Ceilings are so more than enclosure and separation between spaces: they set the tone, enhance ambience, and tie interior design together. For designers, selecting the right ceiling is just the beginning as it dictates the ceiling lighting that will be used for the project. In this guide, we explore most popular types of commercial ceilings used in the UK- Acoustic Ceiling Tiles, Metal Ceilings, and Concrete Ceilings, and show how our lighting can elevate your next project.
Every ceiling type offers unique benefits. Below, we break down the most popular options, focusing on their design potential and how they can be integrated with commercial lighting.
For a raw, urban aesthetic, exposed ceilings are an excellent choice. In some buildings, it is possible to strip the ceiling down to the bare concrete and expose the structural and mechanical components. There is an economic advantage to this style alongside the ease of maintenance. Exposed pipes and chilled beams bring character while allowing for creative lighting solutions. In these space, suspended lighting is used most of the times. Linear lighting or track lighting can be spaced out evenly and enhance the space’s height and rugged charm.
Technical Details: Cost-effective due to no additional ceiling materials, but may require acoustic treatments like sprays or panels for noise control.
Why Choose Them? Height-enhancing and stylish with a rugged aesthetic, perfect for modern trends.
Perfect For: Offices, restaurants, creative studios, or any commercial spaces seeking an authentic feel.
Lighting Match: Linear lighting or track lighting to enhance the industrial vibe.
Plasterboard ceilings belong to the group of Tightly attached ceilings, as these are attached to timber joist, rafter or beams. Plasterboards hide all mechanical and electrical services, wires and parts of lighting or lighting controls. Thanks to its clean aesthetics and easy installation, the plasterboard ceilings have been a very popular choice in contemporary commercial spaces and residential interior design. Plasterboard ceilings are
a perfect blank canvas for designers and architects alike.
Why Choose Them? Clean aesthetics, can be used to lower very high ceilings.
Perfect For: Offices, restaurants, creative studios, or any commercial spaces seeking a minimalist look and feel.
Lighting Match: Any types of lighting will work with plasterboard ceilings. For super minimalist look and feel, we would recommend recessed lighting or plaster in downlights that can seamlessly blend into the ceiling.
The popularity of suspended ceilings comes down to practicality and easy maintenance. These ceilings can effectively hide wires, pipes and any ductwork, which contributes to more finished and clean look and feel. The facility team can also easily access the ceiling for repairs, tests and inspections. The suspended ceiling also helps with light reflection, which makes spaces appear brighter and larger. Another benefit of the suspended ceilings is sound absorption as the ceiling tiles can reduce noise levels.
Historically, this type of ceilings was used to house the 60x60 fluorescent panels, which were later replaced by the 60x60 led panels. These days, with manufacturers like SAS, the suspended metal ceilings are available in countless designs and finishes, meaning the ceiling grid can be made to fit any linear lighting or custom size led panels.
Why Choose Them? Clean aesthetics, easy maintenance, can be used to lower very high ceilings. Acoustic properties are an added bonus.
Perfect For: Offices, or any commercial spaces seeking a modern look and feel.
Lighting Match: Any types of led panels will fit this type of ceilings. You can also use linear lighting to work with the ceiling tiles.
Acoustic Ceiling Tiles are a top choice for their ability to manage noise while maintaining a sleek, modern look. Made of fibrous material, they have a great ability to manage sound in spaces. There are several types of acoustic ceilings. These can be acoustic panels suspended from concrete ceilings, acoustic baffles, or acoustic tiles suspended into a ceiling grid. Acoustic ceiling rafts are also a popular option in commercial buildings.
Take a look at the image below, which showcases a vibrant student union space at UCL in London. The ceiling features acoustic panels paired with our track lighting. This setup enhances the space’s clarity and calm, ideal for collaborative environments.
Technical Details: Made from materials like mineral fibre or fibreglass, these tiles offer high Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) ratings (typically 0.5 to 0.9) for excellent sound absorption.
Why Choose Them? Easy to install or modify, they are visually attractive and offer increased user comfort.
Perfect For: Offices, healthcare facilities, or educational spaces where noise control is essential.
Lighting Match: Our linear lighting range or track lighting would work very well with any of the acoustic ceilings.
Offering modern and completely unique alternative to other types of ceilings, the stretch ceilings are suspended ceiling systems made of lightweight fabric or PVC material that is stretched and attached to the walls. Stretched ceilings offer a smooth, seamless ceiling surface and finish and are a great choice for various space like showrooms, hospitality spaces, residential, or swimming pools
Stretched ceilings come in variety of shapes and forms. They can come as light boxes, which are often used in showrooms, printed fabric ceilings, or they can be installed as recessed or flush boxes. What ever the form, they use the back lighting technique.
Technical Details: Most cost-effective and time efficient ceiling solution for large scale buildings
Why Choose Them? Wow factor, Clean aesthetics, soft diffused lighting, can be changed relatively easily. Acoustic properties are an added bonus.
Perfect For: Showrooms, exhibition spaces, art galleries, or any commercial spaces seeking a modern look and feel.
Lighting Match: Backlighting with led tape.
Part of metal suspended ceilings, the chilled beam ceilings are a popular choice in commercial buildings and educational estates. Chilled beams are a type of HVAC system that combines cooling and heating. They use chilled water circulating through a coil within a beam, which is often integrated into or suspended below a suspended ceiling. The beams cool the air through both convection (air passing over the cold coil) and radiation (direct heat absorption from surfaces and occupants). This dual approach allows for higher cooling capacity with minimal air movement, reducing drafts and noise. The popularity of chilled beams comes down to practicality and easy maintenance.
Most of the time, lighting for chilled beams is integrated into the ceiling systems. It can be also suspended.
Why Choose Them? Easy maintenance, a coustic properties are an added bonus.
Perfect For: Offices, and education estates or any commercial spaces seeking a modern look and feel.
Lighting Match: Custom made linear lighting profiles. Normally the wider ones, like the Rio, Oka and Lopen. You can also use linear lighting to work with the ceiling tiles.
The future of commercial ceilings is exciting, and at 299 Lighting, we are committed to staying ahead of trends. Here is what architects should consider:
Sustainability: Eco-friendly materials like recycled metal or biodegradable tiles, paired with energy-efficient lighting from our range, support green designs.
Acoustic Performance: Sound absorbing tiles with smart lighting layouts address noise in open-plan spaces.
Biophilic Design: Wood-look tiles or plant features, softened by natural light, promote wellness indoors.
Need help deciding? Here are key factors to consider:
Look and Feel: Linear lighting or tubular linear lighting can bring the industrial look and feel up.
Suspension possibilities: Some ceiling types can have more complex ways of installing lighting than others.
Weight: Some ceiling types might not be suitable for large architectural feature lighting
Ceiling void: It is important to know the ceiling void and the direction of the beams when specifying recessed lighting, or downlighters
A ceiling is more than a finish, it is an opportunity. Whether it is the versatility of acoustic ceiling tiles, the elegance of metal ceilings, or the bold statement of concrete ceilings, the right lighting can make all the difference. At 299 Lighting, we are here to help architects create spaces that inspire. Ready to transform your next project? Get in touch today for expert advice on lighting for commercial spaces.