Period Details

Pressed metal ceilings or tin ceilings were very popular during the late 19th century and early 20th century in Victorian buildings in Northern America, Australia, and South Africa. They are made from plates of metals or tins and designs are pressed into them. In general, they are called tin ceilings, while they are known as pressed metal ceilings or Wunderlich ceilings, named after the Australian manufacturer “Earnest Julius Wunderlich”.

How Did Metal Ceilings Get Introduced?

Tin ceilings were first introduced as an affordable alternative in Northern America for the plasterwork that was used in European homes. These ceilings gained popularity in the late 1800s as people looked for Durable, Lightweight, and fireproof materials which were all satisfied by these types of ceilings. Also, the tin ceilings were long-lasting than the plaster ones and were easier to clean.

During the 1930s metal ceilings lost their popularity because of metal shortage during the World War era, very few businesses were left that used to manufacture these types of ceilings.

These ceilings have again gained popularity in the 21st century as people are renovating ideas and inculcating nostalgia to their homes.

What Are The Advantages Of Pressed Metal Ceilings And Why Shall You Install Them?

As you have read above, the metal ceilings were introduced because they were good material, more attractive, extra sturdy, and long-lasting than the other ones.

We have created some bulletin points to support your views on installing metal or tin ceilings, please do follow them:

Easy To Install :

Metal ceilings are made up of metal sheets or tiles, they are much lighter and less effort demanding when it comes to the process of installation. Apparently, the installation takes less time and much less labor when compared to the plaster ones.

Enhances The Look Of The House :

Metal ceilings are durable, attractive and unique; upon installation, they add great value to your house, not just because of the attractiveness but, the strength and the functionality they add to your residence.

Damp-Proof/ Moisture Resistant :

If you have or had plaster ceilings in your home, then you would know the issues of moisture and dampness for sure. Collected or deposited water on the rooftop can seriously damage your plaster ceilings, whereas, the metal ceilings are damp proof.

Decorative And Paintable :

Well, the metal tiles do offer you a wide variety of decoration options, the metal tiles can be given any design, apparently, and they can be painted with any color and pattern.

Fire Resistant :

As the Pressed Metal ceilings are made from metals, they are completely resistant to fires even of severe magnitude and they are completely safe.

Amendable :

Abstract:

Being thought of as cheaper and quicker to install metal that is durable, fireproof, and susceptible to cracking than that of decorative plaster, made it quite appealing for the business owners, manufacturers, and industrialists to manufacture and use the products in their household and workplace during the 19th and the 20th century. Today these are commonly referred to as “tin ceilings” or decorative pressed metals which are widely used today for decorative purposes of restaurants, homes, main street shops, and many more. A product of the late Industrial Revolution era after gaining its importance started to be produced as plain sheets as well as with patterns.

Today people install the pressed metals to give their home and workplace a victorian outlook, but these are very less frequently found today.

History Of Pressed Metals

Today commonly known as pressed metals commonly appeared in the United States during the early 1870s are were initially made out of iron sheets, typically used in the roofing industry. By the 1900s the urge to use the tin sheets for the purpose of decoration came into being and by the 1920s most of the popular buildings and departmental stores started using the pressed metals for decorating their walls and ceilings. These changes in the usage pattern created competition in the market to keep up with the “modern” designs which were then represented as the architectural trend of that time.

What caused the demise of such a well-growing industry was the great depression caused by the second world war when sheet metals usage was diverted to military use. Most of the carved metals were melted and used for the war efforts. During the 1970s with the beginning of the historic preservation, a renewed interest in the decorative steel wall and ceilings began. Where various manufacturers and designers came up to rekindle the interest in the market.

What Causes The Pressed Metals To Damage?

Most of the decorative tin metals used on walls and ceilings are very durable for inside applications. Damage mainly occurs because of the infiltration of water from exterior sources or leakage in the pipes overhead, causing water and rust stains, metal flaking, peeling of paints, and creating minute holes in them. To expand the longevity of the metal it is important to improve the air circulation, reduce levels of humidity, and control water infiltration depending on the conditions. That is why a thorough inspection of the area needs to be conducted before setting up the metals by the installers, who use different techniques to set up the decorative pieces to your kitchen, walls, and ceilings.

Summary