Tin Ceiling Restoration

Restoration

Tin ceilings were built to last, and in the absence of prolonged moisture damage leading to corrosion, they usually did; however, the wear and tear over the hundred years since the heyday of tin has led to a burgeoning restoration industry. Environmental hazards from the lead paint used on turn of the century tin ceilings means that this is a job for experts in the field.

Often restoration is achieved by simply stripping old paint, treating the metal with a protective base coat, patching minor damaged areas, and repainting. In some cases, where small sections of a ceiling have been damaged, partial restoration is needed. If a ceiling requires replacement panels, they can be easily installed if currently manufactured. If, however, a ceiling requires a historic pattern that is no longer in production, good quality panels from the existing ceiling may be used to create a mold and new customized tin can be pressed.

If full restoration is needed, meaning no part of the existing ceiling remains structurally sound, a professional can help design a new ceiling appropriate for the period and structure using existing molds or creating reproductions based on photographic evidence or architectural drawings.

Walls & Ceilings Magazine

I'm thumbing through the February issue of Walls & Ceilings magazine and I see the article Tin's New Look by Mark L. Johnson. I'm glancing through it when the coolest quote jumps out at me -

Sheldon Gruber is president of Aa-Abbingdon Affiliates Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y. He is third generation in the tin ceilings business, and his company offers 42 ceiling patterns and 18 molding patterns in its Prestplate Metal Ceilings line. Two years ago, the company launched something new: hand-painted tin panels. “The quality is extremely high,” said Gruber, who added that his finishes are not powder coated or “faux,” but realistic renditions created by artists. “We should have the artist sign each panel–they’re that special,” he said. At $95 a 2 x 4-foot sheet, the price seems high, but Gruber said the hand-painted line is drawing a lot of customer attention.

Wow, I guess until recently I never thought of painters as artists unless they were painting on a traditional canvas, ya know? I agree, Mr. Gruber, and it's good to see you say it in print where we can all be reminded.

A Brief History of Tin Ceilings

Historically, tin ceilings were introduced to North America as an affordable alternative to the exquisite plasterwork used in European homes.

They gained popularity in the late 1800's as Americans sought sophisticated interior design. Durable, lightweight and fireproof, tin ceilings were appealing to home and business owners alike as a functionally attractive design element that was readily available.

It was during this, the Victorian era (1839-1901), that thin rolled tin-plate was being mass-produced. Between 1890 and 1930, approximately forty-five companies in the United States marketed metal ceilings; most were in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, located along railroad lines that served as the main routes for getting the pressed metal products directly to contractors.

Sheets of tin were stamped one at a time using rope drop hammers and cast iron molds. Using this method of production, metal was sandwiched between two interlocking tools. The top tool, or "ram," was lifted up by a rope or chain then dropped down onto the bottom die, smashing into the metal that was underneath. This process of repeatedly hammering the metal would permanently embed intricate patterns into the tin.

Tin ceilings were traditionally painted white, giving the appearance of hand-carved or molded plaster. They were incorporated into residential living rooms and parlors as well as commercial businesses, where painted tin was often used as wainscoting.

In the 1930's tin ceilings began to lose their popularity and ceilings, and as a result were ignored as a design element. As a result, few companies continued to produce pressed metal panels. Anyone hoping to have a tin ceiling was relegated to using salvage pieces from old buildings, an imperfect and time consuming undertaking.