Suspended Ceiling Tiles: Our Complete Guide

Suspended ceiling tiles provide a sleek, finished look to the ceiling that can be interspersed with lights to provide a modern look. Ceiling tiles are the finishing touch to the ceiling and hide all the wiring, ducting and any pipes in the ceiling space - but they may also contain insulation. 

What are Suspended Ceiling Tiles?

Ceiling tiles fit within the suspended ceiling grid and form the main feature of the false ceiling's appearance. They can be square or rectangular and come in many sizes, but the most common is 600x600 mm.

Suspended ceiling tiles are low-cost, simple to install and easy to maintain or replace. 

What Types Are Available?

Ceiling tiles make use of several materials, which makes each different type of tile more useful in certain situations. For example, some materials are more suitable for kitchens or wet areas. 

The main types of ceiling tiles available include the following:

• Metal tiles: Metal tiles are perfect for the middle or sides of the room, and provide a reflective surface that can help to disperse light. Metal ceiling systems also resist heat and moisture. Metal tiles are usually made from rust-proof tin or aluminium, which are also lightweight.
• Mineral fibre and cork: Lightweight mineral fibre or cork is a key component of plasterboard and is also a useful material for ceiling tiles. Mineral fibre or cork boards are not particularly strong so are not good for spaces where accidental damage can occur, such as for kitchens or workshops.
• Vinyl: A hard-wearing and easy-to-clean ceiling tile material is UPVC plastic - or a similar compound. Plastic suspended ceiling tiles are excellent for when you need to add a sense of design to a suspended ceiling as there are many colours, textures and patterns available.
• Timber: Wooden acoustic tiles can take the harsh sound out of wide-open internal spaces. However, suspended ceiling tiles made from timber are less common. They can usually be found in large restaurants, auditoriums and other areas where the sound-deadening effects of timber are desirable.

There are also open grid suspended ceilings that do not use any tiles, typically creating the illusion of a flat ceiling surface by using a grid system with a relatively close weave - so any gaps in the grid are only visible when you get up close. You can get specialist suspended ceiling tiles containing LED panels, which are extremely thin and also lightweight enough to fit into suspended ceiling grids.

What Are the Best Ceiling Tile Brands?

Two of the most popular ceiling tile brands are:

• Armstrong: Now known as Zentia, the Armstrong brand is a key player in the suspended ceilings space, with Armstrong Fine-Fissured boards forming an important product line. Armstrong is known for a wide range of ceiling products, including patterned tiles with strong acoustic capabilities.
• British Gypsum: In many wall or ceiling projects you will easily find a good product from British Gypsum, a pioneer in the development of plasterboarding and wall partitions. British Gypsum produces a wide variety of high-performance tiles. 

The above brands can be used to create other ceiling solutions and also make different building products, such as plasterboards. If you want the best results you should use the best products, and there are many quality ceiling tile products produced by both Armstrong and British Gypsum.

What Patterns of Suspended Ceiling Tiles Are There?

The possibility for customisation is high when it comes to suspended ceiling tiles - as there is a wide range of patterns available. Many offices choose to select patterns or colours that reflect their brand, which may include the following: 

• Flowers: Suspended ceiling tiles can feature intricate designs, particularly with plastic ceiling tiles that are easily embossed during production. Floral designs add a sense of texture to a suspended ceiling.
• Shapes: Many types of ceiling tiles feature patterns in geometric shapes, which helps to match the ceiling grid and create a sense of uniformity in the ceiling. Geometric shapes are typically seen on metal and fibre tiles.
• Plain: You can get unpatterned tiles that deliver a very smooth and uniform appearance, which is ideal for creating tile patterns with different colours throughout the ceiling grid. 

Manufacturers have many interesting names for their tile patterns. Matrix, Quattro and Allusion are all tile names with different shapes on them. You can more easily pick ceiling tiles by having a look at them, not by their names. Painting suspended ceiling tiles is also possible, but you must always use spray or latex paint - not water-based paint.

How to Install Suspended Ceiling Tiles

The right way to install your ceiling tiles will depend on the suspended ceiling grid that you have. Clip-in, hook-in and lay-in ceiling grids all have slightly different mechanisms. You can explore these in more detail on our suspended ceiling grid guide.  

Tips for Cleaning Suspended Ceiling Tiles

As suspended ceiling tiles are removable the process of cleaning them can be relatively simple. Some tiles are absorbent and may stain, so it’s a good idea to avoid water-based cleaning products.

After carefully removing the tile from the grid you can use a general-purpose cleaner to clean the tiles, which is the same type of cleaning product you would use for an ordinary surface.

Simply wipe the tile clean and replace it within the grid, it is also worth drying the tile beforehand but a small amount of residue should not be any problem on most tiles.

If your ceiling uses clips or hooks then you can also remove them for cleaning at the same time.

The Only Destination You Need For Suspended Ceiling Tiles

Whether you need one piece of dry lining or 100, or several hundred - simply give us a call on 01628 674910, and we will get to work. You can also buy dry lining, plasterboard and many other tools or accessories by visiting our online store.

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