Using ceiling panels in interior is a great way to create high quality and functional ceiling spaces. These panels can be both functional and aesthetically important.

There are many uses of panels such as carrying light fixtures to providing special purpose for example acoustic, noise reduction and soundproofing.

Ceiling panels come in a variety of materials such as made of cork, wood, metal etc. These panels are also suitable for almost all types of roof shapes such as truss, flat, vaulted.

Let's have a look at the most common functions of these panels used for interior lighting.

1) In the first type the entire ceiling area is covered by using the selected ceiling tiles or plans using a square grid. Metal ropes are used to "hang" the ceiling panels from constructed ceiling at corners of the grid. Then depending upon the panel material the panels are screwed to this grid from bottom.

The main function of this type of paneling is to carry light fixtures. This is used in a very large column less space such as an auditorium or large office space. The grid layout makes it easy to maintain and service in the future.

2) In the second type the panels are used as secondary light source. Instead of carrying the light fixture with them, these panels only receive light from other lighting sources and reflects evenly in the entire space. For this purposed they have a very glossy finish to increase the amount of reflection. The shape and size of the panels or whether to use a single or multiple panels is very carefully worked out depending upon the number and location of direct light sources.

This type of paneling works best for small office spaces such as conference halls, cabins, residential living room etc. Since these panels also becomes a part of the entire design form, a very careful thought must be given about the theme of the design before installing them.

3) In the third type ceiling panels are used very creatively by creating levels. This requires a substantial ceiling height in order to play with levels and allow a good "head room" below the lowest point of the ceiling. In this type the lower level ceiling panels carry the light fixtures and throw direct light on the upper level ceiling panels so that they can distribute it evenly in remote area of the space.

Light fixture can also be used to direct on the walls to create a "mood". the biggest advantage of this type of system is that the light source is hidden from direct vision and thus creates a very smooth and uniform lighting in the interior space.

4) There is one more way these panels can be used in interior spaces for distributing light. Instead of using them on ceiling they can be used on walls to reflect direct sunlight evenly.

If used creatively on walls that receives direct sunlight, two functions can be easily achieved. a) Decreasing the intensity of sunlight b) Reflecting it to remote interior spaces using proper angle.

But unlike an artificial light source the direction and intensity of sunlight constantly changes in a day. To cater this the panels can be made "adjustable" to serve the changed day conditions.

I hope this article was useful to create a spark of imagination in your mind.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya