Us vs. Mineral Fiber
Cast & Bevel vinyl ceiling tiles are both flexible and remarkably strong, offering a lightweight and robust solution that withstands drops without breaking. In contrast, mineral fiber board ceiling panels are rigid and fragile, prone to breakage during handling, installation, and maintenance. Even with careful treatment, the edges of mineral fiber panels can release fibers into the air.
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Before
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After
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| Fragile & Breaks Easily | Flexible & Remarkably Strong |
| Susceptible to Staining | Waterproof and Washable |
| Prone to Sagging & Mildew | Resistant to Moisture |
| Emits silica fibers | Free of fibers and dust |
| Gentle handling required during installation |
Lightweight & Flexible
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To gain a better understanding of our ceiling tiles' strength, we conducted testing according to the ASTM C367 standard for Strength Properties of Prefabricated Architectural Acoustical Tile or Lay-in Ceiling Panels. We also tested a well-known mineral fiber panel from a leading manufacturer for comparison purposes. These tests were performed by an independent laboratory.
The Four Tests:
- Hardness: The force needed to press a steel sphere into a panel directly reflects its hardness and often indicates its resistance to impact and abuse. Our thermoformed panels demonstrated a resistance 66 times greater than that of mineral fiber.
- Friability: Samples are placed in a rotating tumbler and weighed at set intervals. The ones that lose the most mass are more friable, prone to damage, especially at corners and edges. Cast & Bevel thermoformed panels did not lose mass, while the mineral fiber board lost 13% of its mass.
- Sag: Panels are subjected to elevated temperature and humidity, then returned to room conditions and checked for sagging. Thermoformed panels showed less than 1/10 inch of sag. Mineral fiber exhibited over 3/4 inch of sag because it tends to weaken as it absorbs moisture. A 3/4 inch sag would be clearly visible at typical suspended ceiling heights.
- Transverse Strength: The panels undergo testing in a hydraulic machine to record the load at which they break or can no longer resist additional load. A higher modulus of rupture (flexural strength) indicates a lower likelihood of panel damage. Mineral fiber broke at a load of 5.6 lbf. The thermoformed vinyl remained intact and exhibited a modulus of rupture 16 times higher than that of mineral fiber.