In This Article
- What is the false ceiling price per sq. ft.?
- POP false ceiling price per sq. ft.
- Gypsum false ceiling charges
- Laminate and veneer false ceiling price per sq. ft.
- PVC false ceiling price per sq. ft.
- Which false material should you choose?
- Additional electrical costs involved in false ceiling price per sq. ft.
- How to measure a false ceiling?
- Important questions to ask to get the best false ceiling design
- Factors affecting your false ceiling design price
- Design gallery
- How can Livspace help you?
Whether you are looking to conceal electrical work, create a drop ceiling, or simply add some visual interest, a false ceiling can be a good choice. However, before you start your project, it’s important to know the false ceiling costs involved.
This guide will teach you how to calculate the cost of your false ceiling so that you can budget for your interiors with confidence.
What is a false ceiling?
A false ceiling is a secondary ceiling that drops from your original or true ceiling. It helps you conceal your air conditioning ducts and electrical wiring to give your ceiling a seamless look. Moreover, it also helps in sound insulation.
What is the false ceiling price per sq. ft.?
The false ceiling price per sq. ft. can vary depending on the material used. Here’s a detailed picture of false ceiling costs:
| Materials | False ceiling price per sq. ft.* | Notes |
| POP false ceiling price per sq. ft (Plaster of Paris) | ₹95 to ₹105 + 18% GST | |
| Standard gypsum false ceiling price per sq. ft. | ₹110 to ₹125 + 18% GST | For a gypsum false ceiling with a Gyproc board and local A-grade channels |
| Premium gypsum false ceiling price per sq. ft. | ₹120 to ₹145 + 18% GST | For a gypsum false ceiling with premium Gyproc board and channels |
| Laminate false ceiling price per sq. ft. | ₹700 to ₹800 + 18% GST | The cost may vary depending on the finishing used on the laminate |
| Veneer false ceiling price per sq. ft. | ₹900 to ₹1,200 + 18% GST | The cost may vary depending on the base price of the veneer and type of polish such as PU or melamine |
| PVC false ceiling price per sq. ft. | ₹160 to ₹185 + 18% GST | For a laminate PVC ceiling |
| Gypsum cover | ₹85 to ₹100 + 18% GST |
*The prices mentioned above are an estimate of false ceiling design costs based on the scope of work. Your overall false ceiling design prices can vary depending on the city, labour charges, material and finish, design, and the size of your home.
POP false ceiling price per sq. ft.
POP costs are lower than most materials and hence it is one of the preferred options that you may see in Indian homes. This quick-setting plaster made of white powder is also fire-resistant and malleable.
The POP false ceiling price range is between ₹95 to ₹105 per sq. ft. + 18% GST
Also Read: 50+ Captivating POP Ceiling Designs That Will Blow Your Mind
Gypsum false ceiling charges
One of the most popular false ceiling materials is gypsum. These sheets are readily available in a 6-foot x 4-foot size and are both fire-resistant and budget-friendly.
However, a gypsum false ceiling can be on the bulkier side compared to other materials, occupying a few inches of height. Hence, only consider using it in rooms that have a high ceiling.
| Standard gypsum false ceiling charges | Premium gypsum false ceiling charges |
| ₹110 to ₹125 + 18% GST with a Gyproc board and local A-grade channels | ₹120 to ₹145 + 18% GST with a premium Gyproc board and channels |
Note: Gypsum cover cost is ₹85 to ₹100 + 18% GST
Laminate and veneer false ceiling price per sq. ft.
If you want the look of a wooden false ceiling, but don’t want to worry about maintenance, use materials like laminate and veneer. Though these materials may be priced comparatively higher than other options, they are durable and offer a luxurious look.
| Laminate false ceiling price per sq. ft.* | Veneer false ceiling price per sq. ft. ** |
| ₹700 to ₹800 per sq. ft. + 18% GST | ₹900 to ₹1,200 per sq. ft. + 18% GST |
Between the two, laminate false ceilings are cheaper compared to veneer. This is because veneer and solid wood require polishing, whereas laminate is a finished product.
