Pressed Tin Ceiling

Are you trying to hide cracks or other damage in your ceiling , or adding a new look ? You could consider installing faux tin ceiling tiles . These tiles simulate the look of antique tin tiles but many are actually made from recycled paper. They are lightweight, so they can be attached with adhesive, and their tongue-and-groove design makes them easy to install. In addtion they come in many different styles designs and patterns

Tin ceilings are a popular ceiling solution for many reasons.They are made to mimic the tin ceiling panels that were popular at the end of the 19th century. Modern materials are lightweight, durable and very attractive when installed correctly. Add to that the touch of class and originality. It's clear why many homeowners are choosing tin ceiling tile over sheet rock and other ceiling materials.
Most modern manufacturers don't make tin tiles out of tin anymore. Instead, most present day "tin" ceiling tiles are now made of pressed aluminum, making them more lightweight and corrosion-resistant than their predecessors, without sacrificing the stunning good looks that people rightly associate with this building material. The shift to aluminum has had numerous beneficial results for the tin tile industry.

Aluminum is a cheaper metal to obtain, and thus the overall cost of tin panels has been greatly reduced by making the shift. Add to that the fact that aluminum tiles absorb sound, resist moisture, provide an excellent firewall barrier, and last longer than plaster and drywall.

We hope you found the information on Pressed Tin Ceiling useful

Historical ceilings

Q: I am searching for a source to obtain ceiling materials for an old one-room school. The school had metal ceilings with a design. Where can we obtain materials to restore this building to its original beauty?— submitted via e-mail

A: As early as 1868, sheets of iron were being used as a finish ceiling treatment primarily as a means of fire protection. In their earliest use, these pressed-metal ceilings typically were corrugated but sometimes were stamped with ornamental designs. Commonly referred to by the misnomer “tin ceilings,” these sheet iron or sheet steel panels were not tin-plated; rather they typically were painted and occasionally galvanized to protect the ferrous metal from rusting. The panels were constructed in repetitive, regularly sized units with square field panels and accessories such as medallions and cornices. The panels were attached with nails, concealed as rosettes or other ornaments, to a wood furring or metal channel backup support. Popular well into the 1910s, pressed-metal ceilings offered advantages of being decorative, fire-resistant, inexpensive, easy to install and durable. Because of these characteristics, they were used in many buildings, including extensive use in schools.

Historic pressed-metal ceilings are highly durable when used in interior applications. Typically damage and deterioration occur because of exterior water infiltration, leaking piping and traumatic impact. Panels exhibiting deformation can be removed easily, the dents and dings pounded out, and the refurbished panels reinstalled. Holes can be soldered or filled with fiberglass-based patching products. Localized areas of rust can be removed and repaired. Larger areas of corrosion may require wholesale panel replacement. Repeated applications of paint can obscure the original detail, concealing the ceiling's original beauty. Paint can be removed with conventional paint strippers, but the process must be executed properly to reduce the hazards of removing lead-based paints. If the ceiling must be removed for installation of new concealed electrical conduit, sprinklers, piping or ductwork, the panels can be disassembled easily by removing the fasteners and cataloging the panels for later reinstallation.

Given the nearly limitless variety of historical designs, matching pressed-metal ceiling panels can be a challenge. Sometimes panels can be replaced by cannibalizing matching material from less visible locations in the building. If authentic restoration is desired, missing panels can be custom fabricated by making a mold directly from an existing panel (in good condition) from which a die is cast that can be used to stamp a new sheet-metal panel. In the event large sections of a ceiling are damaged beyond repair or are missing, the entire ceiling may require replacement. In this case, pressed-metal ceilings and accessories are readily available. An Internet search for “pressed-metal ceilings” will identify numerous sources for new ornamental metal ceiling products. Study any remnants of the original ceiling so that the new design will be compatible with the building's historic architectural character. Matching the original panel layout will simplify the ceiling installation and will result in an appearance where the design is resolved at the intersection of existing walls and cornices.
— Robert Vail Cole, AIA, Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, New York City.

Think about the design in your ceiling panels and whether they will suit the measurements of your room.

With a little forethought you can create a "tin" ceiling that exudes the "Wow Factor". The "Wow Factor" is the reaction you will receive when your visitors look at your new ceiling for the first time. To get that factor you need to spend a little time thinking about how the ceiling panels will fit your particular room. If the repeat pattern you have chosen measures two feet by two feet, will you need to trim all the outside panels in order for them to fit the dimensions of your room? If this would be the case then you need to re-think your plans. You have two choices: choose a small all-over style which will look perfectly fine if trimmed to fit the room or you can use a border panel around the outside of your room and have the larger designs in the centre of the ceiling. Most of the larger designs require a border or filler strip around the edge, otherwise they don't look so elegant when installed. Border or filler panels most usually have a small pattern on them which complements the larger main panels in the centre of the ceiling. If you require a border around your main panels then it will be worth consulting an expert to find out how wide the border should be. It is easy to upset the balance of your ceiling by having a border that is too wide or conversely too narrow. Ask your supplier for help on this topic

Is crown cornice needed?

There is now a delightful range of crown cornice moldings made from aluminum. These come in a variety of sizes to suit various ceiling heights. Crown cornices need to be mitred in the corners of the room and there are now various accessories to suit the individual cornices. These accessories are very handy as they hide the mitred cut edges which can sometimes be a little rough for those home handymen who have little experience in mitring. An alternative to metal crown cornices are timber moldings. Plaster cornices should not be used with metal ceilings.

Can you fix your tin ceilings yourself?

The easiest way to install pressed tin is to firstly fix building ply to the old ceiling or walls and then nail the tin to the ply. Timber battens can be used but building ply makes the job much easier. It is best to remove existing cornice before the ply is fixed to the ceiling.

Most reputable ceiling suppliers will offer detailed fitting instructions. If you lack experience in this area, you may prefer to employ someone with building experience. However, most metal ceilings are fitted by their owners. Tacking nails should be used initially until you are satisfied you have everything in its final position. Tacking nails are quite long and must only be partly nailed in so that they can be removed easily with pliers. When you are satisfied that everything is in the right spot then you can remove the tacking nails and finish the job off with small nails. Details of which nails to use should be in the manufacturers fitting instructions.

Painting your metal panels

Painting an ornate, aluminum ceiling in fine detail is easy because it is painted before it gets fixed to the ceiling. Most aluminum paneling is sold with etch primer already on it so it is immediately ready to paint. You can use one colour over the whole ceiling, you can add just a touch of colour on the moldings or you can can paint every detail in various shades of paint. The patterns in aluminum ceilings are more deeply pressed than other types of ceilings so they create lovely shadows themselves just from electric light or from natural daylight. Accordingly most people use one colour of paint over the whole ceiling. It is strongly recommended that pale shades of paint be used. Darker colours can be appealing in theory but in practice they can often give a heavy oppressive feel to a room. Oil based paints are recommended. If the nails are still visible you can dob each one with a little paint. Pressed Tin Ceiling

Jean Morrison is owner of Heritage Ceilings, a unique ceiling decoration business dedicated to bringing beautiful ceilings back into our public buildings and homes.

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