What is a coffered ceiling: what types are there, installation features

A unique architectural element that gives elegance and depth to any space is a coffered ceiling. A grid-like pattern made of recessed panels, which vary in complexity depending on the design, is what distinguishes these ceilings. Coffered ceilings were originally made of stone in antiquity, but they are now frequently made of wood, plaster, or even lightweight materials like MDF.

Coffered ceilings come in a variety of styles, each with a distinct structural and artistic variation. The most classic style is the traditional coffered ceiling, which consists of beam-framed square or rectangular panels. This style has a classic appeal and is frequently seen in formal environments and historic structures.

More geometric designs and patterns, like hexagonal or octagonal panels, are incorporated into contemporary interpretations of coffered ceilings. These modern designs can be used in a variety of architectural contexts, from eclectic and artistic spaces to sleek and minimalist interiors.

Careful planning and skilled labor are needed when installing a coffered ceiling. Usually, the procedure entails installing the panels after using beams or molding to frame out the desired pattern. Installation may require exact measurements and adjustments to guarantee a seamless fit, depending on the material selected.

What does the concept mean??

When a coffered ceiling is installed in a building, the spaces between the walls are filled with slabs made of various materials and shapes. Reinforced concrete ribbed structures created with specialized technology are utilized when installing a coffered concrete floor.

Examining a fragment with a lower section, you can see that the area devoid of concrete is home to a reinforced rib with stretched reinforcement. In this instance, the ribs may be positioned 150 centimeters apart, perpendicular to one another, or at an angle. On top of these protrusions, the slabs are laid.

Similar overlap on equal-height main and auxiliary beams can be monolithic or prefabricated. The ceiling will have square, rectangular, or diamond-shaped recesses after installation; however, all of these recesses resemble odd boxes, which is why French builders named this type of ceiling "coffered."

However, this idea for architecture dates back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman frescoes and mosaics displayed this arrangement.

The image demonstrates how a continuous flooring covers the longitudinal and transverse beams, and the empty space is adorned with a variety of designs, such as sculptures, stucco moldings, or drawings.

Where and when is appropriate?

It is financially advantageous to construct enormous buildings with intricate engineering structures and coffered ceilings in areas where there will be a high volume of human traffic.

Eg

• entertainment or construction complex;
• cinema, theater;
• educational institution;
• shopping mall.

Large manufacturing companies have largely relocated outside of densely populated areas into the suburbs, leaving hardly any of them located inside city limits in megacities. However, the buildings still exist; they are rebuilt with coffered ceilings frequently. If sophisticated, large-scale machinery, such as overhead cranes, is utilized during construction, it is recommended to employ a comparable overlap technique.

When high-rise complexes need to install extra elements, caisson technology makes it possible for the structure to operate safely and dependably while maintaining optimal functionality.

Varieties

A coffered ceiling is a technological feature of construction if we think of it as a kind of ribbed structure with reinforced protrusions that are perpendicular to each other.

Here, there are two sections that determine the height of the projecting elements:

• in the middle of the rib, where the greatest load falls;
• in a place adjacent to a vertical support.

Lateral force controls the height on a continuous monolithic section. When calculating coffered floors, constant, short-term, and long-term loads, as well as their derivative combinations, are taken into consideration.

Manufacturing technology is separated into the following categories based on the technical aspects involved in producing coffered ceilings.

Prefabricated monolithic

The arrangement is based on a hollow block with varying dimensions. Closed geometric shapes are created during installation and are retained in the concrete as permanent formwork. The structure appears as one solid slab where the parts meet the column. Reinforcing rods or mesh are used to reinforce the concrete blocks above the support area.

Monolithic

The concrete solution is dispersed equally in this instance. The ribbed structure is lightweight because it is devoid of concrete. Stretched portions of the section remain without mixture during the work; only the reinforcement with ribs is concreted.

They reduce the need for building materials and raise the covered spans as a result. Plastic caisson formers, metal lathing, or telescopic racks are used as the formwork for coffered ceilings.

After the solution has hardened, the plastic form can be easily removed from the concrete due to its slight adhesion. A lifting mechanism is not necessary with light weight designs.

