Acoustics are a very important part of the ambiance of any indoor environment. The design of acoustical ceiling tiles appropriately absorbs or reflects noise. For example, acoustical tiles in a doctor's office may keep speech private, while tiles in a school can make speech intelligible over a distance. If you need to paint your acoustical ceiling tiles, you should know the characteristics to look for in your paint.
Before Painting
Before you paint acoustical ceiling tile with any paint, carefully consider the possible impact paint can have. The texture and pores of acoustical provides them with the ability to modulate sound. When you change that texture and put paint on top of the tiles, the acoustical ceiling tiles may no longer work effectively, or at all. Always weigh the possible risk that the tiles will no longer work against your need to paint so you can decide if painting is worth the risk.
Quick Dry
Choose a paint that dries quickly when painting acoustical ceiling tiles. Acoustical ceiling tiles are very porous and uneven in texture. This causes paint to drip more than it would on a flat surface. As such, oil based paints can lead to a very messy situation since they dry more slowly than latex based paints. Paint that dries quickly will also save you maintenance time, as you generally need to apply two coats to acoustical tiles before the surface is ready to use.
Easy to Clean
Acoustical ceiling tiles can be hard to clean. Many pores exist in the surface where dirt and stains can accumulate. Choose a paint that you can easily clean to minimize cleaning issues. Latex paint is generally easier to clean than an oil based paint. You can wipe both latex and water clean by gently using a small amount of bleach on a cloth.
Matte Paint
Glossy paint tends to highlight the imperfections on a surface. As such, usually, you should only use glossy paint for flat surfaces such as walls. A matte, latex paint will not highlight the imperfections in the surface of the acoustical ceiling tile.
Porous Paint
Porosity is perhaps the most important characteristic to look for in paint for an acoustical tile. Most paints, whether latex or oil based, have strong bridging characteristics, which means that they leave a small amount of paint in the bumps between surfaces. As a result, problems can arise with acoustical because the left over paint will clog the pores of the tile and prevent the proper absorption of sound. The effectiveness of the acoustical tile is then limited because it cannot properly attenuate the sound in the room.
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