Coffered ceilings add a beautiful architectural element to any space. But are they attainable for the average home? Long considered a luxury item, we’d love to show you how simple it is to achieve this look at a fraction of the cost, with versatile plastic ceiling tiles.
A coffered ceiling “is a series of sunken panels in the shape of a square, rectangle, or octagon in a ceiling, soffit or vault,” according to our friends over at Wikipedia. Dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times (when they were made of stone), a coffered ceiling is an architectural feat of construction. In modern times, coffered ceilings often refers to a custom wooden frame over ceiling panels to create the look of the historical indentations.
For many, the cost of a true custom-made coffered ceiling is prohibitive. According to HomeAdvisor in their 2019 Coffered Ceiling Guide, a coffered ceiling like this will cost you a whopping $25 per square foot! For reference, they explain that a 150 square foot room will cost at least $3750.
But, there’s a better way to get this look in your home for a fraction of the price of custom work. Armstrong Coffered Look Ceilings offer you a full range of customizable looks, all in an economical PVC plastic ceiling panel.
You may have a preconceived idea about plastic ceiling panels. PVC is polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic used to create the Coffered Look ceiling panels. It is virtually impossible to tell that your ceiling panels are made of plastic...they look just like any other ceiling tile or panel. Yet these panels will last just about forever -- and you don’t have to worry about panels being ruined by water damage, mold, or mildew.
And, there’s more! Coffered ceiling panels have a whole host of benefits that a custom coffered ceiling does not.
Each coffered panel is made of rigid PVC (plastic) and shaped into the traditional coffered indentation. This construction means panels are easy to handle during installation. Despite the material, plastic ceiling panels are very lightweight compared to standard ceiling tiles.
Coffered panels install easily in either a new or existing 24” x 24” standard drop ceiling grid (15/16” grid). You can even convert an existing 24” x 48” grid into a 24” x 24” square grid by adding cross tees. It’s super easy to just pop new tiles into your existing grid, but anyone who can install a drop ceiling will be able to install a new grid for coffered panels to fit in.
One thing to note - you may want to install a drywall border around the edges to make sure the ceiling preserves the true coffered look. As an alternative, you can also install traditional acoustic ceiling tiles around the edges, such as 271 Sahara.
Because the ceilings are made of plastic (PVC), cleaning these panels is a snap. Accidents happen and ceilings do get dirty (remember the great “blender-without-a-lid” episode?). Not only are these panels easy to clean, but they’re resistant to moisture, mold and mildew.
Just clean your plastic ceiling tiles with a washcloth and warm, soapy water. You’ll be very happy with how easy it is to clean!
White is no longer the only option for your ceiling. These coffered panels come in both traditional white, and dramatic, beautiful black. While black might not be a traditional color for your ceilings, it can really add a personal touch to spaces like a home theater or game room.
Color isn’t your only look option! These plastic ceiling tiles are also available in deep coffers or shallow coffers, depending on the look you want. Installation is the same for both options.
It’s easy to get the look of a coffered ceiling with plastic ceiling tiles. Just browse our coffered ceilings online or find a store online to get started! You’ll be thrilled with the solid construction, easy maintenance, and the customizable looks of Armstrong Coffered Look ceiling tiles!
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