Looking Up: The Fifth Wall Has Always Mattered
Discover the history of pressed metal ceilings and explore how these beautifully crafted architectural details continue to inspire today's residential, hospitality, workplace, and adaptive reuse projects.
What are pressed metal ceilings, and why are they still popular in interior design?
Pressed metal ceilings, often called tin ceilings, are decorative panels traditionally made from tin-coated steel that became popular in the late nineteenth century. Originally developed as an affordable alternative to ornate plaster ceilings, they brought elegant architectural detail to homes, hotels, train stations, banks, and commercial buildings. Today, designers continue to use both historic and newly manufactured pressed metal ceilings to add texture, craftsmanship, and visual interest while celebrating the "fifth wall" as an integral part of the interior experience.