*The cost may vary depending on the finishing used on the laminate.
**Prices may vary depending on the base price of the veneer and type of polish used, such as PU or melamine.
PVC false ceiling price per sq. ft.
PVC false ceilings are more resistant to moisture, which is why they are most commonly used in bathrooms and balconies. Moreover, PVC is also available in a wooden texture, making it a cheaper alternative to real wood.
The cost range for a laminate PVC ceiling is ₹160 to ₹185 per sq. ft. + 18% GST
Which false material should you choose?
Researching the cost of false ceiling per square foot for different materials will help you choose the option that best suits your budget and design preferences. Since each material offers its unique qualities, the option you choose can further affect your false ceiling cost. Here are some of the features each material offers:
| Materials | Fire-resistant | Budget-friendly | Water-resistant | Malleable |
| POP | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Gypsum | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Laminate | No | No | No | No |
| Veneer | No | No | No | No |
| PVC | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Also Read: Which Type of Ceiling Is the Best for Your Stunning Home?
Additional electrical costs involved in false ceiling price per sq. ft.
While false ceilings are priced on a sq. ft. basis, electrical work for false ceilings is priced on a per-point basis.
| Type of work | Estimated false ceiling rates** |
| Electrical looping per point | ₹600 to ₹750 per point + 18% GST |
| Fixture installation | ₹100 to ₹120 per light + 18% GST |
| Fan installation | ₹425 to ₹500 per fan + 18% GST |
| Light gala cutting | ₹100 to ₹120 per point + 18% GST |
| Cove | ₹95 to ₹105 per RFT (including GST) |
**The false ceiling rates mentioned above are an estimate of the electrical work that goes into your false ceiling design costs, based on the scope of work required. The overall charges for your electrical work can vary depending on the city, labour charges, and the size of your home.
How to measure a false ceiling?
As size influences cost, here are the steps that you must follow to measure your false ceiling rate:
- First, calculate the surface area of your ceiling in square feet
- Multiply the square-foot surface area by the unit price per square foot
- Calculate the cove length in running feet (To install one cove, you need to consider 3 times its length as 3 internal vertical Gypsum sheets need to be installed to create a cove)
- Multiply the calculated cove length by the unit price per square foot
- Add the cost of finishing as per the design (paint or polish)
This combined total will give you an estimate of your overall false ceiling design price.
Important questions to ask to get the best false ceiling design
Psst: We have already answered them for you!
Q1: Is the ceiling height of my home sufficient for a false ceiling?
A: The minimum floor-to-ceiling height required for a false ceiling is 8 feet. Your false ceiling usually sits at a 4-inch drop from the true ceiling.
Q2: Do the materials and finishes you prefer suit the features you are looking for?
A: For kitchens, POP and gypsum can be used as they are fire-resistant. POP costs less than other materials as well. These two materials can also be good options for your living room. PVC is water-resistant and can work well in bathrooms.
Q3: Does the design need to account for fans or any other additional fixtures?
A: Maintain proper distance between the placement of fans and lights. Lights cannot be added above the fan and need to be placed away from other elements in the room such as furniture. Your lights also need to be evenly distributed to avoid concentrating them in one spot.
Q4: Do you have any colour or shape preferences?
A: If the purpose of the false ceiling is to act as a statement piece, opt for intricate designs and shapes. Smaller living rooms can benefit from a circular false ceiling, whereas a rectangular false ceiling works best for bigger living rooms. Similarly, a colourful or highly patterned design can make the room appear smaller and hence works best in bigger rooms.
Also Read: 20 Sensational False Ceiling Designs That Will Leave You In Awe
Q5: Is the false ceiling meant to be a statement design piece, or is its purpose purely functional?
A: Statement pieces can be more detailed and dramatic, whereas functional designs are solely to help conceal electrical wiring, soundproof the space, and give it a clean look. It can also help conceal wires that run through your air-conditioning system.
