Ceiling panel buying guide

Ceiling panels are a really practical way to quickly renovate a ceiling that is cracked, has flaking paint or any other type of flaw or unevenness. What's more, they are fairly straightforward to install and inexpensive. They can also be used to cover insulation.

The design of your ceiling panels should be chosen to match your tastes. But beyond aesthetics, ceiling panels can also help to improve the thermal and sound insulation of the room. They are also easy to install if you decide to glue them in place. Bear in mind, however, that this will make them tricky to remove.

When it comes to materials, you have a few choices. Polystyrene and PVC are lightweight and easy to install using adhesive. Alternatively, plaster, mineral wood panels will cleverly cover up insulation, electrical cables or even heating systems when installed over a ceiling-mounted frame. However, these ceiling panels are more complicated to install.

Glue-on ceiling tiles are the easiest type of ceiling panel to install. These lightweight panels are easy to handle, but do need to be installed over a sound surface that is free of any surface coatings that could impede adhesion.

There are three main types of glue-on ceiling panels:

• polystyrene ceiling panels;

• polyurethane ceiling panels;

• PVC ceiling panels.

While these materials are similar, they do have their own specific characteristics.

Polystyrene ceiling tiles are the most commonly used panels for an easy ceiling renovation. Available in a range of formats and thicknesses, these panels are lightweight and inexpensive.

You can also choose between different finishes and designs and get creative with options such as smooth, moulded, plaster, woven effects or stucco panels.

White is usually the most popular choice in terms of colour but it is possible to find coloured polystyrene ceiling panels(such as faux wood effect, for example). Another option is to paint the ceiling panels yourself in the colour of your choice using acrylic paint.

Please note that polystyrene ceiling tiles are not recommended for use in kitchens as they are flammable.

Ceiling panels release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which are dangerous for your health and the environment.

Polyurethane ceiling panels offer almost the same advantages and disadvantages as polystyrene: they are easy to install, lightweight, inexpensive and can be painted.

The main difference comes down to the finish of the panels which tends to be more detailed and can feature things like mouldings.

PVC (or polyvinyl chloride) is a material with numerous benefits. It can be used to create ceiling panels which are lightweight, rot-proof and resistant to moisture, fungi and mould. PVC is therefore an ideal choice for bathrooms or kitchens.

Easy to maintain, PVC ceiling panels also come in a range of colours and patterns.

While ceiling panels can vary in thickness, only the thickest panels will do for ceilings with a lot of imperfections otherwise they will misshape over time.

Suspended ceiling tiles are designed to be fitted to a metal gridwork which can be attached to the ceiling itself or to wood joists via ceiling clips.

These ceiling panels can be used to hide insulation, electrical cables, and heating or HVAC systems. It is also possible to use them to install flush downlights.

There are three types of suspended ceiling tiles:

• plaster ceiling tiles;

• mineral fibre ceiling tiles;

• wood ceiling tiles.

Let's take a closer look at the specifications of each type of ceiling panel.

These ceiling panels are mainly chosen for their aesthetic and can be made of plaster or plasterboard. They are lightweight and straightforward to install, bearing in mind that they can be cut using just a utility knife and rule.

These tiles are even easier to install if the four edges are slightly thinner than the rest of the panel. Depending on the product you choose, plaster ceiling panels can be moisture-resistant or be used to improve sound insulation.

Mineral fibre ceiling panels, made from materials like glass or rock wool, offer very good sound and thermal insulation. Easy to cut to shape and fire- and moisture-resistant, some mineral fibre tiles can also be coated with an antibacterial treatment.

Available in a range of finishes and colours, mineral fibre ceiling tiles will work with any type of décor.

The main draw of wood ceiling panels is their style and charm. Usually made of melamine-coated chipboard or MDF with a wood veneer, these panels come in all colours and can be made to look like a range of species including walnut, oak, birch and wenge. When it comes to finish, choose between options like matt, satin or natural.

Ceiling panels come in different classes indicating their resistance to fire and can be treated to stand up to moisture.