1.What size are your panels?
Each panel is basically 2’ x 2’. Panels for a nail-up application nominally measure 24 3/8” x 24 3/8”. Panels for a lay-in suspension grid nominally measure 23 7/8” x 23 7/8”. Since most rooms are not perfectly proportioned, we recommend using a filler panel in order to eliminate the need to cut into the panel pattern. Contact us today with your specific room dimensions and our design team will be happy to provide a recommended panel layout free of charge.

Back to Top

2. How are your panels priced?
Panels are priced “per panel” and vary depending upon which finish is ordered. Our mill finish panels (which require painting) start as low as $8.50 per panel. When pricing an entire ceiling, please remember our products are not priced per square foot as many building materials are. Each of our panels covers a 4-square foot area. To compare our per square foot cost with that of another building product, simply divide our price per panel by 4.

Back to Top

3. What is the difference between Mill finish and Clear finish?
Mill finish panels are shipped without a coating and require that a topcoat be applied in the field. Left uncoated, mill finish panels will oxidize over time, dulling the shiny, metallic finish. Question 5 summarizes how to paint mill finish panels. Clear finish panels have a clear coat that is factory applied and require no additional coating. Clear finish panels have a shiny metallic appearance that will last for years.

Back to Top

4. What is the difference between Polished Copper and Solid Copper?
Polished copper is one of our specialty finishes that is applied to an aluminum metal sheet. Its appearance is that of a shiny, new penny and it will remain that color for years. Solid copper is just that, a solid copper panel. It is shipped without a topcoat. As with any solid copper product, our panel will age over time taking on the rich patina of aged copper. The aging process happens slowly, over time, and it can be stopped at any time during the process. Once the copper has attained the look and appearance you want, we recommend putting on a clear lacquer or latex topcoat. This topcoat can be purchased at any local or national paint retailer. When handling a solid copper panel we recommend using soft cotton gloves so as not to mar the finish with oil deposits during the installation process.

Back to Top

5. How do I paint Mill finish panels?
Mill finish panels can be painted using oil or latex based paints that can be purchased at any local or national paint retailer. We recommend you purchase a direct to metal paint. OR, you can always apply a primer first and then top coat it with any standard wall paint. If you choose to use a primer, we recommend you wipe the panels with a solvent that can be purchased at any paint retailer. When applying primer or paint, you can brush it, roll it or spray it. Before you make a decision to purchase a mill finish we recommend you review our specialty finishes to see if we don’t already have a color that fits your needs. We also will custom mix a color to your specifications. Call our customer service department to inquire about our powder coating, custom color option.

Back to Top

6. Can I nail or glue your panels directly to my drywall ceiling?
We recommend installing our panels to a wood substrate and not installing them directly to a drywall ceiling. The preferred substrate is minimum 3/8” plywood. Gluing is not recommended. The best installation method uses special cone head nails (available from M-Boss Inc.) to install ceiling panels, cornice and moldings to the wood substrate.

Ceramic panel adhesive (available in any building supply retailer) can be used as an installation aid (i.e., not the primary method of adhesion) to help suspend the panel while nailing. Even though it’s not required, using the adhesive will speed the installation process and free your hands. If adhesive is used, only apply it to one panel at a time and apply it in the center 18 inches of each panel, making sure to stay away from the edge seams in order to prevent the adhesive from oozing onto the front of the panel.

Back to Top

7. What is cornice and filler and do I need to use them?
Cornice is similar to crown molding. These decorative trim pieces come in 48” lengths and provide an outstanding finishing touch to any room. Some customers have even used cornice as an accent without a tin ceiling. Cornice requires mitering to fit inside and outside corners, so a special saw blade is needed.

Filler is a decorative panel that rings the perimeter of a room. Our filler panels are available in several patterns and are specifically designed to eliminate the need to cut through the pattern of the primary panel, commonly referred to as, the field panel since it creates the main pattern on the center of the ceiling.

Back to Top

8. How do I clean the panels?
Our panels are virtually maintenance-free. However, cleaning is as easy as wiping the panels with Windex and a soft cloth. Periodic cleaning will assure that our products will look good for years to come. We need to add additional cleaners (Fantastik, 409, and Tilex) once the testing is complete and these products are approved for use.

Back to Top

9. Can your panels be used as a kitchen backsplash? Even behind a stove?
Our panels have become very popular as kitchen backsplashes because they are an attractive alternative to individual tiles that are complicated to install; require special tools for cutting; and entail time-consuming grouting. Since our panels are metal, they are perfect for areas where steam might damage other building materials.

Back to Top

10. What is your panel made of?
Our products are made of two materials: aluminum or solid copper. Both materials provide several advantages over the original tin-plated steel products. Our products are lightweight making them easier to handle and more economical to ship. Typically, one person, without assistance, can install an M-Boss Inc. ceiling. Our products won’t rust making them perfect for high humidity climates and rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens. In addition, our products can be cut and trimmed easily, using tin snips. No special saw blades or cutting tools are required.

Back to Top

11. Can your panels be used in my existing suspension grid?
Our lay-in panels will drop into any standard suspension grid system. Most suspension grids are already sized to fit our lay-in panels. In some cases, where the suspension grid opening is
2’ x 4’, a cross runner will need to be installed to make the opening 2’ x 2’. These cross runners can be purchase at any big box retailer or national hardware store. When ordering lay-in panels, be sure to ask us about our roll-tape product. This peel-and-stick tape is easily applied to the grid and allows you to perfectly match our Polished Copper, Polished Brass and Clear specialty finishes.

Back to Top

12. Why does it take 15 days to receive my order?
Every product we ship is custom made using our proprietary manufacturing process. That’s why we are able to offer over 100 patterns in 11 specialty finishes, more than any of our competitors. Our goal is to ship all orders within 7 business days. Due to the popularity of our products, however, we sometimes require a little longer than 7 days. If you need to have your order shipped sooner, please call our customer service department and let us know. In most instances we will be able to accommodate reasonable shipping dates.

Back to Top

13. Do I need to do something special with a solid copper ceiling?
We recommend you wear soft cotton gloves when handling the solid copper panels so as not to mar the finish by depositing oils during the installation process. Our solid copper products are shipped without a topcoat. As with any solid copper material, our products will age over time, taking on the rich patina of aged copper. The aging process happens slowly, over time, and can be stopped at any time during the process. Once the copper has attained the look and appearance you want, we recommend applying a clear lacquer or latex topcoat. This topcoat can be purchased at any local or national paint retailer.

Back to Top

14. How is your product shipped?
All our products are packed in corrugated cardboard boxes. There are up to 30 pieces per box, depending upon pattern design. Boxes are a nominal 28” and shipped via Federal Express Ground. UPS and overnight service is available upon request. Orders over 200 pieces are packaged on 30” x 30” skids and shipped via truck/freight.

Back to Top