Picture yourself on a psychologist’s couch. In the midst of analyzing your latest noteworthy dream (the one where you’re climbing the Escher-esque staircase in oh-too-real bunny slippers), the therapist asks you to take a deep breath and do some free-associating. Summer: Warm. Skyscraper: Tall. Office: Work. Ceiling Tile: Boring. Yes, for most of the design-oriented, the term “ceiling tile” conjures up words like building standard, monotonous and necessary evil. But that’s all about to change. And if Kenmark has its way, you’ll soon be using a whole new vocabulary – green, decorative, cost-effective – to describe the newest product to hit their warehouse: Featherlite® Ceiling System by Glass Textiles North America. Continue: Please…
Let’s cover a little background to bring you up to speed.
The interior design biz can be a bit confusing. There are practically a billion products out there to choose from. Some manufacturers have their own direct reps, and others provide service through wholesale distribution companies who represent a range of product to designers, architects and contractors. Kenmark, Inc. is one of the latter. They proclaim themselves “Your Personal Interior Product Specialists.” Pretty weighty words, but Kenmark can back ‘em up.
This group – which has been around for over 20 years – is addicted to covering interior surfaces with functional finishes. Just check out some of what they’ve got:
- heaven on a roll: vinyl wallcovering, pre-finished wood veneers and acoustical wallcarpet
- under pressure: high pressure laminates and metals for both horizontal and vertical surfaces
- color me beautiful: multicolor coatings (the alternative to plain ol’ paint)
- writing on the wall: chalk & marker boards, dry erase wallcoverings
- get down on the floor: high performance vinyl tiles, wood planks and laminate flooring
These guys, however, are not just schlepping schtuff. If you get in a bind and need guidance (and who doesn’t once in a while”), they can help you at various points along the way by providing expert advice on everything from appropriate product selection to specification speak to maintenance dos and don’ts.
But floors, walls and millwork just weren’t enough for these guys. They just had to get their busy little hands on ceilings too. Therefore, let us introduce the newest member of their product family (drum roll please)…
Featherlite® Ceiling Systems Collection
by Glass Textiles North America (GTNA)
So what’s the big deal” Let’s run down the list:
It performs. The Novice might be thinking, “What in the world does a ceiling need to do but just lie there and cover up the ugly stuff”” Ah, naïve one – let us enlighten you. Building codes require that materials and structures provide fire protection, and Featherlite® boasts a top-notch rating of Class A. Plus, it has better mold and mildew resistance than other established tiles, so it’s more likely to prevent the spread of nasty allergy-causing agents. Lastly, using an open cell process covered with a 1 inch (2.54 centimeter) acoustical board insert (Whispertone Plus®), the acoustic line boasts a minimum NRC of 0.90 – perfect for places where you need to hush up the racket.
It’s pretty. Let’s face it – most ceiling tiles are ugly, but Featherlite® should definitely improve the product’s rep, encouraging its use for more upscale applications. The 2’ x 2’ coffered or flat lay-in tiles are available in a variety (10 to be exact) of designs ranging from ultra-decorative to funky modern to traditional linear.
It’s skinny. "Lite" as a feather” Well, not quite. It’s thicker (1/2") than most of the competitors, yet lighter in weight. And it’s most definitely lighter than the old school plaster that some of the tile designs emulate. Think of it as Diet Ceiling Tile at only 1.5 pounds per square foot (5.62 kilograms per square meter). Lighter weight equals easier installation and less stress on the structure. Happy installers are better installers, and less stress is always good.
It’s cheap. Oops, we mean inexpensive. The variety of choices in the product line provides plenty of budget options, and compared to other upscale ceiling treatments and labor-intensive plaster, Featherlite® is definitely a cost-effective answer. In other words, you can achieve the appearance of high-end detailing without the added time and expense. Who doesn’t like that”
It’s versatile. Depending on the nature of your project, sometimes you want to spice it up a little, so take advantage of the available custom finishes and colors if your client can see past the standard white. This flexibility allows for a range of possibilities when it comes to application: hospitality (hotel ballrooms, casinos and restaurants); healthcare (hospitals, clinics and long-term care); corporate (offices, training facilities, call centers); educational (universities, primary education); and even residential (new construction or remodel for kitchens, dining rooms, studies)
It’s green. Composed of 70% (by volume) post-consumer recycled glass, together with traditional gypsum, it’s the most sustainable ceiling tile on the market and alternative to the long-established fiber-reinforced variety. Not only does it help lower the amount of waste glass in the environment, but Featherlite® also reduces the propagation of mold and mildew, improving air quality. Every little bit helps, you know.
Not yet convinced, want to know more or ready to specify” Then get online or get on the horn. Be nice and give the customer service agents something to do.
KENMARK Incorporated
www.kenmarkinc.com
AUSTIN : 800-292-1230 p 210-824-8665 f
DALLAS/FT. WORTH: 214-348-8000 p 214-348-3252 f
HOUSTON : 281-445-1200 p 281-445-8218 f
SAN ANTONIO : 210-824-8277 p 210-824-8665 f
