ceilings & insulation

Construction Materials I

©Tshwane University of Technology

compiled by Riëtte Basson May 2005
aim
The aim of this module is to acquire sufficient knowledge of ceilings and insulation
as construction materials to be able to understand the basic principles and
elementary rules of good practice in its use in single storey buildings.

outcomes
After completion of this module the student must have sufficient knowledge of the
general characteristics, uses and practices of the materials as building
components, be able to specify it in terms of normal one storey residential
buildings, and recognise good and poor practice on site.
content
ceilings & insulation
Historical background
Purpose
Terms and definitions
Materials
Accessories
Finishes
Insulation materials
Tutorials & questions
 historical background

Bourges cathedral 1200-1260 St.Peter cathedral, Vienna

historical background

Paris, Hotel of the Archbishops of Sens,

1475
historical background

Colonnaded hall in Guell Park,

Barcelona (1900-1914)
historical background
historical background

Reed ceiling (early 1700’s) - home of Wolraad Woltemade

historical background

What is the purpose

of having ceilings?

Zorgvliet, Table Valley (1820)

purpose
Hide roof construction & services
Carry lighting armatures
Reflect light
Acoustics
Carry insulation
Decorative
Create scale & feeling in room
terms & definitions
ceiling – the overhead surface of a room, usually a covering or
decorative treatment used to conceal the floor above or the roof.

beam ceiling – the underside of a floor (above) showing the supporting

beams and finished to form a ceiling.

coffer – one of a number of recessed, usually square or octagonal

panels in a ceiling, soffit of vault. Also called a caisson, lucanar

cornice – any moulded projection which crowns / finishes the part to

which it is affixed.

cove – a concave surface forming part of a ceiling at its edge so as to

eliminate the usual interior angle between the wall and the ceiling

plafond – a flat or vaulted ceiling of decorative character

terms & definitions
plasterboard – a rigid board made with a core of gypsum sandwiched
between face sheets of strong durable paper.

insulation – a barrier to the natural flow of heat (and sound) from a area
of high temperature to an area of low temperature

brandering – the component, normally timber (sometimes steel) that is

used to fix flat ceiling boards to the roof structure.

Name types of Ceiling we can use?

materials
1.Plasterboard
2.Fibre cement- Example?
3.Timber (tongue & groove)
4.Thatch / Reed
5.Plastered (soffit of concrete
slab)
6.Pressed steel
7.Other
plasterboard [gypsum]

Sizes:
Widths of 900 &1200
Lengths of 2700 to 4800 on 300mm
increments
Why so popular?
Thickness of 6.4mm or 9.5mm
How fix ceiling?
fibre cement
Manufactured with:
1.Portland cement
2.Silica
3.Organic fibre
Use: Damp conditions
eg?

Sizes:
Widths of 900-1200
Lengths 1800-3600 in
300mm increments
Thickness: 4mm, 6mm
thatch and reed

Advantages of thatch and reed:

1.Hard-wearing,
2.attractive,
3.easily fitted
4.beetle resistant,
Method of installation?
thatch and reed
tongue-and-groove

How Install?
Residence Mathey-Sonia Leithgob
plastered
pressed steel / tin (moulded)
 other

recycled materials
other

no ceilings?
plasterboard [gypsum]

How fix cornices?

plasterboard
STANDARD SIZES WIDTHS LENGTHS

2 700 - 4 800
6,4 / 9,5 mm board 900 and 1 200 mm
(300 mm increments)
2700 - 4 200
75 mm cove cornice  
(300 mm increments)

2 700 - 4 500
cover/jointing strip  
(300 mm increments)

125mm cove cornice   3000 mm only

plasterboard sizes
 plasterboard
Tie beam
Brandering
Fish lines for leveling
Wallplate
Cross brandering

Spacing of brandering?

Wall

preparation for the installation of a plasterboard / fibre cement ceiling

 plasterboard

jointing strips
fixing of brandering

plasterboard installation plastered ceiling

plasterboard
fibre cement
 fibre cement
Tie beam
Brandering
Fish lines for leveling
Wallplate
Cross brandering

Spacing of brandering?

Wall

Preparation for the installation of a plasterboard / fibre cement ceiling

fibre cement
Tie beam
Brandering

Wallplate

Fibre cement panel

Jointing strip

Wall
accessories

cornices
accessories

cornices - moulded
accessories

ceiling roses
accessories

ceiling board plaster

 insulation
[insulate]
to prevent the passage of heat,
electricity, or sound into or out
of, especially by surrounding
with a non-conducting material.

What types of
insulation do you know
of?
insulation
1.Fibreglass blankets
2.Aluminium Foil
3.Fibrous insulation
4.Expanded polystyrene
fibreglass blankets

How Install?
fibreglass blankets
aluminium foil
aluminium foil
 fibrous insulation

Depth of 40mm,
50mm,75mm

How Install?
fibrous insulation
expanded polystyrene
Bibliography
Handisyde, C. 1967. Building Materials Science and Practice. London. The Architectural Press

Chudley, R. 2004. Building construction handbook. London. Elsevier.

Swift, P. 2003. The complete book of owner building in South Africa. Cape Town. Struik

Wegelin, H. Fisher, R. 2002. Notes on building construction in southern africa for tertiary education
Single Storey Dwelling Build. University of Pretoria.
SPEC-XPERT CD ROM