Pressed aluminum ceiling tiles were made to mimic ornate plaster ceilings.
are sometimes called "tin ceilings." These ceilings are constructed of an aluminum alloy in very thin sheets. Aluminum ceilings are resistant to corrosion and rust, are durable and fire resistant, and are readily molded into a variety of shapes and styles.
Inception
The aluminum ceiling is a preeminently North American invention. In the mid- and late 19th century, ornate and expensive plaster ceilings were in vogue. The aluminum ceiling offered a more affordable option for middle-class homes. The first such ceilings appeared in the 1870s.
Manufacture
Manufacturers crafted aluminum ceilings in large machines. Workers inserted sheets of metal into a frame and dropped a molded "ram" onto the sheet metal, creating a stamped pattern. The stamped sheets were often painted white to resemble traditional plaster ceilings.
Decline
When the Victorian design style began to wane in the 1930s, homeowners largely lost interest in aluminum ceilings. Many ceilings were removed or covered with drop ceilings.
Resurgence
Home builders and owners are showing renewed interest in aluminum ceilings. The metal sheets, still resilient after 150 years, are easily restored with epoxy and paint. Manufacturers now produce updated styles and colors in copper and stainless steel.
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