Real Tin vs. Faux Tin Ceiling Tiles: How to choose?

Written by Milan Jara on 16th Sep 2024

Real Tin vs. Faux Tin Ceiling Tiles

Tin ceiling tiles were first introduced to the US in the 1800’s, and were marketed as a quick, easy-to-install and affordable alternative to the popular ornate European plaster ceilings of the time. Today, tin ceiling tiles still offer the same installation and affordability benefits, but also provide a number of additional advantages thanks to modern manufacturing techniques.

Property owners can choose between real tin ceiling tiles made from steel, or faux tin ceiling tiles manufactured from PVC or styrofoam, with each variation offering its own set of unique benefits. Whether you’re renovating an historic home, looking for a unique accent to brighten up your business or simply searching for a way to liven up your living space, let’s look into real tin vs faux tin ceiling tiles to help you choose the ideal material for your project.

Real tin ceiling tiles

Real tin ceiling tiles are popular with homeowners and interior decorators for their versatility, practicality and aesthetically striking visual appearance. Usually made from steel, tin ceiling tiles come in a variety of colors, designs and textures to match most interior design styles, including geometric art deco-inspired pieces and ornate victorian-inspired ceiling tiles.

The pros of real tin ceiling tiles:

Installation: Tin ceiling tiles are fairly lightweight, so they can usually be glued up or nailed into your existing ceiling as part of a straightforward DIY project.
Maintenance: Tin is resistant to dirt, moisture, rust and mold, so you’ll only need to wipe your tiles down with a cloth every now and then to keep them looking fresh.
Practicality:Not only are tin ceiling tiles simple to clean, they’re also highly-durable and fire-resistant, so they’re great for kitchen areas and living rooms with open fires.
Versatility: Choose painted tiles to match the color scheme of your space, natural tiles for a bold reflective finish or custom tiles featuring unique designs and textures.
Sustainability: Real tin ceiling tiles are often seen as a “green” finishing material as they don’t emit Volatile Organic Compounds that can impact air quality over time.

Faux tin ceiling tiles

Faux tin ceiling tiles are very similar to real tin tiles visually, affording customers comparable choices in terms of colors, textures and designs. The real benefit to choosing faux tin ceiling tiles is that they’re made from PVC and styrofoam, making them much more lightweight than real tin options, and offering different practicality benefits that can be useful in some spaces.

The pros of faux tin ceiling tiles:

Installation: Faux tin ceiling tiles can be glued up or dropped-in to existing ceilings just like real tin tiles, but as they’re much lighter, installation is often an even easier task.
Maintenance: : PVC faux tin tiles are not prone to scratching, cracking or other forms of cosmetic damage, and can be easily cleaned when needed with a standard cloth.
Affordability:Faux tin ceiling tiles are usually a little cheaper than real tin tiles due to reduced material costs, though they still look just as aesthetically vibrant and alluring.
Resistances: PVC tiles are fire, pest, water and mold resistant, much the same as styrofoam tiles, although please keep in mind that styrofoam is not resistant to fire.
Versatility:PVC faux tin ceiling tiles, and in particular styrofoam tiles, can be cut to shape with a knife, so they can be easily installed into awkward ceilings and alcoves.

Custom tin ceiling tiles and replicas

While we work hard to ensure our range of tin and faux tin ceiling tiles is versatile enough to match most interior design trends, we know some older buildings often feature unique types of tile that can be very hard to replace. For owners of historic buildings who love their current ceilings but have noticed some ceiling tiles beginning to degrade, we have a perfect solution.

Here at Decorative Ceiling Tiles, we’re one of the only businesses in America that make custom tin ceiling tiles to your exact specifications. Whether your historic property is in need of a few replacement tiles to bring it back to its former glory, or you have a specific design in mind that you just can’t find online, we can craft you a brand new set of custom tin ceiling tiles.

How does it work?

To have an exact replica of any ceiling tile, cornice or filler produced by our professionals, we just need a sample of the original material and any further instructions you might have. If you want an entirely new set of bespoke aluminum, copper or tin ceiling tiles, just send our team some reference images and little key information about your installation to get the ball rolling.

You can learn more about our custom ceiling tile service and request a personal quote here.

Wrapping up

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to breathe new life into your living space, or the owner of an historic building that needs a little maintenance, real tin or faux tin ceiling tiles could be the perfect solution. When choosing between styles, consider your budget, installation needs and resistance requirements, though in most cases either style of tile will usually do the trick.

Take a look at our versatile range of tin ceiling tiles and faux tin ceiling tiles to find a design that best suits your home, and keep in mind that most options come in multiple awe-inspiring colors. If you still can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, send us some details through our custom quote request form and our experts will get to work crafting your bespoke designs.

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Real Tin vs. Faux Tin Ceiling Tiles: How to choose?