Closeup on the underside of a gazebo an eco-friendly ceiling made from reclaimed wood

There are plenty of green interior materials available on the market that offer sustainable options for every interior space—from your ceiling to the floor and everything in between. 

There are many green and eco-friendly choices for ceilings, from metals to natural fibers, ensuring that sustainable options for almost any type of facility are readily available. 

However, unlike other product categories, there are no fixed industry standards to determine the eco-friendliness of various ceiling options.

This ambiguity means it’s up to you and your architect, designer, or consultant to decide your best option. This article will look at the best eco-friendly ceiling materials available in Florida and a lot more!

The Best Eco-Friendly Ceiling Materials in Florida

Using eco-friendly building materials is highly beneficial in the long run. It allows you to reduce carbon emissions significantly and lower your energy consumption, saving you money on energy bills. Here are the best options. 

1. Metal 

Metal is an eco-friendly material that you can use for your home’s ceiling. One way metal serves as an eco-friendly material is by using recyclable material.

Steel and other metals are endlessly recyclable thanks to the industry’s closed-circuit system, which melts discarded metals to produce metal ceiling tiles, metal beams, metal sheets, and other building materials. 

Moreover, industry specialists have worked since the early 1990s to lower the amount of energy it takes to produce metals.

For instance, the steel industry has cut down its energy use by 33% per ton of steel. This diminished energy output adds to the eco-friendliness of metal ceilings. 

Metal is also more durable than other building materials. As a result, it reduces or even eliminates the need to replace your ceiling over time which helps save you money.

If you use a metal ceiling, you can ensure that you won’t have to spend additional money on replacements or repairs due to its long-lasting durability against earthquake and fire damage, along with general wear and tear. 

Another great thing about metal ceilings is that they don’t absorb moisture or water and don’t peel and crack under the sun’s harmful rays. This durability makes them an ideal investment for Florida homeowners. 

Cost of Metal Ceilings

The cost of installing a metal ceiling depends on the finish you choose for your space. However, you can expect to pay anywhere between $4-$12 per square foot for the ceiling panel itself. 

You cannot cut the historical pressed pattern. Thus, to finish the perimeter of the room where full-size panels don’t fit, you can opt for a low-profile “filler” panel. Filler panels with a similar finish will be almost the same as the ceiling panel and provide it with a finished look. 

2. Cork 

Cork is made of cork oak tree, one of the highly renewable and eco-friendly resources. Cork is often used to build ceiling panels, acoustic flooring, and walls.

So, next time you open that bottle of wine, remember there’s a better place for cork than the landfill! 

A closeup on the end of a semi-unrolled roll of corkboard, an eco-friendly ceiling material

Cork coverings are naturally decorative and offer a modern alternative to conventional ceiling coverings. They are available in several unique patterns, styles, and shades to complement any furniture style and décor and add warmth and character to any room.

Cork is an excellent thermal insulator, making it an ideal option for hot and humid Florida homes. In addition, cork also offers remarkable acoustic properties. 

Cost of Cork Ceiling 

Corkboard ceiling tiles cost approximately $5.90 per square meter

3. Fiberglass Tile

Fiberglass tiles for ceilings are generally made from glass fibers in polymer and are a low-cost alternative to wood. There are several advantages of using this material for your home’s ceiling. 

The most significant benefit of fiberglass tiles is that they are an eco-friendly ceiling material lighter than wood. 

Moreover, fiberglass tiles can even be made from recycled glass that is relatively simple to install compared to other materials. And as opposed to plaster, which contains asbestos, fiberglass tiles are not a health hazard, which is why these materials are quite common in residential homes.

You can mount the tiles directly to the ceiling without causing any sagging. In addition, this material benefits from efficient sound absorption features and, unlike wood, is fire-resistant. 

Cost of Fiberglass Tile 

Fiberglass tile for ceilings can cost anywhere between $0.92-$3.89 per square foot. 

4. Wood 

Reclaimed or recycled wood ceilings can add character to Florida homes. Reclaimed wood is an eco-friendly ceiling material, particularly when the wood is locally sourced.

Recycled or reclaimed wood ceilings can last a lifetime and do not need to be painted. 

Interior of a home's den area  that uses reclaimed wood for the ceiling joists

Cost of Recycled Wood

The cost of recycled wood varies widely depending on species and provenance. However, you can expect to spend anywhere between $5-$20 or above per square foot. 

Top Options for Eco-Friendly Ceiling Materials in Florida

Now that you know about the various eco-friendly ceiling materials in Florida, let’s look at some of the top products available in the state.

1. Mineral Fiber and Fiberglass Ceilings by Armstrong Ceiling Solutions 

Armstrong Ceiling Solutions offers a broad portfolio of custom and standard ceiling solutions across all kinds of materials. 

The company’s mineral fiber ceilings are 100% recyclable, and because of its closed-loop recycling process, its Ceiling-2-Ceiling options offer the maximum level of post-consumer recycled content.

In addition, they offer combination acoustics to enhance indoor environmental quality and certified low-VOC emissions to meet strict indoor air quality standards. 

Armstrong Ceiling Solutions fiberglass ceilings offer considerable energy savings through high light-reflective surfaces. They are 100 percent recyclable and contain up to 75% recycled content.

The company also offers plant-based binder options for certified low-VOC emissions. 

2. Metalworks Ceilings by Armstrong Ceiling Solutions 

Several MetalWorks ceilings are made of aluminum with almost 98% recycled content. As a result, metal ceilings are reclaimable and have long lifespans, minimizing construction waste. 

What’s more, you can even integrate metalworks ceilings with cooling and radiant heat technology to lower energy costs. 

3. HALCYON™ Eco Acoustical Panels by USG

Halcyon™ Eco Acoustical Panels are white, bright, smooth acoustical panels with well-balanced acoustic properties.

These panels don’t require much maintenance, and because of the fiberglass substrate derived from plants, they can inherently resist mildew and mold growth.

Moreover, Halcyon™ Eco is GREENGUARD Gold-certified for low emitting performance and contains up to 34% post-consumer recycled content making it an eco-friendly ceiling material.

4. WoodWorks Ceilings by Armstrong 

Armstrong’s line of WoodWorks ceilings offer up to 92 percent recycled content and is made with 100 percent USDA-certified bio-based wood products. They offer a range of California Air Resources Board (CARB) compliant and FSC-Certified options and veneers made with rapidly renewing plant-based products. Additionally, their perforated wood ceiling panels have acoustical backing to improve indoor sound quality and minimize reverberation time. 

Last Few Words

While eco-friendly ceiling materials might initially be a little costly, the benefits of having a green home in Florida far outweigh the costs. You won’t need to worry about maintenance or operational costs with eco-friendly ceiling materials.

Plus, you also save money on your energy bills and get a chance to sell your building at a higher price because of the value-added feature. 

Last but not least, you contribute to a healthier environment and improve the health of the occupants.

For more information on eco-friendly building materials, check out our list of the top sustainable building materials changing the market.

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