The 10 Pros and Cons of Vinyl Ceiling Tiles

Vinyl ceiling tiles, also known as PVC ceilings, are currently trending. They work well and complement modern and contemporary decor in residential and commercial settings.

Here are some of the pros and cons of vinyl ceiling tiles that can help you decide on their worth:

Pros:

1. Durable
2. Affordable
3. Moisture resistant
4. Versatile in design
5. Easy to maintain
6. Simple and clean installation

Cons:

7. May emit traces of chemicals
8. Can deform in extreme temperatures

All ceiling tiles have their good and bad qualities, but knowing them in detail can help you choose the best one for your project. This article explores the pros and cons of vinyl ceiling tiles in more depth so you can examine the best available options and their alternatives.

The Pros of Vinyl Ceiling Tiles

The advantages of vinyl ceiling tiles are enough to entice you to have them installed. They effortlessly complement modern and contemporary interiors and are now available at a price that most people can afford. Here are the pros of vinyl ceiling tiles:

1. Durable

Vinyl is built to be highly durable; that’s why it appears in many products every day. Vinyl ceiling tiles are no different. How long do vinyl ceiling tiles last? They can last a decade or even longer. Their robust construction and protective coating make them resistant to one of the most destructive elements: moisture.

Don’t worry if the vinyl tiles you get are thin. They can still last long regardless of their thickness because vinyl is very flexible due to plasticizers. So not only are they durable, but they are also not bulky.

2. Affordable

Compared to other ceiling materials, vinyl ceiling tiles are budget-friendly. They are cheaper than fiberglass and wood fiber ceiling tiles, among others. But what makes them cheap?

Vinyl ceiling tiles are mass-produced, so the production costs end up being low. Even if you buy high-quality vinyl ceiling tiles, you’ll find that they are more affordable than other alternatives. Therefore, vinyl ceiling tiles are an excellent option for a great look at a reasonable price.

3. Moisture Resistant

One of the worst problems you can generally have with ceiling tiles is moisture. Some materials absorb moisture from the air so quickly that the ceiling quickly loses its value. But just like vinyl flooring, vinyl ceiling tiles are more resistant.

Since vinyl ceiling tiles include a protective sheen usually made of polyurethane, they cannot absorb moisture from the air. So even if you live in a high humidity area, a vinyl ceiling can serve you for ten years or more.

4. Versatile in Design

If you like to have design options when making a purchase, vinyl ceiling tiles may be the best choice. They come in a range of colors, shapes, and patterns, imitating all sorts of desirable graphics. 

You can get plain, antique, exotic, and other designs. When installed properly, they don’t look cheap at all. Adding a vinyl ceiling to your current home can increase its value. If it looks good, you’re likely to fetch a higher price.

5. Easy Maintenance

If you’re one of the many people who hate high-maintenance ceilings, a vinyl ceiling will serve you well. Dust doesn’t embed into the tiles; most common cleaning agents don’t harm them, so just wipe them when cleaning, and that’s it. Since the protective sheen retains its glossy new appearance, you also don’t have to worry about cleaning methods that make it look like new.

6. Easy and Clean Installation

Installing vinyl ceiling tiles is extremely easy and can be done by many people themselves. So if you want to do it yourself —

Here’s how to install self-adhesive vinyl ceiling tiles:

1. Clear the existing ceiling surface.
2. Plan how you’ll lay out the ceiling tiles.
3. Cut the tiles to fit properly into the layout.
4. Remove dirt and dust.
5. Apply adhesive and install the main tiles (in full size).
6. Install the edge tiles (not in full size).
7. Now install the seam strips if your tiles come with them.
8. Attach a finishing strip made of wood or other material that matches the decor and ceiling to the wall edges.

There you go! Although the last step is optional, it’s essential for completing the look. 

If you’re installing a dropped ceiling with vinyl tiles, here’s what you do:

• Install the new ceiling grid.
• Remove the old ceiling.
• Clean the new grid.
• Prepare the ceiling layout, considering the fixtures.
• Install grid covers.
• Cut the ceiling tiles as needed to fit into the prepared layout.
• Install the main panels.
• Install the border and perimeter panels.

Even if you call someone to install them for you, you’ll spend less than if they were to come and install fiberglass. There’s no mess, so it’s quick, easy, and clean.

The Cons of Vinyl Ceiling Tiles

No matter how good something is, it has its bad and even ugly sides. Vinyl ceiling tiles are known to be quite toxic in small spaces, and they are also affected by extreme heat. So if you’re considering buying vinyl ceiling tiles, consider the following cons of vinyl ceiling tiles.

7. May Emit Traces of Chemicals

Vinyl ceiling tiles are known to release chlorine, which is dangerous in its gaseous state. Furthermore, they are known to emit one of their toxic components, phthalates, making them one of the most harmful ceiling tiles.

8. Can Deform in Extreme Temperatures

If you live in places like Arizona, your vinyl ceiling is likely to be affected by the bright sun, especially if the roofing is also poorly insulated. 

Like many other materials, vinyl tends to expand when exposed to high temperatures. So make sure your lighting is not your primary source of heat because that means the vinyl ceiling will be exposed to hot temperatures daily.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Vinyl Ceiling Tile

Just like with anything else, you have to evaluate some key aspects before deciding on vinyl tiles. This will help you choose the best fit for your space and lifestyle. Here are factors to consider when selecting vinyl ceiling tiles:

Installation Method

Before you get swayed by the fantastic designs, find out if you need a surface-mount ceiling tile or if you have decided on a type that can be suspended. 

