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You are reading: Benefits of Commercial Metal Ceilings

Benefits of Commercial Metal Ceilings

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Key Insights

Metal ceilings are used in both small and large-scale commercial projects, not only adding visual aesthetics to the space, but providing a host of functional benefits that meet the requirements of builders and facility managers alike.

 

The benefits of Commercial Metal Ceilings have been recognised in recent years, with many architectural awards acknowledging designs and outcomes made possible thanks to the versatility of metal ceiling products available in Australia. 

Benefits of Commercial Metal Ceilings: Types

A broad range of Metal Ceilings are available, differentiated by their appearance, installation method and the level of exposure required of the soffit. The diversity in options allows architects and designers to bring their visions to life, accommodating any technical or functional considerations such as access to services, acoustics and fire safety.

Metal Pan Ceilings – This type of metal ceiling uses tiles or ‘pans’ that are installed within a preferred grid system. The edges of the pan are bent upward at the sides to create a pan, and are commonly used for decorative purposes or to conceal services such as insulation and ducting. They are highly customisable, available in various sizes and perforation patterns and finishes.

 Linear Ceilings – This type of metal ceiling uses customisable, continuous linear profile systems, to create smooth, clean lines that take a professional space to a new level. Available in a range of profiles, they can be spaced at custom intervals to achieve various designs, while taking into account any building services requiring access or concealing. Linear Ceilings are easy to install, with SAS International snap-in solution, which also make for easy access to cables or air conditioning wishing to be hidden.

Benefits of Commercial Metal Ceilings

Expanded Mesh Ceilings – An increasingly popular material option, mesh is an ideal choice to achieve contemporary design aesthetics and is an alternative option to an exposed soffit. Mesh ceilings can create visually interesting effects and textures when employed properly. Because of the angles, the mesh can either reflect light back down or allow light to pass through. This can change depending on the orientation of the mesh and the viewing location. Mesh ceilings are available in a wide range of pattern and finish options and can be manufactured to the specifiers shape and design.

Benefits of Commercial Metal Ceilings

SAS A/Maze

Open Cell Ceilings Open Cell ceiling systems comprise a series of open cell modules designed to lay onto a suspension grid. The ceiling tiles can integrate within other metal ceiling systems and plasterboard ceilings. Open cell ceilings can create a visually pleasing roof to any space. Most commercial office spaces and other larger areas use a plenum system to allow air ducts, cabling, and more to go along the ceiling. This is obviously not always very nice to look at. An open cell ceiling covers all of this up but because of how it can be designed it can also use shadows and light to create something much more than just a ceiling.

Benefits of Commercial Metal Ceilings

SAS 800

Acoustic RaftsProviding an attractively designed solution to the acoustic challenges that come with areas of high activity, ceiling rafts also lend themselves to a range of integrated lighting and electrical systems. In many commercial buildings, the only surface area capable of absorbing sound is the ceiling. Acoustic Ceiling Rafts are popular due to their excellent acoustic benefits, controlling sound in busy indoor spaces whilst meeting aesthetic preferences. They also allow for free air movement to the structural slab for natural thermal mass cooling. Due to this airflow solution and the high durability of the panels themselves, very little maintenance is required.

Benefits of Commercial Metal Ceilings

SAS 600

 

Benefits of Commercial Metal Ceilings

When selecting a ceiling for your commercial project, you are likely to be considering a wide range of factors to achieve outcomes that are both aesthetic and functional. Creating visual appeal that brings a better experience to occupants is often a priority, but just as important as meeting sound proofing, ventilation, fire safety and budget requirements.

Despite the different types of metal ceilings, they share a variety of benefits making them a superior choice for use in commercial projects. Metal ceilings offer both client and specifier a flexible, aesthetically-led solution to acoustic control, service integration and maintenance demands. 

Cost-Efficient

Calculated over the longer term, metal is far more cost effective than alternative materials. Research commissioned by our partner SAS International into the overall lifetime costs of ceiling materials projected cost savings of 47% for metal suspended ceilings compared with non-metal alternatives, based on a 20-year lifespan.

What’s more, non-metal alternatives would be considered unserviceable after a period of 10-15 years, whereas SAS metal ceilings have a 30-year life expectancy. SAS has numerous examples of projects that show that even after 30 years the metal ceiling can look as good as it did that day that it was installed.

Sound Control

Metal ceilings have shown to bring superior acoustic performance compared to alternative materials. Metal has a great ability to absorb sound, especially when used in conjunction with a mineral wall infill, making metal ceilings an appropriate choice for spaces requiring noise control. A metal ceiling’s ability to absorb sound is primarily dictated by the number and size of perforations in the tile and its sound-absorbing acoustic infill. The greater the perforated area, the more acoustically transparent the tile.

SAS International range of ceilings provide up to Class A sound absorption and ‘double pass’ sound insulation of 50dB, which is sufficient for almost any project.  This control of sound transfer via the ceiling void is achieved using a solid element (plasterboard or steel plate) in the rear of the ceiling tile.  Wall panels are similar to ceilings, but with a smaller air cavity.  This reduced depth means that the low frequency sound absorption is less.

Design Flexibility

Architects and Designers alike are showing preference toward metal ceilings for commercial projects thanks to the array of visual options available. SAS International systems are designed for flexibility and offer the specifier scope to be creative. All systems are compatible and can be configured differently, from simply changing the tile size to complete, bespoke solutions.

Perforations can have a significant impact upon the overall ceiling aesthetic, with the choice being largely dependent on acoustic demands. SAS International metal ceilings are available in a wide range of perforation designs, with bespoke options available to suit your design requirements, as well as to give consideration to your acoustic and service integration needs.

SAS International Metal Ceilings come in the full range of RAL colours and a variety of sizes to achieve specific design outcomes. 

 

Integration of Building Services

An important consideration when electing a decorative ceiling is how building services can be integrated and accessed. SAS International’s Architectural Metalwork offers intelligent integration of services from the design stage, with easy access for maintenance.

This allows for complete service integration of lighting, mechanical and electrical components, with each ceiling system clearly specifying its own requirements for services. 

 

Environmental Impact

A major driver of global construction is client aspiration and government legislation to provide ever more sustainable buildings. This includes every aspect of the building, from design, construction and waste management to end of life and beyond. 

SAS International is the first business globally to be awarded the full Cradle to Cradle certified Version 4 certificate covering their whole Bridgend facility and at least 75% of their products sold. Cradle to Cradle certified product standards version 4.0 is the most advanced global sustainability certification for verifying materials and products that are safe, circular, and responsibly made.

Widely regarded throughout the building industry as a preferred sustainability standard, this certification gives architects and designers assurance that products meet some of the world’s most rigorous sustainability standards.

 

Metal Ceilings for Your Upcoming Project

SAS International is a leading manufacturer of quality metal ceilings and bespoke architectural metalwork. Installed in iconic, landmark buildings worldwide, SAS leads through innovation, cutting-edge design and technical acoustic expertise. SAS International is built on 50 years of specialism in design expertise, engineering proficiency and manufacturing capabilities.

Progressive Materials are the proud exclusive distributor and technical experts of SAS International Metal Ceiling Systems in WA. Browse the range of SAS Metal Ceilings and contact us to discuss your upcoming project requirements.

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