Frequently asked questions

Our new capability will allow us to manufacture new products that expand the creative options available to architects and designers, while meeting the practical considerations of contractors. Our factories will also operate more efficiently, reducing energy and water consumption, so that our products come with a smaller carbon footprint.

Since we evolved from Armstrong Ceiling Solutions in 2020, we’re taking advantage of the opportunity to improve our manufacturing capability. We are making significant multi-million investments in the future of our factories and committing to our UK manufacturing base.

Yes. We’re constantly looking for new ways to support contractors and help architects and designers meet their project requirements. Innovation is a core priority for our business.

Zentia trades in a number of European markets: Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. We have work with specialist distributors in those territories. Please visit our Find a Distributor page to learn more.

We manufacture the vast majority of our ceiling and grid solutions in our two UK factories, based in Team Valley, Gateshead. Our mineral tile plant has been operational since 1966, while our grid plant opened in 1997.

This is the time, in seconds, required for reflecting or reverberant sound in an enclosed space to decay to one-millionth (equivalent to a drop of 60 dB) of its original energy level after the cessation of the sound source.

It is the most common, and easily obtained, measurement or predictor of a room’s potential sound quality. The reverberation time (RT) for any enclosed space will be influenced by the room’s volume and how much sound absorption (which controls the reflection of sound) is present. Increasing the volume will increase the RT while increasing the amount of sound absorption will lower the RT. Because Zentia suspended ceilings can provide a substantial surface area and can provide more or less sound absorption depending upon the product chosen, they can significantly influence the RT of a space. However any room will have an optimum reverberation time (RT) requirement depending upon its use and size and whether the main activity is speech or music based. Providing too much sound absorption, and hence having a very low reverberation time (RT), can be just as acoustically damaging and undesirable as having insufficient sound absorption when an excessively long reverberation time (RT) will result.

Rooms with reasonable amounts of sound absorptive finishes appear quieter and less frenetic than those with little or no sound absorptive treatment. If the amount of effective sound absorption in a room is doubled (or halved), the noise level will be reduced (or increased) by 3dB (Decibels). However, it should be considered that a change of 3dB will only just be detected by the human ear, while a difference of 5dB is necessary to be really noticeable. In addition, sound absorptive treatments that are applied to the boundary elements (walls, ceilings, floors etc.) of a room, do not have any significant effect at enhancing the element’s sound reduction properties, ie when sound transmits through it from one adjacent room to another.

By using a mathematical model based upon the ‘Sabine’ formula which takes into account the significant surfaces of a room, their respective sound absorption coefficients and the room dimensions. Get in touch for a more detailed calculation which also considers specific user criteria.

A sabine (also known as the equivalent absorption area) is a measure of sound absorption afforded by a material which is defined as the product of its exposed surface area S (m2), multiplied by its random incident sound absorption coefficient alpha s. However the sabine is also specifically used to describe the total absorption provided by individual discrete objects, such as an acoustic canopy, where all of its surfaces may be influentially providing sound absorption and the use of as would not be sensible or realistic.

Once the total sound absorption present in a room (from both planar surfaces and objects) has been calculated, an estimate can be made of the room’s probable reverberation time. The installation of canopies in a reverberant space can significantly reduce the reverberation time and contribute to the reduction in background noise.

Some trends in modern building technology, such as the use of concrete thermal slabs as heat-sinks, requires that the slab be exposed to the occupied space. In these designs, a continuous (wall to wall) ceiling is not permissible because it could interfere with the airflow pattern around the room. But the downside of not having an acoustic ceiling will probably result in higher reverberation times and increased noise levels above those which would be acceptable to the users. Also in many existing spaces, even though a continuous ceiling is present and has to remain in place for various technical reasons, it may provide insufficient sound absorption than is suitable for the activities being carried out in the room. The installation of canopies in a reverberant space, in sufficient numbers and in a layout to satisfy both technical and aesthetic considerations, can significantly reduce the reverberation time and contribute to the reduction in background noise and improvement of aural comfort.

The speech frequency range is generally described as being between about 500Hz and 4000Hz. However it is not defined in any known national or international standard.

Sound absorption relates to the control of sound reflections within a room while sound attenuation is associated with the control of sound transmission between adjacent rooms via a continuous suspended ceiling.

Probably not. Materials that provide high levels of sound absorption are generally lightweight and porous which is the direct opposite of the qualities required for sound reduction ie massive and impervious.

In terms of sound absorption there may be a small loss, depending upon the tile face pattern (fissures, perforations, scrim, etc), the paint type used and the thickness of the paint coating. It is unlikely that the ceiling’s sound reduction or attenuation performance will be adversely affected but if the spaces where the ceiling has to be repainted are acoustically critical, then laboratory testing to assess any possible differences in acoustic performance should be conducted on repainted samples.

It should be noted that the repainting of ceiling tiles could also adversely affect their other technical performance factors such as fire reaction, sag, light reflectance, among others, and the implication of such possible changes needs to be considered. Finally, it should be appreciated that the repainting of any tiles supplied by Zentia will invalidate any warranty that was provided when the tiles were new.

