Feedback on tin ceilings in new homes
This is my first posting in Breaktime — I’m here on a tip from some House Chat folks. We are building a new home with a 2-story great room and are looking for ideas for an attractive ceiling treatment. Our builder tells us that coffered ceilings are expensive, and frankly I have seen them in too many new homes built lately. A few people have suggested a tin ceiling as an alternative. Can anyone provide any feedback on cost, including materials + installation? (Our room is 22×20.) Would the room be extra noisy or would the ceiling be too high to impact the room’s accoustics? Also would like tips on whether I should consider an “authentic” supplier of tin panels or whether the Armstrong tiles work just as well. If we go to the expense, I certainly wouldn’t want it to look cheesy.
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Welcome to BT.
I have repaired tin ceilings in commercial applications. They looked great in the turn of the century (last one) bldgs with ceilings up around 14'. Am not familiar with how Armstrongs's would look. Is it a staple up tile, rather than a drop in susp. ceiling tile?
I had occasion recently to use copper plated ceiling tin made from the original dies of yesteryear. The use was odd, as a full backsplash on a new hickory kitchen. It catches the eye, don't know if I like it or not.
The cost on the copper was 16/19 dollars ea. The co. I got these from was M Boss. There are others. Here's the Boss site: http://www.mbossinc.com/index.htm And here's the splash, they used a pic, second one-top row. http://www.mbossinc.com/cgi-win/GalleryShow.exe?Category=Backsplashes|CallingPg=self
View Image
The cornice and other "trim"s if you can use them are very nice and add depth to the look. There is a certain way these ceilings are laid out and installed. Make sure you take this into consideration when framing/etc.
Best of luck.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Thank you so much for the feedback. From what I can tell about the Armstrong stuff it is nailup; however, I am not a contractor so I am a bit illiterate when it comes to these things. Really just wanted a sense of how complicated this is from a cost standpoint....if it doesn't save labor time over doing the traditional beam or coffered look, it may not make sense to pursue this.
Thanks too for the pic. So much easier to get a sense of things when you can see them. I like the look of the pattern-- just think the natural copper finish is too polished. Maybe it will age over time and become more subdued.
You're welcome. I am not too sure of the sheen either. Think it takes away from the granite. However the customer likes it and that makes me ecstatic.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
You can get the real stuff from WF Norman, or several others. The material is pretty reasonable, and the effects can be spectacular, particularly if you add cornices, medallions, or other decorative features.
An easier way to install it is to put up a layer of plywood over the entire ceiling first. That way all those little nails will hit something.
http://www.wfnorman.com/
Comparing tin ceilings to coffered is like comparing a hummer to a mercedes clk. They are completely different, in times, apperances, purposes, etc., but both cost more than a K car.
From what little info you've given, consider a tray ceiling with recessed lighting around the soffits. If you want to go a little higher scale, consider a barrel ceiling. Unless it's architectually appropriate for your house, tin will look freakish, especially if anyone who knows anything about architecture stops by.
As for Cal's copper backsplash, I hate it. Glad your customers were happy, but you can't expect people who cook walleye and pike in their kitchen to know better.
SHG
I bought and installed about 200 sq ft of tin ceiling (actually it was clear coated aluminum, 24x24 panels) from a vendor I found on the internet. Don't remember the name, but google on "tin ceilings" and you'll find a few. As I recall, it cost about $2.50/sf. Materials only. Sound impact in our kitchen is imperceivable. I suppose that aluminum is not "authentic", but I could not find a supplier of real tin. Sorry but I don't have a photo to post, but it is different and we like it.
Would the room be extra noisy or would the ceiling be too high to impact the room's accoustics?
The original tin was usually fastened directly to a solid ceiling, so a nailed-on one would (should) be no more noisier than the existing plaster or DW ceiling.
In fact, the "bumpier" the tin, the more it should "break up" the sound waves by bouncing them in a number of smaller directions.
As to style, check out these:
http://www.tinceiling.com/
http://www.thetinman.com/ (has installation instructions, too)
http://www.imperialdesign.on.ca/ELEMENTS/TIN/tin.htm
Thanks to everyone for your feedback and suggestions. Got the tin suggestion in House Chat and agree that it needs to be used appropriately in the right style of home. Will look further into the tray and barrel options as well. They may make more sense with the style of the house. Thanks again!