Ron's correct in that these tiles are nailed up, using a round headed copper (in your case) nail. You will have to determine in which direction they ran the tile in order to remove it. Using a "nibbing" pliers, sort of like tile cutters, will allow you to get under the nail heads. Maybe placing a thing piece (1/4") of wood on a tile to pry on will prevent damaging an adjoining tile. Personally--I'd try to remove these and save them. Modern ceiling materials just cannot match these for beauty. Good Luck and post photos of the finished project.
Renovating Copper ceilings
I just purchased an old building in fairly good shape. It was built in 1887 and has real copper ceiling tile. The problem is that it isn't in the best shape. I would like to take it down and clean it up, make sure the support structure is good and insulate the roof above it (there is at least 3 feet above the ceiling to the roof) with foam insulation.
The questions I have are:
1) How do you take it down without damaging what is good?
2) Is it possible to clean them up. There is white coating of some kind on the copper. (Yes, it really is copper not tin):thumbup:
Any other helpful hints, guides and DIY input would be helpful.
I do not have the funds to have this done professionally. I am a fairly decent carpenter, metal worker. I just don't want to screw this up. The ceiling is worth more than I paid for the building.
Thanks in advance.
The questions I have are:
1) How do you take it down without damaging what is good?
2) Is it possible to clean them up. There is white coating of some kind on the copper. (Yes, it really is copper not tin):thumbup:
Any other helpful hints, guides and DIY input would be helpful.
I do not have the funds to have this done professionally. I am a fairly decent carpenter, metal worker. I just don't want to screw this up. The ceiling is worth more than I paid for the building.
Thanks in advance.
