Using ceiling to enliven your house

What comes to mind when you think of a ceiling? I do not know about you, but my mind immediately diverts to that concealment covering the upper part of a house. Some people think a ceiling is simply white and flat yet this is not the case as ceilings can be designed in different ways.
Stacey Nankya, an architect, reveals that many home owners actually invest an appropriate amount of time planning their ceiling designs during construction.

“Gone are the days when people just went with plain ceilings. Homeowners today are settling for designs that leave a lasting impression,” she says.

The 28-year-old has been in the profession for the last five years and reveals that from time to time individuals intending to build often seek her services, especially on which designs to consider for ceilings.

“I remember an incident where one client even asked me if it was possible to use wall paper as a ceiling design? I found that a rather interesting question as she was the first to ever ask me such a question. Well, my response was that it was possible,” Nankya says.

Functions and types
A ceiling has different functions it plays in a home. One vital role is that it is a padding from heat as it covers the upper part of a room.
A house without a ceiling tends to get exposed to high temperatures emerging directly from the roof hence making the residents very uneasy.
Further, they are sound proof to unnecessary noise and echoes.

Ceilings also add beauty to a home, especially with modern designs, says Marino Pagril, an interior designer at Design Klinic in Ntinda.

“One of most common designs that homeowners use today are the fancy chandeliers with lights that are suspended from the ceilings. If you have ever been to any home with chandeliers, you will testify that they bring some magic to a room,” notes Pagril. The other two common types Pagril points out include the domed ceilings with a circular section with resemblance to an ancient building and the tray styles which have a cut out design in the middle.

The cut out part can either bear a particular colour or design that is different from the other part of the ceiling.

Claire Birungi Nsangi, a resident in Mukono District, says during the constructing of their family home five years ago, her husband opted for a wooden design ceiling for their living room.

“He asked me if there were particular patterns we could settle for and frankly, I did not know any. We, therefore, used the services of an interior designer as well as looked up the internet for ideas. In the end, we settled for a panel-like pattern which we incorporated with a few bulbs,” Nsangi says, adding, “In the end, the design brought a warm, cozy and dark feeling to the room.”
The couple has, however, noticed a leakage recently in one of the corners of the ceiling.

“Whenever it rains, water drips onto the floor. I have a feeling that the problem is from the iron sheet, therefore, that water is directed onto the ceiling and escapes onto the floor,” Birungi says.

Architect cautions on expert use

Richard Turyahabwe, an architect with Arch Design, says it is very important for homeowners to use qualified architects during construction of their homes.

“These do a great job and one will not end up having incidences such as roof or ceiling leakages,” he says, adding, “Homeowners should, however, note that not all ceilings are constructed in such a way to contain water leakage from the roof as some are particularly constructed for their design.”

Depending on one’s pockets, Turyahabwe advises home owners to settle for designs they can afford as some of them have huge cost implications and the materials are not readily available.

“There is also no more harm in using materials such as papyrus reeds or bamboo which are much cheaper,” he says.
Suspended ceilings go for about Shs60,000 to Shs100,000 per square metre.
Wood ceilings cost about Shs45,000 per square metre. Soft board ceilings, although rare nowadays go for about Shs15,000 per square metre.