Beyond the Ceiling: Versatile Pressed Metal Tile Applications | Shanko

Pressed metal tiles are no longer limited to ceilings alone. From walls and cornices to backsplashes and acoustic applications, authentic pressed metal tiles offer unmatched durability, design flexibility, and long-term value for both residential and commercial interiors.

With over a century of American manufacturing experience, Shanko demonstrates how metal tiles can elevate virtually every surface in a space.

12 Reasons Pressed Metal Tiles Are More Versatile Than You Think

Pressed metal tiles deliver far more than decorative appeal. Here’s why designers, architects, and homeowners continue to choose them:

1. Pressed metal tiles can be installed on ceilings, walls, backsplashes, and architectural trim, allowing a cohesive design across an entire space.
2. Authentic pressed metal offers superior durability compared to plaster, wood, or drywall, resisting sagging, cracking, moisture, and impact damage.
3. Metal tiles are naturally moisture-resistant, making them ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and commercial environments.
4. Fire-rated pressed metal panels meet Class A standards, supporting safety requirements in both residential and commercial construction.
5. Cornices and metal moldings create elegant transitions between walls and ceilings while outperforming wood or plaster in humid environments.
6. Metal wall panels and wainscoting protect high-traffic areas from wear while adding texture, depth, and visual interest.
7. Pressed metal backsplashes eliminate grout lines, simplifying cleaning while offering a distinctive alternative to ceramic or glass tile.
8. Reflective metal surfaces enhance natural and artificial light, helping rooms feel brighter, larger, and more visually dynamic.
9. Acoustic metal tile options combine decorative design with sound absorption, making them suitable for offices, restaurants, and open spaces.
10. Consistent pattern and finish availability across products allows designers to maintain visual harmony throughout a project.
11. Real pressed metal contains recycled steel content and offers long service life, contributing to sustainable building practices.
12. Historic manufacturing methods paired with modern finishes deliver authentic detail, sharp definition, and long-term architectural value.

Discover How Shanko’s Authentic Pressed Metal Transforms Interiors

When most people think of decorative metal tiles, ceilings are the first thing that comes to mind. While Shanko has been perfecting metal ceiling installations since 1896, these authentic pressed metal products extend far beyond overhead applications.

From dramatic ceiling statements to elegant backsplashes, Shanko metal tiles can transform virtually any surface in your home or commercial space.

The same qualities that make metal ceiling tiles exceptional—durability, timeless beauty, moisture resistance, and low maintenance—also make them ideal for walls, backsplashes, cornices, and functional interior spaces.

Understanding the full range of applications opens new design possibilities and allows for cohesive, architecturally rich interiors.

Ceiling Tiles – Where Tradition Meets Innovation

Metal ceiling tiles remain the most iconic application for pressed metal—and for good reason. Originally developed as a fire-resistant alternative to plaster in the late 1800s, they now serve as striking architectural features.

Key Benefits of Metal Ceiling Tiles:

• Wide range of Victorian, vintage, and modern geometric options

• Compatible with nail-up, drop ceiling, or surface-mount installation

• Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, offices, and restaurants

• Moisture-resistant and Class A fire-rated

• Long-lasting with minimal maintenance

Acoustic Performance with QuietMetal® Tiles

One of the most innovative developments in our ceiling tile lineup is our QuietMetal Acoustic Tiles. Many people assume metal surfaces would amplify sound, but our perforated acoustic tiles, when paired with specialized insulating pads, achieve an impressive 0.85 Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC). This makes them ideal for open-plan offices, restaurants, event spaces, and any environment where sound control matters without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. The acoustic tiles prove that you don't have to choose between beauty and functionality; you can have both in a single, elegant solution that enhances both the look and feel of your space.

Cornices: The Elegant Finishing Touch

Cornices represent one of the most underutilized yet transformative applications of our metal products. These decorative moldings provide a sophisticated transition from wall to ceiling, adding architectural depth and visual interest to any room.

• Our cornice designs range from simple, clean lines perfect for modern minimalist spaces to elaborate, ornamental patterns that enhance traditional or Victorian-inspired interiors.
• Unlike traditional wood or plaster crown molding, our metal cornices offer superior durability and moisture resistance.
• Installing cornices creates the illusion of higher ceilings and adds a sense of completeness to a room's design.
• Creative designers use our cornices as chair rails, picture rails, and decorative elements in both residential and commercial settings.

When paired with our ceiling tiles, cornices create a finished, polished look that elevates the entire room.

Walls and Wainscoting: Texture Meets Durability

Metal wall panels transform ordinary vertical surfaces into statement-making design features that command attention and conversation.

