Tin roofs were introduced to Africa and Australia in the mid-19th century, but it wasn't until mass-produced rolled tin sheets were born in the United States. Tin ceilings were middle-class Americans' response to the decorative plaster ceilings in vogue in Europe. The tin roof trend reached its peak in the late 19th century and was eventually replaced by dry or acoustical drop ceiling panels.
The recent surge in restoration of historic homes has increased the popularity of patterned tin roofing. Vintage paneling can be found at architectural salvage providers. These reclaimed 3D panels often need to be cleaned, patched, or stripped and repainted. Newly manufactured ceiling panels come in both contemporary and vintage designs and are produced in metal as well as compressed foam.
Do as much research as possible before planning the project. Online photo galleries and slideshows will provide a variety of visual examples and creative ideas to aid in the design process. Price panels and decide on design, color and material..
The dimensions of the roof to be covered with panels should be taken and drawn to scale on graph paper. When drawing your design in advance, identify where the predominant light sources are (window, chandelier, sconces, etc.).
The dimensions of the floor are usually identical to the ceiling. Measure the floor instead of climbing a ladder to measure the ceiling.
The size of the roof will determine the number of stamped tin panels needed. At Blog Cabin 2011, the recessed alcove in the game room measures 8' x 9'. Reclaimed sealed tin roof panels were purchased from an architectural salvage provider to cover this recessed space. The recovered panels needed cleaning, and random patterns and slightly different dimensions had to be taken into account. Prices for reclaimed tin panels range in price from $15 to $70 per panel depending on condition and material.
The tin panels are nailed into strips that are screwed into the marked ceiling joists. The dimension of the roof will dictate the number of 2" x 2" siding strips needed, based on the length and width of the panels. Don't forget to include reinforcing strips for the perimeter of the roof. The shopping list above will help with the rest of the project shopping.
What about the new stamped tin ceiling panels??
If purchasing reclaimed panels is out of budget constraints, less expensive newly manufactured roof panels can be purchased online. With a little DIY research, many of the web links advertise a variety of panels in different patterns, styles, materials, colors, shapes, sizes, and prices. Websites displaying newly stamped roof panels can be found under the web browser heading “stamped tin roof panels”. Prices range from $4 to $50 per panel, depending on style and material.
Try to buy tin panels that are nearly identical in size to minimize trimming work.
Frank Murray
Frank Murray
Lay a large drop cloth or tarp outside and lay panels on top of the drop cloth. Using a wooden putty knife or plastic mixing spoon, chip away any loose paint chips that are still clinging to the panel. Take care not to scratch the face of the panel during the chipping process. Once the panels are free of loose paint chips and wiped clean, set them aside to dry and pick up any lead-based paint chips on the tarp. Package loose chips carefully and set aside for proper disposal.
When the panels are dry, lay them back on the tarp and apply a coat of polyurethane spray to both sides of each panel. Apply a second coat to seal on both sides of the lead-based paint.
When the polyurethane has dried, lay out the panels in the desired pattern. It may be helpful to number the sequence of panels by applying blue painter's tape to the corner of each panel.
Lead-based paint is toxic. Always wear gloves and a heavy-duty dust mask when working on surfaces painted before 1978. When cleaning, place paint chips, rags, and dust mask in a heavy-duty trash bag and seal. State mandates vary when it comes to lead-based paint cleanup and removal. Visit your state Department of Health website for more details.
Frank Murray
Remove lights, fans, vent covers, smoke detectors, or other objects that are normally attached to the ceiling.
Locate each ceiling joist and mark it with a pressure line. Drive a nail into the center of the ceiling joist for the pressure line. The lines and nail holes will be covered with the roof panel.
To locate the ceiling joists behind the drywall, drive a long finish nail probe into the ceiling. The nail will go in easily if no joists are present. Drill additional nail holes to the sides until entry is more difficult. This is the edge of the joist. Find the center of the joist, then try again 16” to the side, the likely distance to the next joist.
Once each ceiling joist has been marked with a pressure line, measure the width of the ceiling panel. Note:Panel sizes must be consistent. Next, measure and mark the ceiling for the furring strip accessories. Furring strips are attached to the ceiling to correspond to the width of the ceiling panels. Note:when laying the ceiling panels, the edges should be in the center of the strip.
Screw the 2" x 2" strips into the marked ceiling with 3" screws. Note:A nail gun can be used with 3" nails instead of 3" screws. Continue placing the strips along the ceiling joists until it meets the opposite wall Make sure the design perimeter has furring strips to connect the outside edges of the ceiling tiles Note:Ceiling tiles placed against the wall may be smaller than the rest of the ceiling tiles. panels, therefore panels will need to be cut to size to fit in. Furring strips must accommodate this accessory.
Safety Tip: When working on removing electrical fixtures, turn off the circuit breaker to cut power to the work area. It is recommended that an electrical current device be used to test each device to ensure that the power is off. Cap each loose wire with wire when the accessory is removed.
Builder Tip: When laying the strips on the ceiling, make sure the width between the strips matches the width of the panels. An auxiliary helper is recommended to hold the reddened strips during coupling.
Frank Murray
Frank Murray
Align the first panel along the center of two furring strips. A second hand is always useful. Use a finish nailer with 2" finish nails to attach the roof panel to the screw strip.
Attach the second roof panel with a small overlap, using a strong construction adhesive to connect the edges.
Wear heavy leather gloves and safety glasses when handling tin roof panels over your head.
To accommodate ceiling lights, ceiling fans, fan boxes, and smoke alarms, carefully measure and, with tin snips, hand cut openings in tin panels to ensure a snug fit.
It may be necessary to lower the roof accessory boxes to the level of the beading strips. Some fixture box modifications may require an electrician if the DIYer is unable to make the fit.
Frank Murray
Apply panels along the siding strips, working toward the light and/or the wall with the narrow panels. These panels must be carefully cut to fit snugly against the wall.
When cutting the stamped tin roof panels at Blog Cabin 2011, a cutting table and rip fence were installed to cut clean, straight panel lines with a circular saw.
When all ceiling panels have been installed, reattach ceiling fixtures using the electrical safety tips provided above.
Some patterned tin ceiling projects are finished with crown molding, decorative switch covers, or ornate medallions around drop lights or room-center chandeliers. A wide range of accessories, such as cornices and corner trim, can give a room a more finished look.
