False Ceiling is a secondary ceiling hung below the main structural ceiling. False ceiling can also be referred to as a drop ceiling, T-bar ceiling, suspended ceiling, grid ceiling, drop in ceiling, drop out ceiling, or ceiling tiles.

False ceiling has become an essential design feature in modern construction and architecture for both residential and commercial applications for the benefits they provide.

Weather home owners are planning a renovation or interiors for new house, a home with false ceiling will have will look incomplete. False ceiling adds to the aesthetic appeal of the house but also of a room too. False ceiling also helps enhance the room with better lighting with trendy LED’s. Not only this false ceiling help conceal wires, plumbing, air conditioning ducts and also water sprinklers in fire-proof homes and commercial areas.

For trendy homes and interiors home owners can choose from various designs of false ceiling like –

1) The standard Rectangular false ceiling
2) Curve False Ceiling
3) Rafters False Ceiling

False Ceiling Designs

1) The standard Rectangular false ceiling

This false ceiling cer commonly done and preffered by most home owners. This false criling us either rectangular or square depenfing on room size. Usually Strip LED lights or Cove lights are installed to highlight or enhance the room. As i said earlier Rectangular False Ceiling is the most preffered cause (i) it is very economical as compared to other false ceiling design (ii) can be made and installed faster then the rest and lastly, (iii) no issues relating size imperfection or installation unlike others.

2) Curve False Ceiling

Curved false ceiling turns out to be one of the expensive false ceiling design. This is because a lot of care needs to be taken while creating the curve and maintaining the size uniformity too. An inch here and there can ruin the false ceiling appearance.

Another reason why curved false ceiling is an expensive affair is because 2 layers of false ceiling need to be created to have a curvatious false ceiling. The first ceiling layeris the standard Rectangular false ceiling while the second layer is the curved ceiling layer as per final drawings/ design. For rectangular false ceiling too, 2 layers of false ceiling needs to be done but most of them prefer having one layer only. Here a side slab is made. This saves on both cost and time to make the ceiling.

3) Rafters False Ceiling

Rafters False Ceiling are the Wooden False Ceiling. Here the wood used is not the original wood. Its just that the POP or Gypsum is painted to give the panel or area a wooden effect. If original wood was used the false ceiling would turn out to be highly expensive.

The material used for False ceiling is usually GYPSUM. And the thickness maintained is 18″ for false ceiling.

False Ceiling Cost and Color

Ceilings be it False Ceiling or original ceiling, it is usually painted in White. There are time where the client prefers colors. But we definately suggest our clients and Home Owners to avoid Dark colours for Ceiling. Dark colored ceilings make the room look smaller and sometimes bold.

There are no standard cost chart followed since the costing for each type of false ceiling will vary with Material used & Size.

(Updated on 04-Feb-2023 by Nitin, founder of Contractorbhai.com)

POP means plaster of Paris. This is old style material for doing false ceilings. Starting point for creating a false ceiling using POP is POP in powder form. POP comes in a gunny bag.

Gypsum sheets are a new way of doing False ceilings. Sheets are readily available. You can create framing & apply sheets. Work is much faster compared to POP false ceiling.

Gypsum sheet allows you to do work faster with consistent results, as these sheets are manufactured in factories using high end machines.

Modern designs
In today’s time people love modern design. Modern design means minimal design, no classical floral type designs. In recent years homeowners are opting for simple false ceiling designs with straight lines. This looks easy on the eye for a lifetime. It requires less cleaning.

Purpose of False ceiling THEN
In olden days houses had very high ceilings. Height inside the room was very good. In this situation the false ceiling done at feet below the true ceiling reduced the volume of the room. Thus air conditioning cooling or heater usage became more efficient. You would pay less electricity bills.

Purpose of False ceiling NOW
Nowadays building apartments do not have too much height. Many buildings have flats with just 9 feet height. In such a situation you should ask the contractor to do the ceiling with minimum distance from the true ceiling. Just enough to cover wiring and other electrical framing. Max 6-9 inches.. If your house height is even lower, do not go for a false ceiling. Open space is more precious than visibility of electrical wiring..

Water Leakage
If your house or any room has a water leakage issue, first fix this before you do a false ceiling. Any water contact to the false ceiling will eventually damage the ceiling.

Aluminum/Metal sections
Metal frame is first created inside the ceiling. On this Gypsum sheet layer is fixed. It really doesn’t matter what brand metal sections are used. Because it will hardly come in contact with anyone. It will last 15 or more years. It doesn’t really matter.

Partition
If you are creating partitions with gypsum boards, sections need to be of good quality for better strength.

Screws
Avoid ms screws. If possible, ask the contractor to use stainless steel screws.

Plan design before ceiling
Your contractor should have clear planning of where & which lights are to be used. Where fan will be hanged. If there are any chandeliers. If there are any other points to take care. All this should be known accurately before the ceiling is prepared. Hooks for hanging go on the main ceiling, so if you are not sure about the fan hanging location or may change after a few years, it is advisable to keep the hook at two different locations because once ceiling is made, it is not possible to shift the hook.

PVC ceiling in bathroom
Never do gypsum/POP ceilings inside the bathroom. Go for the PVC ceiling.

Ducting for wires
Wires hidden behind the false ceiling should still be inside ducts. This allows easy maintenance and also increases safety.