After the formwork is precisely and simply fastened to the sheathing, a structure of channels for the inventory cassettes with hollow interiors is created for the ribs. Concrete is poured over the reinforcement mesh layer. The end product is a caisson structure made of reinforced concrete, with protrusions that are transferred in height from plastic forms. Installation is done on a monolithic, solid reinforced concrete slab in support locations.

Requirements for slabs

Builders and manufacturers are provided with regulatory documentation during the design phase of all ceilings, including coffered ones, along with several construction requirements.

• sustainability;
• operational safety;
• reliability;
• load bearing capacity.

A set of guidelines and regulations govern the manufacturing of products made of reinforced concrete:

• SP 387.1325800.2018 – design of reinforced concrete structures, coatings and floors;
• SP 385.1325800 2018 – basic provisions for protecting buildings from destruction;
• SP 351.1325800
• 2017 — manufacture of reinforced concrete products from lightweight concrete;.SP 311.1325800
• 2017 — production of reinforced concrete from high-strength concrete;. SP 63.13330
• 2012 — basic provisions for concrete and reinforced concrete structures;.SP 20.13330
• 2016 — conditions for loads and their impact;
• SP 52-101-2203 — concrete and reinforced concrete structures without prestressing reinforcement;
• GOST 26633-2015 — specifications for concrete;
• GOST 12767-94 — general specifications for reinforced concrete floor slabs for large-panel structures;.

Part No. 6 of GOST 27751-2014, "Basic requirements for the reliability of construction projects," discusses loads and different kinds of force influences on the surfaces of structures and buildings.Formwork is used to form the caisson partition, regardless of whether it is a monolithic or prefabricated frame. The work is done in compliance with the drawings and the building codes and regulations SNiP 12-03-2001 (parts 1 and 2).

Characteristics and parameters

The caisson’s dependability is guaranteed by reinforcement and adherence to the slab’s technical specifications, which call for a thickness of 25 to 45 cm. In line with accepted building codes, the ribs rise 20–40 cm above the surface in an exact proportion.

At least one twentieth of the span length should be the height of the projecting edges. There are no size restrictions on coffered ceilings; they can produce an area as large as 35 by 35 meters. There must be a minimum of four support points if the panels are supported by walls or columns.

In order to decrease the thickness of the floor, spans are expanded using modular skydome formwork. Buildings must be constructed in compliance with technical properties in order to guarantee quality.

Details	Brand	Laying method
Skydome	H350; H400	On spans from 8 to 16 (m.)
Beams	Т120;160;200	For supports, they are created according to markings; monolithic ones come in widths of 120, 160, 200 (mm.)
TF120, 160, 200	On plywood, when forming monolithic beams, widths of 120, 160, 200 (mm) are used.)
Universal plugs	C120, 160, 200	On wooden supports to securely fix the plastic "T" beam
CF120, 160, 200	On a plywood or wood base to strengthen the plastic “T”

The technical requirements for the formwork must be fulfilled:

Name	Options
Maximum thickness (cm.)	70
Installation height (m.)	1.5-20
Load on racks (t.)	2.7
Diameters of racks (mm.)	57/2
Stand height (cm.)	100, 140, 150-440
Length of space between flanges (cm.)	50/100
Length size of crossbars (cm.)	50-200
Operating temperatures	-40 0 C; +40 0 C

Work can be done at a height of 20 meters with volumetric formwork utilizing floors up to 2 meters thick and 5 tons in mass.

Installation features

Formwork is used to create a monolithic frame as a preliminary step before reinforcement is added.

Forms may be removable or unique.

• Skydome type is easily removable, consists of plastic elements, concrete does not stick to them, but is repelled, so the product is used several times;
• combined ones are used for temporary plywood flooring, on which conventional formwork is placed;
• homemade, wooden and plywood for one-time use.

In any event, experts should be tasked with producing molds; if this isn’t feasible, they can be produced on their own. After selecting a construction-appropriate option, we start by reinforcing:

• volumetric frames;
• nets;
• separate rods.

Periodic reinforcement is used for longitudinal reinforcement, while smooth reinforcement is used for transverse reinforcement. To prevent displacement, the metal components inside the frame must be properly positioned and strengthened. First, the first layer of concrete is poured, forming the shape of the rib. After that, cover the remaining reinforcement with the longitudinal elements, upper and lower, clamped in place.

