If you have found your way to this article then chances are you have already had a good think about installing a suspended ceiling either in your home, work place or somewhere else. Suspended ceilings can be great, however they are not for all applications. I will go over some of their pros and cons.
Pros
– Fire safety. There are ceiling tiles made from fire resistant materials which conform to various fire standards set by councils, commercial organisations and other regulations which you can use in your ceiling.
– Modification. It is very easy to change the tiles in a drop ceiling system, so whether for repair or just a change of scenery, a change can be performed in a very short amount of time.
– Maintenance. As well as easy maintenance on the ceiling itself, building maintenance is also unhindered with a suspended ceiling. Wires, cables, pipes and plumbing are all concealed by a suspended ceiling which allows easy access.
– Appearance. The variety of suspended ceiling tiles that are available give you almost unlimited options for appearance so there is bound to be a tile that suits your room and tastes.
Cons
– Reduced Headroom. This is the most obvious disadvantage of a suspended ceiling, however is not one which causes many people that great of an issue. Suspended or generally reduce headroom by 4-8 inches so for rooms with already low headroom, you may want to consider one of the other options.
– Cover up damage. The ease and price of installing a drop ceiling can be attractive to landlords who are looking for a cheap and easy way to cover up ceiling damage. It is therefore imperative then, that the prospective buyer/renter takes a look to see what lies behind the ceiling.
– Aging. Without proper maintenance, dropped ceilings can start to show signs of aging quite quickly. Tile sagging is not uncommon and tiles can be damaged easily with the slightest knock, they are also discoloured by excessive smoking. Because they can be removed and reinstalled fairly easily, many have been. It is time off the ceiling that can really take its toll on the ceiling, with the tiles being handled and knocked, adding to their aging.