Ears: In most commercial spaces, the ceiling is closer to our ears than walls treating it helps hearing.But ceilings have several things going for them when it comes to sound control, especially in commercial buildings. Technically, this is an oblique surface to hearing. Unlike walls, ceilings do not reflect sound directly to our hearing, since our ears are oriented on our heads vertically, not horizontally (at least for most of us). This article will explain the wide range of suspended acoustical ceiling types, with a focus on the acoustic characteristics rather than access, installation, or cost.Īn interior design lacking acoustical forethought is a rare commercial project today. What is an acoustic ceiling?Ī suspended acoustic ceiling is a secondary ceiling, hung below the structural ceiling both to treat room acoustics and to look attractive. Suspended ceilings have the added advantage of hiding the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations from view while maintaining some level of access to these utilities. Height, the sense of volume, color, texture, and geometry are big parts of that impact-as are the ceiling’s acoustics. (Now, of course, that’s the first thing we do.) Consciously or not, however, no one can escape the impact of a room’s ceiling construction. Before we got into the ceiling business, we never looked up. Some even argue over that assertion. “No, it’s the forgotten sixth surface.” “No,” say still others, “It’s the fifth wall!” We get it. Ceilings are called the forgotten third surface.