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Genesis Tile Basics

Tile Fire Ratings

Material used for Genesis Tiles

Genesis vs. Other Tiles

Cleaning or Painting Tiles

Mold, Bacteria and Mildew Issues


FAQ


FAQ = Frequently asked questions, a list of questions and answers, commonly asked in some context, and pertaining to a particular topic.

Installation FAQ

Difference between Tiles

Ceiling Tile Types

Drop or Suspended Ceiling Tile Definition

  Ceiling Grid Types

A/C Diffusers and Returns

 

Genesis tile basics

Q. Are your tiles resistant to any stain or spots?

A. Yes, since our tile is a PVC tile they will not water spot, stains due to smoke, grease. etc can be removed as long as they are cleaned on a regular basis.

 

Q. Is your tile easy to clean?

A. Yes, you can power wash or use soap and water, a degreaser, etc to clean the tile(s).

 

Q. Do your tiles bow, bend or sag in humidity or warp like most do?

A. No, they can handle humidity with no problem.

 

Q. impact Damage?

A. Genesis unlike most tiles are impact damage resistant. So when someone has to work above the tiles due to a/c, plumping or electrical issues they cannot be damaged as with most others. Even when installing a percentage of normal tiles are list due to damages installing and of course when working above, Genesis will not have these issues.

 

Q. What about UV?

A. Our tiles are UV resistant.

 

Q. Who are Genesis tiles compliant with?

A. USDA, FDA, CFIA (Canada), Health Department, Fire Marshall,  compliant.

 

Q. Genesis tiles fire rating?

A. Genesis tiles are Class A flame spread index (fsi) and smoke development index (sdi). Class A flame spread is 0-25 ours is 20 and smoke index 0-450 ours is 200. Fire rating is Class A needed in most indoor areas for the public, Class B which is restricted use and Class C which is restricted even more.

 

Q. Are there any other tiles on the market like Genesis?

A. One but it's smoke index is 800 so it is not even a Class C much less Class A  and should not be used indoors.

 

Q. What temperature can your tiles withstand?

A. Our tiles can withstand between 130-140 degrees before they get soft most commercial kitchens or even outdoor use will never reach a constant 120  degrees much less 130 or above.

 

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Fire Rating for all tiles

Q. What about fire rating?

A. Class A flame spread index (fsi) and smoke development index (sdi). Class A flame spread is 0-25 ours is 20 and smoke index 0-450 ours is 200. Fire rating is Class A needed in most indoor areas for the public, Class B which is restricted use and Class C which is restricted even more.

 

Q. What about hour rated tiles?

A. Hour rated tiles are called for where the ceiling above the drop ceiling is wood and there is a level above it, this is asked for to protect those above long enough to get out before the fire reaches them. Unfortunately some in the industry have learned how to side step this issue and have an entire assembly (grid and tiles) tested  and then they get for the assembly 1-3 hour rating. The problem is most other tiles are made of wood or mineral fiber and will not last even an hour much less 2-3, but since the metal grid is still there after 1-3 hours they get the rating. But this can mislead many into a false security that they have the protection  they need in a fire. The only true protection would be use a high end ceramic or steel tile or even better install a sprinkler system where each sprinkler head covers  only a 100 sq ft section. IE if you have 1000 sq ft you would need 10 sprinkler heads.

 

 

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Materials used to make Genesis Tiles

Q. What is your tile made of?

A. PVC.

 

Q. What is PVC?

A. PVC is a very strong and very rigid plastic.

 

Q. What does PVC stand for?

A. PVC is short for poly(vinyl chloride).

  

Q. Do Genesis Tiles give off any odor or smell?

A. No, there are many forms of PVC, that used in new cars gives the new car smell,  that used for shower curtains gives off the odor you may have noticed with most shower curtains.. Then there are those such as with Genesis that have no odor at all.

 

Q. Is PVC used for anything else?

A. CPVC is used to make pipes (plumbing) in new homes, PVC is used for sidings for newer homes, the inside of airplanes, new cars, shower curtains, shampoo bottles, most soft drink and water bottles, etc.

 

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Genesis vs. other tiles, price, acoustics, indoor air quality (IAQ)

Q. What cost benefit is there to using your tile over others?

A. Depending on the tile you were going to use, in some cases ours will be cheaper, but, no matter what tile you use ours will be much cheaper in the long run. That is because you will not have to replace them due to A/C condensation, plumbing, A/C leaks, Roof Leaks, Mold, Mildew, Bacteria, or Sagging (due to humidity), and they will not damage as most due when anyone works above or around them and they are much easier to clean.

