Ceilings are easy to forget. Their job is to cover our living space, but we sometimes go days or weeks without even looking at them. An indispensable part of any structure, the protective covering that keeps the elements from crashing down on us, and the subject of at least one famous saying (“… a roof over my head… “), ceilings are indeed the unsung heroes of architecture.
Don’t Look Up
Without looking up, can you describe in detail what your home’s ceiling looks like? Here are some facts, and myths, about ceilings that can help all of us appreciate them more.
- Painting a ceiling can destroy its acoustical properties and change its fire rating.
- Since the 1960’s, over 500 billion square feet of acoustical ceiling has been installed worldwide.
- Painting a ceiling is not always a good idea. Paint covers bacteria and germs, but doesn’t necessarily kill them.
- Ceilings need to be cleaned regularly, just like floors and walls.
- Not all ceilings have acoustical properties.
- Ceilings that are properly installed and maintained can last for up to a hundred years without sagging.
- The most famous ceiling in the world is in the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
- The two most common types of ceilings are conventional and suspended (vaulted, cathedral, shed and tray are other common types).
- The origin of the word “ceiling” comes from an ancient Latin term for heaven, “caelum,” but more recently was an Old French word which meant, “to cover with paneling.”
- It is about 100 times as expensive to replace a ceiling as it is to clean or repair it.
- With a few rare exceptions, nearly every structure on earth, whether residential or commercial, contains a ceiling.
- At least four motion pictures have used the word “ceiling” in their titles: The Ceiling (2001), The Neon Ceiling (1971), Popcorn Ceiling (2015), and a 1936 adventure film called, “Ceiling Zero.”
If you think your ceiling needs professional attention, don’t hesitate to contact a professional. Unlike minor repair jobs to sinks, floors and walls, ceiling maintenance can be tricky, and dangerous! So, when you notice cracks, sagging or any problem with your ceiling, call in the pros at Bauer Construction.