Why Choose Shanko For Pressed Metal Ceiling & Wall Tiles

Why Choose Shanko: American Craft Meets Modern Design

Shanko is a U.S. manufacturer of pressed metal ceiling and wall tiles with more than 125 years of continuous production. Founded in 1896 and still family-owned, Shanko combines original hand-carved steel dies from the early 1900s with modern fire-rating, acoustic, and sustainability standards, making it a trusted choice for architects, designers, contractors, and homeowners seeking authentic metal architectural finishes.

WHY CHOOSE SHANKO

1. Established in 1896
   Shanko has operated continuously for over 125 years, providing uncommon historical depth and manufacturing continuity.

2. Original Hand-Carved Steel Dies
   Tiles are pressed using the same dies created during the original tin ceiling era, not modern reproductions or digital molds.

3. Five Generations of Family Ownership
   Continuous family leadership ensures consistency in quality, pattern availability, and business practices.

4. Made in the USA
   All tiles are manufactured in the United States, reducing supply-chain risk and ensuring dependable reordering years later.

5. Long-Term Pattern Availability
   Patterns remain consistent across decades, allowing future additions or phased renovations to match earlier installations.

6. Class A Fire-Rated Metal Tiles
   Shanko tiles meet modern fire safety standards and withstand extreme temperatures without flame spread.

7. QuietMetal Acoustic Technology
   Perforated metal tiles with specialized backing can reduce noise by up to 85 percent in commercial and residential spaces.

8. High Recycled Material Content
   Tiles contain approximately 62 percent recycled steel and are fully recyclable at end of life.

9. Extensive Finish Options
   Shanko offers more than 60 standard finishes, including powder-coated, metallic, and natural patina options.

10. Large Pattern Library
    Over 70 distinct patterns support styles ranging from historic restoration to contemporary commercial design.

11. Color Matching Capabilities
    Custom color matching aligns tiles with architectural palettes, brand standards, or existing finishes.

12. Durability and Lifecycle Value
    Metal tiles resist moisture, warping, and degradation, reducing replacement cycles and long-term material waste.

A century-proven approach to pressed metal ceilings and walls, combining historic craftsmanship with modern performance standards.

Discover how five generations of American manufacturing expertise, original 1900s craftsmanship, and modern fire-safety and acoustic innovations make Shanko the trusted choice for architects, designers, contractors, and homeowners seeking authentic pressed metal ceiling and wall solutions.

When selecting decorative pressed metal tiles for your ceiling, walls, or backsplash, the choice extends far beyond pattern selection. The manufacturer behind your project determines everything from the crispness of embossed details to whether you can source matching tiles for an addition five years from now. At Shanko, we've spent more than 125 years perfecting the intersection of traditional metalworking artistry and contemporary building performance; creating products that honor architectural heritage while meeting today's demanding standards for fire safety, acoustics, and environmental responsibility.

Heritage as Foundation, Innovation as Promise

Since 1896, Shanko has manufactured pressed metal architectural elements using the original hand-carved steel dies created during the height of America's tin ceiling era. These aren't reproduction molds or digital approximations. When you install Shanko tiles, you're working with patterns pressed from the actual embossing plates that shaped hotels, theaters, and elegant homes more than a century ago. This unbroken connection to authentic craftsmanship ensures the sharp definition, dimensional depth, and architectural legitimacy that modern manufacturing simply cannot replicate.

Yet heritage alone doesn't explain why architects specify Shanko for contemporary commercial projects, or why homeowners choose our products for modern renovations. The answer lies in recognizing that some manufacturing foundations were simply right from the start; and become more relevant as building standards evolve. Fire resistance that once provided basic safety now meets stringent commercial building codes. Metal durability that served restaurants in 1920 now offers practical advantages in today's moisture-prone environments. Acoustic properties that were incidental benefits have become primary features as open-plan spaces demand sound management. Shanko bridges these eras not by abandoning traditional methods, but by understanding their enduring value in modern contexts.

American Manufacturing: Practical Advantages Beyond Patriotism

Shanko manufactures every tile in our Riviera Beach, Florida, facility using American labor and predominantly recycled American steel. While we're proud of this heritage, the practical benefits extend well beyond sentiment. Consider the scenarios that unfold regularly across construction and renovation projects.

• Homeowners complete a kitchen backsplash installation and love the results so much that they decide six months later to extend the design into an adjacent dining area. 

• Commercial builders land contracts for new locations that need to match installations completed years earlier. 

• Designers specify tiles for a project only to have clients change their preferences mid-stream, requiring quick pivots to different patterns or finishes.

• Property owners undertake phased renovations where ceiling treatments need to maintain consistency across years of construction.

These situations share a common requirement: reliable access to matching materials regardless of how much time has passed since the original order. Because Shanko has used the same dies and manufacturing processes for generations, the tiles available today will match installations from five, ten, or twenty years ago. Pattern definition remains identical. Finish compatibility continues. Supply doesn't disappear when trends shift or corporate priorities change.

