Ceiling Tiles

Ceiling tiles: buying guide

Suspended ceiling tiles (also called lay-in ceiling tiles or ceiling panels) drop into an exposed T-grid. The right tile depends on the grid you have, the room and what you need the ceiling to do: soak up noise, cope with humidity, wipe clean or simply look tidy at the lowest cost per m².

Ceiling tile sizes

• 600 × 600mm is the standard UK module, and every tile in this range comes in it.
• 1200 × 600mm tiles are available in Rockfon Artic+ (A24 square edge and E24 tegular), TVS Mineral (square edge) and TVS Soft (white).
• Thickness runs from 7mm (Elevate EasyCare) and 8mm (TVS Cleancare) up to 15–16mm for most mineral and stone wool tiles, 22mm for TVS Mineral dB and 50mm for TVS Soft 46dB.

Square edge or tegular?

• Square edge (also called board edge, A, SE or E3) tiles sit flat on top of the grid. Most suit either 15mm or 24mm grid, so they are the easy choice for replacing tiles in an existing ceiling.
• Tegular (rebated edge, such as E24, T24, T15 or E6) tiles step down below the grid for a more finished look. The rebate has to match the grid width, so use a Tegular 24 tile with 24mm grid and a T15 tile with 15mm grid. Measure your grid before you order.

Choosing by job

• Offices, classrooms and open-plan spaces (sound absorption): look at the αw (weighted sound absorption) figure on each product. Rockfon Artic+ lists αw 0.95 (Class A), while Knauf AMF Thermatex Feinstratos and OWA Sandila/N list αw 0.60 (Class C).
• Noise between rooms (sound attenuation): compare the Dn,f,w figure instead. Knauf AMF Feinstratos lists 34 dB and OWA Sandila/N 31 dB. TVS Mineral dB and TVS Soft 46dB are the heavier options in the TVS range.
• Kitchens, washrooms and food areas: choose a wipeable or hygiene tile such as Elevate EasyCare, TVS Healthcare or TVS Cleancare.
• Humid areas: Rockfon Artic+ lists resistance up to 100% RH, and Knauf AMF Feinstratos and OWA Sandila/N up to 95% RH. Check each product page against your room.
• Reaction to fire: Rockfon Artic+ is A1 (non-combustible), and Knauf AMF Feinstratos and OWA Sandila/N are A2-s1,d0. That's a material classification. A fire-resistant ceiling needs a complete tested system, so check with your designer or building control.

Not sure between brands? Read Rockfon vs OWA ceiling tiles, or see our Zentia ceiling tile alternatives if you're matching an existing ceiling.

Price per m² and how many boxes

Tiles are sold by the box and box sizes vary (from 4 to 32 tiles), so compare tiles by price per m²: divide the box price by the m² in the box, which is shown on each product. For example, a box of 16 tiles at 600 × 600mm covers 5.76m². To work out boxes, divide your ceiling area by the m² per box, add a few spare tiles for cuts at the edges and round up. The suspended ceiling calculator does this for you, along with the main tees, cross tees, wall angle and hanger wire, and our suspended ceiling price per m² guide shows typical costs for a whole ceiling. Want a flush plasterboard ceiling instead of tiles? Use an MF ceiling system.

Delivery: prices are ex VAT. Ceiling tiles are delivered in England only, free, with a £400 ex VAT minimum order. Call 03330 908479 for help choosing a tile.

Guide only: figures are typical values for general information. Always check the manufacturer's current data sheets and confirm Building Regulations compliance with your designer or building control. Insulation Warehouse Direct accepts no liability for decisions made using this guide.