Ceiling Grid

What is suspended ceiling grid?

An exposed, modular, tile and grid suspended ceiling consists of a suspension system, removable ceiling tiles and a perimeter trim. The suspension system, known as tee grid or a grid ceiling, suspends from the ceiling soffit via hangers, wire or galv angle. At OWA, we manufacture our grid from galvanised steel coil. The coil passes through many shaped rollers to fold the sheet material into inverted ‘T’ profiles. To finish the T-profiles we apply a pre-painted white capping to create our standard OWAwhite grid. Here in the UK, a grid ceiling will usually consist of three T-profiles: the main runner, a 1200mm large cross tee and a 600mm small cross tee.

The primary main runners connect end to end and suspend from the ceiling parallel to each other at 1200mm centres. Then, the 1200mm long tees connect perpendicularly between the main runners at 600mm centres. Finally, the 600mm small tees connect perpendicularly between the 1200mm long tees. The interlocking T-profiles form a suspended lattice grid ceiling suitable for the most popular 600x600 mm tiles. However, if you omit the short 600mm tees, the ceiling tile module size becomes 1200x600 mm.

Exposed grid designs

OWA offers two different exposed tee grid systems. One with a hook connection and the other with a click connection. Our hook grid is only available as 24mm in OWAwhite and black. Whereas, our click (cliq) grid is available as 15mm and 24mm in OWAwhite. For reference, OWAwhite is similar to RAL 9003 signal white. Also, we offer our 15mm click grid in RAL 9010 pure white to accompany our metal ceiling tiles. The hook grid inter connections form a 'butt cut' joint. This means the cut ends of the profiles butt against each other and the grid surface is flush and level. Instead, the click grid inter connections form a 'joggled' joint. The ends of the smaller profiles slightly overlap the main runner. Therefore, the contact point for the tile is slightly raised and a square edge tile may sit approximately 1mm above the grid.

We engineer our premium OWAconstruct grids for strength. The main runners, which are the primary structural profile, are manufactured from 0.4mm steel to ensure a robust and rigid system. Our customers and ceiling contractors appreciate the quality.

Where to use a suspended grid ceiling

Specifically, tee grid is used to create a modular ceiling. A tile and grid system that hangs from the ceiling soffit or roof structure to create a continuous, level, finished ceiling at a specific height. Notably, we test our high-quality, German engineered grids, tiles and trims according to BS EN 13964 ‘Suspended ceilings – Requirements and test methods’. You may install this type of ceiling to hide M&E services, an existing ceiling or the roof structure. The tiles used within the grid ceiling can absorb unwanted sound and reduce reverberation. Alternatively, they can help prevent sounds transmitting from one space to another. However, the 600x600 mm or 1200x600 mm tiles are easily removable to enable access to services, pipes and cables below the soffit or roof.

Review our suspended ceiling installation summary or download our concise installation guide.