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Cheap Ceiling Tiles Options

Cheap Ceiling Tiles Options To Choose From

by Dylan Johnson

Stop your way of searching for cheap ceiling tiles since you luckily get us now! Truly, we present the required information about the ceiling tiles that come with the cheap price.

Look at the table below to have a clear description at the first glance before we go deeply into the explanation details.

MaterialSizesCost/sq.ftInstallationNotes
Fiberboard2’ x 2’ 2’ x 4$0.55 – $0.65Drop or grid ceilingNot for damp or humid areas
Mineral Fiber12” x 12” 2’ x 2’ 2’ x 4$0.50 – $2.50Drop or Direct mount ceilingNot for damp or humid areas   Good sound absorption
Fiberglass2’ x 4$0.50 – $1.50Drop ceilingGood sound control Slightly insulative
PVC2’ x 2’ 2’ x 4$1.25 – 3.50Drop or Direct mount ceilingSuitable for dam or  humid areas
Tin2’ x 2’ 2’ x 4$1.75 – $3.50Drop or Direct mount ceilingSuitable for all areas
Styrofoam20” x 20” 19.5” x 19.5”$1.00 – $1.50Direct mountSuitable for all areas Fragile

Based on the table above, it is clearly seen that the variety of materials are available in expensive ceiling tiles. You can find the cheap ceiling tiles in any of the materials but the least expensive ones include fiberboard, mineral fiber, fiberglass and Styrofoam.

No let’s navigate you to the content of this article which includes the fiberboard tiles, mineral fiber ceiling tiles, fiberglass ceiling tiles, PVC ceiling tiles, tin ceiling tiles and Styrofoam ceiling tiles.

Each of them will be enriched by the information about costs and place to buy. So let’s focus on the detailed explanation.

Fiberboard Ceiling Tiles

Fiberboard Ceiling Tiles
Fiberboard Ceiling Tiles

Basically, Fiberboard is constructed from cellulose, a shredded wood product that is combined with a binding agent and formed into tiles.

The tiles has white and off-white color along with the small holes or perforations. This will provide the tiles with the acoustical properties so that they can absorb sound to reduce the echo.

The materials also come with small amount of insulation value. These materials are widely used in drop or grid ceiling in basements as an affordable solution to hide the infrastructure of the ceiling like ductwork, pipes and electrical wiring.

Fiberboard is one of the cheap ceiling tiles that is also the cheapest. Accordingly, it is not as durable as you may expect to fight against mold, mildew, sagging, staining and water damage.

There are certain treatments applied to some of fiberboard to add resistance to moisture and sagging. However, this one will slightly more expensive.

Fiberboard ceiling tiles cannot be your perfect option for humid areas such as a damp basement or bathroom.

Read Also: Acoustic Ceiling Tiles

Cost and Where To Buy

There are many sizes of fiberboard available. It is usually 2’ x 2’ and 2’ x 4’ with the price between $.55 and $.65 per square foot for the Radar and Fifth Avenue profiles.

The Alpine profiles offer the feature of acoustic properties and cost about $.95 per square foot. This is still considered as cheap option.

Fiberboard ceiling tiles allow you to paint them. If you are about to purchase this brand, you can visit the most big box home improvement stores.

Mineral Fiber Ceiling Tiles

Mineral Fiber Ceiling Tiles
Mineral Fiber Ceiling Tiles

Mineral fiber ceiling tiles are eco-friendly due to the fact that they are made from the recyclable materials such as paper, fiberglass, perlite and mineral wool mixed with the binding agents to form tiles.

These tiles are heavy textured. They can replicate the look of tin ceilings or heavy stucco because they are wet-formed. For better acoustic properties, many of the mineral fiber ceiling tiles are constructed from perforations.

Like Fiberboard, mineral fiber ceiling tiles are not durable enough. When they absorb moisture in wet areas, they can be prone to sagging, mold and mildew.

However, most of the tiles available on the market today are given treatment to provide them with the resistance of the issues.

Mineral fiber tiles are widely used. They commonly available in 2’ x 2’ or 2’ x 4’ sizes for the standard drop ceiling. If you look for the ones to directly mount to the ceiling surface using an adhesive, you could have the 12” x 12” sizes.

Noticeably, you can use this kind of cheap ceiling tiles almost in room of the house except bathroom. But make sure that the tiles have been treated with a product of moisture protection. You can paint these tiles but it effects on reducing the sound absorbing abilities.

Costs and Where To Buy

Mineral fiber ceiling tiles are available in 2’x2’, 2’x4’ and 12”x12” sizes. The tiles with the light texture are available in Budget Line. Those are including Adobe profiles and Stonehurst which come at $.50 to $1 per square foot. Another cheap ceiling tiles offered by Armstrong at $1 to $2.50 per square foot which are all available in 3 sizes.

The price of mineral fiber ceiling tiles depends on the tiles’ thickness, texture and level of moisture as well as stain protection that the tiles are treated with.

If you are so eager to buy these ceiling tiles, the home improvement stores are the right place to purchase.

