Ceiling Buying Guide

Before deciding on your ceiling project you will need to know which installation method you will use and whether you want a decorative or acoustic ceiling.

There are two ways to install a ceiling:

Suspended or Drop Ceiling (With Grid)

  • Requires new or existing grid system
  • Acoustic tile options
  • Decorative tile options
  • Ceiling accessible
  • Basements, laundry rooms

Direct Apply Ceiling (No Grid)

  • Ceiling panels glued or nailed up
  • No acoustic options
  • Many decorative options
  • Ceiling not accessible
  • Kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms

Suspended Ceilings

Suspended (or drop) ceilings are just that. They hang below an existing ceiling with either wires or hangers and consist of grids in which panels are inserted. Suspended ceilings are an easy job for the DIY’er and are appealing because they can hide an ugly or damaged ceiling and they conceal electrical and plumbing yet still allow access for repairs. There are a number of acoustic and decorative tile options for this method of installation which works well in basements and laundry rooms.

Suspended, or drop ceiling with a grid.

Direct Apply Ceilings

With a direct apply installation, ceiling panels are glued or nailed up to an existing drywall or plaster ceiling, rendering it inaccessible once the project is complete. While there are many decorative tiles available for use with a direct apply ceiling, acoustic panels are not an option. Direct apply ceilings work well in kitchens, dining rooms and bedrooms.

Direct apply without a grid.

SUSPENDED OR DROP CEILINGS (for direct apply ceiling options, scroll down)

Suspended Decorative options ($ – Low Cost, $$ – Medium Cost, $$$ – High Cost)

There are a number of suspended decorative options for ceilings. They include:

Real Tin Ceilings ($$)

Suspended tin ceiling systems consist of tiles that are authentic recreations of the tin ceilings of yesteryear suspended or dropped into a grid. Tin ceilings provide an old-world charm and are perfect for dens, living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms. Color-matching grids and grid covers are available for some choices.

Available Products

Great Lakes Tin Ceiling Tiles

Great Lakes Tin Ceiling products are available in nail up and lay-in styles and are easily applied with nails, screws or glue. Choose from 10 style and 10 finish options. Made of 29-gauge tin-plated steel and available in 2 ft. x 2 ft. tiles, matching crown molding is also available.

Great Lakes Tin Real Tin Ceiling

Faux Tin Ceilings ($$)

Faux tin tiles look like tin, but are made of durable vinyl for a cost-effective, easy to install option.

Available Products

Fasade Decorative Thermoplastic Panels

Fasade decorative thermoplastic panels are available in 2ft. x 2ft. and 2 ft. x 4 ft. sizes for suspended ceiling grids or vinyl ceiling grid systems. Water and corrosion resistant, Fasade panels are available in countless styles and finishes to match any decor. Matching trims are also available.

Fasade Faux Tin Ceiling-Suspended

Performance Vinyl Ceilings ($)

Performance ceilings are those that provide special protection from mold or mildew, are washable or possess other high-performance characteristics.

Available Products

Genesis Waterproof Ceilings

Genesis ceiling tiles are waterproof, washable and resist corrosion, mold and mildew so they are perfect for basements, laundry rooms or any other damp or humid spaces. Available in 6 basic and 4 designer styles in black or white. 2 ft. x 2 ft. and 2 ft. x 4 ft. tiles require new or existing grid.

Suspended acoustic ceilings are typically white, textured mineral board panels suspended from a metal grid system. This option is generally the least expensive and also provides a measure of acoustic control. Because they are not waterproof, they can damage and stain easily and can allow mold and mildew growth. Mineral board tiles require new or existing grid. We do not offer mineral board ceiling tiles.

Genesis Ceiling-Suspended Performance option

Ceiling Grid Systems

Available Products

HG-Grid Vinyl Suspended Ceiling Grid System

Scratch-resistant, rustproof HG-Grid vinyl suspended ceiling grid system is perfect for damp or humid areas like basements, utility or laundry rooms. The grid components are easy to cut and install and will work with any 2 ft. x 2 ft. or 2 ft. x 4 ft. ceiling tiles. Available in white only.

HG-Grid

CeilingMAX Surface Mount Ceiling Grid System

CeilingMAX surface mount ceiling grid system applies directly to open ceiling joists or any ceiling surface to save up to 6″ of headroom in basements or other low-ceiling areas. CeilingMAX requires no wires or leveling and works with any 2 ft. x 2 ft. or 2 ft. x 4 ft. ceiling tiles. The vinyl components never scratch or rust and are available in any of the 17 Fasade ceiling panel colors.

CeilingMAX

GridMAX Matching grid covers

GridMAX ceiling grid covers are the low-cost alternative to replacing or repainting rusted, stained, or deteriorated metal grid. The durable vinyl covers easily install on top of existing metal grid, changing the look of a room at a fraction of the cost of other refurbishment solutions. Available in 23 colors, it works on 2 ft. x2 ft. or 2 ft. x4 ft. ceiling grid systems.

GridMAX

DIRECT APPLY CEILINGS

Direct Apply options ($ – Low Cost, $$ – Medium Cost, $$$ – High Cost)

With a direct apply installation, ceiling panels are glued or nailed up to an existing drywall or plaster ceiling, rendering it inaccessible once the project is complete. While there are many decorative tiles available for use with a direct apply ceiling, acoustic panels are not an option. Direct apply ceilings work well in kitchens, dining rooms and bedrooms.

Real Tin Ceilings ($$)

Direct apply tin products are installed with nails screw or glue.

Available Products

Great Lakes Tin Ceilings

Great Lakes Tin Ceilings products are available in 10 style and 10 finish options. Made of 29-gauge tin-plated steel and available in 2 ft. x 2 ft. tiles, matching crown molding is also available.

Great Lakes Tin-Direct Apply

Faux Tin Ceilings ($$)

Direct apply faux tin products are installed with construction adhesive.

Available Products

Fasade Decorative Thermoplastic Panels

Fasade decorative thermoplastic panels are available in 2 ft. x 2 ft. and 2 ft. x 4 ft. sizes and glue up with construction adhesive. Water and corrosion resistant, Fasade panels are available in countless styles and finishes to match any decor. Matching trims are also available.

Fasade Faux Tin-Direct Apply

With so many options available, deciding on the right product for your ceiling project can seem overwhelming. Whether it’s a suspended ceiling grid, vinyl or tin panels, or a genuine wood coffer ceiling, this buying guide can help you focus on the direction you want to go. If you still have questions, or want more inspiration, visit our ceiling galleries to see photos of all our products, or take our style quiz to determine your unique style.