Here’s the difference:

• Surface-mounted ceilings: These are attached to the existing surface using an adhesive or even a stapler.
• Dropped/drop/suspended/ T-bar/grid ceilings: These ceilings have many names, but they mean only one thing. If you need to hide things like electrical wires, dropped ceilings are the perfect solution for you.

Surface-mounted ceilings are best when the distance between floor and ceiling is low. Even if you don’t have any grid systems to hide, you can simply attach these ceiling tiles to the existing ceiling. They work best for basements as they don’t take up much vertical space.

Dropped ceilings, on the other hand, are best for any home with concerns about the grid system. However, they work well when vertical distance is not low; high ceilings look great. Moreover, they are flexible if you want to change the ceiling’s appearance; all you have to do is remove the old tiles and install new ones.

Design

Don’t make the mistake of choosing the first appealing vinyl ceiling tiles you see. First, assess your decor to choose a matching style. For example, if the ambiance of your room, in general, is dark, and you want to brighten it, choosing rusty classic designs may not be the best idea. Instead, opt for something shiny so it can reflect light in your space.

Do you want your ceiling smooth or textured? Do you want a visible grid or a more concealed one? Do you like large tiles or small ones? Also, the size of the tiles matters.

Paintability

So, maybe you’re one of those people who enjoy changing room styles from time to time. Since the ceiling is one of the things that contribute to styling, it’s best to choose a vinyl ceiling tile that can be painted. This way, you won’t hate it in a few years. 

Paintable vinyl ceiling tiles are made with a surface that can absorb and hold paint. However, non-paintable tiles often have a sheen that repels paint. Manufacturers usually indicate whether their vinyl tiles are paintable or not. 

Complexity of Installation

Will you be hiring a professional ceiling installer, or will you do it yourself? If it’s the latter, then evaluate the ease of installation of each vinyl tile. If the installation is too difficult but you want to do it yourself, consider another option before wasting money and time.

The Best Vinyl Ceiling Tiles

If you’re looking for suitable vinyl ceiling tiles for your home or business, then check out the following tiles with various designs.

1. DuraClean Smooth White

This smooth white tile from uDecor is simple yet elegant. It’s designed to fit into all standard T-bar ceilings and is FDA approved for use in food areas. That means the FDA won’t have a problem with you having it in your restaurant kitchen.

Pros:

• Simple yet elegant
• Easy to cut for installation
• Safe for use in food areas

Cons:

• Does not support recessed lights

2. Laurel Wreath Ceiling Tile

As one of the From Plain to Beautiful collections, the Laurel Wreath is stunning. It features a classic Indian pattern and comes in antique gold, silver, brass, as well as pure copper, silver, and white. If you like the design, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Whether you want to install a full vinyl ceiling in Indian design or just want to put up some Indian art accents in your space, the Laurel Wreath ceiling tile can be cut with scissors to make your decoration dreams come true.

Pros:

• Classic luxurious design
• Cuts well
• Versatile colors

Cons:

• Traps dirt in its pattern

3. Stratford Ceilume

One of the top-selling vinyl ceiling companies, Ceilume, includes a simple yet luxurious-looking tile called Stratford. These tiles come in a variety of colors, including a translucent type that can be installed with lighting. 

Pros:

• Stylish
• Easy to cut
• Fully recyclable

Cons:

• Cannot support recessed lights of its own

4. Genesis Antique

The Genesis White Antique and Black Antique ceiling tiles are another beauty to behold. But their durability is incredible. They claim to last at least 25 years, so that should tell you enough.

Pros:

• Very durable
• Lightweight and easy to cut
• 25-year warranty

Cons:

• Limited designs available

5. Wrought Iron-Look

This durable vinyl ceiling tile that resembles the original iron can weather the storm in any residential or commercial space. The Wrought Iron-Look can only be glued to the surface of your actual ceiling, making it perfect for covering unsightly stains. Even better, you can paint it with water-based colors and have a fresh look within a few hours.

Pros:

• Can be easily cut with scissors
• Original sheet metal look
• Paintable

Cons:

• Can trap dirt around its patterns, so it requires regular cleaning

6. Large Snowflake

Another part of the From Plain to Beautiful Collection, you can’t help but marvel at the perfect image of the Middle Ages on the beautiful accents of this tile. The Large Snowflake is a piece of jewelry for those craving large antique tiles that can be installed either in a T-rail way or glued to a flat surface. However, when you get these, handle them with care as they are prone to breaking under uneven pressure due to their artistry.

Pros:

• Accents classic beauty
• Versatile installation
• Easy to install

Cons:

• Can break easily
• Decorations require regular cleaning

7. Majesty Patina

This ceiling tile stands out with its classic sheet metal look. No one will know that the Majestic Copper Patina ceiling tiles are vinyl unless you tell them. After installation, the ceiling looks like that of the Irish royal house. They can be glued or suspended, so depending on the best installation option, they fit into any room.

Pros:

• Classic beauty
• Can be installed in various ways
• Can be painted

Cons:

• Requires regular cleaning

Alternatives to Vinyl Ceiling Tiles

So, what other tiles besides vinyl could you consider? The following are alternatives to vinyl ceiling tiles:

Styrofoam Ceiling Tiles 

Styrofoam is one of the lightest materials you find most of the things you use today are made of. For example, the takeout coffee cup you frequently use is made from this material. Styro

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