Metal ceiling tiles have never really disappeared over time and instead are experiencing something of a revival in popularity now that people are looking for more unique ways to distinguish the look of their home. But did you know that metal ceiling tiles as a design choice is well over 100 years old?
It all starts with tin and the ways it could help Americans to equal-or even surpass-European home decorating choices.
Here is the story of tin.
Tin’s Beginnings
Tin has been found to date back to even ancient times in history, so we are unclear about who exactly first discovered it. It was used during the Bronze Age in 3000 BC in bronze. The bronze contained approximately ninety percent copper and ten percent tin materials.
It is said that tin is named after an Etruscan god named Tinia and it is a Latin symbol that means silvery-white, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Tin may have also gotten its name from Anglo-Saxon language and the symbol SN that comes from the Latin word meaning stannum.
Properties of Tin
Tin is resistant to corrosion from water; however, it can be harmed with acids and alkalis. It is also a material that can be polished and used as a protective coat for other metal types. This protective tin layer prevents oxidation from occurring on these other metal materials.
Fun Facts About Tin
Tin, while used in ancient times, was also mentioned in the Old Testament. It is also the 49th most common element that can be found in the Earth’s crust. The crust actually contains about two parts per million of tin.
Tin has a lower melting point of about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and it does not corrode in water which makes tin a good choice for kitchen applications either inside or outside of the home.
In the beginning, early artisans found that tin was too soft and malleable to work with on its own, so that is when they began to alloy the tin with copper which then formed bronze.
Unique Features of Tin in Modern Day Applications
Today, tin is used in several design applications because of its many unique characteristics. Among these characteristics, we find that tin is non-magnetic, fairly resistant to corrosion, non-combustible, lightweight, durable, soft and malleable, can last a long time when well maintained, and it relatively a low-maintenance material.
Often, you can find tin being mixed with other metals like alloyed metals. Pewter, believe it or not, is mostly comprised of tin. In today’s modern application, we see tin often used for ornamental and decorative purposes and is a common and popular choice for metal ceiling tiles for design around the home.
Tin for Home Design
As you already know, til tiles can be used for far more around the home than just the ceiling. You can also use tin tiles on your walls to create a new look and style. They can also be used in the kitchen as a backsplash, and because of its many properties, you will find that they are easy to clean and hard to damage.
Tin is also a material that you can use outside of the home because of its resistance to water corrosion. Tin ceiling tiles are the perfect foundation for a unique and creative planter for your outdoor space.
European Home Décor
Tin is one of the only decorative elements that was used in the Victorian Age that didn’t first come from other locations like England or other areas of Europe. Tin for decorative purposes actually originated in the United States; however, it was inspired by European design.
Tin began making an appearance on ceilings in both residential and business applications in the 1870s, and between 1890 and 1930, more than forty different manufacturers in the U.S. began to manufacture tin.
Tin was often painted white to mimic traditional plaster, and they were most often found in parlors and dining rooms around the country.
In line with Victorian trends, the tin followed the high standards of cleanliness, which further perpetuated its popularity as a design choice for the home. They were also even more popular once it was discovered that tin contained fire resistant properties as well.
As you can see, with such a rich history of both functionality and style, tin is definitely a material that is here to stay and will only grow in popularity as the years go on.