Different Ceiling Styles and Finishes

Ceiling, the overhead surface or surfaces covering a room, and the underside of a floor or a roof. Ceilings are
often used to hide floor and roof construction. They have been favourite places for decoration from the
earliest times: either by painting the flat surface, by emphasizing the structural members of roof or floor, or by
treating it as a field for an overall pattern of relief.

Basic Ceiling Styles

Architects strive to give their clients unique, functional and aesthetically pleasing designs. The ceiling is one
great feature to do details on as its wide expanse draws one's attention to it. There are different ceiling styles
that were used and still being used today. Modern construction technology no longer requires decades to
construct magnificent ceilings.

Conventional ceiling - It is usually 2.40 metres high to fit standard construction material. The finishing is
usually drywall or plaster.

Suspended ceiling - It is also a type of conventional ceiling. The difference is that a suspended ceiling is flat
ceiling built under an existing ceiling.
 Cathedral ceiling - As the name implies, this is a sloping ceiling attached to the trusses of the roof up to the
ridge.

Shed ceiling - This type is similar to a cathedral ceiling but only one side is sloped. However the rise of the
ceiling is not as steep as the cathedral type.
 Vaulted ceiling - This type has an angle or arch that starts from the top of walls or columns to the ceiling for a
dramatic, high and spacious feel.

Tray ceilings- This type aims to resemble an upside down tray. The centre is flat with side sloping from the
walls.
Coved ceiling - This type is actually a flat ceiling that has rounded corners joining the ceiling and the wall.

Coffered ceiling
This ceiling type creates a waffle-like pattern since it’s made up of a grid of sunken panels accented by
moulding. It’s a classic ceiling style that is usually found in luxury and high-end homes. In the past,
coffered ceilings were works of art made with prized wood or carved stone, but now it is available for the
cost that of a suspended ceiling. Recessed lighting style with a chandelier in the centre works best with
this type.

Ceiling Building Materials

Wood

Wooden boards are commonly used for the general structure of a home, and are thus typically a component
of the ceiling. However, decorative planks are often used to cover the ceiling, as well. An entire ceiling may
be covered in planks, just like a wooden floor, or may have strategically placed planks to add interest to an
otherwise plain ceiling. Many types of decorative moulding are also made from wood.

Plaster and Plasterboard

Plaster is a traditional material for covering a ceiling that has been used for centuries. Creating a plaster
ceiling involves applying several layers of a plaster paste over strips of wood. It creates a smooth, hard,
attractive surface that is easily decorated with paints or more plaster. Plasterboard is made from a similar
material, but is cheaper and easier to install because it does not require waiting for several coats of plaster
to dry. Plasterboard is prefabricated into sheets that attach to the ceiling with screws or nails and then are
sealed.

Metal
Metal is often used as both a structural and decorative component in a ceiling. A drop or suspended ceiling
is a ceiling that hangs below a pre-existing ceiling and often hides unattractive features, such as pipes in a
basement, or to control sound in a noisy location, such as an office. These ceilings are typically composed of
wires and a metal grid that holds ceiling tiles. However, metal is also used as a decorative covering for a
ceiling, usually found in embossed tiles or sheets.

Tiles

Ceiling tiles are different from floor or wall tiles in that weight is an issue when decorating a ceiling. Ceiling
tiles are lightweight and made from a wide variety of materials, such as plastic, metal, fiberglass, mineral
fiber, wood fiber, vinyl-coated gypsum and even cork. Most tiles are designed for installation in a suspended
ceiling system, though some are designed to stick to a ceiling and are ideal for decorating a plain ceiling that
is in good condition. Along with their decorative purpose, ceiling tiles are often designed to control noise
levels in a room.

TYPES OF CEILING TEXTURES

1. Sheetrock Ceiling Texture

This is drywall ceiling texture type has been famous since 1917. It is a rough texture that can give an
artistic look to your ceiling. Instead of using spray paint, this texture can be achieved by using a hand
technique without any special brushes. It can go well into any kind of room whether it is designed in
modern style with elegant wallpaper or filled with wooden furniture just like a farmhouse style room.
 2. Crows Foot Ceiling Texture

You will need a stipple brush to be able to make the crows foot ceiling texture. This texture is usually a
two-man job because it needs someone to apply the stipple brush pattern while the other one applies the
mud in the other sections.

3. Stipple Brush Ceiling Texture

This ceiling texture requires more skill because it can be quite challenging. You can create this texture by
using a roller and slap brush. It is not a smooth type of texture, therefore, you can use it to cover
imperfections on your ceilings such as holes, giving more attention to the texture.
 4. Swirl Ceiling Texture

To create this ceiling texture, you can use either a roller or sprayer. You can also do a technique called
basic swirl method by using a trowel. This ceiling texture requires a lot of patience and the swirls will
depend on the tool you will be using. The challenging part of applying this texture is that you need to
create the pattern before the mud dries out. If you have a wide ceiling surface, you might want to get a
hand from another person.

