Ceiling Tiles for Suspended Ceilings: Choosing Between Tile Families
Jawdah ceiling tiles are non-metal modular tiles — gypsum and glass-fibre reinforced gypsum (GRG), plain or acoustically perforated — that rest in exposed T-15 or T-24 grids, with mineral fibre and mineral wool listed as further tile categories.
A suspended tile ceiling is a grid of light modules hung below the structural slab. Each module holds a removable tile, so the void above stays open for ducts, cabling, sprinklers and luminaires. The tile is the visible, replaceable layer; its core material decides how the ceiling behaves in fire tests, in humid rooms and in noisy spaces.
This page is the starting point for Jawdah's non-metal tile range. It explains what separates gypsum tiles from GRG tiles, when a perforated acoustic face is worth specifying, how mineral fibre and mineral wool tiles are generally used, and which questions to settle before a request for quotation. For metal tiles, see Metal Ceiling Tiles.
Quick answer
Ceiling tiles are removable panels that sit in an exposed suspension grid to form a suspended ceiling. Jawdah's non-metal range covers gypsum tiles (7.5 to 15 mm, square lay-on edge) and GRG tiles (12.5 mm, lay-on, lay-in or tegular edge), each in plain or acoustic perforated versions, in 600x600 mm and 600x1200 mm, PVC laminated or painted, for T-15 and T-24 grids. Mineral fibre and mineral wool tile data is confirmed on request.
What the ceiling tile family covers
The approved Jawdah inventory groups ceiling tiles into three branches: Gypsum Ceiling Tiles, Mineral Fiber Tiles and Mineral Wool Tiles. The gypsum branch is the one with full technical data. It holds plain gypsum tiles, acoustical perforated gypsum tiles, plain GRG tiles and acoustical perforated GRG tiles, all with PVC laminated or painted faces.
Mineral fibre and mineral wool tiles are part of the inventory, but Jawdah's product data does not yet publish their sizes, edges, acoustic values or fire classes. Those pages explain the material types in general terms and ask the project team to confirm item data with Jawdah before specification.
Metal ceiling tiles (aluminum, galvanized steel and stainless steel) are a separate family under Metal Ceilings and are not covered here.
Jawdah tile data at a glance
The table compares the four gypsum-based tile products that Jawdah publishes. Every value comes from the Jawdah product data; where a cell says 'varies', Jawdah states that weight or density depends on thickness and type.
| Tile | Thickness | Edge | Sizes | Back face |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain gypsum (PVC laminated / painted) | 7.5 | 9.5 | 12.5 | 15 mm | Square (Lay-On) | 600x600 mm and 600x1200 mm (Metric / Imperial) | Aluminum foil |
| Acoustical perforated gypsum | 9.5 | 12.5 mm | Square (Lay-On) | 600x600 mm and 600x1200 mm (Metric / Imperial) | White fiberglass acoustical tissue |
| Plain GRG | 12.5 mm | Square (Lay-On) / Lay-In / Lay-In Tegular | 600x600 mm (Metric / Imperial); 600x1200 mm Lay-On (Metric) | Aluminum foil |
| Acoustical perforated GRG | 12.5 mm | Square (Lay-On) / Lay-In / Lay-In Tegular | 600x600 mm (Metric / Imperial); 600x1200 mm Lay-On (Metric) | White fiberglass acoustical tissue |
GRG tiles: weight 10.25 Kg/M2 and minimum core density 820 Kg/M3. Gypsum tiles: weight and core density vary according to thickness and type.
Tile families and when each is used
Gypsum tiles suit general interior ceilings where a clean, wipeable face and simple lift-out access matter more than impact strength. They come in the widest thickness range and in four board types: Regular (RG), Moisture Resistance (MR), Fire Resistance (FR) and Fire & Moisture Resistance (FMR).
GRG tiles add glass-fibre reinforcement to the gypsum core. Jawdah describes GRG as giving harder edges and tighter dimensional stability, and the GRG data lists impact resistance among its features. GRG is also the only Jawdah tile offered with lay-in and tegular edges as well as lay-on.
Mineral fibre and mineral wool tiles are, in general practice, chosen where a lightweight, fibrous tile with an absorptive face is wanted. Their Jawdah-specific data is pending, so they should not be specified from this page alone.
- [Gypsum Ceiling Tiles](/en/products/ceilings/ceiling-tiles/gypsum/) — plain and perforated, RG/MR/FR/FMR
- [GRG Ceiling Tiles](/en/products/ceilings/ceiling-tiles/grg/) — reinforced core, three edge options
- [Mineral Fiber Tiles](/en/products/ceilings/ceiling-tiles/mineral-fiber/) — data on request
- [Mineral Wool Tiles](/en/products/ceilings/ceiling-tiles/mineral-wool/) — data on request
Where tile ceilings are specified
Jawdah lists halls, computer rooms, utility rooms, hospitals, shops, offices, airports and exhibition centers as application areas for its plain gypsum and plain GRG tiles. The perforated acoustic versions extend that list to auditoriums, cinemas, conference rooms and studios.
In Saudi Arabia these ceilings appear most often in office fit-outs, healthcare buildings, schools, retail and public facilities, where services above the ceiling need frequent access and the ceiling finish must stay easy to clean.