Q6: Where is the false ceiling being placed?
A: You can use false ceilings in any room but select your materials carefully. High-moisture areas like bathrooms and balconies need materials like PVC that are weather-resistant. On the other hand, laminate, veneer, gypsum, and POP can be great options for a false ceiling in the living room.
Q7: What is the false ceiling cost for a 10×10 room?
A: The false ceiling cost for a 10 x10 room can start from as low as ₹18,000 for a basic option. This makes it a relatively affordable way to enhance the look and feel of your space. Of course, the final price can vary depending on the materials and design you choose.
Q7: What is the false ceiling cost for a 12 x12 room?
A: The false ceiling cost for a 12 x12 room can start around ₹20,000, but keep in mind this price can vary depending on the design complexity. Think of it as a starting point, and it’s always best to consult with a professional to get a more accurate estimate based on your desired design.
Factors affecting your false ceiling design price
Multiple factors can affect your false ceiling cost per square foot. Here are a few to note:
- Material: Gypsum, POP, laminate, veneer and PVC are some common false ceiling materials you can choose from. The material you choose can further affect the overall cost of a false ceiling. POP costs are considerably less compared to other materials
- Drop height: The height at which your false ceiling drops from the original ceiling can influence the false ceiling rate per sq. ft. The lower the false ceiling is, the higher the design cost can be
- Floor-to-ceiling eight: The cost of your false ceiling can vary depending on the floor-to-ceiling height. Additionally, you may incur scaffolding charges for high ceilings
- Design: The design style and level of work required can push up the false ceiling rate per sq. ft.
- Volume of work: The higher the volume of work, the lower the price can be with applicable discounts
- Detailing and electrical work: Intricate detailing in your designs can directly affect the false ceiling rate per sq. ft. Different electrical fixtures are also priced at different ranges. The type of false ceiling lights you choose for your home can add to the false ceiling design price
Does the false ceiling cost differ from city to city?
The price of installing a false ceiling differs from place to place. This is because the cost of labour and the cost of materials used in creating the false ceiling can vary. As a result, the exact false ceiling costs per square foot can vary by approximately 10% from one city to another.
Real-life examples from Livspace homes
Who Livs Here: The Sehrawats, New Delhi
Design Details:
- Each room in the home flaunts a different type of false ceiling
- The circular gypsum false ceiling with in-laid wallpaper in the dining area is the highlight of the space
Who Livs Here: Vivek and Himani Agrawal, Pune
Design Details:
- Our designer ties the POP false ceilings in the living and dining areas together by using a uniform shade of brown to create a cohesive look
- For the kid’s room, cloud-shaped POP false ceilings take centre stage
Who Livs Here: Niveditaa and Malay Pal, Gurgaon
Design Details:
- Lending a rustic touch to the dining area, the combination gypsum and veneer false ceiling is further accentuated by a melamine polish finish
- For the bedrooms, our designer uses cove lights for a modern look
Need more design inspiration? Be sure to check out our varied collection of false ceiling designs.
Also Read: 34 Latest False Ceiling Designs for Bedrooms in 2024
Design gallery
From circular designs to cloud-shaped patterns, there’s a false ceiling design that can suit every room. Let’s browse through some of the designs that Livspace homeowners love to go for. Check out stunning false ceiling designs:
How can Livspace help you?
Eager to get your hands on a unique ceiling design for your home? Book an online consultation with Livspace to get started. Our team of seasoned and creative designers is ready to collaborate with you to bring your vision to life.
- Our expert team can custom design your dream home with curated render designs and expert advice
- We have delivered over 75,000+ happy homes
- Count on us for high-quality and durable materials
Disclaimer: All contents of the story are specific to the time of publication. So, mentions of costs, budget, materials, finishes, and products from the Livspace catalogue can vary with reference to current rates. Additionally, please note that the false ceiling designs showcased within the story are subject to availability and will vary based on the year the homes were designed in. Consult our designers for more details on the latest false ceiling designs.