5. Hawk and Trowel Ceiling Texture

As the name suggests, you will need a hawk and trowel to achieve this ceiling texture. It is also a drywall
ceiling texture that is not smooth. It can give your ceiling a dramatic impact. This texture is simple to
create and it also does not require a high amount of skill, unlike the other previous ceiling textures.

6. Orange Peel Ceiling Texture

This ceiling texture is called orange peel because it resembles an orange skin but sometimes it is also
called an eggshell ceiling texture. To create this texture, you will need to apply thin mud to the ceiling by
using a spray gun set at high pressure. This is a great ceiling texture that can add a more artistic ambiance
to a room.

7. Smooth Ceiling Texture

This texture is most people’s favourite because it’s cheaper and it does not require a high skill. Aside from
that, it can also give a consistent look to your room compared to other textures. A smooth ceiling texture
is also easier to remove if ever you will do some renovations and it is pretty easy to apply as well. This
ceiling texture is also great for any room in any style.

8. Stomp Ceiling Texture

Stomp ceiling texture is applied by using a roller and a stomp brush. To achieve the right texture, you will
need a drywall joint compound thinned to a paintable consistency with water.

9. Tree Bark Ceiling Texture

This ceiling texture resembles the tree bark look. It can be created by using a heavy roller. This is a simple
but artistic texture that can draw attention more to your ceiling.

10.Skip Trowel Ceiling Texture

This drywall finish is probably the most known among the other types of textures. It is used as a plaster
and plasterer’s tool to produce the texture. You can apply this ceiling texture by hand using a trowel. Dip it
in joint compound then drag it gently across the ceiling. The compound will cover most of the surface but
not the entire area, resulting in small circles.

11.Santa Fe Ceiling Texture

The Santa Fe ceiling texture belongs to drywall ceiling texture. This texture is similar to skip trowel but it
covers more surface. Remember that if the coverage is less than sixty percent of the ceiling, then that is a
skip trowel texture, but if it is more than that, it is Santa Fe ceiling texture.

12.Slap Brush Ceiling Texture

This is a very artistic type of ceiling texture but it is not easy to apply as well. To achieve this texture, you
will need a brush with very stiff bristles and thin mud. The first step is to cover your ceiling with mud using
a roller. After that, use the brush to slap the ceiling from the edge of the ceiling.

13.Popcorn Ceiling Texture

This ceiling texture is also known as “cottage cheese” texture or “acoustic” ceiling texture. This is probably
one of the most famous ceiling textures. This ceiling texture resembles popcorn. To achieve its looks, you
will need a sprayer to apply it. It contains mud and Styrofoam to create the puffy effect.

14.Light Popcorn Ceiling Texture

If you want the popcorn ceiling texture but it seems like it’s too much for your home, then you can try the
light popcorn ceiling texture. It is still a popcorn ceiling but much lighter. It is not too eye striking but it
looks elegant. It is helpful for homes and rooms that are painted in a light color.

15.Knockdown Ceiling Texture

This type of ceiling and drywall texture can be applied by using a joint compound watered down to a light
consistency. You need a tool called a knockdown to apply this texture. If you do not have that tool, you
can also use a trowel but that will be more challenging. It will result in little circles as its texture which
looks really artistic.
 16.Skim Coat Ceiling Texture

This is another type of smooth ceiling texture. It can cover your ceiling perfectly after texture removal. If a
popcorn ceiling texture is too difficult for you, try this style and it can go well in any room despite the
style.

17.Spray Sand Ceiling Texture

This ceiling texture is a bit similar to orange peel texture. Aside from adding an artistic touch to your
ceiling, it can also help hide your ceiling’s imperfections. To create this texture, you will need a bag of sand
texture that is mixed with cold water the night before the application.

18.Fish Scale Ceiling Texture

The fish scale ceiling texture is something that will make your ceiling look amazing and draw the attention
of people to it. It will definitely add an artistic touch to any room in your home.

19.Lace Ceiling Texture

The lace ceiling texture is probably the most beautiful ceiling texture you can get, but also the most
difficult to create. There are a lot of tools you need for this ceiling texture such as a drywall knife, spatter
gun, pin nailer gun and many others. Though it requires superb skills to be able to achieve the texture, the
result will be astonishing and it will definitely draw people’s attention to your ceiling.

20.Rosebud Ceiling Texture

This is a popular ceiling texture and it is also easy to apply. The important thing to remember when
creating a rosebud ceiling texture is to apply only a thin layer of mud. Then you will need a stomp brush
or airless paint sprayer to achieve the look. This ceiling texture will match a room with smooth walls
perfectly.
Ceiling Ref:

http://www.whatprice.co.uk/decorating/ceiling-finishes.html#axzz6RJgw3H00

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architecture/#:~:text=Here%20is%20a%20list%20of,Cement%20plastered%20Finish&text=Gypsum%20Plaster%20Finish,
Glass%20Mosaic%20Finish

http://www.architecture-student.com/architecture/different-types-of-wall-finishes-architectural-design/

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