Structure of ceilings and floors are basically the same. First-floor
joists serve as basement ceiling joists; first floor ceilings joists
serve as floor joists for the second floor, etc.
Joists run perpendicular to their supports and carry the structural
load; the ends of joists may rest either on support beams, foundations,
or load-bearing walls. Whereas joists used for flooring are typically
2X10 or larger, joists to support only a ceiling can be as small
as 2X4.
The joists can either be leveled before put in place, or furring
strips can later be added to the bottom edges to make them level.
Optional blocking can be installed between joists for additional
support. At this point, the ceiling is considered framed out. Plaster
lath or drywall is attached to the joists; the ceiling can be finished
off using either plaster or joint tape and joint compound.
Of course, if ducts or pipes need to be hid or ceiling height adjusted
to match another ceiling height, you will want to frame out the
entire ceiling. Do this by building soffit framing; this will resemble
a horizontally hanging wall, instead of vertical.
Top floor ceilings that slope are usually attached directly to
the roof framing; with insulation in between. Open beam ceilings
usually consist of the finished underside of wood plank roof decking.
And open cell ceilings use multi frames that lock together and cover
the whole ceiling, forming a number of open cells.
While the existing ceiling will be lowered by the height of the
cell framework, an open cell ceiling provides a creative, modern
look that can yield interesting effects to help set room design
apart from the norm.
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