By Mari Sciarappa
If the shell of the home is considered the structure, then the roof is its cover. But in terms of any interior, the ceiling acts as the zenith or pinnacle point of the creation. Little thought is given to ceilings in terms of structural components, while some thought is given to decorative aspects. But are you really taking into account all there is to consider in terms of ceilings and decoratives?
Part of your floor plan, when you initially commission or facilitate the design of your home, is to take ceilings into account. This encompasses many things, such as height, decoration, functions and selecting between various types of ceilings.
People installing or building a new ceiling are surprisingly spoilt for choice when it comes to the types of ceilings they have access to. One would not necessarily think that there are multiple options when it comes to the interior of the roof, but there certainly are.
Some of these choices, according to Homemakers Online, include ordinary ceilings, which are the most basic of all ceilings and can fit into any structure. Plastered ceilings are mostly used for entertainment purposes and add to the value of the home. Ordinary ceilings under tin roofs are generally used if water will become a problem, and with the latest in climate change, this is definitely a consideration. The more commercialised types are suspended ceilings, and these are characterised by a neat and clean appearance that does not have to be repainted, so maintenance is lower.
Where the functions of ceilings are concerned, experts from Everite explain: “From a functional point of view, the ceiling plays an important role with respect to comfort and safety of the internal environment.”
They say that some of these roles include the thermal insulation, and the water and fire-resistant properties that the ceiling brings to the home. Additional functions for ceilings include sound reflection and absorption, moisture and dust control, reflective qualities, and, of course, aesthetic appeal.
Where the aesthetic appeal of a ceiling comes into play, many things need to be considered.
For instance, what would you like your ceiling to represent? Is it merely the protective cover of the home, or is it something you wish to tell a story with or represent a decorative function?
Heidi Olivier from Saint-Gobain Gyproc says that “flush plastered ceilings and bulkheads are particularly popular, as they add architectural interest and aesthetic appeal to a home. This kind of feature was once only seen in public spaces, but they are now frequently included in South Africa’s upmarket homes, often complemented with clever lighting or paint effects”.
She adds that “decorative ceilings, cornices and flush plastered bulkheads also increase the artistic appeal of the home, increasing its perceived value”. The Everite experts also state that cornices can enhance the look of any ceiling as well.
Eduan Du Plessis of Qlite agrees with the latter comment, saying that “first impressions last. One could have the most exquisite architecture or colours and fabrics but without the correct lighting to illuminate it, it falls short of its full potential. Correct lighting lifts the different heights in your home”.
Where lighting is con-cerned, Eduan suggests a combination of downlights as accents around the corners, with a central focal piece such as a decorative ceiling light, pendant or chandelier on a dimmer and separate switches.
This enables the client to create a mood setting to their style and offers an energy efficient solution as well.
Of course, before any lighting and decorative aspects can be implemented, the paint you use must be taken into account.
It is suggested that a latex paint be used initially for longevity and hassle-free maintenance. But Shannon Prestia from Versus Paint Specialists suggests that if you want to give your ceiling that coveted pearl sheen, then you should use metallic paints. She also recommends acrylic-based paint, which gives the surface a marble look.
For an unbelievably innovative new avenue in ceiling and skylight decor, Skyfactory provides high-definition moving visuals on ceilings and walls that make you feel like you’re looking at the moving sky, rustling autumn leaves or the vastness of space. As with anything in the building and decor industry, attention must be paid to special precautions.
Everite professionals suggest: “To ensure a high standard finish, it is essential that the supported structure (roofing timber) is accurate and sound.
Warped, twisted or poor quality battens will reflect in the finished surface of the ceiling, and for best results, selected structural grade timber should be used.” They also warn that “when a perfectly flat ceiling is required and lighting conditions are as such that the slightest unevenness would be accentuated, the brandering should be accurately sized and the spacing decreased”. Eduan warns that one must always consider the maintenance factor, as well as the energy consumption used when thinking about the installation of ceilings.
In order to get the best from this structure, Heidi concludes by recommending that you speak to the interior designer to ensure they work closely with the architect who has designed this “under-the-skin structure”.
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