Zentia suspended ceilings are one of few building products with sound reduction performance that can be measured in two entirely different ways. These are sound reduction index (R or SRI = vertical or single pass), which is measured in accordance with EN ISO 140 Part 3, and Normalised Level Difference for Ceilings (Dnc = horizontal or double pass) which is measured in accordance with EN ISO 140 Part 9.

No. Although there are some empirically derived relationships between the two different values for the same product, there are no theoretically based methods for deriving one value from the other.

The decibel is a unit used in acoustics to describe the magnitude of sound levels. These levels can either describe how loud something is (eg 85 dB due to a passing bus), or they can describe the ability of a product or system to reduce sound. For example, a 35 dB suspended ceiling will reduce a sound level of 75 dB in one room down to 40 dB in an adjacent room. The bigger the number, the greater is the sound energy level or sound difference involved.

The terms ‘reduction’ and ‘attenuation’ both mean a decrease or lessening of something. These expressions describe the same process and are usually interchangeable. In relation to the acoustics of suspended ceilings, ‘sound reduction’ is generally used to describe the ‘single or vertical pass’ decrease (typically from a ceiling cavity to a room below) while ‘sound attenuation’ is reserved for the ‘double or horizontal pass’ lessening in transmitted sound energy where the ceiling is continuous above two adjacent rooms.

The Rw of the total construction is unlikely to be more than about 40 dB – an increase of up to only 5 dB on the floor construction. This is because the two separate elements are very close to each other and are rigidly connected together and therefore the sum of their two individual reductions cannot practicably be achieved.

This is not a problem that can be easily or simply solved by installing a further suspended ceiling below. It all depends upon the level of disturbance that is occurring and the type and construction of the existing floor and surrounding walls. Further advice should be sought from an acoustic consultant or specialist supplier of noise insulation materials.

Echoes are discrete sound reflections from a distant surface which, if they are of sufficient intensity and time delay, can be heard distinctly from the direct sound, ie you hear the same sound twice in quick succession. The expression ‘echoey’ is often used to describe the sound heard in an enclosed space which is particularly reverberant or ‘lively’. This is actually the wrong use of the term as, perhaps surprisingly, echoes are a rare phenomenon in most normal sized and occupied enclosed spaces. However excessive reverberation and noise can be controlled by the introduction of sound absorptive treatments, such as suspended acoustic ceilings.

Sound absorptive materials make a space seem less ‘echoey’ or ‘lively’ by reducing the amount of sound reflected back into a room. The room becomes less reverberant. In a commercial environment, the ceiling is often the most substantial and unobstructed area where sound absorptive materials (like ceiling tiles) can be introduced.

Whatever kind of project you’re working on, Zentia can provide a ceiling solution to match. Zentia ceilings can provide acoustic control with absorption values from 0.10 to 1.00 Alpha w, and attenuation values of up to Dnfw 44dB. So whether sound absorption or sound attenuation is your main priority, we can help. Get in touch with our experts if you aren’t sure which option is the right ceiling solution for your project.

Aruba Max is available in 35 different colours and can be specified in any combination. Imagination is your only limit.

Aruba Max can be ordered in white and black, as well as neutral shades of grey and brown. It’s also available in exciting tints of blue, green, yellow, orange, red and purple.

Aruba hH is a perfect complement to the other Aruba products. It allows specifiers to deliver a more consistent visual appearance across an entire project, even in more challenging spaces.

Aruba is a fantastic ceiling tile for a wide range of environments. Aruba Max is more suitable for environments that need enhanced technical performance. For instance, when working on a school project, you might specify Aruba Max in classrooms and Aruba in corridors. Speak to our architectural and design consultants for help or, if you need to order Aruba Max (or Aruba) now, please click here to find your nearest Zentia distributor.

Relative Humidity has little to no effect on Aruba hH ceiling tiles. They are 99% RH resistant, so they resist warping and sagging in humid conditions.

Very easy! Aruba Triangle is compatible with Zentia’s popular Prelude 24 grid. A standard main runner and cross tees are used to create the suspended ceiling grid, with a new angled nodal bracket to create the triangular grid formation.

Relative Humidity (RH) describes how much water vapour is present in the air, compared to the maximum amount of water vapour the air can hold at that temperature. The warmer the air, the more water vapour it can hold.

The ideal RH level for a residential home is 30-60%. Spaces like shower rooms and commercial kitchens typically have much higher RH levels. This makes humidity resistant ceiling solutions like Aruba hH very important when designing these types of interiors.

Aruba Max is a slightly thicker ceiling tile than Aruba, enhancing its acoustic performance. It also has reinforced edges, making it a more robust ceiling tile able to stand up to greater handling. This is important in spaces where access to the ceiling soffit will be required more often than usual.

When we talk about sound absorption, we’re referring to the control of sound reflection within a room. A ceiling tile with a high sound absorption class reduces echo and helps to control background noise.

Sound attenuation is different. A ceiling tile with a good sound attenuation rating limits sound transmission through the ceiling void.

Aruba Triangle ceiling tiles can be ordered from all of Zentia’s distributors across the UK. Click here to find your nearest distribution centre. These tiles are made to order, so please speak to our architectural and design consultants for help managing lead times.

