Specs & Samples

What size are your tin ceiling tiles?

All of our tin ceiling panels measure 24" x 24" and cover 4 sq. ft. The Nail-Up panels are 24" + a 1/4" nail rail. Our Drop-In panels are 23 3/4" x 23 3/4" and fit all standard 15/16" grids with a 2 ft. x 2 ft. (24" x 24") suspension system.

What size patterns do you have?

We offer 6", 12" and 24" patterns within the 24" x 24" format. 6" pattern tiles repeat 16 times per panel, 12" patterns repeat 4 times per tin panel.

What types of tin tiles do you offer?

We offer three different types of tin ceiling panels that differ based upon the installation application. Snap Lock: Our patented panel type is the only tin ceiling tile system in the world that can be installed over drywall, plaster or popcorn directly with screws. Nail-Up: Requires a wood substrate for installation (plywood, furring strips, joists). Drop-In: Used in standard 2' x 2' suspended ceiling grid systems with 15/16" wide rails. We also offer an acoustical version of our Drop-In tiles that are microperformated for sound performance.

What patterns are available in Snap Lock type tin tile?

Snap Lock tiles are available in all patterns except #9, #15, #33 and #34.

What are the specifications of your tin ceiling tiles?

Our tin ceiling tiles are the original .010 gauge tin-plated steel in the authentic 2' x 2' size representative of genuine "Turn of the Century" t in. They are made from 25% recycled steel, with a 100% virgin coating.

How can your prices be low if your materials are superior to your competitors?

We pride ourselves on offering authentic representations of the original tin ceiling panels from the 1800s. We only use real tin plated steel, not anodized aluminum, poly alloy or plastic. Our .010 (31 gauge) metal thickness is the same gauge used in turn of the century tin ceilings. We can sell a superior product for less than our competitors because we are both the manufacturer and distributor. There are no middlemen, no markups and since our website is a virtual storefront, we can minimize overhead and operating costs, all savings which we pass on to the consumer.

What are unfinished tin tiles?

Our unfinished tin is just that, raw tin plated steel that looks similar to a light brushed nickel. It is beautiful by itself, but we do recommend finishing it with at least a clear polyurethane coating as a protectant.

What is the fire rating on your tin tiles?

Click here to view a fire rating report courtesy of the United States Testing Company, Inc. This report will generally satisfy building inspectors' requests.

How much do tin tiles cost?

Our tin panel prices vary by color and installation type. Check out our cost calculator on the product pages after selecting an installation type.

Cleaning & Maintenance

How do you care for tin tiles?

The effects of ultraviolet light, pollution, dirt, grime, and salt deposits can all accumulate on our powder coated finishes over time. If you notice any of this, be sure to remove any residue to extend the life of your finished tiles. To clean, all you need is a mild soap and water. Carefully remove any loose debris with a wet sponge. Use a soft, non-abrasive brush or cloth, and a mild household detergent to remove dust, salt and other deposits. Rinse off with clean, fresh water. Detergents that recommend the use of gloves should be avoided as this is a good indication that the detergent is harsh and, therefore, unsuitable for cleaning the powder coating. Although some strong solvents are recommended for removing sealants or other building residues, these may be harmful to the extended life of the powder coating. The damage may not be immediately visible and may take up to twelve months to appear. If paint splashes, sealants or other residue need to be removed, use either Methylated Spirits, Turpentine or White Spirits.

Is trim or molding necessary for tin tile ceilings and backsplashes?

Neither are required, but a tin ceiling without crown molding is like a picture without a frame. Trimming out your ceiling is a very important part of the process. The tin ceiling panels often need to be cut to fit flush against the wall, and therefore trim should be applied to cover the edges. Even if you are using filler with a 24" pattern, you generally need trim. The only exception is when you already have crown molding installed. We manufacture metal crown in 2 ", 4", 6", and 8 " designs in all of our standard colors. You can also use a wood trim, which is readily available from your local lumber store. Wood trims can be color matched using off the shelf spray paints.

What is tin tile filler?

Filler panels are used as a border for your panels to help maintain visual consistency and transition between your main pattern and the outside edges of your ceiling. Patterned and hammered filler transitions from the edge of a 24" pattern to the wall, where the filler edge is then covered with trim. Imagine installing 24" pattern panels in a room that measures 15' x 17'. Cutting the last panels in half to fit the last foot of the wall would leave a visual inconsistency between the pattern and the trim. To avoid this, install 14' x 16' of 24" pattern panels from the center, then finish the remaining area with filler (2 runs of 14' and 2 runs of 16'). Our filler ships in 24" x 24" sheets and can easily be cut to any size with tin snips or a guillotine paper cutter. Mitering the corners on a 45-degree angle enhances the aesthetic.

