Elegance with cube ceiling design
For those of us whose lives revolve around visual stimuli, ceilings are an important part of interior design. Not only can the right ceiling design add a touch of style to any room, but they can actually make the room more comfortable. A great ceiling should create vibrant visual interest, but it should also hide the clutter caused by lighting, HVAC systems, and rogue sound waves. The ceilings we see in magazines may look like tough things to accomplish, but modern materials advances have brought stylish and functional ceilings within reach. Do a little research, and your new ceiling will deliver in droves.
Choosing the right ceiling design
There are all kinds of great options available for us to choose from when we are designing ceilings for our spaces, but not all of them work equally well in certain rooms. We may have fantastic ceiling design ideas bouncing around in our heads, but we need to assess the situation before pulling the trigger on one product or another.
Some ceiling designs are very straightforward, and what you see is what you get. We’ve all seen popcorn ceilings. If you choose to go with one, you already know what it’s going to look like. But, some types of ceilings are available in such a wide range of options. You really need to know what you want before choosing.
False ceilings can give you the variety of options and functionality that make them incredibly useful in the world of interior design. You may have multiple ideas that seem very different from one another, but each of them may be possible with false ceilings.
False Ceilings
The world has mixed feelings about false ceilings. When we see a bad one, like those stained ceiling structures we stared at in high school, it can sour us on the idea. But, there is no single false ceiling that defines the entire group as a whole. The available options are as interesting and diverse as they are functional.
False ceilings no longer function simply to hide the unsightly things above them. Modern false ceilings are available in shapes and patterns that entirely transform the feel of the room, turning boring boxes of white drywall into spaces that demand attention. You can still find plenty of options that completely block out the ducts and pipes above them, but why would you? One of the most elegant options in the false ceiling world is the cube ceiling.
Cube Ceilings
Cube ceilings are a type of structural ceiling where planks intersect to create a grid of square shapes. The depth of the planks create cubes in the negative space, and this design allows you to hide elements above the drop ceiling but still allow light and air and even suspended lighting units to pass through. The resulting pattern is subtle and classic and looks great with any design style.
Commercial applications
Cube ceilings in commercial applications can be particularly beautiful solutions. They look great, add texture and depth to the room, and can create a tranquil work environment that makes your employees more productive and decreases stress levels by controlling the amount of reverberation and echo we have to deal with. Excess noise has been shown to increase stress and anxiety levels, so it’s a good thing to get a solid handle on. Reducing the amount of unwanted noise allows us to concentrate and hear more clearly, making us more productive, happier employees.
While exposed structure ceilings are very common in workplace settings, cube ceilings hardly feel cold or plain. Depending on whether you go with a clean, painted look, or a warm, wooden finish, cube ceilings turn our ideas of drop ceilings on their heads.
Residential applications
Your home is the place where you relax and unwind from your busy days. It’s also the place where you rejuvenate for the days ahead. If you want your home to function as an oasis from the outside world, your decor should both inspire and calm you.
Utilizing a cube ceiling in residential applications provides the same benefits you’d find in a commercial application but provides them where you really need them- at home. Depending on the ceiling heights in your home, they may not be an ideal situation for every room, but in the areas where we gather and live our lives with others, they can provide calm. Even when your evening plans prevent binging on your favorite shows or hitting the hay early, spending that time in a beautiful room with acoustic benefits can go a long way toward recharging you.
Different options with cube ceilings
If you’re considering the idea of installing a cube ceiling in your space, you’ll have to decide which type you want. The two main assembly types used in cube ceilings are tegular and monolithic, and your choice will depend on the aesthetic you’re going for.
Cube Tegular
The term “tegular” basically means it has to do with tiles. This type of ceiling is produced as tiles that fit into a suspended grid. Tegular ceiling tiles drop into the grid structure, often protruding into the room. This creates a secondary texture to accompany the natural pattern created by the tiles and grid. It’s a similar feel to the drop ceilings we are all familiar with, but the cube pattern adds much more visual interest and allows light to pass through, giving you great new options when it comes to decorating. The tegular ceiling grid also allows water to pass through, meaning your sprinkler system can be hidden above the grid while still offering solid protection in case of fires.
Cube Monolithic
A monolithic grid may work better for you if you have ambitions that stretch beyond right angles and wall to wall ceilings. Monolithic ceilings are great if you don’t want to use a T-bar ceiling grid. This type of cube ceiling is field cut to fit the space and creates the illusion of a seamless construction. This is an excellent route if you have an irregularly shaped room or want to create a uniquely shaped ceiling cloud.
Considerations and benefits of choosing a false ceiling
If you like the idea of incorporating false ceilings into your commercial or residential properties, there are some things you should know before purchasing materials. The fact that false ceilings are available in so many different materials and configurations means that you need to know what benefits you want to gain from your new ceiling.
How high is the ceiling?
The first consideration to make when planning your ceiling design is the height of your existing ceiling. If it’s very low, you have few options. Adding a drop ceiling to a room that’s already cramped can exacerbate the situation. False ceilings are best suited for rooms with ceiling clearances of nine feet or higher. Anything lower, and the false ceiling structure hangs too close to your head, making the room feel very small.
How loud is the room?
If you want your ceiling material to do more than just look pretty, it’s helpful to take inventory of how loud the room is on any given day. Do your friends and family gather there? Do your gatherings routinely increase in volume until people are shouting over one another to be heard? If you need some sound control measures, the material you choose to build your ceiling with can be a big help.
Choosing a cube ceiling that absorbs sound waves will be an invaluable addition to your favorite spaces. Incorporating acoustical materials into your ceiling means that one of the largest expanses in the room will now absorb and diffuse sound waves rather than returning them to their senders.
Planning your perfect ceiling
Whether you’re planning a stunning board room or an eye-catching kitchen, a unique and interesting ceiling will go farther than almost anything you can do with the walls or floors. Ceilings have been largely ignored for so long that people immediately notice when yours breaks the mold. Whether you’re going with an open cell ceiling system or dropping colorful ceiling clouds into the room, investing in your ceiling design ensures others will be impressed.
