About Ceiling Tile
Ceiling tiles are gaining in popularity as a finish of choice for homeowners and commercial builders alike. These tiles range from 12 by 12 inches to 2 by 4 feet in size and from blandly utilitarian to stunningly elegant. Ceiling tiles are inexpensive to purchase, easy to install and replace and allow easy access to the space above.
History
Although they are currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity ceiling tiles are nothing new. Tin ceiling tiles date back the mid-1800's as homeowners began looking for a less expensive method of decorating their ceilings than the costly plaster ceiling decor that was popular with the European upper class. Tin was used in the 19th century because it was cheap, lightweight and could be easily stamped or embossed to provide ceiling decorations that were unique and attractive.
Significance
Ceiling tiles allowed the burgeoning 19th century middle class with a means of emulating the elegance of a sculpted ceiling without the expense. They also provided an inexpensive means of covering damaged ceilings or unsightly plaster jobs. Occasionally they were used to conceal major structural problems. The tin ceiling tiles had the added advantage of providing a fire break for upper stories of buildings because of their natural resistance to fire.
Types
By the outset of the 20th century tin ceiling tiles began to decline in popularity. Many homeowners plastered or wall boarded over their existing tin ceiling tiles. During the latter half of the 1900's ceiling tiles were once again in vogue, but instead of tin, the acoustic tile suspended from a drop ceiling grid became the standard. These ceiling tile systems were especially popular in large commercial buildings as they provided easy access to electrical wiring, lighting and heating and air conditioning duct work.
Benefits
Ceiling tiles are popular and practical for both commercial and residential applications. Acoustic ceiling tiles on drop grid systems dampen sound, are easy to install and replace, are inexpensive, and require little maintenance. Decorative ceiling tiles now come in a variety of materials including tin, aluminum, and man-made materials. Many can be painted to match the decor of the room. New interlocking designs do not require a grid system and can be installed directly over sheet rock or plaster ceilings.
Warning
Older ceiling tiles were often made using Asbestos. Breathing asbestos particles has been determined to cause a variety of illnesses including cancer and mesothelioma, a disease which attacks the organ tissues and is frequently fatal. If you will occupy a building constructed before the late 1970s have the ceiling tiles checked for Asbestos. If it is found contact a qualified contractor to properly remove and dispose of them.
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