A Diverse World of Wood Ceiling Systems
Wood ceiling panels have existed for centuries. Wood was first used as a building material because of its widespread availability throughout most of the world and ease of use. In ancient, multi-story structures, they left the underside of the wood of the floor or decking exposed to make up the ceiling of the story below. This traditional look has again become popular. Architects love replicating this look in modern buildings replacing traditional ceiling tiles with wooden planks.
Some ceiling systems feature large, exposed wooden beams in combination with plaster or drywall as others take on a traditional ceiling. They also use wood moldings with plastered or painted surfaces to create a customized ceiling design. Wood ceilings come painted, stained or left natural depending upon the other materials used in the space and the desired appearance.
Wood panels help absorb sound and are available in a limitless variety of species, cuts and stain colors. Read on to find out more about how wood ceiling systems can complement all styles of architecture.
Uses of Wood in Modern Architecture
While many people associate wood with more traditional, conventional structures, wood also has its place in modern architecture. Modern building and decorating styles are open-ended and can include the use of wood, glass, metal and plaster all contained within a single space. New technologies allow us to attach thin veneers of wood to more pliable materials that liberate wood from its former limitations.
Modern ceiling systems from Ceilings Plus and Sonus can give the same warmth and beauty of wood in formed aluminum panels with a thin real wood veneer. The PlanxTM system from Ceilings Plus offers benefits such as customization, ease of installation, Class A fire rating, and perforations for added acoustical value.
It can also form wood veneers into curves of varying radii for use as ceiling panels and trim materials. Modern wood veneer panels are beautiful and especially striking when used overhead in a large space such as a church, event venue or public building. Pre-formed panels that can install without visible hardware, modern wood ceiling systems are a step beyond flat, conventional wood ceilings.
Environmentally Sustainable Wood Products
No building material looks warmer and more inviting than natural wood. Solid wood is a popular choice for finishing just about any surface of the inside a building from ceiling to floor, but it can be expensive and is not always environmentally friendly. Reclaiming wood from old barns and other buildings is a popular way to construct a solid wood ceiling while also promoting environmental sustainability and recycling.
Modern, engineered wood products are another way to use wood in the ceiling of a commercial building. Engineered wood products do not destroy old-growth timber but instead use thin layers of wood from younger, fast-growing trees that press into a form and adhered together with strong glue. These types of wood products are as strong as solid wood and allow large beams and planks that would otherwise require harvesting trees that took decades or centuries to grow. Engineered wood products may be covered with an exterior veneer to imitate the appearance of solid wood or left uncovered for a unique, eye-catching look.
The US Forest Stewardship Council aims to educate and provide a path for sustainable management of the country’s forest resources. To learn more about how sustainable forested woods can contribute to LEED v4 projects, visit the FSC site here. Ceilings Plus offers FSC-certified options and can assist in helping project teams determine how to apply the Materials & Resources credits for their projects, where specified.
From old-school to ultra-modern, a wood ceiling improves the look of any indoor space. Explore your options for including a wood ceiling system in your commercial structure by contacting Wade Architectural Systems today.