Aruba hH can be specified in areas that are warm, wet and humid. You could use them in shower and changing areas, gyms, commercial kitchens, or spas, to name just a few. It’s important to specify moisture resistant ceiling tiles in these types of spaces, and Aruba hH is a fantastic option.

This humidity resistant acoustic ceiling tile can be specified with Zentia’s Prelude 24. For highly corrosive interiors, we recommend choosing Prelude 24 Corrosive Resistant suspended ceiling grid.

Aruba is found in lots of different projects but is particularly popular in education, healthcare and commercial interiors. The Aruba family of products offers a complete acoustic ceiling solution with the benefits of a continuous finish across a project.

Zentia is simplifying and streamlining its product portfolio as part of our evolution from Armstrong to Zentia. You can find out more information here.

Zentia is simplifying and streamlining its product portfolio as part of our evolution from Armstrong to Zentia. You can find out more information here.

Zentia is simplifying and streamlining its product portfolio as part of our evolution from Armstrong to Zentia. You can find out more information here.

Zentia has introduced a triangular ceiling tile to provide architects and other specifiers with a new and unique product. Architects can create striking acoustic ceiling designs with Aruba Triangle.

Both the tiles and the grid capping are available in a range of 35 colours, including white, black, neutrals like grown and grey, and more colourful options. Choose your colours to match your interior design. You can order Zentia samples here.

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound. These are tiny particles that continue to be emitted by a material after installation or application. For example, if the room you are in has painted walls, the paint could be emitting VOCs.

These particles may contribute to lower wellbeing, affecting everything from health to productivity. All of Zentia’s ceiling tiles are E1 for formaldehyde emissions. Many of our ceiling tiles achieve Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort or Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold for VOC emissions.

Sound attenuation helps to reduce sound transmission between adjacent spaces, improving privacy levels. Acoustic ceiling tiles with a good sound attenuation rating are an excellent ceiling solution for private offices. They could also be used in hotel rooms or hospital treatment areas, for example.

Contrary to popular belief, a Class A ceiling tile is not a better ceiling tile. Sound absorption classes A-E are a classification system, not a quality rating system. Installing a Class A ceiling tile in a classroom does not mean that the classroom has a better or the most appropriate acoustic solution.

In fact, it may have a negative impact on students and teachers. A teacher has to work harder to project their voice across the classroom, while students may find the atmosphere oppressive.

A Class C tile can be a much better fit, striking a good balance between teacher and student requirements. Think about the different use requirements of a classroom. It has to foster concentration, allow teaching voices to carry, and promote pupil wellbeing.

In many ways, these are conflicting requirements. A Class A ceiling tile may help students to concentrate but make it harder for teachers to project their voices. A quiet classroom can improve study but reduce social interaction.

A Class C ceiling tile like Aruba Max strikes a good balance between all of these conflicting needs. It absorbs enough sound to support student learning, while still allowing teachers to communicate effectively. A Class A tile would be better specified in a library than a classroom.

Remember, sound absorption classes A-E are a classification system, not a rating system. They do not indicate the quality of the ceiling tile, only the strength of its sound absorption properties.

Aruba Max is available in 35 different colours and can be specified in any combination. Imagination is your only limit.

Aruba Max can be ordered in white and black, as well as neutral shades of grey and brown. It’s also available in exciting tints of blue, green, yellow, orange, red and purple.

It is specifically designed for use in healthcare settings. While Aruba provides very similar acoustic performance to Biobloc Acoustic, it doesn’t have the same antimicrobial performance.

Zentia’s Biobloc Plain and Biobloc Acoustic suspended ceiling tiles have a special coating that actively inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Biobloc Plain ceiling tiles can be specified in hospital wards and other treatment areas, however for the benefit of patient wellbeing we recommend choosing Bioguard Acoustic instead, which provides a higher level of sound absorption and creates a quieter and more soothing atmosphere.

Biobloc Plain is particularly suited to consultation and meeting rooms where no patient treatment or recovery takes place.

Yes. Biobloc Acoustic ceiling tiles can also be found in commercial kitchens and clean room facilities like laboratories, computer rooms and data centres.

Biobloc Acoustic ceiling tiles come with a 15 year product warranty and a 30 year system warranty when purchased with a Zentia suspended ceiling grid system.

Biobloc Acoustic ceiling tiles are manufactured in the UK and are always available with very short lead times. To replace a Biobloc Acoustic ceiling tile, just order from your nearest Zentia stockist. The tiles themselves come with a simple board edge, so they can easily be lifted and installed into the ceiling grid.

Biobloc Acoustic ceiling tiles have been tested in accordance with the standard NF S 90-351 (2013). You can download a copy of the certificate in the related documents section of this page or from our downloads library.

No. Biobloc Acoustic ceiling tiles have an additional coating that actively inhibits the growth of micro-organisms. They are designed to complement and support existing infection control procedures.

Zentia’s recommended ceiling solutions for commercial kitchens meet the requirements as detailed in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 Annex II Chapter II Paragraph 1(c):

‘Ceilings (or, where there are no ceilings, the interior surface of the roof) and overhead fixtures are to be constructed and finished so as to prevent the accumulation of dirt and to reduce condensation, the growth of undesirable mould and the shedding of particles.’

