What is Plaster of Paris False Ceiling?
POP false ceilings, also known as plaster of Paris false ceilings. It is made from gypsum plaster and popular choice for adding elegance and sophistication to any space. Gypsum plaster is a fine white powder that becomes hard when mixed with water.
Plaster is done in two or more coats and the final coat is applied to achieve a smooth, finished, and polished look. It has a number of advantages, such as visual appeal, acoustic insulation, and the capacity to conceal ductwork and wiring. But it also has disadvantages such as being more expensive, taking time to install, and being sensitive to moisture.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about POP false ceilings
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Pros of POP false ceilings
Flexibility in Aesthetic and Design
It is customized with various textures and designs and can match various decorative styles. POP false ceilings change the look of any room and make the environment more elegant. It is flexible both in terms of design and application. It is easily applied to the corner of your room in order to get a cornice design.
Hiding of electrical wiring and services
It is also one major advantage of a POP false ceiling is that it conceals all the electrical wiring, cable, pipes, and ductwork, and keeps the room clean and looks elegant.
Good Acoustic insulation
It offers a good amount of acoustic insulation. It acts as a sound barrier and makes the room soundproof. This type of false is particularly useful in rooms where noise levels need to be controlled, such as family rooms, living halls, home theaters or recording studios, dance classes, etc.
Fire Resistance
POP is a fire-resistant material that is good for adding a false ceiling in your kitchen where heat is the most common thing. It is a good option for insulating heat.
Maintains the room temperature
A false ceiling design for your roof is another benefit because it adds another layer of ceiling underneath the regular roof. Due to this, the roof stays cool during the summer season. In the summer, when the sun shines directly on the roof, the conventional roof heats up, while the false ceiling stays cool and regulates the temperature.
Reduction of electric bills
Temperatures can be lowered using false ceilings. This ultimately contributes to lower energy costs. In the summer or winter, you don’t need to turn on the heater or the air conditioner. The additional layer of a fake ceiling put to the roof is sufficient to regulate the indoor temperature.
Durable
It is a lightweight material and durable in nature which is why it is the best option for decorating your room with a POP false ceiling.
Easy to maintain
POP false ceilings are easy to clean and maintain, making them a popular choice for commercial spaces like offices and shops.
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Cons of POP false ceilings
Reduction of ceiling height/Headroom
A false ceiling has the drawback of lowering the ceiling’s height, which limits the amount of space available in the room. It is not advisable to extend the ceiling if your ceiling is already pretty low. It will destroy the house’s interior and give the room a sophisticated feeling. A false ceiling should only be installed if there is enough height of the structural ceiling.
Mixture Proportions
If the mixture of POP powder and water is not made properly, it leads to shrink or crack when it dries. so whenever you want to install a POP False ceiling always hire experienced manpower.
Cost
POP false ceilings may cost more than conventional ceiling types, particularly if unique finishes or specific designs are needed.
Moisture sensitivity
POP false ceilings should not be installed in rooms with high humidity or moisture, such as bathrooms or kitchens, because gypsum plaster is susceptible to moisture.
Vulnerability to damage
While POP false ceilings are durable, they are not impervious to damage. Over time, the surface may develop cracks or other imperfections, especially if the building settles or experiences seismic activity.
What is Gypsum False Ceiling?

Gypsum false ceilings are one of the most common types of false ceilings. They are made from gypsum board, which is a lightweight material that is easy to install. Gypsum false ceilings are highly versatile and can be customized to suit a wide range of design styles.
Pros of Gypsum False Ceiling
Easy to Install gypsum false ceiling
It is a lightweight material that is fixed with a metal frame and adhesively attached. Gypsum false ceilings are relatively easy to install and can be completed in a shorter period of time compared to other types of ceilings. These wallboards or drywalls may be installed much more quickly and easily than other materials like hardwood or fiberboard. Since this product is made of lightweight material, less labor is needed to handle it. A basic knife or hand saw would be sufficient to cut through the material; no heavy-duty equipment is required.
Cost-effective
Gypsum false ceilings are an affordable option compared to other types of suspended ceilings, such as metal or wood. Cost is also one of the factors why people prefer gypsum false ceilings and speed of installation and low cost would help the owner to reduce the budget of interior work.
Good Fire-Resistant Material
Gypsum is a fire-resistant material, which makes it an ideal choice for commercial buildings and public spaces. It has a noncombustible core which has calcium sulfate around 21%, as a result of which when heat is very high it produces a stem. Gypsum board has been shown in research to have a low flame-spread index and a low smoke-density index in compliance with ASTM E 84. This indicates that for a specific amount of time, the gypsum board serves as an adequate fire barrier for other structural components.
