Cassette Ceilings: Pros and Cons

One of the most popular types of suspended design is the cassette ceiling. This coating is characterized by aesthetic appeal and ease of installation. Initially, such structures were most often installed in public and office buildings, but thanks to a wide choice of various models and shades of coating, the possibility of their use in the decoration of residential premises is provided.

Cassette-type coating is widely used for decoration of various premises. Cassette ceiling is a suspended structure consisting of the following elements:

• The main subject forming the ceiling covering is cassettes. Cassettes are rectangular or square plates. The most common tile sizes are 30x30, 60x60 and 30x60 cm. Such modules can be made of a wide variety of materials.
• Bearing and wall profiles. The supporting structure is able to withstand heavy loads, the profiles are fixed to the ceiling using dowels.
• Suspensions. Suspended elements and profiles form cells with parameters 60x60 and 120x60 cm. Cassettes are mounted in such modules.
• Fasteners.

Cassette structures have a number of significant advantages over other types of ceiling coverings. Below are the main advantages of the product:

• Ease of installation. After reviewing the small installation instructions for the ceiling, even a novice can cope with the installation. In addition, the dismantling of cassettes is also simple: if necessary, you can replace certain tiles without disassembling the entire ceiling structure.
• Long service life. Frame system often consists of materials such as aluminum and steel, which, in turn, prevents the appearance of rust on the surface of the structure.
• Cassettes are resistant to moisture and mold, therefore, are considered hygienic.Caring for such a coating does not make much effort - it is enough to periodically wipe the surface with a damp cloth.
• It is easy to install any lighting system on a cassette ceiling, which expands the design possibilities of the ceiling space design.
• Health safety. The design does not emit toxic substances into the air.
• Large assortment of cassettes of various designs.
• Fire resistance

The cassette design has no serious flaws. The main disadvantage is that the suspended ceiling system can significantly reduce the ceiling height (from 8 to 20 cm), therefore it is recommended to install such structures only in rooms with a large area and high ceilings.

Cassette ceiling coverings can vary in size, color, material, and the presence of a pattern on the surface of the cassettes. The size of the tile can be produced in the following formats:

• in the form of a square with sides 30x30, 59.5x59.5, 60x60 and 120x120 cm;
• in a rectangular form with the parameters of the sides 30x60, 30x120 and 60x120 cm;
• Some manufacturers produce cassettes of unusual sizes to create interesting design solutions, for example, plates measuring 119x59.5 cm.

The thickness of the tiles can be from 1.5 to 4 cm.

Cassettes can vary not only in shape and size, but also in the way of edge processing:

• uncut and even edges;
• with a wide step cutout;
• narrow step.

Cassettes are made from a variety of materials. The classification by this criterion is as follows:

• Metallic. This type, first of all, includes aluminum and steel ceilings made of galvanized material. The surface of such cassettes is often smooth. In terms of gloss, both matte and glossy panels are available. Sometimes on the cassettes of this type there is a mirror coating.
• SLR. Cassettes of this type are made of silicate glass. Another modification of the mirror coating are plates made of acrylic glass. Mirror ceiling can be absolutely bright or matte - this design perfectly copes with the task of visually increasing the space of a room by filling it with light.
• Glass designs are made from a multi-colored or completely transparent material. Often there are patterns or patterns on the surface of the cassettes.With the help of glass construction, you can create interesting lighting solutions in the interior. Lamps mounted behind glass panels look very impressive.

• Plaster designs are one of the first types of cassette ceilings. The surface of the plates can be a variety of textures. The disadvantage of such a coating can be called poor resistance to moisture, therefore, gypsum ceiling is not suitable for bathrooms, kitchens and other wet areas.
• Wood cassette structures belong to the category of elite ceiling coverings. Cartridges are made only from expensive tree species.
• Of fiberglass or mineral the fibers. Cartridges of this type are made both white, and color. The design has excellent sound and thermal insulation qualities. Despite the fact that mineral fiber is a fairly lightweight material, tiles made from it have good durability.

The design of cluster ceilings is quite diverse. According to the texture tile can have the following differences:

• With perforated surface. In such cassettes there are holes of small diameter, which may be about 2 mm. This ceiling model improves ventilation in the room.
• Stamped type. On the surface of the cassettes of this type there is a picture or pattern.
• With smooth surface. The outer layer of tiles in this case is coated with paintwork or an anticorrosive agent.

