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| by:
Iain Mitchell
photos: Roger Yip |
TIN CEILINGS |
| The
classic, century-old look is making a big comeback |
The whole concept of covering walls and ceilings with metal
originated in mid-19th century North America, when people began
looking for a low-cost way to imitate the expensive plasterwork
common in Europe at the time.
The idea was a good one, and for decades ornate metal cladding
could be found in better homes, offices, schools and government
buildings everywhere. With onset of the First World War, however,
the popularity of tin ceilings dropped as almost all available
metal was redirected to munitions factories. While you can still
see a tin ceiling in the odd pub or restaurant, the style has
remained somewhat dormant for most of the last century.
But that’s starting to change.
Thanks to the recent surge in popularity of restoration projects,
tin ceilings are making a comeback the likes of which haven’t
been seen since their heyday in the 1890s. One man who’s
at the forefront of this tin-ceiling boom is Brian Greer, owner
of Brian Greer’s Tin-Ceilings, Walls & Unique Metal
Work in Mannheim, Ont.
Greer started tinsmithing in
1962 and opened his own metalworking business 10 years later.
For the past seven years he has concentrated solely on decorative
tin applications. Which isn’t to suggest tin is the only
metal that can be used for cladding walls and ceilings; Greer
also offers such metals as copper, brass and stainless steel,
among others. What’s more, says Greer, “The panels
can be painted to look like plasterwork, or you can spray them
with clear lacquer to preserve their natural polished silver
finish.”
Getting to Work
The panels used in this project consist of tin electroplated
on steel; plating occurs prior to stamping. Greer puts safety
hems on all the components of the tin ceiling, making installation
much more finger-friendly.
| WHAT
YOU'LL NEED |
 |
| Adding
a tin ceiling can transform a room with just a few
basic tools; stepladder, drill, tin snips, pencil,
tape measure and caulking gun. Also, chalkline.
For more info on tin ceilings, go to Brian Greer’s
Web site: www.tin-ceilings.com |
|
Measure the space you’re looking to cover, so you’ll
know how much to buy and how much you’ll have to spend.
The panels we’re using for this installation cost $4 per
sq. ft., the moulding is $10 per 4' strip, the cornice $20 per
4' strip, and the filler
$40 per 4' strip. Doing the installation yourself will save
you plenty, as a professional job will cost about $5 per sq.
ft.
Map out a design for your ceiling
accounting for all the components; panels, moulding, filler
strip and cornice, and transfer it to the already-installed
plywood with chalk lines. Greer recommends starting the first
panel at the farthest point from the room’s entrance, then
overlapping subsequent panels away from the light source or
room entrance. Filler, moulding and cornice are similarly lapped.
Inside corners are coped, outside corners are mitred.
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