Armstrong Ceiling - Specifications and Properties
If you need to quickly and inexpensively install a ceiling in a room with a sufficiently high ceiling, then a good option is a suspended type system. Armstrong honeycomb ceiling, which is popular today, is especially convenient, the technical characteristics of which will be discussed in this material.
Content:
And what is Armstrong ceiling?
His name is beautiful and promising. It has already become a household name, often meaning any suspended ceiling structure with mineral slabs. However, this is a completely separate type of suspended ceiling. Let's talk, for starters, about its pros and cons.
Advantages and disadvantages of these ceilings
Positive sides:
- This mineral suspended ceiling will make it possible to always have free access to the ventilation system, as well as to various sensors and lighting fixtures.
- The suspension system will hide all the bumps, dirt and other errors on the base ceiling.
- Quick installation and disassembly, easy maintenance of the ceiling - these are two other significant advantages.
- High light reflection of the plates allows, to some extent, to save on electricity.
- Good absorption of extraneous noise makes this design a great option for the office.
- A large number of accessories manufactured specifically for these ceilings makes installation even easier. In particular, ventilation grilles and built-in lighting elements can be purchased.
- Do not forget that the natural material of the plates is safe and environmentally friendly.
However, Armstrong ceilings are not without drawbacks:
- The main trouble is that they really do not like floods from neighbors from above. After all, even if the plate is moisture resistant, then it does not have water resistance at all. Therefore, if you are not sure about the neighbors or the quality of the pipes, it is better to abandon the suspended ceiling. Take rack or cassette.
- Where temperature or humidity often changes, mineral plates quickly deteriorate. Their color changes - for example, from white it becomes yellowish.
- These plates are quite fragile. They do not like sharp blows, being damaged even from a shot by a cork of champagne. Therefore, you should always keep in stock two or three plates. After all, replacing them is very simple.
Types of false ceilings Armstrong:
#1. Economy class ceilings (types - Baikal and Oasis) are very in demand. After all, this is a minimum of costs and a maximum of convenience. Such plates are inexpensive, but have high quality and decent design.
#2. Functional ceilings (Prima type) have additional protection against moisture. So, these plates do not change their shape even at a humidity of ninety-five percent.
#3. Acoustic ceilings (Ultima type) have protection against external noise.
#4. Hygienic ceilings (Bioguard type) are coated on top with a special composition that protects them from the effects of hot steam and fat sticking. In addition, this coating prevents bacteria from multiplying.
#5. Design ceilings have an original look. They are used to give a particular style to any room.
Armstrong False Ceiling Features
In general, such a ceiling consists of a suspension system made of special metal profiles and mineral plates, which are mounted on the suspension system. In the beginning, let's talk about what characteristics the plates used for Armstrong ceilings have.
Plates for false ceiling Armstrong
The basis for the slabs used for Armstrong ceilings is mineral fiber (otherwise, stone wool specially processed in a special way). Additives made from latex, starch, gypsum and cellulose (obtained from recycled waste paper) are introduced into this fiber.The technology, worked out to the smallest detail, allows to obtain high-quality material with a minimum of energy and raw materials costs. Cheaper boards have more starch, while more expensive ones have more latex. This additive gives the material excellent moisture resistance.
Finished boards are laid with sheets of cardboard, stacked and sealed in polyethylene using vacuum. Thus, the material receives protection from natural disasters and mechanical damage. A stack may contain eight to twenty-two pieces. In the latter case, the packaging is enough for 7.92 square meters of ceiling. It is necessary to store and use the plates under certain conditions: humidity is not allowed more than 90 percent, and the temperature limit is even less - from 15 to 30 degrees.
To make installation more convenient, Armstrong mineral plates are produced with three types of edges:
- Slips with a Microlook edge have a not very wide stepped edge. They are used in suspended structures with a width of 1.5 centimeters.
- Tegular edge plates also have a stepped edge, but wider. They are used in suspension systems with a width of 2.4 centimeters.
- Board slabs are universal - their edge is even, therefore, such slabs are suitable for both types of suspended structures.
As for the other characteristics of Armstrong mineral slabs, they are as follows:
- Width - 60 centimeters;
- length - 60 or 120 centimeters;
- thickness - varies from 0.8 to 2.5 centimeters;
- weight - from 2.7 to 8 kilograms per square meter.
What is a suspension system?
The popularity of using precisely ceilings from mineral slabs is due to several factors. In particular, it is ease of installation and low cost. Well, the technical specifications of Armstrong suspended ceiling also play a role.
By and large, there are two main types of such systems: modular and continuous. Often the first type is used, which consists of a frame and modules - panels, cassettes, rails. The frame is usually hidden under the roof lining. However, there are options when this is not required, and then its protruding elements are visible. Unlike a false ceiling, a suspended system takes up more space. But under it you can hide any engineering communications.
By the way, the installation of this ceiling must begin precisely with the conduct of communications (otherwise it will be difficult to do this later). Next, a frame of transverse and longitudinal profiles is attached to the ceiling base. The distance between the individual profiles is 60 centimeters (this is exactly the size of Armstrong mineral plates). By the way, the installation of the frame is very similar to the installation of the supporting structure from drywall. The last stage of work is the installation of stoves, ventilation grilles and lamps. It will not be difficult - the assembly of the ceiling is similar to the assembly of a children's designer.
About the aesthetic component
Perhaps the favorite of all the colors used for the ceiling can be called white. But on sale today you can find both colored and patterned plates of Armstrong. And black ceilings are often used in cinema halls. Differ plates and texture. In addition to the most commonly used smooth ceilings, there are perforated as well as embossed ones. There are also cells of the open lattice type, which look very interesting. In addition, they are able to visually hide the entire suspension system.
Such a variety allows you to design the ceiling completely to your liking. You can vary the number of levels. This will allow you to get very interesting effects in the office, apartment or public premises. Using the built-in lighting elements, get beautiful three-dimensional designs. At the same time, the suspensions are hidden or left in sight.
Where to use Armstrong ceilings
Different types of premises have different operational requirements. This must be taken into account when choosing a suspended ceiling. And there is such an opportunity - as mentioned earlier, as many as four types of Armstrong mineral plates are produced, each of which is suitable for certain conditions.
#1. The universal economy-class ceiling does not stand out by any features, therefore it is suitable for normal operating conditions. This, for example, may be the premises of industrial buildings, hotel halls, schools and kindergartens.
#2. A functional ceiling created from moisture resistant panels (which contain a lot of latex) is needed where the humidity is very high. For example, it can be the premises of a store, cafe or restaurant, a swimming pool, a bathroom in a house, a bathhouse, and laundry. Also, such ceilings can be installed in wet workshops of industrial enterprises and where there is direct access to the street (in corridors, halls).
#3. An acoustic ceiling is necessary where it is necessary to muffle loud sounds. In particular, it can be a cinema hall, office or night club. Such characteristics of the Armstrong ceiling are also suitable for a hotel or a noisy production room.
#4. The hygienic ceiling is specially designed for medical and food facilities. Complying with all the norms and requirements of hygiene, such products adorn hospitals with outpatient clinics, as well as workshops of food enterprises.
#5. Designer ceiling shines not with technical characteristics, but with its shape and color. It is needed where exclusive and originality is required. This can be, for example, a store hall, hotel lobby, office or restaurant. It is possible to make a public space unusual, or you can pamper your own apartment with a designer ceiling.
