Top 10 Ceiling Tile Brands Compared
An installer's take on the major manufacturers. What we actually think after working with all of them.
We work with products from every major manufacturer. We've installed millions of square feet of ceiling tile and have hands-on experience with how these products actually perform — not just what the spec sheets say. Here's our honest rundown.
1. Armstrong Ceiling Solutions
The biggest name in ceilings. Armstrong (AWI — Armstrong World Industries) is the manufacturer everyone else benchmarks against.
What we like:
- Widest product range in the industry — mineral fiber, fiberglass, wood, metal, you name it
- Prelude grid is the industry standard suspension system
- Good sustainability program: Ceiling-2-Ceiling recycling, Declare labels
- Total Acoustics line does both high NRC and high CAC in one tile
- Solid tech support when you need specification help
- Soundscape baffles and clouds are well-made and easy to install
Key products: Cortega 769 (budget), Fine Fissured 1728 (mid), Ultima 1912 (premium), Optima 3150 (max absorption), Soundscapes (specialty)
Our take: If you're not sure what brand to spec, Armstrong is the safe choice. Reliable quality, easy to source, good tech resources. We install more Armstrong than anything else.
2. USG
The value play. Second-largest manufacturer with strong Donn brand grid systems.
- Competitive pricing, especially at the economy and mid-range level
- Donn grid is well-made and widely specified
- Radar and Mars tiles are solid budget options
- Good distributor availability
Key products: Radar 2310 (budget), Mars 86985 (budget), Radar Illusion 2862 (mid), Halcyon 5868 (premium)
Our take: Best value in the business. Radar 2310 and Mars are workhorses for budget-conscious jobs. Halcyon competes well with Armstrong Ultima at a similar price.
3. CertainTeed (Saint-Gobain)
Global parent company, strong Ecophon line.
- Ecophon products have some of the best acoustic numbers available
- Baroque is a good budget tile
- Global R&D resources through Saint-Gobain
Key products: Baroque BET-197 (budget), Symphony (mid), Ecophon Focus (premium)
Our take: Ecophon is genuinely impressive — the fiberglass panels perform. Baroque holds its own as a budget tile. Distribution can be thinner than Armstrong or USG in some markets.
4. Rockfon (ROCKWOOL)
Stone wool specialist.
- Stone wool core handles moisture up to 100% RH without sagging — no mineral fiber tile can say that
- Good acoustic performance across the line
- Clean, smooth face aesthetics
Our take: If moisture resistance matters, Rockfon is hard to beat. Less common in Sacramento but gaining market share.
5. Hunter Douglas
Premium architectural ceilings. Metal, wood, and custom systems.
- High-quality metal and wood ceiling systems
- Wide range of architectural options
- Good design and technical support
Our take: Not competing on price — competing on design. When the architect wants something special, Hunter Douglas delivers. These are for premium projects.
6. 9Wood
The wood ceiling people.
Huge range of wood grille, plank, and custom ceiling and wall systems. FSC-certified options. Great engineering support from design through install. Made in Springfield, Oregon. Our go-to for wood ceilings.
7. Rulon International
Premium custom wood.
Known for quality craftsmanship, complex curves, and high-end finishes. When the project demands the best wood ceiling, Rulon is in the conversation. Made in the USA.
8. OWA (Odenwald)
German manufacturer with growing North American presence. Good edge precision and surface finish on their mineral fiber tiles. Worth looking at for projects where tile quality matters.
9. Chicago Metallic (Rockfon)
Grid system specialist, now part of Rockfon/ROCKWOOL. High-quality suspension systems including specialty profiles and concealed options. Widely spec'd by architects for premium projects.
10. SAS International
Specialty metal ceilings for high-end commercial projects. Strong in airports, corporate headquarters, and prestige buildings.
Quick Summary
- Best overall: Armstrong — widest range, best availability
- Best value: USG — good quality at lower prices
- Best acoustics: CertainTeed Ecophon — the numbers speak for themselves
- Best moisture resistance: Rockfon — 100% RH, no sagging
- Best architectural metal: Hunter Douglas
- Best wood: 9Wood and Rulon — depends on budget and complexity
How We Pick Products
We're not married to any one brand. We recommend whatever fits your project's acoustics, aesthetics, and budget. Our partnerships with Armstrong, USG, CertainTeed, 9Wood, and Rulon give us access to the full product range at good pricing.
Use our NRC Comparison Tool to compare specific products, or contact us for recommendations on your project.