Which One Is Better: False Ceiling or Expanded Metal?

Numerous types of building materials are used in construction projects today. Availability of a great variety of these materials has led to disagreements among architects over which type of material to use. One example of common disagreements observed among architects and even those who intend to repair their houses relates to this question: is it better to use false ceilings or expanded metals? In order to answer this question, we will examine and compare false ceilings and expanded metals below.

What Is False Ceiling?

False ceilings are coated plaster sheets that are used for decorating the ceiling of houses. These plaster sheets are first attached to a grid of galvanized plates. Then, both of them are screwed to the ceiling with bolts and nuts. Cracks and gaps between the sheets are covered with concrete to make the surface smooth. The surface is then painted.

False ceilings are produced in specific sizes. It is necessary to cut them into pieces and bind them together later in order to make the installation process easier. An attractive feature of false ceilings is their light weight, catching the attention of many architects today. False ceilings are regarded as a replacement for expanded metals.

Advantages and Disadvantages

False ceilings have advantages and disadvantages in comparison to expanded metals. An honest comparison could be made by examining these advantages and disadvantages. The most important advantages of false ceilings are as follows:

• Faster to install. For example, it takes some time for the plaster to dry when plastering a surface, but installation of a false ceiling does not include this step,
• Cheaper to install compared to expanded metals,
• Cleaner to install compared to expanded metals,
• Easier to maintain,
• Impose less weight on the structure,
• Easier to uninstall compared to expanded ceilings in cases of repairing the ceiling,
• Easier to displace compared with expanded metals,
• Are lighter,
• Enable installation in decorative and curve designs,
• Provide easy access to mechanical and electrical devices,
• Make it easy to provide focused lighting.

False ceilings also have disadvantages that are as follows:

• Are less resistant to pressure because of their light weight,
• Require great care during the installation process and may crack in case of negligence,
• Should be handled carefully in order to prevent any blow to areas such as pillars.

What Is Expanded Metal?

Expanded metals are galvanized steel plates as thick as 0.50 to 0.25 millimeters that are attached to the surface in layers using galvanized reinforcement wires to prevent any crack in the surface. In fact, expanded metals provide a cover for concrete, iron beams, reinforcement work, and etc., playing an important role in keeping the cohesion of the surface. Further details about their production, applications, and sizes have been provided in an article titled “Expanded Metals” which is available on this website.

Expanded metals are regarded as a proper platform for installing electrical and mechanical devices. They are delivered in the form of 60×240 cm sheets. Each sheet has pillars along its length. Expanded metals are named based on the weight of their sheets or the number of their pillars. Expanded metals with a higher number of pillars are heavier and enjoy better quality.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Expanded metals have advantages and disadvantages in comparison to false ceilings. An examination of these advantages and disadvantages could prove very useful. The advantages of expanded metals are as follows:

• Do not rust since they are made of galvanized steel,
• Are highly immune to fire,
• Reduce the likelihood of the formation of cracks in the ceiling.
• Do not require specialized workforce for installation.

As you can see, expanded metals enjoy fewer advantages than false ceilings, making the latter a better choice in many cases. Expanded metals also have disadvantages that are as follows:

• Are heavy,
• Are more expensive to install,
• Involve consumption of great amounts of plaster,
• Are difficult to uninstall.

Differences between False Ceilings and Expanded Metals in Ceiling Designs

We introduced false ceilings and expanded metals and examined their advantages and disadvantages before. You have very likely realized so far that which one is better and more economical.

False ceilings are the undefeatable winners when it comes to the costs. Expanded metals include various indirect expenses such as plaster expenses; therefore, their overall cost is higher than that of false ceilings. Anyway, higher expenses do not tantamount to higher quality and efficiency.

False ceilings are also the winner when it comes to weight. Each square meter of false ceilings weighs 11 kilograms, while this figure is 45 kilograms for each square meter of expanded metals. Thus, false ceilings produce less dead weight than expanded ceilings.

Safety is a very important factor that should be taken into consideration when comparing false ceilings with expanded metals. There is a higher likelihood of cracks appearing on expanded metals since their installation involves welding. Therefore, they enjoy lower resistance than false ceilings. False ceilings are about 14 times more resistant than expanded metals. Like false ceilings, expanded metals are resistant to incidents such as earthquakes and provide great safety. However, they add to the pressures and risks originating from earthquakes.

False ceilings are easier to uninstall than expanded metals in case of repair work and are much more repairable. Also, it takes a bigger workforce to install expanded metals in comparison to false ceilings. The workforce required for installing expanded metals includes welders, expanded metal installers, and plasterers. However, false ceiling installation involves fewer but specialized workers. Overall, false ceilings are of higher quality than expanded metals. All the above-mentioned factors have led to the higher consumption of false ceilings in comparison to expanded metals.

Conclusion

False ceilings and expanded metals are among widely used construction materials, and many architects are hesitant which one to choose. You can make a good choice and achieve the best results by examining the advantages and disadvantages of each of them and also by considering the relevant budget and timing. You can contact ours experts at SimTak for further information and details.