American manufacturing also eliminates the logistical complexity inherent in overseas sourcing. Additional tiles arrive in days rather than weeks. There are no tariff calculations complicating budget projections. No customs delays disrupting construction schedules. No communication barriers when technical questions arise. When projects depend on timeline certainty and supply reliability, domestic manufacturing provides advantages that extend far beyond patriotic preference.

When Old Technology Becomes Cutting Edge

The irony of traditional pressed metal tiles is that they're simultaneously historical and remarkably contemporary. Fire safety regulations have intensified across commercial and residential building codes, particularly in multi-unit housing, hospitality, and public spaces. Shanko's metal tiles achieve Class A fire ratings, withstanding temperatures exceeding 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit without supporting flame spread; performance that plaster, wood, and many synthetic ceiling materials cannot match. What once served as a practical Victorian-era solution now meets or exceeds modern fire marshal requirements that didn't exist when our dies were first carved.

The acoustic properties present an even more striking example of old meeting new. Metal seems like an unlikely choice for sound management; after all, doesn't metal ring and echo? Yet Shanko's QuietMetal technology demonstrates how engineering advances can enhance traditional materials. Through strategic perforation patterns and specialized backing materials, these metal tiles reduce noise levels by up to 85 percent. Open-plan offices, restaurants with high ceilings, residential lofts with hard surfaces, and commercial spaces where conversation clarity matters all benefit from ceiling tiles that provide both aesthetic distinction and measurable acoustic performance.

This convergence of heritage craftsmanship with contemporary building science means architects no longer face false choices between historical authenticity and modern performance standards. A boutique hotel restoration can install period-appropriate ceiling tiles that also meet insurance requirements and create a comfortable acoustic environment. A new-construction restaurant can achieve vintage industrial aesthetics while meeting health department and fire code specifications. Historical renovation projects can preserve architectural integrity while ensuring safety and comfort.

The materials themselves support this dual identity. Our tiles use recycled steel content that reduces environmental impact while delivering the structural stability and longevity that metal naturally provides. Unlike materials that degrade over decades, properly installed metal tiles remain dimensionally stable through temperature fluctuations, humidity changes, and normal building movement. This durability means reduced lifecycle replacement costs and less construction waste; a thoroughly modern consideration supported by fundamentally traditional manufacturing.

Customization Capacity: Color, Finish, and Pattern Possibilities

One advantage that both professional designers and DIY renovators sometimes overlook is the remarkable versatility inherent in metal tile finishing. Shanko offers 61 distinct finishes ranging from classic unfinished steel that develops natural patina over time to powder-coated colors spanning the spectrum from subtle neutrals to bold statement hues. This variety matters because it transforms how metal tiles function within design schemes.

Many people assume decorative metal tiles work only in specific aesthetic contexts like industrial lofts or vintage-themed restaurants. The breadth of available finishes challenges this limitation. Powder-coated whites create bright, modern ceilings that reflect light beautifully in contemporary kitchens. Brushed nickel finishes complement transitional design schemes where traditional and modern elements merge. Copper and bronze tones add warmth to spaces that might feel cold with standard metallic silver. Matte black delivers dramatic impact in commercial environments seeking bold visual statements.

Beyond our standard finish library, Shanko provides color-matching services that align tiles with existing Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams palettes, architectural elements, or brand colors for commercial installations. This customization capability means a retail chain can maintain consistent branding across locations, a homeowner can coordinate ceiling tiles with cabinetry finishes, or a designer can create cohesive color stories throughout multi-room projects.

The pattern selection compounds these finish options. With 72 distinct patterns ranging from ornate Victorian designs to clean geometric layouts to subtle textured surfaces, the multiplication of pattern and finish combinations creates thousands of potential aesthetic outcomes. A single pattern like our Classic Coffer takes on entirely different characters when finished in antique white, rustic copper, or matte black. This versatility allows metal tiles to adapt across design styles that might seem incompatible at first consideration; from shabby chic farmhouse kitchens to sleek urban restaurants to traditional residential libraries.

For DIY renovators, this variety creates both opportunity and challenge. The opportunity lies in achieving truly customized results that reflect personal aesthetic preferences rather than settling for limited off-the-shelf options. The challenge involves navigating choices and envisioning outcomes. Shanko addresses this by offering sample tiles that allow hands-on evaluation of pattern depth, finish quality, and how different options interact with existing lighting and décor. Making informed decisions before committing to full orders prevents costly mistakes and ensures satisfaction with final results.

Five Generations: What Business Longevity Really Means

Shanko isn't just old; plenty of companies claim heritage while operating under entirely different ownership, management philosophies, or manufacturing approaches than those their founders established. What distinguishes Shanko is continuous family ownership spanning five generations, with descendants of our 1896 founder still actively involved in daily operations. This continuity shapes everything from how we approach customer relationships to our manufacturing philosophy to our willingness to maintain pattern dies that might seem economically inefficient to corporate shareholders focused on quarterly returns.