What size crown molding do I need for tin tile ceiling?

When you are measuring for trim, remember that crown molding projects out from the wall. The distance of the projection depends upon the width of your crown. Our 6" metal crown projects 4.5" from the wall to cover the panels. The projection of the crown is important when you have a ceiling panel layout that is not flush to the wall. For example, if your ceiling is 10' 3" by 12'3", you can easily install a 10' x 12' tin ceiling from the center out, leaving a 3" gap all the way around.

What trim can I use besides crown molding?

Shoe Molding is the most popular ceiling trim and is the easiest to work with. It adds a subtle touch to a beautiful tin ceiling. Shoe molding is 3/4" x 3/4" and is readily available from lumber stores for about 40 cents per linear foot. It works well in kitchens, baths, low ceilings or anywhere you want to avoid a bulky crown.

What if I have existing crown molding?

No problem...this is where filler comes in. Use a 24" or 12" pattern to layout the ceiling from center to the wall. If you have a 13' x 13' room, you will use a 12' x 12' repeating pattern. The remaining 6" around will be completed using filler, which is thin enough to fit under the lip of the existing crown molding. When installing Nail-Up panels, the filler edge can be placed directly underneath the edge of the tin panel. With Snap Lock, the filler should be cut to the edge of the tin panel where the male flange meets the filler. Where the female flange meets the filler, the filler will slide into the flange space. Use Liquid Nails and a few brad nails to secure. Feel free to contact our design department to discuss any questions, concerns or challenges with your ceiling plan.

Can I return tin tile for a refund or exchange?

American Tin Ceilings allows returns on certain products up to seven days after delivery. Unfinished and standard color products are returnable minus a 25% restocking fee. The customer is responsible for return shipping costs. The product must return in new sellable condition and the customer must receive a return authorization within seven days of delivery. Premium and Artisan color products are not returnable due to the nature of color variance found in each production run.

What is your tin tile warranty policy?

All of our products are manufactured from a T1 grade tin plated steel. This is generally referred to as "bright tinplate". The material thickness is 0.010”. Our panels measure 2' x 2', our molding comes in 2' and 4' lengths. All of our finishes are powder coated. Powder coating is an electrostatic process where polyester resin is baked onto the panels at 400° F. Our faux finishes are hand applied over a powder coated base color. All of our products carry an ASTM E 84-03b approval (Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials). If you are purchasing unfinished material, we do recommend applying your own finish. An oil based polyurethane clear coat or oil based primer prior to painting is recommended. If you do not finish the material, it will eventually rust. Upon receipt of our products, the customer should inspect for any manufacturing defect, improperly applied finishes or shipping damage. This should be brought to our attention within (7) days of receipt of material. Any product that, in our opinion, has a manufacturing defect or shipping damage will be replaced at our expense. This is the extent of our coverage. Powder coating is inherently a lifetime finish.

Warranty Conditions:

Before installing, the ceiling product must be kept in a clean, dry environment at a temperature above freezing (32° F/0°C) and below 120°F/49°C. Product must be kept away from Unusual Conditions including exposure to corrosive agents, chemicals (including fumes), water, fire, accidents, abuse, excessive vibrations, temperatures below freezing, and dirt and dust buildup. Any products exposed to Unusual Conditions should be removed to safe and normal conditions immediately.

Our Warranty Does Not Cover:

-Normal wear and tear

-Color changes due to exposure to fumes, smoke, or mistreatment, etc.

-Color differences between samples or website photography and product purchased.

-Draw marks (i.e. wrinkles) or indentations that cause the metal panel to appear not to be flat (these are considered antique effect characteristics rather than manufacturing defects)

Where can I find out about your policies?
Your closeout finishes appear to be available in regular inventory. Is there a difference?

We develop our own high-end industrial powder coat finishes in-house. This means that our product goes through various iterations of development. Previous versions may be discontinued in place of the new improved versions. We archive all the leftover stock of previous versions of select powder coat finishes and sell them in our closeout section at a reduced price. They can no longer be matched to the current regular inventory and there are limited quantities available. Once this fixed quantity has been depleted, that specific discontinued finish can no longer be purchased.

What kind of nails should be used with the Nail-Up tin panels?