While all of Zentia’s mineral ceiling tiles emit very low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds, some of our products are more suitable than others for installation in commercial kitchens. Get in touch and speak to one of our technical experts for assistance.

Zentia’s Ultima+ and Perla laminated ceiling tiles are all Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze. As part of achieving certification, they received a Gold rating for Material Health. You can download Zentia’s Cradle to Cradle product certifications here.

Cradle to Cradle Certified is the world’s most advanced science-based, multi-attribute certification program for designing, making and verifying materials and products that are safe, circular and responsibly made. Cradle to Cradle Certified products are awarded certification based upon their performance across five critical areas of sustainability: Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air & Climate Protection, Water & Soil Stewardship, and Social Fairness.

Cradle to Cradle Certified® is a registered trademark of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

The vast majority of our products come with at least a 10-year warranty. In fact, most of our products come with a 30-year system guarantee. You can find out the details on the individual product pages.

Beyond light, acoustics, and aesthetics, it’s also important to consider things like fire safety and durability. You may also wish to consider ease of installation and maintenance, so that the initial project can be completed on time and on budget, and so that the ceiling tiles, grids and the infrastructure they conceal can be maintained in the future.

A bright environment makes everything clearer. In a school, the main objectives is to make the best possible use of daylight to avoid having to use electricity. The ceiling can play a crucial part in optimising light reflectance which can allow energy savings, in case of indirect lighting. Combining high-reflectance mineral ceiling tiles with larger windows or floor-to-ceiling glazing provides an easy way to make this happen.

Research has also shown a conclusive link between the provision of natural light and academic success, with one study showing that students working in classrooms with higher levels of daylight achieve 7% to 18% higher test scores. Another – Clever Classrooms – suggests that the design of a classroom has a c.25% impact, positive or negative, on the academic progress of students over the course of a year.

On the flip side, too much natural light can cause eye strain or create glare that distracts students and staff alike. Reflectance must be balanced with diffusion – transforming the harshness of direct light into a more scattered, ambient glow, bathing classrooms in pleasantly bright light without it becoming an issue.

When it comes to classrooms, sound absorption is less important than you think. Ceilings that absorb too much sound deaden classroom environments and make it more difficult for teachers to communicate with students. To put it simply, teachers have to work harder to project their voices across the room, which results in vocal strain. Ceiling tiles with high sound absorption qualities do not make a good classroom environment for teachers and students.

Instead, we recommend ceiling tiles that offer a good balance between sound absorption and sound attenuation. These tiles take the edge off noisy classroom chatter, but reflect some soundwaves back into the room, so teachers don’t have to work quite as hard to be heard by their pupils while they’re teaching lessons. A balanced, practical ceiling solution that provides the best learning environment for all.

Our specification team can help you identify the right Zentia products for your project. We have over 100 years of experience and knowledge in our business. So whether you’re designing classrooms or hospital wards, open plan offices or transport hubs, our team of experts can help you find the products that will achieve the right acoustical balance, visual effect and technical spec for your project.

You can narrow down your search using the Solution Finder right here on our website. If you’re still not sure, you can get in touch with Zentia here. We aim to respond within 48 hours.

Gridline 15 is covered by a 15-year warranty when installed alone or a 30-year warranty when installed with Zentia suspended ceiling tiles.

Gridline 15 is a distinct product and is not compatible with Prelude 15.

No. Gridline 24 is a much simpler system than Prelude 24 and can be installed with less physical force whilst maintaining the rigidity of the grid.

No, Gridline 15 is a simpler system compared to Prelude 15, requiring less physical force for installation whilst maintaining the rigidity of the grid.

Gridline 24 Corrosive Resistant is a new product and is not compatible with Prelude 24 CR.

This product is ideal for interiors with higher Relative Humidity (RH). Shower rooms, commercial kitchens, restaurants, laboratories, launderettes, and other warm, damp spaces can all benefit from Gridline 24 Corrosive Resistant.

Gridline 24 Corrosive Resistant is warrantied for 15 years when installed alone, or for 30 years when installed with a Zentia suspended ceiling tile.

No. Gridline 24 Corrosive Resistant is a much simpler system than Prelude 24 CR and can be installed with less physical force whilst maintaining the rigidity of the grid.

Gridline System Z is compatible with both Gridline 24 and Prelude 24 main runners, however please note that Prelude 24 has been discontinued.

Gridline System Z is covered by a 15-year warranty when installed alone or a 30-year warranty when installed with Zentia suspended ceiling tiles.

Gridline 24 is warrantied for 15 years when installed alone, or for 30 years when installed with a Zentia suspended ceiling tile.

Gridline 24 is a new product and is not compatible with Prelude 24.

Our ceiling tiles can be cleaned in a variety of different ways. For instance, Bioguard Acoustic can be cleaned with disinfectants without compromising its technical performance which, along with its antimicrobial performance, makes it an ideal ceiling solution for healthcare environments. Similarly, Clean Room FL can also be cleaned with disinfectants with no impact on performance.

