Ceiling tiles and panels are the products used in both industrial and residential buildings to cover the ceiling. Ceiling tiles and panels are particularly popular in office buildings but are becoming used in the home more and more with the rise of the suspended ceiling.
Ceiling tiles are typically made from mineral fibre or plasterboard with speciality tiles made from metal, glass or wood.
Our guide covers ceiling tiles and panels in more detail, including information on how much this type of ceiling material costs, what affects the cost of installing ceiling tiles or panels, how you save money on this product and the best way to find a tradesperson to help you with the installation of ceiling tiles or panels!
Topics
How Much Do Ceiling Tiles Cost?
The cost of ceiling tiles will differ depending on several factors, which we take a closer look at later in the guide.
The table below examines the cost of ceiling tiles by different types in your home. The table uses the average house size of 16 square metres to calculate the ceiling tile cost.
| Material Type | Estimated Supply Cost | Estimated Labour Cost | Time Required | Total Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral Fibre | £40-£230 | £20-£50 per square metre | One to two days | £340-£1,030 |
| Plasterboard | £35-£120 | £20-£50 per square metre | One to two days | £355-£920 |
| Metal | £30-£350 | £20-£50 per square metre | One to two days | £355-£1,150 |
| Insulated Tiles | £50-£350 | £20-£50 per square metre | One to two days | £370-£1,150 |
Make sure to accurately measure your ceiling dimensions when setting your budget.
Mineral fibre ceiling tiles are estimated to cost between £340 to £1,030 for both the supply and labour costs.
Plasterboard ceiling tiles are slightly more expensive and estimated to cost between £355 to £920 for both the supply and labour costs.
Metal ceiling tiles are more expensive still with the cost for both supply and labour costs estimated between £355 to £1,150.
Insulated ceiling tiles are the most expensive, costing between £370 to £1,150 for both supply and labour costs.
This type of installation project is estimated to take between one to two days of work, depending on the size of the job and whether any other work is also required.
You can quickly and easily compare quotes from qualified fitters with experience in ceiling tiles installation by making sure to use HouseholdQuotes to find the right professional for the job!
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of Installing Ceiling Tiles?
We take a look at some of the most common facts affecting the cost below.
Ceiling Size
The larger your ceiling size the more it will cost to have ceiling tiles or panels installed. This is because the supply and labour costs will both increase.
It will take more tiles to cover a larger ceiling and more labour and time to instal the tiles to a larger ceiling.
Your Choice of Tiles
Both the material used in the tile product and the design of the tiles will impact the final cost of their installation.
Ceiling tiles with specific features, such as a complex design or colour will be more expensive than the simpler tiles. You should keep in mind that some tiles also have specific qualities, such as sound absorption.
These types of tiles will also be more expensive due to their composition.
Tile Quality
As there is such a wide range of tiles to choose from – made from a range of materials – you’ll likely find a type of tile that meets your budget. There are some luxury and high-end tiling options that will cost substantially more.
As with most things, if you want to spend a little more on the tile to get better quality of material, you can expect the cost of tiling to be more expensive.
Accessories
There is a range of existing accessories, such as lighting, fire sprinklers, air conditioning or soundproofing, that your ceiling may have. These accessories will make installation of tiling a lot more challenging as the labourer may have to remove and then refix or work around the accessories.
This will take more time than a more straightforward installation and will end up making your labour charges more expensive.
Location
Where you are located in the UK will impact the final cost of hiring a tradesperson to help with ceiling tiling installation.
If you’re located in central London and the southeast, you can expect the prices to be more expensive than if your property is located in the Midlands, northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Make sure to take your location into account when creating a budget for this type of project as you will note a fluctuation in prices.
How Can I Save Money on Ceiling Times for My Ceiling?
When it comes to ceiling tiles, the type you choose will have the biggest impact on cost. Do some research into the options on the market and consider what type of ceiling tiles will best suit the budget you have.
If you’ve found a wood or stone ceiling tile that fits your aesthetic but you’re working to a smaller budget, it’s worth double-checking if there is a fibreglass ceiling tile that emulates the particular design or pattern of the original.
This could be a good way to lower your costs without compromising on aesthetic design.
If you are still hoping to save some money on costs, you can undertake smaller jobs like accurately measuring your ceiling dimensions to ensure that you purchase the correct number of tiles necessary.
If you’re going to use a professional for installation, we recommend you try to find quotes from more than one professional.
Making sure you compare quotes will help you to be sure you’ve got the best price for the cost of installation. HouseholdQuotes can help you search between quotes from reputable and vetted installers with our quick and easy to use search function!
Click To Get QuotesAre Ceiling Tiles the Right Choice for My Home?
