Embossed Tin Ceiling Tiles

Embossed tin ceiling tiles are a unique ceiling finish best suited to older homes with other period details. No longer made of tin, most ceiling panels are a pressed aluminum alloy that is resistant to corrosion.

Tin ceilings were created in response to the expensive and heavy plasterwork ceilings that were in vogue before the turn of the century. Tin panels were lighter and less expensive than plasterwork, but could still be embossed with a complicated design. Once installed and painted, it was difficult to distinguish between a tin ceiling and the more expensive plasterwork. For this reason, tin ceilings were considered cheap and inferior to plaster ceilings.

As time passed, tin ceilings became valued not as only plaster imitators, but as a beautiful ceiling embellishment. They were not painted to imitate plaster, instead they were sealed with a clear coat in order to prevent the tin from corroding.

There are hundreds of patterns to choose from when picking out your tin ceiling. In general, a more ornate panel should be paired with a ornate room, while panels with cleaner lines should be saved for more utilitarian rooms. You should also consider whether or not the pattern you are choosing is strongly associated with a particular historical period. Geometric shapes, for example, are often associated with Art deco style interior design and may not be appropriate in a room with a standard Victorian decor.

If you have a historic home with some tin ceiling tiles still intact, you may be able to match the existing pattern. Even if the company that manufactured your particular patterns no longer exists, the patterns may have been bought by another company. It is common for formerly popular patterns to be reissued for the purpose of home restoration.

Tin ceiling tiles come in a wide array of finishes to suit various decors. While an exposed tin finish may currently be popular, painted tin ceiling panels are the most authentic.

Paint is the most common and authentic of all of the tin ceiling finishes. A single, light paint color will bring attention to the pattern of the tiles while not drawing too much attention to the ceiling. Multiple colors will further highlight the tiles, but may make the ceiling the dominant feature in the room.

Recently, copper ceiling panels have become popular with homeowners who are looking for a new twist on a classic decorative element. Copper panels can be installed and allowed to develop a patina, or can be sealed to preserve their flawless appearance.

If you like the appearance of tin, you may not wish to finish your ceiling tiles. If this is the case, you should still seal the tiles with a clear polyurethane. This will protect the panel underneath from any discoloration while making the ceiling easier to clean.

While newer tin ceilings may require very little care, older embossed ceiling panels may require more work. Tin ceilings that are actually made of tin, for example, may have to be sealed or painted to prevent rust. Embossed panels that have a different finish, such as copper, may also have to be treated to prevent any color changes. It is important to contact the manufacturer or local historical society to find out how to best care for your tin ceiling.

When cleaning your tin ceiling, use a dry soft cloth to remove cobwebs and dust. Try not to press on the ceiling, tin ceiling panels are often fragile and are easily dented. Dust caught in the crevices of the panels can be removed using an air gun. If your tin ceiling is located in your kitchen, you may have to use a cleaning product on the panels to remove grease. If this is the case, test an unnoticeable area to make sure that there are no chemical reactions before cleaning the entire ceiling.

Embossed tin ceiling tiles can be an excellent design element for almost any room, but they do require more care than the modern plaster ceiling. Regular cleaning is essential and the panels must be examined for corrosion if they are not made of aluminum. It is also difficult to retain this ceiling if you like to remodel often to try new interior design ideas, as the panels can easily become damaged if they must be removed for any period of time.

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