I need a tin/copper ceiling tile hack

Question

We are renovating our 1960's foursquare style home. I want to have a tin/copper tile ceiling in the bathroom and decorative vinyl ceiling tiles in the living room. The cost is prohibitive at this time but I don't want to settle with painting. Anyone have any ideas?

Amanda Newell · Answer

I've heard of using textured wallpaper and spray painting over it with metallic colors to make a nice raised tin or copper look. The wallpaper itself can be expensive, but I saw a roll for around only $16-$20 at Lowe's not too long ago. I want to go back and get some myself! I found the end of a roll of what I though was the textured wallpaper at a yard sale, but it ended up being fancy wrapping paper instead. It was thick and if applied just right, would probably serve the same purpose. the container store would most likely have something like that, but any thick, embossed paper should work well applied with mod podge or some other glue medium. I wonder if using a puffy type of glue or resin (mod podge has one like this too) would work to make an almost reverse embossed effect? Use the raised glue over a cool stencil on whatever surface you choose. Then do the same as I mentioned earlier: spray paint with a metallic paint to created a raised tin look. I played around a little with this when trying to learn how to emboss tin myself, but I never really finished experimenting. Which brings me to my next idea...
You can search for videos on how to emboss craft sheet metal. It would take some work and practice, but would be much less expensive then buying the actual tin ceiling tiles I would think. Lowe's or Home depot has the same types of craft sheet metal as Michael's, but MUCH less expensive, plus larger sizes, thicknesses and coatings to choose from. I would also search online materials. I found someone on etsy with decent prices, but was scrap pieces of different sizes. Different levels of quality to choose from also. Hope any of this can help!! Now I want to go cover everything with tin!!

Hope Williams · Answer

You can buy this type of wallpaper at thrift stores and habitat restores.  
The tin Amanda is referring to can also be bought in rolls.  You can check with your local welding or machine shop.  Most of these things are expensive for just 'quick' refreshers.  Personally, I would just hold off till I could do it properly.  Perhaps a little along.

Duv310660 · Answer

There is a line of faux tin tiles that come in a number of finishes inc. copper. They are easy to hang; in Canada you can get them at Home Depot. MAJOR TIP: if you are doing a larger space, contact the company for a larger sheet size so you don't have to join pieces together.

I can't remember what the company is called, but I am sure it is US based) we only sell pine and ice up here!) Reply to me if you can't find it.

Al · Answer

I bought paintable wallpaper at Menards and painted it wit Benjamin Moore sliver glaze. See pic

Linda · Answer

It's called anaglypta wallpaper.

Carol Potts · Answer

I bought matte white ceiling tiles made to look like a painted tin ceilng from a company online called decorativeceilingtiles.net out of Florida. They come in 20 x 20, or 24 x 24 and are glued to the ceiling with mastic. The tiles are made out of PVC and are lightweight. My husband and I did the master bedroom and the guest bedroom and it took about a week to finish them. The time consuming part is the measuring and cutting in angles. If I were to do this again I think I'd use Liquid Nails instead of the mastic, as you have to be on a ladder holding the tile above your head and making sure it doesn't move or fall off the ceiling and the mastic is messy. When we were done with tiling we finished with white crown moulding. It looks great and we get many compliments. The company has a video online and the business owner will live chat with you to answer your questions. Even if you don't buy the tile from them, the video is helpful to see how to do the project.

Janet Friend · Answer

antagiptical ,pressed wallpaper,much thicker,will hold up in bathroom,resembles old styleLowes has it.good luck.

April E · Answer

I used this for the tin tile look in a house I painted with 2 coats of hammered silver then did a wipe on wipe off of diluted black then a clear semi gloss http://www.ltdcommodities.com/Home-Decor/Decorative-Accents/Decorative-Hardware/Textured-Paintable-Wall-Coverings//prod1220144.jmp?fm=search&categoryId=

Jan Munroe · Answer

Go to antiqueceilings.com They have foam 20x20 tiles that you can paint or order inthe finish of your choice including copper. You put them up with tile cement and a craft knife. Easy peasy...looks beautiful.

Cindy Marks · Answer

@Darla you should check out this post 
 Our Super Easy, DIY Faux Tin Ceiling (just type this in the search line)
 It might be just what you are looking for @

Deb tosoni · Answer

I used Armstong home style ceiling tiles, textured to look like tin ceilings.  Adhered them and then painted them a dark brown.  After it dried we used a small foam roller and VERY lightly applied metallic copper paint to the raised portion.  Looks great in my 1836 house.

Terrry T · Answer

I have seen those types of tiles advertised in the back of magazines before!

Terrry T · Answer

Not terribly expensive for them!

Rae · Answer

My parents have both regular stamped tile in the living room and a plastic(humidity) tile in the bathroom. Both look great!

April E · Answer

Vinyl old style tile wallpaper, paint with hammered copper paint

The Bachelorette Pad Flip · Answer

The company I used for my kitchen backsplash makes some great replicas. Check out my blog for the link. Good luck! https://bachelorettepadflip.com/2014/03/03/diy-kitchen-backsplash-tutorial/

Kelly McLaughlin · Answer

Home Depot has panels that are plastic but look like the real thing. Pretty inexpensive too. I have bought them and updated my motorhome bathroom and kitchen with them.

Joey Debbie Dials Staten · Answer

I just took out a 20 x 50 1920s ceiling. I am in Ohio 740-270-5180

I need a tin/copper ceiling tile hack

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