There are other products you can go to for your ceiling installation, such as ceiling cladding. We take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of ceiling tiles below so you can have an idea of how ceiling tiles would fit into your vision.
| Advantages of Tiling | Disadvantages of Tiling |
|---|---|
| -Increase home value -Help soundproof property -Easy to replace -Improve insulation -Affordable | -Can warp in extreme temperature -Potentially costly -Could release gas from specific tiling |
What’s Involved in Fitting Ceiling Tiles?
The installation of ceiling tiles will differ depending on the type of material the tile is made from. This is why it’s beneficial to get a professional involved in installation as they will know the different methods needed for each material.
Firstly, the ceiling will need to be checked to make sure it’s in good enough condition for ceiling tiles to be installed. The ceiling may need to be cleaned of any dirt or grease with an all-purpose cleaner.
The square footage of the room should have been measured by this point to ensure that the correct number of tiles has been purchased.
We recommend buying at least 15% more tiles than you need in case any tiles are damaged or need to be cut.
Any light fixtures, fans or air vents will need to be removed from the ceiling. The centre of the room should then be found by measuring the wall accurately.
The centre will be the starting point for the tiles to be laid. Cement or adhesive will be brushed onto the tiles.
The tiles should then be pressed firmly to the ceiling making sure it is aligned properly.
When fixtures are met, the tiles should be cut to allow for the hole of the fixture. When it comes to the edge of the ceiling, some tiles will need to be cut to fit the ceiling properly.
If borders are going to be attached to the ceiling, this will be done once the entire ceiling has been tiled.
How Do I Find and Hire a Professional?
Make sure you get some recommendations from your friends, family and neighbours.
If you know someone who has recently or previously had ceiling tiles installed in their home, ask them if they would be happy to recommend their tradesperson.
This way you can gain recommendations from people you trust and who may have worked with your family or friends for some time. You also may be able to cut down labour costs if you find a tradesperson within your area who won’t need to charge you for travel.
HouseholdQuotes is also able to help you find the perfect installer for ceiling tiles. Our search function allows you to compare quotes from tradespeople to find someone you can trust to get the job done correctly!
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional is the Right Fit
It’s a good idea to make sure you have a list of questions ready to verify that the professional you are hoping to hire is the right fit for you.
- Ask them for a written quote. With a written quote, you can see exactly what you will be paying for.
- Ask for their experience.
- For their references. If they can provide you with references you can be sure of their ability and may even be able to see some of their previous work.
- For any photos of their previous jobs. This will offer you the opportunity to see the quality of their work and could also provide you with some good references for your project designs.
- If they and their tools are insured. This can protect you from lawsuits if they or your property is damaged when they come to your home.
Final Checklist
Take a look at the checklist below to give you an idea of the best way to find an experienced tradesperson to instal ceiling tiles in your home:
- Choose what type of ceiling types you’d like in your home and if there are any specific design or function requirements you have.
- Decide whether or not you will be opting for the low-range or high-range tiling options.
- Use HouseholdQuotes to search between quotes from installers and potentially save you 40% on your project quote!
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions
What are Ceiling Tiles Made of?
In recent years tiles made of metal, glass and wood have also gained popularity as speciality tiles.
How Long Do Ceiling Tiles Last?
The good thing about the tiles is that they can be replaced easily if needed.
Where Can I Use Ceiling Tiles?
However, if you wanted to tile entire floors or rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom, it’s worth purchasing tiles designed with these specific rooms in made as their functionality will be better.
How Much Does a Suspended Ceiling Cost?
The estimated supply cost for the ceiling tiles only is £6-£7 per m2. To purchase ceiling tiles and have them installed, the total cost could be between £26-£62 per m2 depending on whether the installer has a low or high range cost.
A suspended ceiling kit is estimated to cost between £320-£450 for both supply and labour costs.
We’ve taken a closer look at suspended ceiling costs in our guide which can help you learn about the installation process for a suspending ceiling as well as the costs involved!
Could Old Ceiling Tiles Contain Asbestos?
If materials containing asbestos are removed or damaged in some way – such as when removing ceiling tiles – they release fibres into the air. If inhaled, the fibres can cause serious diseases, such as lung cancer, which can be life-threatening.
The diseases won’t immediately harm a person, but develop over time, but why point it can become too late to do anything.
Old ceiling tiles can therefore hold asbestos without anyone in the property knowing. For more information on where asbestos can be found and its impact, please visit the HSE website here.
Are Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles Illegal?
Therefore, an assessment would need to be carried out under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and if the risk is identified as a hazard, the council would enforce the landlord to remove them.
In new build properties, however, the use of polystyrene ceiling tiles is now illegal.
If you’re concerned about whether or not the use of polystyrene ceiling tiles is illegal in your home, it’s always best to check with your local council and they will be able to best advise you on the situation.
Click To Get Quotes