Ceiling Systems & Materials
Suspended ceilings are lower than the original ceiling and often cover up old cracks or mechanical equipment. A metal grid, suspended from joists or the old ceiling and attached at the walls, supports lightweight ceiling panels. These panels may be made of mineral fiber or fiberglass acoustical board in plain and decorative patterns or they may be any of several types of translucent plastic panels for above-the-ceiling lighting.

Several different materials may be fastened to existing ceilings or, if they're strong enough, directly to ceiling joists.

These include wood planks and paneling and classic pressed metal panels.

A conventional drywall ceiling consists of drywall panels screwed or nailed to ceiling joists. Joints between panels are taped and finished with drywall compound using same methods as for walls. With this method, ceilings are normally hung before drywall is applied to walls. Older ceilings often have plaster construction.

--Don Vandervort

Related terms: ceiling materials construction, ceiling systems, drywall ceiling construction diagram, suspended ceilings diagrams