Selecting the right ceiling tiles for a home can be a challenge. Homeowners need something that is durable and easy to install, yet visually-appealing enough for a stylish house. A popular choice is a coffered ceiling tiles.
What are Coffered Ceiling Tiles?
A coffered ceiling is a form of interior design that uses decorative panels that appear to be molded or carved upward into the ceiling system. They are often set up in a square-grid design, but they can also be rectangular or octagonal in shape. Not only are they used throughout the ceiling, they can also be used to enhance the appearance of a soffit or vault.
With coffered ceiling tiles, the ceiling will not be smooth, but will have more depth and texture. Sometime called a “paneled ceiling,” coffered ceiling tiles can be made out of a wide variety of materials, including wood, metal, plastics, and more.
Did you know? Coffered comes from the Greek word kophinos, which means “basket”.
The Advantages of Coffered Ceilings
There are many benefits that coffered ceiling tiles will bring to a home. First of all, they are a decorative option for areas that may be bland or uninspiring. A house may have a simple room that has little character or stand-out qualities, but with a coffered ceiling, the area can have more style.
Next, there is a long list of design options that can go into an coffered ceiling. When choosing a style for a room homeowners can select various colors, from dark wood to pristine white. This helps to match any existing elements that are already in the house. For example, a homeowner can choose a color that matches or compliments the carpeting, or the person can choose a wood ceiling tiles that fits the molding and design throughout the home. Because of this flexibility and versatility, coffered ceiling tiles can be made to fit any home’s design and structure.
While regular tiles give a flat appearance to the ceiling, coffered ceiling tiles give a feeling of depth. With these types of tiles, the panel sit higher than the grid system. The height difference can be less than an inch or more than a few feet, but it always works to create a three-dimensional quality to the ceiling.
Adding different parts and accessories is one of the biggest advantages of coffered ceiling tiles. Lighting can really benefit from coffered ceiling tiles, as professionals can put lights in the middle of the tile itself or run lights along the grid system. This not only enhances the appearance of the lighting, it compliments the room as a whole.
Acoustics is another element that can be enhanced through coffered ceiling tiles. While the effects will vary depending on the size of the room and the type of tiles that are used, coffered ceiling tiles can help with sound in home theaters, meeting rooms, and other areas where noise and sound are important.
CeilingConnex has a selection of mission ceiling tiles that offer the design and visual appeal of coffered ceiling tiles. Contact us for more information on these products.
The Disadvantages of Coffered Ceilings
There is one distinct disadvantage when using coffered ceiling tiles: the price. Because they are more detailed and decorative, they take more time and energyto manufacture, resulting in a higher cost per unit. For example, our mission ceiling tile (a type of coffered ceiling) costs $8.49 for a 2’x2’ piece. To put that in perspective, a 2‘x4’ unit of traditional tile is usually priced around $3.00. That means that per foot, coffered tiles can cost over five-times as much. While they deliver an excellent look, if you are on a tight budget you will probably avoid coffered tiles.
Another disadvantage of coffered ceiling tiles is the fact that they often don’t work as a border tile. However, our mission ceiling tile will work on the border depending on which direction you install the product.