 

Q. What are Acoustic Tiles?

A. Acoustical tiles are porous tiles (they have holes in them) and the holes are what help with reduction of noise in an area. But as soon as dust and dirt start to fill the holes the noise reduction is decreased and in time are not doing much more than a hard ceiling does for noise.

 

Q. What about insulation value?

A. Any ceiling tile with insulation (most are low value to begin with) placed into a ceiling grid (most are, 99%) do little to insulate a ceiling because the grid is not insulated so you have a 1" gap around each tile that is not insulated. The only true way  to insulated a ceiling is to roll on insulation or blow it on.

 

Q.  What about IAQ (indoor air quality) and SBS (Sick Building Syndrome)?

A. Indoor air quality is increased when using our tiles, since our tiles are mold, bacteria, and mildew free. Sick building syndrome is decreased when using our tiles. 

 

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Cleaning or Painting

Q. Cleaning ceiling tiles?

A. Most acoustical tiles cannot be cleaned and when trying the tiles can be damaged, Genesis on the other hand can be cleaned in place by soap and water, power washing or removed and power washed.

Q. Painting ceiling tiles?

A. Most acoustical tiles cannot be painted without sealing in harmful bacteria and mold not to mention painting can alter fire rating and acoustical value. To paint a ceiling tile it needs to be removed or else when it dries it can and most of the time will stick to the grid it sits in making a huge mess when trying to remove or to work above.  This makes painting expensive and hazardous.

 

 

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Mold, bacteria, mildew issues

Q. What about Bacteria, Mold and Mildew?

A. Our tiles have passed the ASTM test for Mold, they do not grow mold, bacteria or mildew.

 

Q. What about Bio Blocks applied to acoustical tiles for Bacteria and Mold?

A. They work great for up to 25 years as  long as they do not get wet, even moisture from A/C Condensation, Pipe Leaks, Roof Leaks. Which means bio blocks or chemicals added to help block bacteria, mold, etc are only good as long as the tile remains totally dry..

 

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INSTALLATION, How to and Where

Q. How difficult are your tiles to install?

A. They are extremely easy to install. They will fit into any standard 2 by 2 or 2 by 4 grid layout. You might have to cut to fit as you would with any tile. Ours only require a utility knife to score the tile and then break away the unwanted area. You can cut them with a saw or hole saw.

 

Q. Will we need to use some form of clip to hold your tiles in place?

A. For the most part no, less than you would for many acoustical tiles. We installed the tiles on a porch to see how they would do in weather, such as wind, rain, etc. And to date with some wind gusts they have not moved at all and look as good as they did when we installed them.

 

Q. Where can Genesis Tiles be installed?

A. Any in standard ceiling grid for 24" x 24" or 24" x 48" ceiling grid, basically any where there most standard tiles are installed now.

 

Q. Can your tiles be used outside?

A. Those who so far who have used our tiles  outside have not had any issues. One in Houston, Texas has had them on their back  porch since 2008 with no problem. They even went through Hurricane Ike and only 2 were blown out afterwards they found them and put them back and no one can tell they went through a hurricane.

 

 

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Differences between tiles

Acoustics most acoustical tiles will lose most of their acoustical value (noise reduction capability) as the holes fill with dirt and dust which starts day 1.  Which also blocks bacteria and mold in the tile causing sick building syndrome (SBS).

No, Genesis has very little acoustical value, practically none about what a solid ceiling has. Have you ever gone into an open house for sale that has no furniture, hard floors and solid ceilings how it echoes?  But as soon as you add furniture the echo is gone, the same holds true for most areas with non acoustical tiles.. The more in an area such as furniture, carpet, etc the less there is a noise issue. But in the few times we have had noise issues, banners have been used to absorb the noise  or wall panels to absorb the noise.

Mold, Bacteria, Mildew most tiles grow mold, grow bacteria and mildew and become a huge issue for indoor air quality (IAQ) and contribute to sick building syndrome (SBS) which can cause your customers from returning and cause employees to use sick time more often reducing employee ability to give 100%. Chemicals applied such as Bio Blocks only work if the tiles do not get wet or even moist. Where with Genesis water will not cause any problems at most you may have to wipe them down. With Genesis you increase IAQ  and reduce SBS.

Water Stains/Spots most tiles are made of wood or mineral fiber and as such will water spot due to a/c condensation (which is just about anywhere an ac is used), roof leaks,  pipe leaks, concrete sweating, etc so in time you will have to either replace the tile or put up with ugly ceilings that can look unsightly to your customers not to mention the mold that could be growing in the tile causing sick building syndrome (SBS). Genesis will never water spot or stain meaning you will never have to worry about unsightly ceilings and/or mold growing in Genesis.

Sagging Tiles main reason tiles sag is due to moisture and it does not require a lot to do so when dealing with tiles made of wood or mineral fiber which is basically a paper product. The more humidity the more they will sag, Genesis will never sag due to moisture, humidity or water.

 

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Tile Types

Acoustical (acoustic) Ceiling - This ceiling type is the most common found in commercial buildings and in most office areas.  It is porous and basically appears smooth with small pinholes and crevices.  The primary function of all acoustical tile is for sound control.  There are, however, many types of acoustical tile, each with unique functions.

Standard system  -   This acoustical tile (which makes up to as much as 80% of all acoustical tiles) is used for noise absorption and as a decorative overhead surface.  The standard system tile is made of wood fiber, mineral fiber or metal pan.  This ceiling is stapled, cemented or suspended in metal framework to the existing ceiling structure.  Wood fiber tiles will absorb between 45% and 65% of the sound, which strikes their surface, mineral fiber ceilings, 55% to 80% and metal pan (perforated aluminum or steel below a mineral pad) 80% to 90%.  As long as they do not get dust or dirt in them, the more dirt and dust the less they absorb so a tile that absorbs 45% or more clean can reduce dramatically based on how dirty they get.

Glacier - This ceiling is constructed of acoustical ceiling material. However, it looks much like icicles. Glacier ceilings must be sprayed with ceiling cleaning solution from four different directions to assure complete coverage of the surface. 

Popcorn  -   This ceiling is sprayed onto a previously existing non-acoustical type ceiling already in existence.  The result is a stucco-like surface.  The disadvantage of this system is that if a stain occurs, there is no tile to replace it.

Burlap  -   Burlap is very similar to acoustical ceilings.  However, it has a greater tendency to absorb dirt directly into the fiber making it difficult to clean the tiles with one cleaning.

Vinyl-wrapped sheetrock  -   This is normal sheetrock or wallboard painted with enamel, latex or flat paint.  The enamel and latex paints allow the spray/wipe technique to be used. But the vinyl coating can peel or wear off, the sheetrock can water  stain and grow mold and becomes a major issue for restaurants and food processing plants when health department finds the latex peeling or wearing off or the tile growing mold

PVC (Plastic, Vinyl) Ceiling Tiles

Ceiling tiles that are 100% waterproof, mold, mildew and bacteria resistant, impact damage resistant, fire rated for kitchens, easy to install and maintain only requires soap and water to clean out lasts all other tiles. Can be used any where there is a standard suspended grid.

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Drop or Suspended Ceiling (Tiles)

A ceiling suspended (dropped) grid system by hangers (wires) with standard ceiling tiles (Armstrong, USG, Celotex, Ceilume, PVC) of 2' by 2' or 2 by 4' to cosmetically cover a/c ducts, wiring, etc as well insulating from up ceiling for fire protection, reduction in a/c bills, etc.

 

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Ceiling Grids

Q. What Type of Grids  are there?

A. Grid is also known as T  bar is what is suspended from the ceiling that the tiles site in traditionally is either 24" x 24" or 24' x 48".

A1. Surface mount grid for areas with low clearance normally only needs at most 1.5" made of Vinyl, Class A Flame and Smoke Rated, mounts directly to rafters or ceiling.

A2. Drop ceiling grid made of metal, aluminum, or vinyl Class A Flame and Smoke Rated or can be up to 3 hour rated, drops via anchors using wires to suspend grid mains, cross tees that connect to wall molding. Vinyl will not rust as metal will and is more durable than aluminum.

A3. Grid covers made ofr vinyl, snap on tightly to the grid, is Class A Flame and Smoke Rated, comes in white only for 1" grid, and in 20 colors for 15/16" grid. Once installed it is hard to tell that it is installed on an existing grid. Can improve looks of ceiling, makes cleaning extremely easy and reduces rusting.

 

 

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A/C Diffusers and Returns

Q. What are Diffusers?

A. An A/C Diffuser is the part that connects to the duct that sits flush in the ceiling that allows air to flow into the room, most commercial diffusers are 24" x 24"

 

Q. What are Returns?

A. An A/C Return is the part that connects to the duct that sits flush in the ceiling that allows air to flow from the room back into the a/c, most commercial returns are 24" x 24"

 

Q. What type of diffusers and returns are there?

A1. Most today are metal and they rust easily due to moisture and hard to clean and either have to be replaced or costly to maintain.

A2. We offer PVC Diffusers and Returns that are UL 94 rated, easy to clean, will not rust come in white or black. Normally cheaper than most metal diffusers and returns.

 

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