Fiberglass Ceiling Tiles

Fiberglass Ceiling Tiles
Fiberglass Ceiling Tiles

Other option to consider purchasing the inexpensive ceiling tiles is fiberglass ceiling tiles. Made from fiberglass, these tiles offer insulating properties so that they are good at absorbing sound.

These tiles are featuring free-maintenance and high durability as long as you have a proper installation on your fiberglass ceiling. This way, professional installation is needed to avoid the breaking loose of the fiberglass material.

It is considerably easy to find this type of ceiling tiles. However, there aren’t many styles available with the materials. The colors are mainly white and lightly textured. When you need ceiling tiles with thermal and acoustic properties, fiberglass is the one to choose from.

This way, the fiberglass ceiling tiles are mostly available in 2’ x 4 size while the installation is available in drop ceiling grids. It is strongly recommended not to paint these tiles since they are laminated with vinyl.

Cost and Where to Buy

Most of fiberglass ceiling tiles are offering cheap prices which are between $.50 and $1.50 per square foot. Prices can be higher up to $8.00 or even $9.00 per square foot if you choose the very thick tiles.

Armstrong comes with the largest selection of residential fiberglass ceiling tiles but Top Tile is also one of the brands available with the collection. Note, most of home improvement stores provide these fiberglass ceiling tiles.

PVC Ceiling Tiles

PVC Ceiling Tiles
PVC Ceiling Tiles

PVC ceiling tiles are also best listed as one of the cheap ceiling tiles available on the market today. These tiles offer versatility and some options with the cheap price. PVC ceiling tiles are mostly used on standard drop or grid ceilings or mounted directly to the ceiling using an adhesive.

PVC ceiling tiles are constructed from the melted plastic forming into tiles. There are various range of styles available including panels or coffered tiles to create the look of an antique tin ceiling. These tiles are also available both in traditional and contemporary design.

PVC ceiling tiles are usually ready in 2’x2’ and 2’x4’ sizes. They are also painted and finished. However, you can also purchase the unfinished ones and paint the, yourself. PCV ceiling tiles offer a lightweight, durable and waterproof feature so that you can use them anywhere else in the home including the damp basements and bathrooms.

Costs and Where to Buy

Depending on the color and finish, the average costs of PVC ceiling tiles start from $1.25 per square foot. If you want to find any style or color including the faux metal, coffered paneled and faux wood, you can have them at $2.50 – $3.50 per square foot.

All of these tiles are mostly available at home improvement stores but you can also find them in some local retailers that offer a large number of cheap ceiling tiles such as Talissa Décor, UDecor and Ceilume.

Tin Ceiling Tiles

Tin
Tin

As the name suggest, tin ceiling tiles are made of tin plated steel. They can be used in drop ceilings or nailed to the ceiling over a plywood substrate. The manufacturing process is done by embossing the steel to create a big variety of designs, ranging from ornate to simple styles.

The finished and painted tiles are usually the ones available. However, you can still choose the unfinished tiles with a cheap price and paint them yourself. This way, the common sizes that are ready with the tiles are 2’x2’ and 2’x4’ sizes. Note, these tiles are durable and usable in anywhere else in the house, inside and outside.

Cost and Where to Buy

The unfinished tin tiles are usually priced at $1.75 per square foot while the finished ones are at about $3.5o per square foot. If you want to buy them in cheap prices, you may check with the most home improvement stores that comes with many varieties of styles and finishes in low prices.

Styrofoam Ceiling Tiles

Styrofoam
Styrofoam

The last cheap ceiling tiles you may consider purchasing is Styrofoam ceiling tiles. As the name suggest, they are made of foam. They are just lightweight and waterproof.

These tiles are usually available in 20”x20” and 19.5”x19.5” sizes. Installation is performed using an adhesive and easily done over popcorn ceiling.

There are many styles, ranging from ornate to traditional coffered and paneled looks. There also simple and contemporary styles. The color is almost white. However, you can have them painted with water-based paint.

Styrofoam ceiling tiles are suitable for any home areas due to their waterproof feature.

Cost and Where to Buy

Styrofoam ceiling tiles are mostly available for sale at Home Depot and other home improvement stores. You can also find them online with the good prices and large selections including Talissa Décor and Antique Ceilings.

This kind of ceiling tiles are typically designed in white, solid colors, faux metal, faux wood and faux stone finishes. They are priced at about $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot while the hand painted options are priced about $2.50 and above per square foot.

Read Also: Plastic Ceiling Tiles Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I purchase ceiling tiles online?

Yes, you can. But only the Styrofoam ceiling tiles that are available online. Other selections can be found in most of home improvement stores.

Can I paint the ceiling tiles with the color I want?

Yes, but makes sure you choose the unfinished ones so that you can paint them yourself. This way, some tiles are already painted and finished. So you must pick up the unfinished ones.

What type of Ceiling tiles can I get in the lowest price?

Fiberboard offers the lowest price which is $.50 to $.65. However, you cannot install the, in the damp or humid areas.