Vermiculite Ceilings

It is still used extensively in applications that require fire ratings.

Vermiculite ceilings. Not only did it function as an acoustic coating but was also used as a decorative texture finish when sprayed directly over concrete substrates or alternatively when sprayed over some type of mesh such as expanded metal lath or ripple iron backing. Many customers who have the ceiling height of over 2460mm usually opt for a 60mm drop ceiling because it enables them to install down lights. Although this finish was used between the 1950s and the early 1980s it rose to the height of its popularity in the 1970s.

The vermiculite the stuff that looks like popcorn has extremely good fire retardant properties and also proves beneficial in dulling sound transfer. At the time there were good reasons for its widespread use. Does the ceiling surface contain asbestos.

The vermiculite acts as a sound barrier hence their use in multi storey apartments. Now if you have a vermiculite ceiling then you know what the problem is. It is often said to resemble popcorn or cottage cheese hence the name.

It has a textured popcorn appearance and was considered a cheap and easy building material. It s ugly dark and never looks like anything except sprayed on concrete droppings. Vermiculite is sprayed concrete coloured and rough textured ceilings.

You can spray paint the vermiculite to get rid of the concrete colour and smooth out some of the texture. Were very popular in 70 s apartments and commercial buildings. Vermiculite ceilings were popular spray applied ceiling finishes of the sixties seventies and well into the eighties.

Install a false plasterboard ceiling to encapsulate the vermiculite this is done by installing battens and lining with 10mm ceilingboard plasterboard. The popcorn ceiling was once popular in homes but fell out of favour 1980 s when the harmful effects of asbestos once a common ingredient in vermiculite were discovered. Also known as an acoustic or vermiculite ceiling a popcorn ceiling is a spray on textured ceiling finish.