Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about replacing ceiling tiles, choosing the right size, and fitting your existing suspended ceiling system.
What size of ceiling tiles are available?
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The two most popular sizes for ceiling tiles are 595mm x 1195mm and 595mm x 595mm. The suspended ceiling grid is pre-notched so will either be installed at 600mm or 1200mm centres, hence the ceiling tiles are 5mm smaller than the aperture to fit in.
However before ordering any ceiling tiles, we would recommend taking a ceiling tile down and accurately measuring it in either centimetres or millimetres, particularly if you have an old suspended ceiling (20+ years), as we used to make the suspended ceiling grid 4ft x 2ft and 2ft x 2ft and cut the ceiling tiles 1210mm x 605mm and 605mm x 605mm.
Hopefully your ceiling tiles will be metric 595mm x 595mm or 1195mm x 595mm, however should you have the old imperial ceiling tiles 605mm x 605mm or 1210mm x 605mm just let us know before ordering, as we have had these ceiling tiles specially made and normally carry them in stock.
Are there other ceiling tile sizes available?
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Over the last 50 years we’ve seen many different suspended ceiling systems available, ranging from the old 300mm x 300mm concealed grid system through to the 2500mm x 300mm SL2 Plank that are now so popular in corridors. Whatever your suspended ceiling or ceiling tile requirements, even if you think they’ve been discontinued, please phone us as we can often get ceiling tiles specially made!
Do ceiling tiles have a fire rating?
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Suspended ceiling tiles normally fall under 4 categories, Class ‘O’ Spread of Flame, 30 minute, 60 minute and 90 minute fire rating. However the fire protection a particular ceiling tile offers will also vary dependent upon what ceiling soffit the suspended ceiling system is fixed to, and the edge detail of the ceiling tile.
For example, Armstrong Ultima Square Edge offers 90 minutes beneath Steel and 60 minutes beneath timber. However if you put Microlook (stepped edge) Ultima beneath timber it only offers 30 minutes fire protection compared to Square Edge Ultima that offers 60 minutes.
What are ceiling tiles made of?
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The composition of ceiling tiles can be broadly categorised under 4 main classifications, mineral fibre ceiling tiles, soft fibre ceiling tiles, plasterboard ceiling tiles and metal ceiling tiles.
Mineral Fibre ceiling tiles are the most popular style of ceiling tile in the United Kingdom, and are made up of an almost dusty composition. Popular in most commercial environments, they come in a range of sizes, thicknesses, edge details and face patterns.
Soft Fibre ceiling tiles are popular in areas of both high humidity, such as showers, saunas, changing rooms and swimming pools and areas where good sound absorption is required. Aesthetically they normally have a plain white finish with a compressed fibreglass like core, that come in a range of different edge details.
Plasterboard ceiling tiles are popular in most retail environments where the bright white finish gives a nice clean finish that offers a high light reflectance. Due to their reinforced gypsum core they are both hard wearing and durable and will often support spot lights without the need for additional strengthening. Typically the 7mm or 8mm plasterboard core is covered in a white vinyl front enabling the ceiling tiles to be regularly wiped down and cleaned, particularly beneficial in most commercial kitchens, takeaways, laboratories, workshops and food preparation areas.
Metal ceiling tiles are traditionally one of the more expensive types of suspended ceiling systems and have become increasingly popular due to both their versatility and look. Available in a range of different systems, from clip-in with a concealed suspended ceiling grid to lay-in with an exposed suspended ceiling grid, metal ceiling tiles will either come plain for a hygiene finish or perforated, with an acoustic infill for sound absorption.
Whatever your suspended ceiling or ceiling tile requirements, please feel free to phone us and we will be happy to help in any way we can!
What size of recessed modular light fittings are available?
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Modular light fittings are designed to go into suspended ceilings, directly in place of a suspended ceiling tile. Hence, typically recessed modular light fittings will measure 595mm x 595mm and 1195mm x 595mm, and lay in the suspended ceiling grid exactly the same as the ceiling tiles do.
What are the different light diffusers available to go within the recessed light fittings?
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The three most popular light diffusers are the aluminium bladed category 2 louvre, (RCT104 + RCT124), the plastic eggcrate (RCT105 + RCT125) and the plastic prismatic sheet (RCT101 + RCT121).
In commercial office environments it is recommended that the recessed modular light body should be fitted with the aluminium category 2 louvre, as the aluminium louvers have been specifically designed to reduce the glare from computer screens.
In all other retail and commercial environments, where computer usage is at the most limited, prismatic diffusers and ventilated eggcrates are used.
Standard prismatic diffusers, when accompanied with a recessed modular light body, offer the highest light/lumen output of all the diffusers, that often means your suspended ceiling will require fewer modular light fittings, saving the client money both in terms of the initial installation cost and running/operation costs in the years that follow.
Ventilated eggcrates can often be used in conjunction with recessed modular light fitting bodies, typically in areas where a very direct light output is required
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