Gypsum, POP or wood: a guide to false ceilings
What each false-ceiling material is good at, what it costs to maintain, and how to plan lighting before the boards go up.
A false ceiling is one of the most effective ways to change how a room feels. It hides wiring and ducts, holds the lighting, and can define zones in an open plan. Each material has its strengths.
Gypsum board
Factory-made boards fixed to a metal frame. It’s quick to install, gives a clean, crack-resistant finish and works well for most homes and offices. This is our default.
POP (plaster of Paris)
Applied by hand on site, so it can take curves and detailed cornices. It’s slower, messier and more prone to hairline cracks, but it’s useful for classic profiles.
Wood and baffles
Timber planks or slatted baffles add warmth and help with acoustics. They’re a good fit for dining areas, home theatres and offices with hard floors.
Plan the lighting first
Decide where lights, fans, AC units and curtain tracks go before the ceiling is designed. Cove lighting needs a precise detail, and track lights need power at the right place. Getting this wrong means cutting into a finished ceiling.