Pictures shown: Top: American Tin ceiling installed by Urban Revivals LLC . Top Left Corner: Hand finished Armstrong tiles, shown in antique gold, and aged bronze, finished by Urban Revivals LLC in Washington DC. Above: Gilded Armstrong Ceiling Tiles. Hand Gilded in Gold Leaf by Urban Revivals LLC

White Ceiling Tiles with Hammered Bronze Filler Panels near Cornice

Design Options for Tin and Faux Tin Tiles.

The design for your room is most likely to be affected by the pattern and scale of the design. (That's assuming you've picked your material, such as pressed aluminum panels, tin-plated steel panels, or Armstrong mineral board tiles).

Patterns. Patterns may be broadly defined as Victorian, floral, geometric, and textured. Examples are shown below. Many Victorian patterns also feature floral elements, such as garlands and wreathes. Textured patterns are often used as filler panels around the edges of a room, as shown at left. Geometric patterns are preferred in Deco decors and modern lofts. Victorian patterns are ideal in kitchens; floral patterns work well in any traditional decor.

Scale. The scale of the design is similar to the "repeat pattern size" in wallpapers. The smallest patterns in your ceiling tiles may repeat every 3" or 6" (a small scale design), or may be as large as 4 feet (a large scale design). Use small scale designs for small rooms; larger scale designs in small rooms can completely overpower the space.

Finish. Most homeowners prefer a semi gloss finish to their tiles, which is the usual reflectivity associated with today's tin tiles. However, painted tiles may be finished in a satin finish for a more traditional look (fitting with more conventional living rooms). In addition, tiles painted in a white matte finish (an off-white with touch of cream or grey) are reminiscent of plaster. This can be a striking effect! The new stainless steel tiles (see our manufacturers page) now come in both hammered and brushed metal finishes.