Open cell ceilings blend with design aesthetics

Open cell ceiling system provides scalability of sizeable areas while maintaining the mystique of its design. The most intriguing feature about the design is its ability to blend with other architectural designing.

Recommended for public spaces like airports, shopping centres, leisure facilities and commercial offices, the design facilitates easy airflow management and rapid smoke extraction, required in high traffic areas.
The ceiling is gaining popularity since it is unique and visually interesting.

Pattern
Cube shape or linear shape?

Fixing system
T-grid system based? Integrate carrier or U profile with springs for demounting?

Material: steel or aluminium?

The first impression of an open cell ceiling is always about ceilings in which a repeating pattern of “cube” shapes appear unbroken by any suspension components. So, the finished ceiling will look much like a perfect waffle in appearance. The cube / cell size can be offered starting from 50mm up to 300mm. The standard width of blades is 15 mm, However, some manufacturers can also make it available in 9mm.

There are also options of open cell ceilings which are based on linear pattern. The linear aspect of the product arises from longitudinal blades arranged in parallel. When looking at the ceiling along the blades, the cross-members are not detected. Simultaneously, a clear, simply structured ceiling appearance is created for long-room projects.

Traditionally, open cell ceiling is being supplied by most of the suppliers in conventional T-grid systems and few of them had developed an integrated carrier as well. However, there are issues of ceilings losing its original position when the panels are removed for maintenance and eventually move the panel out of the square. There are new fixing systems which address this concerns of the specifiers wherein the special U-shape carrier system is offered by few manufacturers that guarantee a linearity in the installation of open cell ceilings. Each type of open cell ceiling gets an uninterrupted even appearance. But in contrary to that, the new carrier system has the great advantage that each individual panel can be hinged down separately.

The type of metal is another consideration since open cell systems are made from both steel and aluminium. Steel being more rigid than aluminium is less likely to incur damage in shipping, handling, or accidents. Moreover, steel is also preferred when it comes to fire parameters. Aluminium, on the other hand, is much lighter and is inherently rust resistant. It’s much easy to handle and may not need rigid suspension system.

The primary feature of the open cell system is its sheer beauty. The open cell system also provides you with the following benefits:
• Ceiling load carrying capacities can be virtually disregarded with the open cell type ceilings.
• Open cell systems provide cost advantages that have contributed to their popularity. Attachment of light fixtures, air supply and return ducts, loudspeakers and sprinkler systems are required at the level of the ceiling plane. On the other hand, open cell ceiling systems readily permit the transmission of air, light, sound and even water.
• Finally, open cell ceilings are often less cluttered than conventional ceilings, which fuels their popularity where aesthetic appeal is concerned.

Irrespective of design preference, the final key in preparing a successful open cell installation is to spray two coats of flat black enamel to the existing ceiling, mechanical and electrical ductwork / conduit.

For any further information, please
visit www.durlum.com

Authored by:
Deependra Singh,
Director, Durlum India Pvt Ltd

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