Four main materials are used for ceiling tiles: mineral fibre, soft fibre (which includes glass wool and stone wool), gypsum (plasterboard), and metal. Each type of material influences a tile’s acoustics, fire performance, durability, moisture resistance, and overall cost. Therefore, understanding each material is the first step when choosing or coordinating a tile. This guide will evaluate the four materials and the RCT brand representatives for each, so as to aid in the obtaining of a match for an existing ceiling or in the specifying of a new ceiling.
Mineral fibre is the most common commercial ceiling tile — wet felted using mineral wool with binders to give balanced acoustic absorption, reliable fire performance and good value. It is the standard for office, school, retail and general commercial ceilings. RCT stocks mineral fibre tiles from Zentia (Dune Supreme, Fission, Aruba Dune Evo, Knauf AMF (Planet, Sand, Orbit). If your ceiling is soft, lightly textured, or has a fissured appearance, it is most likely made of mineral fibre.
For enhanced performance in acoustics, fire resistance or moisture tiles are constructed from glass wool or stone wool:
These specialized fibre tiles excel compared to traditional mineral fibre tiles in their specific category strengths. They are chosen for the use case where the acoustics, fire or moisture performance is prioritized over the least cost option.
Plasterboard or gypsum Tiles are easy to clean, moisture resistant, and durable, while the opposite is true for vinyl surfaces which have soft fibers. They are chosen for the ease of cleaning and durability, and not for the ease of cleaning and durability. RCT holds. British Gypsum Satin Spa Retail industry kitchens, washrooms, commercial spaces, and other areas with cleanable moisture-resistant ceiling tiles are ideal candidates for black and white tile flooring.
Metal Tiles finished in powdered steel, plain, or perforated provide a durable, high-end, and easy to clean finish. The acoustic performance of a tile should be referenced from the backing pad which is perforated, not from the tile body. RCT Stock’s tiles Burgess CEP The metal tiles that RCT has in stock come in lay-in, tegular, or clip-in formats. Metal tiles are superior especially when considering design aesthetics, or aligning with existing metal ceilings, as well as durability and finish.
To keep reliability when replacing tiles, it’s preferable to use the same material. This way, construction, acoustics, fire performance, and fixing, will be uniform. For example, moving from a mineral fibre tile to a metal tile introduces a design change. This means you will be altering the grid, the fixing, and potentially, the entire appearance. If you are unsure about the material of the existing tiles, you can find out by weighing and touching the tiles (fibre is lightweight, soft and cold; gypsum is dense and hard; metal is cold and rigid). The RCT team can assist with this from a photograph, if necessary.
What are ceiling tiles made of?
The four principal elements comprise of: minerals fibre (the most typical commercial tile), soft fibres such as glass and stone wool (for acoustic, fire and moisture protection), plasterboard/gypsum (which is durable and easy to clean), and metal (which is premium, durable, and acoustically perforated).
What is the best ceiling tile material for making sound absorption?
Both glass wool (Ecophon Advantage) and mineral fiber absorb sound well. Perforated metal, as well as plain metal and plain gypsum tiles, also absorb sound to some degree, and reflect some sound.
Which material is most durable?
On the contrary, gypsum tiles (British Gypsum Satin Spa) and metal (Burgess CEP) are the most durable and easy to clean. Soft fiber tiles are the least durable as they sacrifice durability for acoustic performance more than others.
How can I tell what material my tiles are?
The materials and textures have helped to identify the tiles: tiles that are light and soft are fibrous; tiles that are heavy and dense are gypsum; tiles that feel cold and hard are metal. A photo and the weight of the tile helps the RCT team confirm the material and identify the corresponding pair.
Browse our brand pages by tile material — Zentia, Knauf AMF, Ecophon, Rockfon, British Gypsum and Burgess CEP.
If you can’t figure out what material your tile is, please contact us and send a picture. 01939 251 450 We will identify the material and pair it. Request a quote for your tiles.
WhatsApp Scan to start a chat with us!