• Wainscoting applications are particularly striking.
• Traditional wainscoting in the lower third of a wall gets a modern upgrade when executed in pressed metal.
• In high-traffic areas like hallways and mudrooms, metal wainscoting protects walls from scuffs, scratches, and impact damage.
• Full wall applications offer even more dramatic possibilities, with accent walls becoming instant focal points.
• The non-porous metal surface resists mold and stains while requiring minimal maintenance.

Backsplash: Form Meets Function in the Kitchen

The kitchen backsplash represents perhaps the most practical yet stylish application of our metal tiles. This often-overlooked surface protects walls from cooking splatter and moisture while offering prime real estate for design expression.

Metal backsplashes provide distinct advantages over traditional ceramic or glass tiles. The non-porous surface resists moisture and prevents mold growth, essential in the humid environment behind a stove or sink. Cleanup couldn't be simpler; a quick wipe removes grease and splashes without the grout concerns that plague traditional tile backsplashes. Anyone who has scrubbed grout lines knows the frustration of keeping them clean and pristine; metal backsplashes eliminate this maintenance headache.

From a design perspective, a metal backsplash adds subtle shimmer and texture that catches and reflects light throughout the day, making kitchens feel brighter and more spacious. The metallic finish complements stainless steel appliances while adding warmth that stark white subway tiles cannot achieve. Whether you opt for the authentic look of uncoated steel that develops a patina over time or choose from our powder-coated color options, a metal backsplash elevates your kitchen from ordinary to extraordinary.

The installation flexibility of metal backsplashes opens creative possibilities. Install them in the traditional location behind the stove and sink, or extend the coverage for a more dramatic impact. Some designers create full-wall backsplashes that reach from counter to upper cabinets, establishing a bold focal point that defines the kitchen's aesthetic. Others use metal tiles selectively, creating framed panels or geometric patterns that incorporate metal alongside other materials for a custom, eclectic look.

Pattern selection allows you to align your backsplash with your overall design vision. Ornate, traditional patterns work beautifully in farmhouse and vintage-inspired kitchens, while geometric or linear patterns suit contemporary and industrial styles. The extensive pattern library we've developed over 125 years means you'll find options that work whether your kitchen leans traditional, transitional, modern, or somewhere in between.

Beyond the kitchen, metal backsplashes work wonderfully in other wet areas. Bathroom vanities benefit from the same moisture resistance and easy maintenance. Laundry rooms gain personality and practicality when outfitted with metal backsplashes that protect walls while adding visual interest. Even bar areas and butler's pantries become more refined and functional with the addition of metal tile protection and decoration. The versatility of this application means almost any space with a counter or work surface can benefit from the beauty and practicality of a metal backsplash.

Why Shanko Is Your Best Choice?

While various manufacturers produce metal ceiling and wall products, we stand apart for several compelling reasons that matter to discerning homeowners, architects, and designers.

Over a Century of Authentic Craftsmanship

Since 1896, we've been perfecting the art of pressed metal architectural elements. We aren't a company that jumped on a trend; we've been manufacturing these products for more than 125 years using the original sand-cast steel dies created from hand-carved wooden patterns. These aren't reproductions or digitally printed imitations. When you purchase Shanko products, you're getting tiles pressed from the actual embossing plates that shaped America's most beautiful interiors during the height of the tin ceiling era.

This historical continuity ensures authenticity that modern manufacturers simply cannot replicate. Our dies produce incredibly sharp definition that brings out the finest details in even the most intricate patterns, creating depth and dimension that inferior products lack. The three-dimensional relief, the crisp edges, the subtle variations in depth. These characteristics result from genuine pressed metal craftsmanship, not surface printing or shallow stamping.

Our commitment to traditional manufacturing methods doesn't mean we've ignored modern innovations. We've simply married time-tested techniques with contemporary quality control, finishing technology, and customer service. The result is products that honor historical authenticity while meeting today's building codes, environmental standards, and design expectations. This blend of old and new, tradition and innovation, sets us apart in an industry where many have chosen cost-cutting over quality.

Made in America with Pride

In an era when manufacturing has largely moved overseas, we proudly maintain our production facilities in the United States. Every tile, cornice, and panel is manufactured domestically, supporting American workers and ensuring quality control at every step of the production process. This commitment to American manufacturing means more than patriotic marketing; it translates to superior quality, faster turnaround times, and responsive customer service that overseas manufacturers simply cannot match.