Formwork panels and decks are installed, assembled, and fixed with the goal of having the joints fit as tightly as possible. This will lessen the chance of concrete seeping through fractures. Concrete should be poured after a careful inspection to ensure that the dimensions match the project and the formwork forms are placed correctly.

Defects, causes and their elimination

Cracks are the first indications of damage that a builder will see, even though the average person might not notice them right away.

• transverse:
• diagonal;
• longitudinal.

In an area devoid of concrete, steel reinforcement is susceptible to rust.

The slabs’ bearing capacity is lowered when cracks start to show. Cracks on the surface form as a result of:

• hardening of concrete, this defect is called shrinkage by builders;
• deformation of the slab, which can lead to collapse;
• violations of technology when pouring the solution, when the formwork was formed.

In the event that a defect is found, it must be immediately eliminated:

• strengthen the damaged slab with temporary supports, which should replace permanent pilasters;
• drill out the damaged area, replace with new reinforcement, concrete and seal the hole.

You have to use caution when making repairs.

A gorgeous architectural detail that gives sophistication and depth to any space is a coffered ceiling. This article addresses the distinct installation considerations for the many styles of coffered ceilings, ranging from traditional to contemporary. Understanding the versatility and installation techniques of coffered ceilings can help you create a striking focal point that improves the overall aesthetic and value of your property, whether you’re designing a modern space or renovating a historic home.

Pros and cons of the design

Principal advantages of building a coffered ceiling:

• quick installation without additional reinforcements, installation of columns for support;
• the thickness of the structure is reduced, which reduces the load;
• saving building materials;
• increased free space with span length;
• load-bearing capacity increases.

A disadvantage is the requirement for:

• construction of volumetric formwork;
• creating an assembly diagram;
• working at heights where a work surface is to be built.

While the pouring of concrete is standard, the formwork is installed in accordance with a sophisticated scheme that requires exact calculations of all loads and intervals.

average price

Owing to the nation’s economic volatility, building material prices are periodically modified. As a result, you should confirm the prices for a specific date with the seller or manufacturer.

If a precast, monolithic caisson-style floor can still be put together using a variety of materials, the cost is determined by applying monolithic technology and comes from:

1. formwork costs;
2. concrete;
3. reinforcement;
4. labor costs.

The caisson category of stucco moldings has been put up for sale, with pieces costing 500 rubles, but these are merely ceiling panels, not floors.

For 1350 rubles per square meter, you can purchase a precast monolithic floor in Russia that is composed of longitudinal reinforced concrete beams and aerated concrete blocks that are filled with concrete during installation. Prices range from 1420 to 1860 rubles, depending on the filler.

In forums, builders reply that the total cost of a caisson concrete floor is the same as that of regular precast monolithic slabs. The only practical way to confirm this fact is to create a construction estimate.

Any room gains elegance and architectural interest from a coffered ceiling. The array of recessed panels, which are usually square or rectangular and form a grid-like pattern across the ceiling, is what distinguishes it. There are many different styles available in this design to accommodate a wide range of tastes and aesthetics.

A common style of coffered ceiling is the traditional grid pattern, in which a grid of square or rectangular panels is created by molding or beams. This design frequently conjures up an elegant or traditional aesthetic, making it ideal for large rooms or areas that need symmetry. As an alternative, homeowners can go for a more modern look by using asymmetrical patterns or changing the size and shape of the panels.

It takes precise planning and execution to install a coffered ceiling. It entails filling in the panels in between the ceiling pattern, which is usually framed out with molding or beams. To guarantee that the panels are correctly aligned and spaced evenly, this process might call for skilled carpentry.

It’s critical for homeowners thinking about installing a coffered ceiling to take both practical and aesthetic factors into account. In addition to their aesthetic value, coffered ceilings improve acoustics in large rooms by lessening echoing. Additionally, they can support a range of lighting options, such as pendant lights or chandeliers suspended between the beams, or recessed lights inside the panels.

To sum up, coffered ceilings are a classy and classic way to improve the appearance of any space. They continue to be a popular option for homeowners wishing to add architectural interest and a hint of luxury to their living spaces because of their adaptability in design and ability for customization.

Video on the topic

All the nuances and subtleties of installing coffered formwork

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Prefabricated monolithic floors "Homeowner"