Regency Construction include: