The Disadvantages of Paper Ceiling Tiles

Moisture

• From above, any moisture or water soaking through the ceiling damages the paper tiles. Paper does not allow water to run off without taking some of it in; when the paper becomes moist, it gets soft and sometimes mushy. The same holds true of ceiling tiles.

  With a greater thickness than a sheet of paper, the ceiling tile not only soaks in the water, it retains it for a while, until the water evaporates. By the time that happens, there is no guarantee about the tile's appearance — whether or not it has permanent water stains — or that the structural integrity of each tile can remain intact.

Rising Steam

• Moisture rising from below, such as steam from a pot, old-fashioned steam heater or humidifier, presents a similar disadvantage. While the concern about the tiles being soaked with water is minimized with the source of the moisture coming from below, the collection of steam on their surfaces still condenses and forms moisture deposits that eventually cause the tiles to warp and have water stains over time.

Discoloration

• With or without moisture, paper exposed to air discolors. The chemical components within the paper tiles themselves cause yellowing of the paper and sometimes browning of their edges, much like a very old book. The change in color dramatically transforms the room's color palette, in an unfavorable way. Besides replacing the paper tiles completely, the only other option to correct this problem is to design a new color theme for the room that highlights the ceiling tiles' discoloration — a feat that requires a special eye for design to convert something worth discarding into an accenting room feature.

Brittleness

• After the paper tiles start to break down, there is little that can be done to correct this problem. Paper, just like its natural wood form, decomposes over time. Paper tiles decompose, unless they are infused with a preservative solution during the manufacturing process. Do not attempt to clean, move or repair a paper tile that looks brittle, because this causes more damage to the tiles. While paper tiles have their disadvantages, delicate handling, care, proper lighting and moisture control extends the life of the tiles.

Health Concerns

• Old paper tiles pose a threat to human and pet health when it comes to the materials they are made of. Some old tiles contain asbestos, which require professional removal. Dust from decomposing paper tiles causes breathing disturbances, an immediate concern for immunocompromised people.