FAQs - Continuous Ceilings vs. Exposed Structure

What are the benefits of continuous ceilings? 

• Budgets for continuous ceilings are very stable
• Exposed structure ceilings cost more than what’s typically budgeted given the aesthetic and plenum organizational requirements for HVAC and lighting
• Our Excel cost calculator can be used to look at considerations your customer may not be aware of

• A continuous ceiling provides added fire protection that allows sprinklers and smoke detectors to activate faster, providing added escape time for occupant evacuation

• Continuous ceilings increase speech intelligibility and speech privacy
• The wrong ceiling product selection can have a major impact on speech intelligibility and privacy
• There are low cost solutions to acoustical & design challenges for existing exposed structure spaces

• Continuous ceilings typically consume less energy
• Lighting and heating/cooling in continuous ceilings require less maintenance and deliver consistent performance
• Ceiling product selection can have a major impact on lighting and energy costs
  

For more information, check out the following resources:

• CISCA Study: Life Cycle Analysis - Wall to Wall Ceilings and the Open Plenum (PDF)

• CS-3959 Suspended Ceiling or Open Plenum, Making the Right Choice (PDF)

• CS-3766 Canopies and Clouds Brochure (PDF)

• Online Reverberation Calculator

• Exposed Structure Cost Calculator

• Exposed Structure Audio Playbook / Sound Absorption Tool