When a business survives 125 years through dramatic economic shifts (a depression, multiple recessions, changing architectural trends, the rise and fall of tin ceiling popularity, competition from drop ceiling systems, and evolving building codes), it demonstrates more than luck or stubbornness. Longevity proves that quality matters, that customer satisfaction generates referrals that sustain businesses across generations, and that short-term thinking undermines long-term success.

This perspective influences practical decisions. Shanko maintains dies for patterns that sell modestly but remain architecturally significant or necessary for restoration projects. We stock inventory depths that ensure rapid fulfillment rather than optimizing for minimal carrying costs. We provide technical support for installation questions because successful projects create satisfied customers who return for future needs and recommend us to others. We offer bulk discounts starting at 400 sheets, not as loss leaders but as recognition that larger projects deserve pricing that reflects scale while maintaining our quality standards.

The family business structure also means decision-making authority rests with people whose names appear on the building; people who understand that reputation accumulated over generations can be damaged faster than it can be rebuilt. We answer our phones. We address quality concerns directly. We view customer relationships as ongoing partnerships rather than isolated transactions. This isn't marketing language; it's an operational reality that stems from knowing your grandchildren will either inherit a respected business or deal with the consequences of prioritizing short-term profit over long-term relationships.

For architects and contractors evaluating manufacturers for specifications, this stability assures that pattern availability, quality consistency, and technical support won't disappear when economic conditions shift or private equity owners pursue exit strategies. For homeowners planning renovations, it means working with a company that will still exist when you want to add tiles to another room, need replacements after unforeseen damage, or recommend a manufacturer to friends undertaking similar projects. In an era of business consolidation and global manufacturing volatility, institutional stability has tangible value.

Environmental Responsibility: Beyond Marketing Claims

Sustainability discussions in building materials often devolve into marketing rhetoric that obscures actual environmental impacts. Shanko's approach to environmental responsibility rests on measurable factors rather than abstract claims: we use predominantly recycled materials, manufacture domestically to minimize transportation emissions, and create products designed for longevity that reduce replacement cycles.

Our tiles contain approximately 62 percent recycled steel content, diverting material from landfills while reducing the energy and resource demands associated with primary metal production. This isn't a specialty "green" product line; it's standard across our manufacturing because recycled steel performs identically to virgin material at a lower environmental cost. If the product's useful life eventually ends decades later, the tiles themselves remain fully recyclable, returning to the material stream rather than burdening landfills with materials that won't decompose for centuries.

The domestic manufacturing footprint matters more than many realize. Shipping building materials across oceans consumes enormous fuel resources and generates significant emissions. By producing tiles in Florida for distribution throughout the United States, Shanko dramatically shortens the supply chain distance and associated environmental costs. The same geographic proximity that provides practical logistics advantages also reduces carbon footprint in ways that offshore manufacturing cannot match, regardless of their facility-level practices.

Perhaps most significantly, the inherent durability and longevity of properly installed metal tiles represent the most profound environmental benefit. Materials that require replacement every 10-15 years generate ongoing extraction, manufacturing, transportation, installation, and disposal impacts throughout a building's lifetime. Metal tiles installed today will likely outlast the structures they inhabit, effectively becoming permanent architectural elements that require no replacement. This durability eliminates the cyclical resource consumption and waste generation inherent in materials with limited lifespans. From a lifecycle perspective, the most environmentally responsible material is simply the one you never need to replace.

Making Your Choice

Selecting a manufacturer for decorative metal tiles involves more than comparing pattern catalogs and price sheets. The decision establishes relationships that extend throughout project timelines and beyond, determining everything from whether you can source matching tiles years later to whether you receive knowledgeable support when installation questions arise. Shanko brings 125 years of American manufacturing expertise, five generations of family business commitment to customer satisfaction, and the practical advantages of domestic production to every project.

Our original hand-carved dies produce tiles with dimensional depth and pattern definition that honor architectural heritage while meeting contemporary performance standards for fire safety and acoustics. The breadth of patterns and finishes allows creative expression across design aesthetics from traditional to contemporary. The stability of multi-generational ownership means the tiles you specify today will remain available tomorrow, next year, and for decades to come. American manufacturing eliminates the supply chain uncertainties and delays that complicate projects relying on overseas sources.

Whether you're an architect specifying materials for commercial projects, a contractor managing renovation timelines, or a homeowner planning a kitchen transformation, Shanko provides the combination of quality, reliability, and support that successful projects require. We invite you to explore our pattern gallery, request samples that allow hands-on evaluation of finish quality and pattern depth, or contact our team directly to discuss how our tiles can bring your vision to life. For larger orders, we're happy to provide project-specific guidance and volume pricing that recognizes the scale of your commitment.

Shanko represents more than decorative metal tiles; we're a testament to what American manufacturing can achieve when quality, innovation, and customer focus span generations. We look forward to becoming part of your project's success story.