MF ceilings, from flat soffits to feature halos
Metal frame (MF) ceilings give you a flat, level plasterboard ceiling hung from the structure above. They hide services, carry insulation and lighting, and can be dropped, raised or shaped to suit the room.
We use MF ceilings to replace tired grid ceilings in commercial units, to level out old structures, and to create details like bulkheads and lighting halos that make a space feel finished.
At a reformer Pilates studio in Warwick we raised the ceiling and formed a halo for the lighting. At a beauty salon in Kenilworth we took out the old suspended ceiling and replaced it with a clean MF plasterboard ceiling.
- W1MF suspended plasterboard ceilings
- W2Replacing grid and tile ceilings with plasterboard
- W3Raised ceilings and bulkheads
- W4Lighting halos and recesses
- W5Insulation and acoustic layers above the ceiling
- Typical projects
- Salons, studios, offices, retail units, apartments and homes.
- Coverage
- Warwickshire and the West Midlands
MF ceilings: common questions
What is an MF ceiling?
An MF (metal frame) ceiling is a plasterboard ceiling fixed to a grid of galvanised steel sections hung from the structure above. Once boarded and finished it looks like a normal plastered ceiling, but it can sit at any height, run level under an uneven soffit and hide pipes, ducts and cables.
What is the difference between an MF ceiling and a suspended ceiling?
Both hang below the structure. A suspended ceiling uses an exposed grid with lay-in tiles, so it is quick to fit and easy to lift for access. An MF ceiling is boarded in plasterboard and finished seamlessly, which suits salons, studios, homes and front-of-house spaces. Access panels can be built in wherever services need reaching.
Can you replace a grid and tile ceiling with an MF ceiling?
Yes. At a beauty salon in Kenilworth we took out the old suspended ceiling and replaced it with a clean MF plasterboard ceiling as part of a three-week fit-out.
Can an MF ceiling be fire-rated or acoustic?
Yes. With the right boards, insulation and layers above the ceiling, MF ceilings can be built to fire and acoustic specifications. We build to the system the designer or manufacturer specifies.
What are bulkheads and lighting halos?
A bulkhead is a dropped section of ceiling, often used to box in ductwork or define a zone. A lighting halo is a recess or raised section that hides LED strip for soft, indirect light. At a reformer Pilates studio in Warwick we raised the ceiling and formed a halo around it.
The rest of the job
- 01 Drylining Plasterboard linings, insulation and resilient bars to walls and ceilings, boarded and ready to finish.
- 03 Partitioning systems Metal stud partitions built to the architect's drawings, for apartments, offices, studios and treatment rooms.
- 04 Suspended ceilings Grid and tile ceilings for commercial and industrial units, new, replaced or stripped out for something better.
- 05 Carpentry First and second fix, timber cladding, doors, frames and finishing joinery.
- 06 Fit-out and refurbishment Electrics, flooring, plastering and decorating through trusted subcontractors, so you deal with one team.