Cassette ceiling designs are very popular. In the modern market of finishing materials there are a large number of companies producing such coverage. However, some brands deserve special recognition and have very positive customer reviews.

"Albes" is a production association of several Russian firms. The company occupies a leading position in the market of building materials in Russia and in neighboring countries.Products "Albes" is very popular due to the wide range and high quality.

The cassette design of this manufacturer has earned its popularity due to its good quality and reasonable price. Suspended ceilings are available for two types of systems: open and closed. Cassettes have a wide range of colors. The standard palette includes the following shades:

• glossy and matt white;
• metallic;
• light beige;
• chrome and its variations;
• golden.

Additional shades include: black, gray, crimson, copper and blue. In addition, the production association "Albes" can produce powder coating of plates in the selected shade to order. Thanks to the use of non-standard color solutions, the surface of the cassettes can imitate the textures of various materials, for example, wood or granite.

"Trading House Cesal" is another leading company in the Russian market for the production of building materials. All products are manufactured under the brand name. Cesal. Cassette ceilings of this company are made mainly from aluminum.

In addition to open and closed systems, Cesal combined suspension structures are also available. The peculiarity of this type of ceiling covering is that during installation it is possible to install tiles of different sizes and shades.

Under the brand Caveen complex cassette suspension systems are available. The structure may include, in addition to the plates themselves and the mounting frame, lighting devices, climate control systems, ventilation. Elements of construction are made of aluminum alloy with magnesium. The surface of the plates can be polished or painted.

With the help of the polishing procedure, a mirror-like effect is achieved. Due to the special technology of treating cassettes with coloring substances, the painted surface is obtained embossed and resistant to mechanical damage. The color of the tile does not fade for at least 10 years.

German company Geipel known worldwide as a major manufacturer of high-quality building and finishing materials.The company actively cooperates with designers to create original finishing coatings.

Geipel cassette suspended ceilings feature a mirrored surface. Panels have good fire resistance and moisture resistance. Such designs can be effectively used to visually increase the area of ​​the room.

Cartridges are made in the form of a square from aluminum or galvanized. Special perforated panels with openings for better ventilation are also available. Installation and disassembly of the ceiling cover is not particularly difficult. If necessary, some tiles can be replaced without having to disassemble the entire structure.

To date, the market of building materials presents a wide range of suspended cassette designs. When choosing the right coverage, you need to consider some factors:

• place of installation and purpose of the room;
• interior design style;
• the size, shape and material of the cassettes;
• type of construction (open or closed);
• functional features of a particular suspension system.

Cassette ceilings are most often installed in office and public spaces, but such a design will be no less practical and effective in an apartment.

The range of cassette designs only grows over time. To choose the appropriate option for design, size and shape for a particular interior is not particularly difficult. Suspended cassette systems in modern interior styles look especially harmonious.

As mentioned above, ceiling suspended systems are divided into open and closed versions. The difference lies in some features of the design. Open systems consist of T-shaped profiles, the frame of which will be viewed from below. Closed systems consist of U-shaped profiles, on which the cassettes are mounted using special mounts so that the frame from the bottom is not visible.

Although all cassette ceilings have common characteristics, some of the design features may vary. Ceiling coating, depending on its properties, can be aimed at solving one or several tasks at once:

• ensuring a high level of sound insulation;
• fire resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• creating good ventilation in the room;
• the formation of thermal insulation coating.

Wooden cassette structures look very respectable - such a ceiling will decorate not only the office space, but also an office in a residential building.

Mirror suspension systems are characterized by good moisture resistance, so such designs are often mounted in bathrooms.

Cassette ceilings look great in spacious living rooms. Combining panels of different textures and shades, you can create original ceiling coverings.

Suspended structures from cassettes have always been very popular in office buildings, since such a ceiling is not only aesthetically attractive, but also very practical.

In the combined systems can be combined not only tiles of different shades, but also of various sizes and shapes.

A massive wooden structure with original inserts in the form of stained glass looks quite impressive.

In the video below you can see the installation of a cassette ceiling.