You can find detailed cleaning recommendations on all of our individual product pages.

Yes. Zentia ceiling solutions are regularly used in NHS facilities in both clinical and non-clinical settings, as well as in the wider public sector.

We recommend tiles with high relative humidity (RH) resistance. With 95% humidity resistance and class-A sound absorption, Hygiene is a great choice for commercial kitchens, while Hydroboard can resist permanent RH up to 95% and temporary conditions of up to 100% RH, making it a fantastic option for bathrooms and other areas with fluctuating temperatures.

Canopies and Baffles can be specified alone or in tandem to create stunning visual effects in entrance lobbies. Canopies can be used to create arresting ceiling clouds, while Baffles can be used to create different patterns across the ceiling soffit. Both ceiling products will reflect and direct natural and artificial light around the interior, as well as providing good sound absorption.

Canopies can also be attached to the wall and used as wall absorbers, providing additional sound absorption in high traffic areas.

DecoMesh adds contemporary class and brings an edgier aesthetics to restaurant interiors. Made from galvanised steel and available in eight different colours, DecoMesh makes a very strong design statement.

Hydrabloc suspended ceiling tiles are typically specified in hydrotherapy rooms, shower and changing areas, and commercial kitchens. In commercial kitchens, they will help to control noise levels and improve working conditions. 

You should never install Hydrabloc above a swimming pool. These tiles are humidity resistant at temporary conditions of 100% RH. This makes it unsuitable for installation above swimming pools, which produce a permanently humid interior and can create a chemically aggressive environment. Installation in such conditions can degrade the ceiling tiles and the suspended ceiling grid, causing the ceiling to collapse. 

Hydrabloc products are humidity resistant ceiling tiles, not water resistant. Exposing these ceiling tiles to water can cause significant damage. 

The course costs £495 per person plus VAT, payable in full on booking by Bacs transfer only. We do not accept credit cards.

Our remaining 2022 training dates are:

• 27-28 September (places available)
• 18-19 October (fully booked)
• 6-7 December (places available)

Please complete the form below to book a place.

On day one, the course covers:

• Health & Safety
• Mineral & suspension systems product overview
• Straight, flat square and white side down
• Tools, fixings, levelling & layout
• Wire straightening – demonstration
• Exposed grid installation – demonstration and then your turn
• Tegular and Vector tile perimeter cutting – demonstration
• Ultima+ Finesse concealed system demonstration

On day two, we cover:

• Manufacturing process including (mineral & grid) plant tours
• Semi concealed grid / SL2 plank
• Axiom product overview
• Axiom Canopy with SL2 Plank Installation
• Questions & Certificates

The course is taught by Ian Young, who has over 40 years of experience in the suspended ceilings industry.

The course takes two days to complete and is held at Zentia Limited, Kingsway South, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, NE11 0SP. It begins at 8am each day, so we recommend booking two nights of accommodation in the Gateshead and Newcastle area if you are travelling from more than an hour away.

The course covers the theory and practical installation of mineral fibre suspended ceiling systems. It provides an ideal foundation for both office and site based personnel.

The course is designed for individuals who wish to learn more about Zentia’s products and how to install them quickly and safely.

Product warranties are not affected by this change. The content of the warranties itself will be updated to reflect the new product name, but Zentia will honour warranties under the old product names at our discretion.

Our products will feature both product names for 12 months after the new product name is launched. The product codes will change however this will be limited to the last digit in the suffix. For example, if a product code previously ended with the letter A, it may now end with a B.

Back in 2020, Zentia evolved from Armstrong Ceiling Solutions. As part of this process, we’re simplifying and streamlining our product names to make our portfolio less confusing for architects and contractors just like you.

A noise level exceeding 85 decibels (dB) is considered a risk to staff and can potentially cause hearing damage or other health issues. 

Noise is considered a workplace hazard categorised under occupational hazards and can lead to hearing damage and other health issues.

To deal with noise in the workplace, you can use acoustic ceiling tiles to absorb and reduce sound. 

Excessive noise in the workplace can impair communication, cause distractions, lead to errors, and contribute to long-term hearing loss, compromising overall safety. 

We would recommend working with an acoustician on a project in order to determine the best use of either tile.

Oplia Triangle is compatible with Zentia’s standard Prelude 24 main runner and our unique nodal bracket for triangular ceiling tile installations, and specific cross tees.

While the technical and acoustic performance of Oplia Triangle and Aruba Triangle is very similar, Oplia Triangle has a smooth, laminated finish for a cleaner aesthetic.

Oplia hA has a 0.95α_w rating, while Oplia hA+ is rated 1.00α_w. This means that both are Class A rated ceilings for sound absorption.

While the technical and acoustic performance of Aruba dB and Oplia dB is very similar, Oplia dB has a smooth, laminated finish for a cleaner aesthetic.

The difference is very technical and is centred on acoustic performance. Oplia dB provides Class C sound absorption and has a sound attenuation rating of 41dB. Oplia hA dB provides Class A sound absorption and a sound attenuation rating of 40dB.

This means that Oplia dB can be specified when there is a lower requirement for sound absorption.

