Interior Renovation Trends: Ceilings

Help Customers Put Finishing Touches on Their Renovation with an Upgraded Ceiling

More homeowners are looking to bring personality to renovated spaces, and this is where the latest trends in ceiling tiles and planks can make a big difference. Available in a wide variety of colours and styles, both tiles and planks have the power to transform any room, offering a nearly endless choice of options. There are also significant advantages for you as a contractor, both when it comes to installations and profitability.

How to Sell Ceiling Plank & Tile

Great appearance, quick and clean installations, and easy cleaning are the three main reasons a homeowner would choose plank or tile ceilings. The biggest draw for most people, at least initially, is appearance. The options are widely varied and look fabulous. That’s why you’ll want to present clients with plenty of visuals to look at together when you meet, plus links so they can consider options on their own later. A few minutes spent lining all this up ahead of project meetings pays off in better sales and happier homeowners.

Ceiling tiles are available in 12” x 12”, 24” x 24” or 24” x 48” sizes and square tiles lend a modern look to any room. Planks, by contrast, are longer and narrower, and most often come in wood grain versions that create more of a traditional, cozy appearance.

One of the most useful features of both ceiling planks and tiles is how they make it easy to upgrade an existing ceiling with very little hassle and mess. In many cases there’s no tear-down required. Got a popcorn ceiling that’s looking sad? Cover it up with plank or 12” x 12” tiles and you’re done.

Updating Suspended Ceilings

Do you have a client looking to update the look of a traditional 24” x 48” suspended ceiling? Converting from a 24” x 48” to a more modern 24” x 24” ceiling is easy by inserting cross tees in the existing ceiling grid. Some modern, square suspended ceiling tiles even have special edges that are designed to minimize the grid look of suspended ceilings. 24” x 24” tiles are available in a variety of smooth looks and decorative options that are sure to appeal to clients while retaining access to pipes and wires above the ceiling. They get a different look at minimal cost and disruption.

Got a water damaged ceiling to deal with? Surface-mount tile or plank options can go right over the mess, making the transformation as quick and painless as possible. That being said, make sure you deal with the underlying issues that caused the water damage before covering it up.

Contractor Advantages

The two main alternatives to drywalled ceilings are:

1. Suspended drop ceilings: These allow access to pipes, ducts and wiring, and this is one reason they’ve been used for decades. They’re also much neater to install than any kind of drywalled ceiling, and suspended goes up faster. This is especially true with today’s compact laser levels that can be mounted up high on walls for suspended ceiling installations.

2. Surface mount tiles or planks: The best ceiling tiles and planks are pre-finished and have grooved edges that accept invisible installation hardware that fits into metal tracks anchored to existing ceilings with screws. You won’t find any ceiling option that’s faster and easier to put up than plank or tile. In all cases these are always prefinished, saving you a ton of time and discomfort by avoiding the need to finish ceilings overhead. This eliminates the need to put up drywall, mud, primer and paint.

Got a client who wants a coffered ceiling? This is one of the most labour-intensive and skill-dependent options when done in a traditional way with multiple wood and trim members that go up piece-by-piece, then finished in place. Coffered ceilings created with ceiling tiles that fit into a standard suspended grid system will make you look like a genius who's also lightning fast.

Residential ceilings can be much more than they usually are now. Take a design cue from the best of yesteryear or create a modern look. Either way, today’s drywall-free systems deliver a simple, fast and long-lasting installation that needs no special skills to put up yet delivers long-lasting beauty.