3 Specialty Ceiling Products to Watch in 2019 & Beyond

At a time when consumers are increasingly focused on sound control and aesthetics, specialty ceilings have become the fastest growing products in the $2.1 billion ceilings market. 

Here are a few specialty ceiling products that will have a big impact on the US market over the next few years:

1. Clouds

Clouds (sometimes called canopies) are ornate ceiling products that add architectural flair and improved sound quality to the spaces in which they are used. They are monolithic in appearance and structure, hanging horizontally over a small section of ceiling.  Clouds generally offer significant sound absorption properties and are available in a variety of shapes, colors, and materials, allowing building owners to customize in order to achieve their desired aesthetic.

Clouds are often used in spaces such as open plan offices, building lobbies, and other areas where good sound control is required but a more open design aesthetic is desired.  Going forward, clouds should see increasing use in office buildings as acoustical properties are increasingly prioritized. 

2. Baffles

Baffles are similar to cloud ceilings, but hang horizontally. As such, they can be installed without lowering the ceiling or needing to provide full coverage.  Baffles are commonly used in open spaces with high ceilings, such as gymnasiums and atrium spaces in shopping malls or transportation hubs.

Baffles are particularly well-suited to use in educational facilities, offices, and retail buildings, where specialty designs and materials (like wood) can provide improved acoustics and aesthetics, particularly as open plenum designs – which baffles can accommodate – become more popular.

3. Stretch Ceilings

Stretch ceilings are wall-to-wall ceiling coverings comprising a fabric or plastic membrane pulled tightly over a frame, creating an attractive cover for the ceiling underneath. While these products have been popular in Europe for some time, they’ve only recently come to the attention of the US market.

Stretch ceilings are expected to grow in popularity for a few reasons, including:

• good mold and moisture resistance
• quick and easy installation
• superior aesthetics

These ceilings ought to be especially popular in malls, retail outlets, and offices, as building owners seek to grab the attention of their visitors with eye-catching features.

To learn more, check out The Freedonia Group’s recent study Ceilings Market in the US, which offers:

• historical data and forecasts
• discussions of growth opportunities and the factors affecting demand
• analysis of major industry players