Flexibility in Design Options
Boosting a room’s aesthetic appeal because they come in a huge selection of patterns and finishes.
Benefits of Sound insulation
It provides good sound insulation, which can help to reduce noise levels in a room. Gypsum false ceiling guarantees to soundproof between rooms and sound absorption to enhance communication. It is more beneficial for the person who wants more privacy and does not want any external sound.
Cons of Gypsum False Ceiling:
Susceptibility to water damage
Gypsum false ceilings are not resistant to water and can be damaged if exposed to moisture. This makes them unsuitable for use in areas with high humidity levels or the potential for water leakage. It is not suitable for bathrooms, toilets, washrooms, and kitchens.
Limited load-bearing capacity
Gypsum false ceilings have a limited load-bearing capacity and may not be suitable for use in areas where heavy objects need to be suspended from the ceiling.
Maintenance
Gypsum board ceilings must be entirely disassembled in order to be repaired. Gypsum false ceilings need to be repainted and may need to be painted over or repaired if they are scratched or discolored.
Fragile
False ceilings made of gypsum can crack and can break or split if improper care is not taken with them during installation or maintenance.
Which one is better POP Vs Gypsum False Ceiling?
Features | Plaster of Paris (POP) False Ceiling | Gypsum False Ceiling |
Wastage | Less waste because it comes in powder form. | There is a lot of Wastage on the Gypsum board because it comes in specific sizes. |
Installation | It Consumes more time because it is installed on-site. | Gypsum board is readymade material directly imported from the factory, and can be directly used at the site. |
Cost | Gypsum board is readymade material directly imported from the factory and can be directly used at the site. | more expensive than POP. |
Modability | Approximately, 25% -30% less expensive than Gypsum | Gypsum board is readymade material directly imported from the factory and can be directly used at the site. |
Labor | Requires skilled manpower. | Can be done by semi-skilled manpower. |
Design and aesthetics | Resistance to fire and moisture | Resistance to fire but not moisture. |
Finish | No joints seem, completely smooth | Joints are filled with POP slurry. |
Can be molded, or curved as per requirement. | can be made in any complex design. | little difficult to achieve complex design, both gypsum and POP must be used to achieve the required design. |
cracks | it cracks might occur in the future depending upon the craftsman and the quality of the material. | Crack does not come easily. |
Repairs and Maintenance | Easy to repair. | Resistance |
What does the Interior designer suggest POP Vs Gypsum False Ceiling?
Employing a qualified interior designer and following their advice for the best false ceiling, whether it be pop or gypsum, is typically advised. These are some of the most well-known suggestions made by designers for false ceilings:
- Choose a peripheral ceiling design utilizing gypsum boards if you need high-quality materials on a tight budget.
- If you want your false ceiling design with Gypsum boar, it may require additional items such as plywood, glass, etc.
- However, as the installation process is easy and has cleaning benefits, Gypsum turns out to be a better option for false ceilings despite the cost as compared to POP.
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Why POP Ceiling gets Crack?
It cracks might occur in the future depending upon the workman and the quality of the material. Ceiling gets also cracks due to structural damage and poor workmanship.
Is difficult to clean Plaster of Paris (POP) Ceiling?
We need to maintain and clean the ceiling if we really want keep your ceiling for a long days. If you don't keep it clean, the ceiling will eventually lose its shines and start to unhealthy. You can decide whether a brush that can reach all the corners or a vacuum cleaner will work best to clean it. Stay away from wet cloth because it can ruin the pop texture.
What is the installation process of Gypsum False ceiling?
There are three installation process that includes framing, boarding and finishing.
Which POP ceiling style is most popular for bedrooms?
The most common POP ceiling designs for bedrooms are even geometric shapes like rectangles, squares, and circular borders. Additionally, you can pick from carved and floral patterns.
Is POP a trustworthy material for the ceiling?
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to home decoration. It is affordable, easily accessible, and can be used in a variety of design options which give a royal and elegant. It is durable and does not affect the wall structurally, but it will show signs of cracks in future which require maintenance.
What is the required thickness of POP on wall?
- For single coat plaster - 12 mm to 15 mm thick.
- For Second coat plaster = 20 mm (Not more than).
- For concrete surface:
- Plaster of Paris thickness = not less than 15 mm.
- Base coat = 10 mm to 12 mm.
- Finish coat = 3 mm to 8 mm.
How much does a POP False ceiling cost?
POP False ceiling cost ranges from Rs 70 - 125 per square and also depends on the type of design. This cost includes labor and material costs for fixing the POP onto a framework of aluminum channels that are suspended from the true ceiling.
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