The products in the Oplia family all have unique acoustic attributes that make them suitable for different interiors.

• Oplia dB has a sound attenuation rating of 41dB, making it ideal for private offices and board rooms.
• Oplia hA and Oplia hA+ offer Class A sound absorption, so they are perfect for libraries and open plan spaces that will be used for focused activities.

Oplia has a sound attenuation rating of 37dB and is rated Class C for sound absorption. Its acoustic performance is perfectly balanced between the two.

Oplia is most often specified in the education and commercial office sectors. Its balanced acoustic performance makes it ideal for learning and working environments.

We offer a wide range of delivery options for our distributor partners. We are the UK’s only manufacturer of ceiling solutions, so we offer strong availability and shorter lead times. Get in touch with our team to find out how quickly your chosen product can reach you.

Zentia products can be ordered from our network of distributors in the UK, Ireland, Iberia, and the Baltics. Visit our ‘Find a Distributor’ page to find your nearest Zentia stockist and learn more.

Ceiling contractors can apply to join Pinnacle by Zentia here. [Link] To maintain the quality of our partnership programme, we perform an assessment of your business before admitting you to the programme.

If you’re a contractor, you can benefit from exclusive training on Zentia products (at our factory in Team Valley, Gateshead and in your business), certification from Zentia, and promotion on our marketing channels. There are other concrete benefits, too; for instance, you have exclusive access to Zentia’s off-cut recycling service, so you can provide cleaner, more environmentally friendly installation services.

If you’re an architect or designer, we can work with you to find the right Pinnacle Approved Partner for your project, so you know your design won’t be compromised at installation stage. All of our Pinnacle Approved Partners undergo training on Zentia products before being certified a Pinnacle Approved installer, so you know the project will be completed safely and swiftly.

No. Sound absorption classes are indicators of technical performance, not quality of performance. A Class A tile provides more sound absorption than a Class C tile. Some interiors benefit from Class A sound absorption, while others don’t.

No. Class A sound absorption is best reserved for interiors that need to be quiet for the end user. Libraries are a good example of the type of setting which benefits from Class A sound absorption. In many environments, you can specify Class C ceiling tiles like Prestige with no adverse effect on a room’s acoustics. In fact, a more acoustically lively space is often more pleasant for building users.

Prestige hA+ is ideal for open plan spaces like offices, libraries and cafeterias.

Prestige tiles can be specified with a wide range of Axiom canopy frames, with all edge details and colours available.

Specify Prestige ceiling tiles with a Conceal edge detail to create suspended ceilings that have a more monolithic visual appearance. This is easy to deploy on-site, as installers will be familiar with Zentia’s grid and tile ceiling solutions. It is a simple way to achieve this visual effect.

Prestige is an excellent choice for data centres. Not only do Prestige tiles have excellent acoustic properties, they are also ISO 5 certified and are easily cleaned with a dry cloth or soft brush. They are rated 95% for Relative Humidity, so they maintain their appearance in warm and humid conditions.

Should the worst happen, Prestige tiles have been classified to EN 13501-1 fire standard and are rated A2-s1,d0, so they do not significantly contribute to the fire load and fire growth.

Prestige can be specified in common areas in healthcare settings like hospitals. For instance, Prestige SL2 planks are an excellent choice for hospital corridors. They are also ideal for waiting areas and entrance lobbies. However, Prestige ceiling tiles do not offer antimicrobial performance. Where antimicrobial performance is required, Bioguard Acoustic or Bioguard Plain should be specified instead.

Prestige dB can be specified with a wide range of Axiom canopy frames.

The Prestige family (comprising Prestige, Prestige hA and Prestige dB) is our most flexible product range. It offers two different sound absorption classes, Class A and Class C, to suit different indoor environments. Prestige dB provides sound attenuation levels of 41dB, making them an excellent solution for private offices.

Prestige products have a finer surface texture for a superior visual finish. They are available to order in a wider range of edge details, sizes and shapes, and come in 35 colours.

The Aruba family provides Class C sound absorption and has a top sound attenuation rating of 39dB. Fewer edge details are available and its surface texture isn’t quite as fine as the Prestige products. The Aruba family is extremely flexible and suits a different type of project to the Prestige range.

Prestige dB is ideal for individual private offices, board rooms, and other adjacent spaces. It is typically specified in high end office developments.

In large open plan department stores, it’s important to improve intelligibility at payment counters. Installing a suspended ceiling like Canopies or Axiom Canopies above customer service points, or even Wall Absorbers, will absorb sound from the surrounding space and make it easier for people to understand each other.

Architects and specifiers use Axiom Canopies to create different ceiling effects in open spaces. As a floating ceiling system, Axiom Canopies can be suspended at different heights, adding visual excitement to the ceiling plane. As well as being visually appealing, they also absorb sound from above and below, helping to reduce sound reverberation – basically, they make a space less ‘echoey’.

Zentia’s Canopies and Baffles can also be used in retail units. They are quick and easy for contractors to install straight from the box, so projects are completed fast.

