Ceiling Installation FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear most about acoustic, drop and specialty ceilings in Houston and along the Texas Gulf Coast. Don't see yours? Call (832) 343-2020 or send us a message.
Estimates and Working With ACTS
Are estimates free?
Yes. Estimates are free. We can price a ceiling from drawings or plans, from photos and measurements, or after an on-site walkthrough. Call (832) 343-2020 or send the details through our contact form.
What should I send to get a quote?
Send whatever you have: drawings or plans, photos of the space, rough measurements, the ceiling type you have in mind and your timeline. If you are not sure what you need, describe the room and how it is used and we will recommend a system.
Do you work as a subcontractor for general contractors?
Yes. We work with general contractors, architects, designers and property managers, and we can price a ceiling scope from plans and specifications. Send the drawings and schedule and we will return a price for the ceiling work.
Can you work in an occupied building?
Yes. We schedule ceiling work around occupied and phased spaces, so offices, clinics, schools and stores can keep running while the new ceiling goes in.
Do you design and supply ceilings, or only install them?
All three. We help choose the ceiling system, source and supply the materials, and install it, and we work with architects and designers on custom and engineered ceilings.
Do you do residential ceilings too?
Yes. Along with commercial work, we install ceilings in homes: drop ceilings for garages, game rooms and media rooms, acoustic panels, and specialty ceilings such as coffered, wood and fabric-wrapped designs.
What areas do you serve?
We are based in Houston and serve 55 cities across the Texas Gulf Coast, from Orange and Beaumont to Corpus Christi and Brownsville, including Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Galveston and Texas City.
Choosing a Ceiling
What do NRC and CAC mean on ceiling tiles?
NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) is how much sound a tile absorbs, on a scale from 0 to 1. A tile with an NRC of 0.70 absorbs about 70% of the sound that hits it. CAC (Ceiling Attenuation Class) is how well the ceiling blocks sound traveling between rooms through the space above. Open offices and classrooms usually need a high NRC, around 0.70 or more, while private offices and exam rooms also need a good CAC, often 35 or more.
Will acoustic ceiling tiles soundproof a room?
No ceiling tile makes a room soundproof. Acoustic tiles absorb sound inside the room and help block sound passing over walls through the space above. For real privacy between rooms, the walls usually need to reach the structure above or have sound insulation over the ceiling, and we plan the ceiling around that.
Is a drop ceiling the same as a suspended ceiling?
Yes. Drop ceiling and suspended ceiling mean the same thing: a metal grid hung below the structure with lay-in tiles or panels. An acoustic ceiling is a drop or suspended ceiling that uses sound-absorbing tiles.
Acoustic ceiling or drywall ceiling: which is better?
It depends on the room. A suspended acoustic ceiling gives easy access to pipes, wiring and ductwork, absorbs much more sound and is quicker to repair, because you swap a tile instead of patching drywall. A drywall ceiling gives a smooth, seamless look and suits rooms where access is not needed, but it reflects sound and has to be cut open for repairs. Many buildings use acoustic tile in offices and corridors and drywall in lobbies and restrooms.
What are baffle ceilings and where do they work best?
Baffles are acoustic panels hung vertically from the structure above, in rows or patterns. Because both faces absorb sound, they cut echo in large, open rooms where a flat ceiling is not practical, such as gyms, lobbies, open offices, cafeterias, auditoriums and restaurants with exposed ceilings.
What affects the cost of a ceiling installation?
Price depends on the tile and grid you choose, the size and height of the ceiling, whether an old ceiling has to come out first, how many lights, diffusers, sprinklers and access panels have to be worked around, and whether the work has to happen after hours or in phases. We price every job from the actual scope, and estimates are free.
Gulf Coast Humidity, Salt Air and Storms
What ceiling tiles work best in humid Gulf Coast buildings?
Choose tiles rated for humidity and sag resistance, such as humidity-resistant mineral fiber, fiberglass or vinyl-faced tiles, and hang them on galvanized or aluminum grid that will not rust in salt air. In kitchens, restrooms and other damp rooms, washable or moisture-proof panels hold up better than standard office tile.
Will a standard ceiling grid rust near the coast?
It can. Standard painted steel grid can rust in salt air, especially in bayfront and island buildings and in rooms that stay damp. Near the water we use hot-dipped galvanized grid, grid with aluminum caps or all-aluminum systems, depending on how exposed the building is.
Why do ceiling tiles sag or stain?
Tiles sag when they absorb moisture from humid air or a leak, or when the air conditioning is off for long periods. Stains usually point to a roof or pipe leak above the ceiling. Fixing the leak, keeping the building conditioned and using humidity- and sag-resistant tiles are what keep a ceiling flat and clean.
What should I do with ceiling tiles after a storm or flood?
Replace any tile that got wet or shows stains or sagging. Mineral fiber tiles do not recover once they are soaked, and wet tiles can grow mold. Check the grid for rust and bent sections, fix the source of the water and let the space dry before new tiles go in.