Ceiling - Frequently Asked Questions |
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| Ceiling General Ceiling Maintenance Ceiling Installation Ceiling Lighting Ceiling Painting Custom Creations – Easy Elegance Coffers Custom Creations – Stylestix Grid Covers  CEILING GENERALWhere can I buy Armstrong ceilings? Click to buy ceilings near you. How can I get a brochure on Armstrong ceilings? Click to view an Armstrong ceiling brochure. Where can I find a copy of my ceiling warranty information? Click for ceiling warranty information. Detailed product warranty information is included in every ceiling product carton. Is my Armstrong ceiling warranty transferable? No, the warranty is good only for the original purchaser. More ceiling warranty information. What are Armstrong ceilings made of? Armstrong mineral board ceilings are made of mineral fiber and can include up to 82% recycled content. Armstrong also offers high performance engineered resin, rigid PVC, and durable laminate plank ceilings made from wood fiber byproducts. Note: Insulation must never be placed behind fire-rated ceilings, without prior approval from your building code official. As well, putting insulation on the back of fiberglass panels is not recommended. How much will a new ceiling cost? Costs vary according to product design and performance features. The cost for a new ceiling in a 10' x 12' room would range from $50 - $500. This figure does not include the cost of a suspensions system or installation. Note: Armstrong cannot guarantee that the published surface burning characteristics, fire resistance ratings, acoustical performance, dimensional stability/sag, or light reflectance will remain the same after painting. Field painting will void the warranty. Will the ceiling sag over time? No, if the ceiling is installed according to its warranty. Armstrong ceilings are treated with a special back coating to resist moisture. When properly installed under the right conditions (no excessive humidity, etc.), they remain level and flat. We recommend using HumiGuard™ Plus panels or fiberglass panels in areas of high or seasonal humidity; they are not recommended for spaces exposed to continuous moisture, such as shower rooms and swimming pool areas. Do Armstrong ceilings protect against flammability? Armstrong ceiling panels, tiles and planks are fire-retardant and meet high industry standards for flame-spread ratings. See individual ceiling product warranties for specific fire ratings.
CEILING MAINTENANCEHow do I maintain my mineral fiber ceiling system? Armstrong Mineral Fiber Ceiling Systems require no more maintenance than painted DRYWALL ceilings. However, when maintenance is necessary, certain procedures should be followed to insure continued high performance and attractive appearance. Dust and loose dirt may easily be removed by brushing or with a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaner attachments such as those designed for cleaning upholstery or walls do the best job. Be certain to clean in one direction only. This will prevent rubbing dust into the surface of the ceiling. After loose dust has been removed, pencil marks, smudges, or clinging dirt may easily be erased with an ordinary art gum eraser. However, a good grade wall cleaner may be preferred. Be certain to use fresh cleaner. Armstrong mineral fiber ceilings may be cleaned with a moist cloth or a sponge dampened in water containing mild soap. The sponge should contain as little water as possible. After washing, the soapy film should be wiped off with a cloth or sponge slightly dampened in clean water. How do I maintain my fiberglass ceiling system? Vinyl-faced fiberglass ceilings are less affected by moisture and will withstand repeated washings with mild detergents or germicidal cleaners. How do I maintain my WoodHaven plank ceiling system? WoodHaven ceiling planks are virtually maintenance free. Simply wipe clean with a damp cloth. How do I maintain my Custom Creations Ceiling? Custom Creations coffers and grid covers are also virtually maintenance free. Simply wipe clean with a damp cloth. How do I maintain my Metallaire Ceilings? Routine cleaning should be performed with a mild soap and water using a soft cloth or sponge – never use anything abrasive.
CEILING INSTALLATIONCan I install an Armstrong ceiling as a do-it-yourself project? Yes, most of our ceilings can be easily installed. Click below for detailed installation instructions.