ICC-ES recognizes Zentia Seismic Rx Suspension Systems as seismic code compliant solutions to meet ESR-1308. This evaluation and confirmation by ICC-ES provides evidence supporting the Zentia Seismic RX as a code-compliant alternative to IBC requirements. The performance of the Zentia Seismic Rx System is based on a specific combination of components and methods of installation.

Indoor air comfort refers to air quality inside a building. Many different elements affect indoor air quality, including everything from temperature and humidity levels to ventilation and building materials. Zentia ceilings support indoor air comfort because they have low levels of VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions.

VOCs are microscopic particles that building materials can continue emitting after their manufacture. In some cases, these particles can be toxic to human health. This can have an impact on productivity in the workplace as well as wellbeing.

Natural light has a big impact on human health, productivity and wellbeing. Office workers exposed to natural light during their working days sleep longer and better. Students in classrooms with larger windows perform better than those working in darker spaces. Good ceiling design has an important role to play in diffusing natural light around an interior.

Choosing ceiling tiles with high light reflectance can also help reduce energy consumption by reducing reliance on artificial light.

High humidity can cause suspended ceilings to sag, so it’s important to specify the right ceiling tiles in humid environments. Look for ceiling tiles rated 95% RH (Relative Humidity) resistant or higher. For extra performance and moisture resistance, specify these ceiling tiles with a corrosion resistant grid like Prelude 24 Corrosive Resistant.

As the UK’s weather becomes more volatile, it’s becoming more important to design ceilings that can adapt to different indoor environments. Heat, humidity, cold and draughts can all combine to produce mould and mildew, with potential health impacts for building occupants. Humidity resistant ceiling tiles like Serene hA or Aruba hH have an important part to play in building health.

Fire reaction refers to the surface burning of materials and the rate at which they contribute to the growth of a developing fire within a particular area.

Fire resistance is concerned (after the fire has developed) with preventing the fire from spreading through the building and attacking and destroying elements of structure.

This is the harmonised European classification for the fire reaction performance of building materials which may appear (in descending order of significance) as A1, A2, B, C, D, E or F.

Also, and depending upon national market legislation, additional information regarding smoke production and flaming droplets or particles may be required, for example A2-s1, d0.

In relation to suspended ceilings, fire resistance can only be achieved by a combined tile and grid system. There is no such thing as a fire resistant tile or a fire resistant grid.

Depending upon national market legislation, the type of structure to be protected i.e. wood, concrete or steel, and our product offer, our Zentia ceiling systems can typically provide 30 or 60 minutes of protection. Full details of the ceiling type and construction, protected structure and tested time are given in each fire report, copies of which are available on request.

The need for clips depends upon national market legislation, practice and product offer. Get in touch to discuss the issue with our experts. (link to contact page)

If your enquiry relates only to the fire reaction performance of Zentia ceilings, then hold-down clips are not necessary for this application.

To some extent this depends upon national market legislation and test performance, so our experts will be able to tell you which products are tested and the performance that they provide.

Within the EU, there is a system that describes three basic criteria for fire resistance as REI. These are defined as:

R = load bearing (capacity to provide structural stability)

E = integrity (capacity to remain intact)

I = insulation (capacity to maintain a defined temperature on the unexposed side of the building element).

Each member state is free to determine the criteria that shall apply within their own markets, so these letters may also appear as RE or EI and all three combinations will be followed by a number e.g. EI 30, indicating the minimum time in minutes that protection can or must be maintained.

This is dependent on national market legislation, the type of structure to be protected, and our product offer. Please get in touch with our experts, who will be able to advise you on the specific products that can be used.

The fire protection of buildings can be “active”, for example the use of detectors, automatic alarms (to people and emergency services), water sprinklers or gaseous systems. Or it can be “passive”, which is the provision of suitably tested lining materials and building constructions which inhibit the growth and spread of fire.

Have the light fittings been successfully tested or assessed by a recognised expert in conjunction with the proposed Zentia ceiling?

If they have not, you should speak to the relevant fire authority and obtain approval before commencing the Zentia ceiling installation. You should rely on unauthorised methods, such as overlaying or surrounding the lighting fittings with ‘fire blankets’, mineral wool pads or offcuts from the ceiling tiles, to assume that the ceiling’s fire resistance will not be compromised.

In the event of a detected fire, a GFP system will rapidly release an inert gas into the room that will suppress and extinguish the fire without damaging the room’s contents. The rapid introduction of the gas will result in a significant over-pressure within the room, albeit of a short duration. This could result in lay-in ceiling tiles being lifted from the grid if sufficient and suitable pressure relief devices have not been included as part of the GFPS installation.

You should consult with your client to see if hold-down clips (e.g. BP A7890) are required to minimise tile movement. The use of metal clip-in tiles is an ideal solution for these types of installation because the positive gas pressure cannot dislodge the tiles from their grid.

If you are just relying on the partition/grid fixings to locate the partition, this should not adversely affect the ceiling’s structural fire protection, provided you ensure that the partition is not fixed to a main runner either side of the grid’s expansion cut-out which would prevent it from activating in the event of a fire.

However, if you are also using the ceiling grid to provide lateral restraint to the partition then, in the event of a fire, this could contribute to the premature collapse of the ceiling system with the consequential loss of protection to the structure.

