History of Tin Ceilings
Rolled, stamped tin makes a beautiful addition to a tray ceiling design, especially if the room includes a wood-burning fireplace. Valued for their flame resistance and their beauty, tin ceilings were common in Victorian-era homes. There are still many companies making tin ceiling tiles, where you can have a design custom-made or choose one from existing stock.
History
Tin ceilings were popular in the Victorian era. Heavy, ornate plaster-cast ceilings were popular in fine homes, and tin ceilings provided a cheaper alternative. When painted, they were difficult to distinguish from plaster-cast ceilings. Rolled, embossed tin, which was actually tin-coated steel, was mass-produced between 1839 and 1901 by 45 companies in the United States. Due to their resistance to fire, tin ceilings were considered a valuable embellishment to any wood-heated, gas-lit home. They were used in more commercial buildings than private homes, though.
Warning
Due to the use of lead in the white paint that was so common in the Victorian era, extreme care must be taken when restoring these ceilings. Do not attempt removal of white paint from any Victorian-era home without following lead abatement protocols. Have all children and animals in the home tested for lead exposure before and after lead abatement. Keep pets and children out of any remodeling areas in which exposure to lead could occur.
Tin ceilings can corrode under humid conditions. Run a dehumidifier and clean your tin ceiling in spring and fall to prevent damage. If corrosion does occur and cannot be removed, replace the affected tin ceiling tiles as soon as possible. To prevent corrosion of replacement tiles, most tin ceiling components are primed with a clear polyurethane coating on the back side.
Function
Besides their ornamental value, tin ceilings provide a way to maximize the effectiveness of your furnace. Tin ceilings hold heat longer, releasing it slowly once your forced air unit stops blowing. This allows a longer period before the room cools, using less fuel to heat the same space.
Prevention/Solution
It can be challenging to install tin ceiling tiles correctly. Give each tile a coat of clear polyurethane one the back side and allow to dry completely. Provide a level surface by installing furring strips or plywood sheeting, using shims as needed to create a completely flat nailing surface. Use chalk lines to guide you as you nail in each tile. Do not use screws, since these can bend or dent the tin. Instead, use cone-headed nails and a nail guide, along with a rubber-headed mallet. Drill a hole in a 1/4-inch thick piece of plywood. Insert the nail and pound it in, then remove the nail guide and gently tap the nail flush. Fill any gaps between nails with clear caulk before painting. Follow the tips in the Resources section below when trouble-shooting tin ceiling installation problems.
Potential
Tin ceiling installation and restoration are lost arts. Contractors who learn to restore and replace these works of Victorian-era art perform a much-needed service. In our haste to make everything new and improved, we lose a great deal of the beauty of the past.
Ornamental tin can be used for more than ceilings. With the trend toward alternate heat sources, tin tiles can be used as ornamental fire screens behind wood-burning stoves in living rooms and family rooms. Tin tiles above and beside fireplaces can catch and reflect heat out into the room.
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