Types of ceilings

Walls
Ceiling
While most homes in Australia will be built with a conventional plasterboard ceiling, there are quite a few
different types of ceilings that exist for both decorative and functional purposes.

Dropped ceilings, for example, can be used to help conceal ventilation or electrical services, or an existing
ceiling that can't be modified for whatever reason.

Things like coffered ceilings and stretched ceilings open up decorative possibilities, and (space and budget
permitting) can help to very radically transform the way a room looks and feels.

A room's ceiling can also have a big impact on things like lighting design and the acoustic properties of a room
- both of which are important considerations for home theatre rooms, and for living areas in general.

Read on to find out more about the different types of ceiling options you can choose for different parts of your
home.

Coffered ceilings
Coffered ceilings consist of sunken panels, and are used for both decorative purposes and to give structural
strength.

Stretch ceilings
Stretch ceilings make use of stretched material (often PVC), and offer a great degree of flexibility and creative
freedom in terms of design.
Hollow-core slab ceilings
These types of ceilings offer excellent strength and are relatively lightweight, making them a popular choice in
muliti-storey homes.

Dropped ceilings
Commonly used in commercial and industrial buildings, dropped ceilings allow you to easily install extra
fittings, ducting and design elements.

Beam ceilings
Beam ceilings are a traditional style of ceiling in which load bearing beams are exposed on the inside of the
house.

Stretch ceilings
Stretch ceilings make use of stretched material (often PVC), and offer a great degree of flexibility and creative
freedom in terms of design.
Vermiculite ceiling (popcorn ceiling)
Vermiculite ceilings (also known as popcorn ceilings) were popular a few decades ago, and offered good
soundproofing and fireproofing.

Ceiling joists and beams

Most ceilings make use of joists and bearers (load bearing beams) to give the house strength and stability.