A pneumatic brad nailer with 18 gauge brad nails is the most common fastening method. These are readily available at your local home improvement center or hardware store. Decorative nails like cone-heads, dome-head finishing and upholstery nails are commonly used for manual applications but are a lot of work to install on an entire ceiling. After installation, the nails can be dabbed with matching paint to reduce their visibility.

Accessories

Where can I purchase touch-up paint to match the powder coat finishes?

Bring one of your tin panels to a local hardware or auto paint retailer to acquire the closest match. Antiques will often require a multi-step finishing technique. First spray the base coat, then mist a black overspray to simulate the antiquing. Remember, metal finishing rules apply.

Do you sell light ring covers for recessed lights

We do not sell the covers for recessed lights. We do however suggest that you paint the fixture that comes with the light when you purchase them from the store. Generally, complimentary spray paint is available from your local home center.

Why do my tin panels have corner holes?

As part of our manufacturing process, we apply small holes (approximately 1/8") to the panel corners. These holes accommodate small wire hooks that both hang the panels and create a ground during the powder coating process. These holes are covered up when the panels are installed.

Do you have tin tile accessories?

Yes, we sell crown molding, flat molding, j channel molding, and filler in all of our colors. We also offer matching switch plates and outlet covers.

Installation

Can I install Snap Lock tin tile onto plaster ceiling?

Snap Lock tiles can be anchored directly into a drywall ceiling with #6 drywall screws, and generally, this installation method can be applied to plaster ceilings as well, although, you will want to use metal plaster screws.

Can I use tin ceiling tile on the backsplash?

Yes, pressed tin is becoming very popular for kitchen backsplashes. A Nail-Up panel is required for wall applications and 6” repeating patterns are recommended. Installation is easy, simply cut and glue the tiles to the wall with an adhesive like Liquid Nails. If you want to finish the look with molding, we recommend our J Channel Molding or a wood molding of your choosing. Snap Lock tiles are intended for ceiling installations only and are therefore not recommended for backsplashes.

Can you put tin tiles in a bathroom?

Yes. Bathroom ceilings are usually smaller and can be more dynamic with our Premium and Artisan designer colors combined with wallpaper or faux finished walls. Depending on the height of the ceiling, a 3" or 6" crown in metal or wood will work well. If you opt for a wood crown from your local hardware store, it can easily be painted to match the tin panel colors with off the shelf spray paints.

Is trim or molding necessary for tin tile ceilings and backsplashes?

Neither are required, but a tin ceiling without crown molding is like a picture without a frame. Trimming out your ceiling is a very important part of the process. The tin ceiling panels often need to be cut to fit flush against the wall, and therefore trim should be applied to cover the edges. Even if you are using filler with a 24" pattern, you generally need trim. The only exception is when you already have crown molding installed. We manufacture metal crown in 2 ", 4", 6", and 8 " designs in all of our standard colors. You can also use a wood trim, which is readily available from your local lumber store. Wood trims can be color matched using off the shelf spray paints.

Design & Style

Do tin ceiling tiles make a room look smaller?

Not necessarily. If you select the right scale for the size room, it won't make the room feel small. The rule of thumb is that any room smaller than 12' x 12' should use a 12" repeating pattern like #1, #2, #4, #5, #8, #16, #18 and #24 to give the illusion that it's larger than it is. If you have a 10' x 10' room using full 24" pattern panels, you will have only 25 patterns on the ceiling (100 sq. ft. divided by 4 sq.), whereas a 12" pattern will create 100 repeats. Areas smaller than 6' x 6' should use a 6" repeating pattern like #3, #19, #20, #21, or #30.

Question
Can I use tin ceiling tiles on a low ceiling?

Use these tricks to make a low ceiling appear higher: lighter color panels can help ceilings appear higher if you have dark walls, and the opposite is true if you have light walls. 6" or 12" repeating patterns will also make it appear bigger.

Shipping, Returns & Warranty

How long before I receive my tin tile order?

In-stock, Unfinished panels will leave our warehouse in 1-2 weeks. Standard/Premium colors (non-Artisan) will leave our warehouse in 3-4 weeks. Artisan, Acoustic, Snap Lock, and 9/16” Drop-In panels will leave our warehouse in 6-8 weeks.

Can I return a sample if I don't like it?

Ceiling purchases over $500 can be credited for one sample pack, upon request. Full panel samples in original condition can be returned for a credit once a ceiling of over $500 is purchased.

Do you ship samples?

Yes, sample packs include six-inch tin color swatches showcasing our beautiful powder coat finishes. Single panels can also be purchased for design and embossment sampling ($5 per pattern sample).