CEILING

A Ceiling is an overhead surface that covers the upper limits of a room. It is not generally considered a
structural element, but a finished surface concealing the underside of the roof surface or the floor of a
story above.

TYPES OF CELINGS

The suspended ceiling; and

The non- suspended ceiling.

FUNCTIONS OF CELINGS

Define the limit height of the room: the ceiling gives a definite demarcation of the room from the top.

Support to fittings: the ceiling provides support to lighting fittings and ceiling fans.

Housing of services: the ceiling helps conceal services pipes, heating and cooling systems, which are
regarded as unsihtly features.

Fire resistance: the ceiling reduces the amount of heat transmission from the interior of the building (in
case of fire) to the timber and or steel roof members or suspended slab and beams.

Thermal insulation: the void created by the ceiling helps to regulate the transmission of heat from
weather to the inferior of the building.

Dust proof: the ceiling prevents the effect of dust penetrating through roofing sheet laps and other into
the building.

Sound insulation: depending on the type of materials used as the final finishing ceiling act as an insulator
for sound in the room.

Reducing in heating or cooling cost: by defining the limit of the room this reducing the volume of air in
the room, the ceiling helps in reducing the cost of heating or cooling room when the need arises

Appearance: The ceilings help in adding to the aesthetic of the interior of the room thus making the
room comfortably habitable.

Rain effect: in case of leakages on roof covering, the ceiling prevents the effect of direct dropping of
rainwater into the room.

FACTOR AFFECTING THE CHOICE OF CEILING CONSTRUCTION

It is an indisputable fact that the type of ceiling finish affects the construction and the factors that affect
the choice of ceiling construction include the following:

Activities to be carried out in the building: The activities to be carried out in the building do affect the
choice of ceiling thus affecting the construction. (e.g a room which is meant to be used as conference
room or music recording studio, where reverberation of sound produce will be detrimental to the
activities)