Suspended grid and tile
Standard 15/16 in. and narrow 9/16 in. exposed grid with acoustical tile from Armstrong, USG and CertainTeed, in the lay-in or tegular edge the spec calls for.
Suspended grid and tile ceilings
Acoustical Ceiling Installation in Fort Collins
The ceiling is the biggest surface in most commercial rooms, and it controls how the space sounds, how it looks and how easily trades can reach what is above it. Fort Collins Drywall Pros installs acoustical ceilings and drywall ceilings in commercial spaces across Northern Colorado. We have been building interiors in the region since 2011, across more than 1,300 completed jobs.
Our ceiling customers are general contractors, tenants building out a suite, and property managers replacing stained or sagging tile after a roof leak. Typical spaces include offices, medical and dental clinics, classrooms, retail stores and break rooms. Often they are the same buildings where we frame and board the walls, which keeps ceiling heights, bulkheads and transitions consistent from room to room and gives the general contractor one crew to hold accountable.
We install suspended grid to ASTM C636, coordinate every light, diffuser and sprinkler head with the other trades, and balance border tiles so the room looks centered. Tile comes from Armstrong, USG and CertainTeed, chosen for the NRC and CAC ratings the space needs. Every job gets a written price before we start, and we are licensed and insured in Fort Collins, Larimer County and Loveland.
Scope
Ceiling systems we install
Drywall ceilings
Gypsum board ceilings on suspended drywall grid systems or framing, used in corridors, restrooms and areas that need a clean, solid finish.
Bulkheads and transitions
Drywall bulkheads and soffits where ceiling heights change, finished so the tile ceiling tucks in cleanly.
Tile replacement and repairs
Stained, broken or sagging tile swapped out, bent grid straightened, and missing hold-down clips replaced in occupied buildings.
NRC and CAC
Choosing tile: what the ratings mean
Acoustical tile is rated two ways, and they measure opposite things. Picking the right balance is how an open office gets quieter while private offices keep conversations private.
| Rating | What it measures | Where it matters |
|---|---|---|
| NRC, Noise Reduction Coefficient | How much sound the tile absorbs inside the room, from 0 to 1. | Open offices, classrooms, restaurants: higher NRC reduces echo and noise build-up. |
| CAC, Ceiling Attenuation Class | How well the tile blocks sound traveling over walls through the plenum. | Private offices, exam rooms, conference rooms: higher CAC protects privacy. |
| Humidity and sag resistance | How well the tile holds its shape in humid or changing conditions. | Break rooms, restrooms, entries and buildings where HVAC shuts off at night. |
Above the tile
Coordinating the ceiling with every other trade
Most ceiling problems are coordination problems. Lights land on a grid line, a diffuser sits where a main runner should be, or a sprinkler head ends up off-center in the tile.
We lay out the reflected ceiling plan before hanging wire, mark conflicts with the electrical, mechanical and fire protection trades, and center the grid so border tiles are balanced on both sides of the room.
- Grid laid out from the reflected ceiling plan
- Hanger wire independent of ducts and conduit
- Light fixtures and diffusers supported as the code and manufacturer require
Installation
How we install a suspended ceiling
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STEP 01
Layout
Ceiling height set with a laser, border tiles balanced, and conflicts flagged on the plan.
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STEP 02
Perimeter and wire
Wall angle installed level, and hanger wire attached to structure at the spacing ASTM C636 requires.
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STEP 03
Main runners and tees
Mains hung and leveled, cross tees locked in, and the grid squared across the room.
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STEP 04
Trade rough-in
Lights, diffusers and sprinkler drops are installed in the open grid.
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STEP 05
Tile
Tiles are cut and dropped in last, after dusty work is finished, so they stay clean.
Stained or sagging tile in your building?
We replace damaged tile and repair grid in occupied offices, clinics and stores, including after hours.
Service work
Working in occupied buildings
Tile replacement is often a leak repair in disguise. We check whether the stain is still wet and tell the property manager before replacing tile that will stain again.
In occupied spaces we work in sections, cover desks and equipment, and schedule work before or after business hours where tenants need quiet. Replacement tile is matched by manufacturer and model where it is still available, so new tiles blend with the old.
Keep exploring
Related commercial drywall services
Commercial Drywall
Metal framing, board and finish, rated walls, ceilings and tenant finish for GCs, owners and property managers.
Tenant Improvements
Suite build-outs, demising walls and second-generation refreshes, framed, boarded and finished on a tenant's move-in date.
Metal Stud Framing
Cold-formed steel partitions, soffits, bulkheads and deflection heads, framed to ASTM C754 and ready for board.
Fire-Rated Assemblies
Type X and Type C board built to UL and GA-600 designs, from garage separations to corridors, shafts and demising walls.
FAQ
Acoustical Ceilings questions
Straight answers to what people ask us most. Have a different question? Call or send a photo with the quote form.
What is the difference between NRC and CAC?
NRC measures how much sound a tile absorbs inside the room. CAC measures how well it blocks sound passing to the next room through the space above the ceiling.
Can you match my existing ceiling tile?
Usually. We identify the manufacturer and model from the back of a tile. If it is discontinued, we find the closest match or suggest replacing the whole room so it looks uniform.
Do you install drywall ceilings as well as grid ceilings?
Yes. We install drywall ceilings and bulkheads on framing or drywall suspension systems, and combine them with grid ceilings in the same space.
Can ceiling work happen while our office is open?
Yes. We work in sections, protect furniture and equipment, and schedule noisy work outside business hours when needed.