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Suspended Ceilings
Whether you are building a new home or remodeling,
suspended ceilings today offer
more than
just the white, rectangular panels
of years
past. Today, these ceilings,
which offer
access to pipes, cables and ducts
without
having to tear up a ceiling,
come in a variety
of colors, textures and acoustical
abilities
besides offering protection against
moisture
and mold. Found in rooms besides
basements
and garages, they can be flush
mounted for
a seamless ceiling look, or custom
made in
curves and domes for a stylish
appearance.
Here are some suggestions on how to pick
the right suspended ceiling:
- To add interest to the ceiling, consider
installing panels with a decorative design.
Panels come looking like stucco, pebbled
surfaces, and sculptured plaster with swirls,
leaves and rosettes to give a look of by-gone,
fashionable homes.
- If you like the look of a tin ceiling, consider actual tin or metal panels. There
are plastic panels in a variety of designs
similar to tin that let you paint them to
match the decor of the room.
- Wooden panels, available in a variety of
woods and designs much like the wood tiles
put on a floor, give a warm, pleasing look
to the room.
- Although white panels are popular because
they reflect light and make a room brighter,
you can choose panels with a shinny finish,
and the holding grid channels made from polished
brass or chrome to lighten the room.
- To help with lighting, consider installing
drop-in lights.
Not all ceiling panels are acoustical. Generally,
the thicker and denser the panel, the better
the sound deadening ability. But check the
specifications of the panels you choose so
you get what you want. The same is true for
the moisture/mold resistance qualities of
the panels and whether the panels can be
washed. |
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