Most ceilings are installed between floors that are maintained at the same temperature - making insulation unnecessary. Most basements are at least partly heated by heat flow through the ceiling from the heated space above. In that case, attempting to insulate the basement ceiling surface could actually reduce heat flow. Can Armstrong ceilings be used in the bathroom? Yes, if the bathroom is vented to the outside with a fan. Armstrong ceilings with HumiGuard® Plus are extra sag resistant for use in areas of high humidity. BioBlock® Treatment inhibits the spread of mold and mildew. Can I put insulation on the back of an Armstrong ceiling? Only on Armstrong suspended ceiling panels that are at least 5/8" thick. You must use rolled insulation and install it perpendicular to the cross tees so that the weight of the insulation rests on the suspended grid system, and there is air space between the insulation and the panel. Ask your dealer for specific details. What kind of surfaces can I install Armstrong ceilings over? Most of the Armstrong tile ceilings (including Tin Look paintable ceilings) and plank ceilings (including Wood Haven laminate ceiling planks) can be installed to an existing ceiling that is in good shape. That includes open joists, drywall, plaster, and popcorn ceilings. The 2’ by 2’ and 2’ by 4’ panels must be installed with a suspended grid system. This suspended ceiling system can be installed over any ceiling surface or open joists where the hanger wires can be attached. Where can I install Armstrong ceilings in my home? For most of your interior rooms, you can choose from our entire line of ceilings. For bathrooms or rooms that reach over 70 Percent humidity, you should select a ceiling with our HumiGuard™ Plus feature. Learn all about Basement Remodeling at our Basement site.
Armstrong suspended ceilings require a minimum of 3" of overhead clearance. If you are installing recessed lighting, measure the height of the light and add 2" of overhead clearance. Fiberglass suspended ceilings require a minimum clearance of 2-1/2".
Yes. Unpack ceiling materials 24 hours before installation to allow the product to adjust to normal room conditions. Do not install during excessively humid conditions. See specific product instructions for best results. Can ceilings be installed over embedded radiant-heat coil ceilings? No. An appreciable loss of heating efficiency will result and the ceiling will not remain stable. Can a new ceiling be cemented directly over old ceiling tiles? Only if the old ceiling tiles are in very good shape. In many cases, the old ceiling tiles have deteriorated and you can’t get an adequate hold for the new ceiling.
CEILING LIGHTINGCan existing light fixtures be used with a new ceiling? Yes. But you may have to remove the fixture to install the ceiling and then reinstall it over the new ceiling. How many fluorescent lighting fixtures will I need for a new ceiling, if this serves as my main source of light for my room? Standard rule for light fixtures is two 4' fluorescent tubes for every 75 square feet of suspended ceiling. Can a hanging or swag lamp be used with an Armstrong ceiling? Yes, if supported independently from the ceiling. If my ceiling question is not listed here, how can I get an answer? Contact Armstrong Ceilings or call 1-800-233-3823.
CEILING PAINTINGCan Armstrong ceilings be painted? Fiberglass panels should not be painted. All other Armstrong mineral fiber ceiling tiles, panels, planks, and even grid can be painted any color or to mimic any metal - bronze, tin, gold, or copper. Latex or water-based paints are recommended 1. Install the ceiling material. Tiles and planks may be installed before or after painting. 2. Using a paint roller with a 1/4" nap, apply two coats of paint, waiting 24 hours between coats. 3. To achieve the look of green patina that develops on copper with age, use a small natural sponge to apply a stippling of dark green paint followed 24 hours later by a stippling of light green paint. Vary the placement of the paint and texture of the sponge to create an authentic look. Note-- For best results on 2' x 2' or 2' x 4' panels: If using a water - based paint, also paint the back side of the panels with one coat of paint and let dry before installing to prevent cupping. Painting Precaution: Armstrong cannot guarantee that the published surface burning characteristics, fire resistance ratings, acoustical performance, dimensional stability/sag, or light reflectance will remain the same after repainting. Field painting will void the ceiling's warranty. Will painting acoustical ceilings affect acoustic efficiency? Yes. Armstrong acoustical ceilings can be painted using no bridging or porous paint that does not cover the holes, but expect a slight loss of sound absorption.