Our facility includes a state-of-the-art powder coating operation, allowing for custom color matching to Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams palettes. This means you can coordinate your metal tiles perfectly with your existing color scheme, something difficult or impossible with imported products offering limited finish options. The powder coating process itself is environmentally friendly, producing no harmful solvents or VOCs, and the resulting finish is incredibly durable, resisting scratches, fading, and wear far better than paint.

Domestic production also means we can respond quickly to customer needs, whether that's a rush order for a commercial project on a tight deadline or a custom color for a residential renovation. We maintain substantial inventory, allowing us to ship most orders within days rather than the weeks or months typical of imported products. When questions or issues arise, you speak with knowledgeable team members in our facility who understand the products intimately, not offshore call centers reading from scripts.

Exceptional Attention to Detail

Our commitment to detail extends beyond aesthetics to engineering and functionality. Our tiles meet the highest fire rating classification (Class A, ASTM E 84-03b approved), providing peace of mind in both residential and commercial applications. This fire rating isn't just a technical specification—it can be crucial for insurance purposes, building code compliance, and most importantly, the safety of building occupants.

The products are manufactured from real metal. not faux-metal plastic or vinyl alternatives, containing approximately 60% recycled steel, making them an environmentally responsible choice. In an age where sustainability matters to consumers and building certification programs like LEED reward environmentally conscious material choices, this recycled content provides real value. The durability of metal tiles also contributes to sustainability; they won't need replacement for decades, reducing long-term material consumption and waste.

The precision engineering ensures tiles overlap seamlessly during installation, creating a cohesive finished look without obvious seams or gaps. This attention to fit and finish reduces installation challenges and produces professional results even for DIY enthusiasts. The panels are sized consistently, the edges are formed accurately, and the patterns align properly; details that seem small but make enormous differences in installation ease and final appearance. We've seen too many frustrated installers dealing with competitors' products that don't fit together properly, and we've made sure our products avoid these problems.

Sound Performance That Defies Expectations

Perhaps the most surprising benefit of our products is their acoustic performance. While many assume metal surfaces would create echo and amplify noise, our QuietMetal Acoustic line proves otherwise. Our perforated tiles, combined with LEED-certified insulating pads, achieve sound absorption comparable to traditional acoustic ceiling tiles while maintaining the distinctive aesthetic appeal of pressed metal.

This innovation allows you to enjoy the beauty of metal ceilings in environments where sound control is critical: conference rooms, restaurants, open offices, and more. You no longer have to choose between aesthetics and acoustics.

Unmatched Versatility

The ability to use our products across multiple applications (ceilings, walls, cornices, and backsplashes) creates design cohesion throughout a space. You can carry a single pattern from ceiling to wall to create dramatic continuity, or mix complementary patterns for visual interest while maintaining a unified aesthetic. This versatility gives designers and homeowners creative freedom impossible with products limited to a single application.

This multi-application capability also offers practical advantages for renovation projects. When updating a space, you can source all your metal architectural elements from a single manufacturer, ensuring perfect pattern coordination, consistent finish quality, and simplified ordering. There's no need to piece together products from multiple vendors, hoping finishes will match and patterns will complement each other. Everything works together because it's designed to work together.

The finish options available across our entire product line further enhance versatility. Choose from our standard finishes, opt for custom powder coating, or select specialty finishes like copper, brass, or chrome. Whatever finish you choose for your ceiling tiles is available for your cornices, wall panels, and backsplash tiles, creating the visual harmony that distinguishes professionally designed spaces from amateur attempts. This consistency elevates entire projects, whether you're renovating a single room or designing a complete restaurant interior.

Final Thoughts: Transform Your Space with Confidence

Whether you're undertaking a historic restoration, updating a tired kitchen, or creating a show-stopping commercial interior, our pressed metal products offer the perfect combination of beauty, durability, and versatility. From our iconic ceiling tiles to often-overlooked applications like cornices and backsplashes, these authentic American-made products bring character and craftsmanship to every surface they grace.

Historic buildings featuring our tiles from the early 1900s still showcase stunning metalwork today. With over 125 years of manufacturing expertise, commitment to quality, and innovative products like our QuietMetal Acoustic line, we at Shanko continue to set the standard for pressed metal architectural elements. Our team brings not just products, but knowledge, experience, and genuine passion for helping you achieve your design goals. Whether you're a professional designer, contractor, or homeowner tackling a DIY project, we're here to support your success with quality products, expert guidance, and responsive service.

Explore our extensive pattern library and discover how these versatile tiles can transform your space from ordinary to extraordinary. The ceiling is just the beginning; let us show you how pressed metal can elevate every surface in your home or business.