The surface area should be clean, dry, flat and structurally sound. If proper preparation steps are not taken, you take the risk of a poor final product.

Use tin snips to cut the ceiling tiles.

Real tin tiles have two types of crown molding that can be used to achieve that finished look, and you can also use wood crown molding for trim.

We offer optional clips that may be used for drafty areas or uneven grid systems.

We have colors that are similar, but not the exact color of the tin tiles. A home center can mix matching paint for a grid system if desired.

Yes, standard mild soap and water should be used to clean the tiles.

To install your ceiling tiles, you will need the following:
Tape measure
Tin snips
Steel straight edge
Chalk line
Hammer
Dome heak nails or #4 pan head screws
Leather work gloves

No, that is not necessary. If sag or lift is an issue, we recommend that the panels are installed underneath a mineral board ceiling tile or some other material. You can use old mineral board tiles or purchase an economical mineral board tile for this purpose. THIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT.

Yes the matte white and unfinished panels are recommended if you plan on painting your tiles. Use an oil-based primer and paint. Steel will rust if a water-based product is used.

Painted tiles are fire retardant up to 300 degrees.

The Syracuse, Saginaw, Niagara, Toledo, Rochester, and Toronto designs typically use a border tile, but the use of border tiles is based on personal preference.

Any standard grid system can be used and grids can be painted to match the tiles. Some GridMAX is similar in color, but none is an exact match.

Plywood or furring strip installation is recommended prior to nailing up tiles. Space the nails every 6-12 inches apart. See our installation page for details.

Yes, our Great Lakes Tin panels can be cut to use for backsplash. The tin panels can withstand heat up to 300 degrees F., making it a great decorative option behind or near most stoves. We recommend nailing the panels up instead of using adhesive for this application as the heat could soften the adhesive. Make sure your stove does not exceed 300 degrees at the tin tile location.

You may see a warning on this product regarding California’s Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. It is intended to help Californians make informed decisions about protecting themselves from chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The Proposition requires the state to maintain and update a list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.
Proposition 65 is designed to inform consumers. This is not the same as a regulatory decision that a product is “safe” or “unsafe”. Our products emit no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and are in no way harmful if the product is used for its intended purpose. At Acoustic Ceiling Products, customer satisfaction is our number one priority and we will be happy to provide any additional information, technical specs or data you may need on any of our products.

Our unfinished tin is just that, raw tin-plated steel that looks like 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.

Yes, the matte white and unfinished panels are recommended if you plan on painting your tiles. Use an oil-based primer and paint. Steel will rust if a water-based product is used. If you want to keep the tin look of the Unfinished tile, we recommend a clear polyurethane coating be used as a protectant on the raw tin.