Ceiling Cover Buying Guide

Treating the ceiling as part of your home décor adds continuity and style to an entire room. In addition to adding visual interest, there are other advantages to upgrading your ceiling covering. A suspended ceiling allows you to hide plumbing, wiring and other utilities, while still allowing easy access when necessary. Some coverings also offer noise-reducing and acoustic benefits. Ceiling coverings are also low maintenance and versatile: They can be suspended or applied directly over joists or drywall as long as the ceiling is sound.

Many people associate ceiling tile with the drop ceiling tile often seen in commercial buildings. These are also an option for home use, but there are many other attractive options available at surprisingly low costs, so take some time to get familiar with different drop ceiling ideas.

Ceiling materials include fiberglass, metal, mineral fiber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic. You can integrate lighting panels into your suspended ceiling or choose from a vast selection of fashion lighting. For humid environments like bathrooms, you can find products that are suited to higher moisture.

Drop ceiling panels rest in a grid system suspended from the ceiling joists. The nature of the grid system makes it easy to level any ceiling and offers the added benefit of easy access to any pipes and wiring above the ceiling. Options include textured tile, metallic tones and an array of other features, including acoustic enhancement. Some suspended ceiling systems require as little as 3 inches of clearance.

Metal ceiling tile is an attractive option that can coordinate with existing décor, like kitchen backsplashes, and is available in historical patterns for a classic look. These tile options also mount easily and aren't hard to maintain. Apply directly to plywood or oriented strand board (OSB), or use them in a suspended ceiling grid system.

If you're looking for an affordable option that's low maintenance and easy to install, consider a glue-on or staple-on ceiling. They're available in basic textures and elaborate designs and attach directly to the existing ceiling or onto furring strips attached to the ceiling. Their stucco or sculpted plaster look make a great covering for damaged drywall, plaster or popcorn ceilings.

If you want a ceiling upgrade that’s easy to install and can add a lot of architectural detail, consider the many types of panels available, including wood, shiplap, fluted panels and faux wood ceilings.

Tongue-and-groove ceiling planks come in a variety of materials such as tin and copper, as well as woodgrain looks such as pine. Wood slats for ceilings also come in different finishes like pre-painted or natural looks. Some can even be custom painted during installation. A plank ceiling can be installed using a grid system or affixed directly to the existing ceiling. For do-it-yourself help, take a look at Install a Plank Ceiling.

If you'd like to make a dramatic statement in your home, consider painting or wallpapering the ceiling in your living room, dining room or bedroom.

Paint
Paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform a room.  White ceilings can brighten a room. If you're trying to make a large room with high ceilings feel cozy, paint the ceiling a dark color. Or you can try color drenching. Color drenching is when you completely cover a room in the same color, including the ceiling, walls and moulding. Depending on the color you choose, it can make small rooms feel larger and can create a calm or energizing effect.

Learn how to paint a ceiling.

Wallpaper
If you love color and pattern, try wallpapering the ceiling. Choose from geometric designs, florals, stripes and textured wallpaper. Pull a color from the wallpaper to paint the four walls for a bold and interesting space.

Learn how to install wallpaper.