If it is this second reason why you want to provide the partition/grid fixings, you should speak to the relevant building control and/or fire authority and obtain approval before commencing the installation.

In general, any overlay that is added directly to the back of a Zentia suspended ceiling to try to increase its fire, thermal or acoustic performance, and which has not been successfully tested or assessed by a recognised expert in conjunction with the ceiling, could have an adverse effect on the structural fire protection and fire reaction properties of the ceiling system.

You should not undertake the installation of any overlay for this purpose without speaking to the relevant fire authority and obtaining approval.

UK and Republic of Ireland Building Regulations require that building linings, such as suspended ceilings, meet the appropriate fire reaction performance depending on the area of application.

Fire reaction performance for suspended ceilings is shown using the Euroclass fire reaction classification. Products achieving B-s2,d3 (or better) are defined as Class 0 in the Building Regulations – a performance that is easily met by all Zentia ceiling products. This means that they can be used in all areas of a building.

According to research, employees’ cognitive function across a number of functions is improved by low VOC office environments, by up to 61% on average. Particularly large spikes in improvement are seen in crisis response, information usage, and strategy. Zentia’s low VOC-emitting ceiling tiles can contribute to a more productive workforce, as well as helping projects meet green building standards like BREEAM and WELL.

The right light reflective ceiling can make a big difference to employee wellbeing, particularly when paired with natural lighting. Employees who are exposed to natural light during working hours report a 51% drop in the incidence of eyestrain, a 63% drop in the incidence of headaches and a 56% reduction in drowsiness, enhancing productivity.

Bright working environments can also reduce the amount of electricity used on artificial lighting, so there are financial benefits to high light reflecting ceilings, too.

Zentia ceiling solutions can be used in office refurb or refit projects, just as they can on new office projects.

Zentia’s Ultima+, Perla, and Dune eVo ceiling tiles are all Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze. As part of achieving certification, they received a Gold rating for Material Health. Our ceiling suspension systems are Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver. You can download Zentia’s Cradle to Cradle product certifications here.

Cradle to Cradle Certified is the world’s most advanced science-based, multi-attribute certification programme for designing, making, and verifying materials and products that are safe, circular and responsibly made. Cradle to Cradle Certified products are awarded certification based upon their performance across five critical areas of sustainability: Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air & Climate Protection, Water & Soil Stewardship, and Social Fairness.

Cradle to Cradle Certified® is a registered trademark of the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

A wide range of Zentia ceiling solutions provide BREEAM building requirements, as well as SKA, LEED, and WELL. You can find out more here.

Zentia is on a sustainability journey of its own and we are working hard to research our key improvement areas. Zentia has recently established a sustainability committee to assess our environmental impact in more depth, beyond the scope of our ISO 14001 certification. We intend to set rigorous and trackable goals that will have a positive, measurable impact on our manufacturing processes and reduce our carbon footprint.

Zentia’s off-cut recycling service is open to Pinnacle Approved Partners. As specialist ceiling contractors, they can take their off-cut ceiling tiles to specific distributor branches and return them to Zentia for recycling. Get in touch with our Pinnacle Partner Manager to find out more.

For restrooms and cloakrooms that include shower facilities, we recommend suspended ceiling tiles with good humidity resistance such as Hydroboard, Ceramaguard, and Dune eVo Max. For restrooms that are less humid, mineral tiles such as Dune eVo and Perla OP dB can be good solutions depending on project requirements. Please get in touch to speak with one of our experts. 

Ceiling tiles that are Class A rated for sound absorption will reduce background noise and sound reverberation – the amount of echo within a space. When you need to create a peaceful interior, ceiling solutions like Ultima+ OP, Perla OP 0.95 and Optima can be good options.

Canopies and Baffles are floating ceiling solutions that absorb sound from both sides of the board, unlike a suspended ceiling tile which is fixed to a metal grid and exposed to sound only on one side. The more Canopies and Baffles that are installed in an open space, the better the sound absorption, and the more background noise levels are reduced, making concourse areas feel more relaxed and open.

Noise Reduction Coefficient is a method for providing a single number rating of sound absorption. It is defined in ASTM C423 as the arithmetical average of the measured sound absorption coefficients for the four one-third octave band frequencies centred at 250, 500, 1000 & 2000 Hz, rounded to the nearest 0.05. This US based system has been used extensively in Europe for many years but is now becoming less popular with the advent of the Weighted Sound Absorption Coefficient αw.

Alpha w (weighted sound absorption coefficient) is a method for converting a wide frequency based range of sound absorption coefficient values into a single number, but this is done using a curve fitting process. More complex to derive, Alpha w is considered to be more representative of how the human ear interprets sound. The method is fully described in EN ISO 11654 and has now become the preferred European unit for making a simple and rapid comparison of sound absorption performance.

No. Although they are both single number descriptors of sound absorption neither one can be deduced from the other as there is no direct relationship between them.

This is a system for the classification of Alpha w values which is defined in EN ISO 11654. Because it groups consecutive Alpha w values together into six broad-bands (each successively identified as A to E & ‘Not classified’), it is not so precise and therefore provides less useful detail than when individual Alpha w values are specified or selected.