Artificial ceilings have seen a surge in demand as people are opting to give

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their homes a fresh look. With false ceilings getting popular at the workplace, people are using creative ways to install artificial ceilings in their homes too. The result is a soothing, chic and spanking new space above your head at room.

In cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Mumbai, homeowners are taking up artificial ceilings as a means of tastefully shifting the attention from the woodwork or a generation-old ceiling. Artificial ceilings are being decorated with special lights to enhance the wall texture or paintings and stone claddings adorning the walls of their rooms.

If you plan to get an artificial ceiling installed in your house, remember that the work can take 10-15 days. This means that the living or entertainment room will have to be left vacant during this period.

Like all other home decor items, one can select an artificial ceiling that will add value to one’s home. While the

options are aplenty, it is important to make the right choice. Architects and interior designers cite cases where buyers did not like the way the artificial ceiling turned out, even though it looked great on paper. The choice can range between a plaster of Paris (POP) ceiling and

ceilings made of gypsum boards,

glass, metal or even wood.

In residential settings, people are increasingly going for POP ceiling because of their low cost. But designers also see an increasing demand for that special touch. This is where glass or decorated wood panels are finding takers. Metal and acrylic sheets are also popular as ceiling boards. The cost of different types of ceiling may help one make the right choice.

A POP ceiling will cost Rs 50-60 per sq ft. This is a general range and may go upward depending on the material used. If you opt for a POP ceiling with designs or emblems, be prepared to cough up at least 5-10 per cent more, that is, Rs 60-70 per sq ft.

What about a gypsum ceiling? While low-quality gypsum boards are available at Rs 50 per sq ft, experts advise consumers to go for those that cost Rs 70-80 per sq ft. The premium over POP is justified as gypsum boards have a longer life, minimal chances of developing cracks and the least chances of discolouration. For a POP ceiling, discolouration is bound to happen over time and it can make a room look mundane and drab or worn down.

If one is prepared to pay more, one can go for grid ceilings and acoustic panels, which are available in different patterns, and cost Rs 100-150 per sq ft. If you want to install glass panels which transform the ceiling by way of natural light and shadow effects, you may have to shell out more than Rs 200 per sq ft. There are different options available in the market. One can choose anything from frosted or coloured glass to cut-glass for the ceiling.

kumarsroy@mydigitalfc.com