Many homeowners and commercial building operators wonder if acoustical or drywall ceilings are better. The truth is it depends on your project. Acoustical ceilings tend to work better for commercial applications, while drywall is usually a better choice for residential properties. Acoustical ceilings reduce noise and have a commercial look, while drywall is easy to work with and meets the needs of most residences. Let’s look further at the difference between the two to determine which is right for you.
Should you chose an acoustical ceiling?
Let’s get into the pros and cons so you know if a drywall ceiling is for you.
Let’s start with acoustical ceilings. They have a variety of benefits, including:
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Acoustical ceilings absorb noise. They also prevent noise from bouncing off the walls and floors of the room. Because of this, they are a great alternative for commercial work environments.
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Acoustical ceilings are simple. Their presence does not jump out at people, but they still have an attractive look, another reason they are great for commercial properties.
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A lot of builders and property developers love acoustic ceilings because installation is simple. The project can get done without a hitch.
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Acoustic ceilings are also less costly than most ceiling alternatives. When used for commercial spaces, acoustic ceiling tiles are usually bought in bulk, reducing their cost even further. Acoustic ceilings are also less costly to replace, maintain, and remove. Therefore, they also offer great value and ROI.
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Acoustic ceiling tiles also help to improve lighting through reflection. This allows building owners to use less electrical lighting, to better enjoy the aesthetics in their spaces, and to take advantage of natural light.
But like any building material, acoustical ceilings have some disadvantages to consider as well:
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Acoustical ceilings are not water resistant. Even high levels of humidity can lead to water damage or mold.
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While less costly than most ceiling alternatives, acoustical ceilings are usually more expensive than their drywall counterparts.
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Acoustical tile damage is quite common as the tiles tend to sag under their weight. This can increase renovation costs as they have to be replaced more often.
Should you chose drywall?
Let’s get into the pros and cons so you know if a drywall ceiling is for you.
Similar to acoustical ceilings, drywall ceilings offer a variety of tempting benefits as well:
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Drywall is manufactured faster and is cheaper to produce.
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Although somewhat heavy, a professional drywall company with the right lifting machines can still install either walls or ceilings fast.
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Although less durable compared to acoustic tiles, drywall finishing reinforces it, resulting in a sufficient strength for most purposes
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It can be used for the construction of regular walls and ceilings or as a partition.
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Installing lighting or hanging items to drywall is much easier than in other materials.
However, drywall also has some disadvantages to consider too:
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It has low water resistance. When installed in bathrooms, basements, or other high moisture spaces, its condition is often affected, resulting in mold infestations and the need for drywall replacement.
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Without plastering over the drywall, the surface will be prone to damage, such as holes, damaged corners, tape coming off, and joints cracking.
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Although easy to install, it requires experts because drywall finishing must be done correctly or there will be problems with the joints or tapes later.
Most of the problems with drywall are manageable. If your contractor takes precautions, measures correctly, and selects the right materials, you shouldn’t have any problems. Minor issues from the expected wear and tear are easily manageable. Clearly, the advantages of drywall are plenty and give you a good reason for investing in this material, especially for residential properties.
There is nothing wrong with either acoustical ceilings or drywall ceilings. For most residential projects, drywall is the material of choice while acoustical ceilings provide the noise dampening and aesthetics best reserved for commercial properties.
Pro-tip: If you’re looking for a contractor to repair or replace your ceiling in Virginia, explore these guidelines from the state of Virginia.
Carlton Building Services in Hampton Roads Virginia
Carlton Building Services specializes in repairs, maintenance, renovations, remodelings and build-outs for a variety of clients in Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake areas. We have years of experience handling projects in the retail, office, and healthcare space and would love to work with you on your next project!
To learn more about our services, check out past project highlights or contact Carlton Building Services to see how we can help with your next project.
