ABOUT SUSPENDED CEILINGS

Suspended Ceilings, sometimes known as drop ceilings or dropped ceilings, are second ceilings installed below the main ceiling. They hide wiring, piping, and ductwork, into a void which is known as the plenum. An array of metal extrusions is hung on wires from the main ceiling. Ceiling panels or tiles rest on the grid. Light fittings or air vents may also be fitted into the grid. In addition to hiding pipework and cabling, drop ceilings can be used to provide acoustic absorbency, and to provide better heat insulation.

The leading suspended ceiling manufacturers, described below the panel of sponsored links, have comprehensive websites, with information on all aspects of suspended ceilings, including online catalogs, colours and materials for suspended ceilings, and care and maintenance of suspended ceilings.

SPONSORED LINKS

LEADING USA SUSPENDED CEILING MANUFACTURERS

Armstrong: Suspended Ceilings. Armstrong is a leading maker of ceilings, flooring, and cabinets, including suspended ceilings. Suspended ceilings usually require a drop of no less than three inches from the main ceiling. They can be used to lower or level an existing ceiling, and to provide ready access to cabling or pipework above the ceiling. They can also be used for recessed lighting. Armstrong manufactures a wide range of mineral fiber ceiling tiles for fitting into drop ceilings. They are supplied in patterned, smooth, and textured designs, and in a variety of colors including copper finish metal.

CertainTeed: Suspended Ceilings. CertainTeed, a subsidiary of Saint Gobain, is headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. It has around 9,000 employees, and 70 manufacturing plants throughout the USA. It is a leading US manufacturer of building products, including suspended ceilings. Its wider product range includes residential and commercial roofing, vinyl and fiber cement siding, vinyl and composite decking, railing and fencing, vinyl windows, insulation, pipe, and foundations. Its suspended ceiling panels are available in a wide range of patterns, suitable for homes and offices.

USG: Suspended Ceilings. USG, based in Chicago, has been a manufacturer of building materials for more than 100 years. It was the inventor of wallboard, and of the mineral wool ceiling tile. USG manufactures a wide range of drop ceilings. Its website has an online selector for suspended ceilings, comrising eight parts: Performance Selector, Texture Selector, Perimeter Options Selector, Grids & Edges Selector, Standard Color Program, Advantage Color Program, Metal Finishes, and Metal Perforations. There is a part of the website with information on Mold and Moisture Solutions.

USEFUL LINKS RELEVANT TO SUSPENDED CEILINGS

Association of Walls and Ceilings Industries

Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association

National Insulation Association

Acoustical Society of America

European Insulation Manufacturers Association

CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT DIRECTORIES

We recommend the following professional construction directories, which include standard specifications, manufacturers' specs, and CAD details: 4Specs at www.4specs.com, Arcat at www.arcat.com, Arcom at www.arcomnet.com, Reed at www.reedfirstsource.com, Sweets at www.sweets.construction.com.

________________________________________________________________

Ceiling Product Guides: Acoustic Ceiling Tiles, Ceiling Panels, Crown Moldings, Drop Ceilings, Suspended Ceilings, Tin Ceilings.

Other recommended portals: Archbone, Building Design, Homeone Australia, Lighting Directory, Sapling, Stone Network.

Publisher: Abacus Construction Index is a professionally edited directory of recommended construction websites, published by Extonet Ltd. It is financed only by Google advertising; no payment is received from included websites.