CUSTOM CREATIONS – EASY ELEGANCE COFFERSWhat type of lighting can I use with Armstrong Easy Elegance Coffers? Easy Elegance Coffer and Border Panel Ceiling products work best with modern lighting choices such as Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL) and Advanced LED lighting which operate much cooler than other lighting options. You must maintain a 1/8" gap or larger around all recessed lighting fixtures. Follow the lighting manufacturer's recommendations for all lighting, making sure that any fixtures are supported by your t-bar, drop ceiling grid or the framing structure above it. Caution: These panels should not be used with any lamp that will generate surface temperatures exceeding 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Can I paint Armstrong Easy Elegance Coffers? All Armstrong Easy Elegance products can be painted with latex paint before installation. Make sure that your ceiling panels are clean and dry, and experiment on a sample with your paint of choice before painting the ceiling in its entirety. Are Armstrong Easy Elegance Coffers fire rated? All Armstrong Easy Elegance products meet residential building codes for safety. They are Class A. They are approved for residential use only. Are your ceiling tiles moisture resistant? Our rigid PVC ceiling tiles are extremely moisture resistant. In fact, they are unaffected by humidity, and will not absorb water at all. They are moisture, mold and mildew resistant. Can I cut the tile to fit the perimeter of my room? We provide an Easy Elegance Border Panel that is designed to coordinate with the Coffers and can be cut with a scissors to fit along the perimeter of your room when a full panel cannot be used or you can choose to install a drywall perimeter as a border in your room. Refer to the installation instructions for detailed instruction. Can I mount Armstrong Easy Elegance Coffers directly to my ceiling? Our lightweight designs are made exclusively for grid mount/drop ceiling applications. Will air flow cause my tiles to lift out of the ceiling grid? For normal installations most designs do not require hold down clips. Hold down clips are only required in extreme conditions. If there is a rapid change in the air pressure above and below the tiles, they may move. You can purchase hold down clips (Item #UHDCA) if you feel that you will need them for your ceiling tile installation. Where can I buy Armstrong Easy Elegance products? Where can I find black grid? Black grid kits are available at retail locations that offer our Easy Elegance Black Coffers. Ask for Item #6357BL. How do I maintain my panels? Simply wipe clean with a damp cloth. Why is the border panel visual different than the coffer? The Armstrong Easy Elegance Border Panel was designed to coordinate with the Coffer but still maintain its structure after cutting it to fit in the border area. Easy Elegance Border Panels can also be used in a full ceiling application, especially where height clearance is an issue.
CUSTOM CREATIONS - STYLESTIX GRID COVERSDo they fit all grid systems? StyleStix is designed to fit grid measuring 15/16˝ wide. This is the standard grid measurement in most homes. We recommend you measure the face width of the grid. What if my current ceiling system is 2' x 4'? StyleStix is made for a 2' x 2' ceiling suspension system. You can easily convert your 2' x 4' system by purchasing and snapping a 2' cross tee into place. Can I paint StyleStix? Yes, with latex paint. Do StyleStix come in any other colors? No, but it can be painted with latex paint. Do I have to remove my ceiling panels to install StyleStix over my grid? No, StyleStix can be snapped into place while your ceiling panels remain in place. Is StyleStix moisture resistant? Yes, they are moisture, mold and mildew resistant. In fact, they are unaffected by humidity, and will not absorb water at all. Can I mount StyleStix directly to my ceiling? No, StyleStix is designed to fit over standard metal grid systems. How do I cut StyleStix? Using a miter saw or hack saw. Can this be used with ceiling panels having a reveal (tegular) edge detail? Yes, StyleStix work with almost all types of ceiling panels that fit 15/16˝ metal grid. Where can I buy StyleStix products?
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