Core materials and faces
A gypsum tile is a gypsum core cast into a thin slab. Jawdah states that its gypsum tile material complies with American ASTM C1396 and European EN-520, and is tested as per C473-06a / Clause 11, 12 & 13. A GRG tile uses Fiber Glass Reinforced gypsum, where the glass fibres hold the core together under handling and edge loads.
The visible face is either PVC laminated or painted. Jawdah offers more than 20 PVC lamination film colours and painted finish options, and anti-bacterial paint upon request. The back face differs by product: aluminum foil on plain tiles and white fiberglass acoustical tissue on perforated tiles.
Standards and test references, product by product
Test references belong to specific products and must not be moved between them. For plain gypsum tiles, Jawdah states fire resistance as Class E, acceptable as per BS EN 13501-1:2007; light reflectance more than 0.8 according to BS 8493:2008; water vapour transmission according to ASTM E 96-00; and thermal insulation acceptable as per BS EN 1602:1997.
Plain GRG tiles carry the same light reflectance, water vapour and thermal references. The perforated gypsum and GRG tiles carry the acoustic references instead: NRC and SAA from 0.25 up to 0.9 according to BS EN ISO 354, BS EN ISO 11654 and ASTM C423. No fire class is stated for GRG or perforated tiles in Jawdah's data, so it must be requested if the specification needs one.
Design decisions that narrow the choice
Start with the room. A dry office corridor and a hospital ward with frequent cleaning do not need the same tile. Moisture exposure points toward MR or FMR gypsum types or GRG; hygiene points toward PVC laminated faces or anti-bacterial paint; reverberation points toward a perforated face with acoustic tissue.
Then fix the module. Both 600x600 mm and 600x1200 mm are available, but the 600x1200 mm GRG tile is supplied lay-on only. If a tegular or lay-in edge is required on a long module, confirm the layout with Jawdah before drawings are frozen.
Suspension grid compatibility
All Jawdah gypsum and GRG tiles are designed for exposed T-24 and T-15 Tee-Grid suspension systems. The system contents listed for the tiles are the Main Tee, Cross Tee 120, Cross 60 and Wall angle, with Rod Hangers, Adjustment Clips and Anchor Bolts as suspension accessories.
Jawdah's T-grid data lists compatibility with square edge (lay-on), lay-in, tegular edge and clip-in ceiling tiles, in metric and imperial sizes. See T-Grid Systems for grid thicknesses and colours.
Installation sequence in brief
The grid is set out from the room centre lines, wall angles are fixed to the perimeter, hangers are anchored to the slab, and main tees and cross tees are levelled before any tile is placed. Tiles go in last, after above-ceiling services are tested, so that faces are not marked by follow-on trades.
Jawdah holds an Installation Manual and Tests for its gypsum tile systems in hard copy; ask the Jawdah team for them when preparing method statements.
Common selection mistakes
Most tile problems on site trace back to a specification that mixed up product families or carried a value from one product to another.
- Quoting the acoustic NRC range for a plain, unperforated tile
- Assuming the Class E reference for plain gypsum also covers GRG or perforated tiles
- Treating moisture resistant tiles as suitable for wet or external areas
- Ordering 600x1200 mm GRG with a tegular edge, which is listed lay-on only
- Specifying mineral fibre values from another supplier's datasheet without Jawdah confirmation
- Leaving grid type (T-15 or T-24) open until after tiles are ordered
Care and access over the ceiling's life
Jawdah describes its gypsum and GRG tiles as easy to clean. A PVC laminated face can be wiped with a damp cloth and mild detergent; painted faces should be cleaned more gently. Lift tiles with clean gloves, never by pushing the face, and replace any tile that has been wetted or stained rather than repainting it in place.
Quick decision guide
Use the table as a first filter, then confirm the choice on the product page.
| Project need | Start with |
|---|---|
| Economical, clean ceiling in dry interiors | Plain gypsum tile, RG type |
| Humidity in the room | MR or FMR gypsum tile, or GRG tile |
| Sound absorption | Acoustical perforated gypsum or GRG tile |
| Harder edges, lay-in or tegular look | Plain or acoustical perforated GRG tile |
| Thinnest tile | Plain gypsum tile from 7.5 mm |
| Mineral fibre or mineral wool specified | Request Jawdah item data first |
Why source tiles and grid from Jawdah
Jawdah Industrial Co. Ltd. manufactures gypsum ceiling tiles and supplies the matching T-grid suspension and hanging accessories, so one supplier answers for tile, grid and fixings. The Gypsum Ceiling System Catalogue and the technical data sheet for each tile are available from the Jawdah team on request.
Key facts
- Jawdah's ceiling tile range comprises gypsum ceiling tiles, mineral fiber tiles and mineral wool tiles.
- Jawdah gypsum ceiling tiles are available in 7.5, 9.5, 12.5 and 15 mm with a square lay-on edge.
- Jawdah GRG ceiling tiles are 12.5 mm thick, weigh 10.25 Kg/M2 and have a minimum core density of 820 Kg/M3.
- Jawdah gypsum and GRG tiles are made in 600x600 mm and 600x1200 mm for exposed T-24 and T-15 grids.
- Jawdah acoustical perforated gypsum and GRG tiles have NRC and SAA from 0.25 up to 0.9 according to BS EN ISO 354, BS EN ISO 11654 and ASTM C423.
- Jawdah states Class E, acceptable as per BS EN 13501-1:2007, for its plain gypsum ceiling tiles.
- Jawdah offers more than 20 PVC lamination film colours and paint finishes, with anti-bacterial paint upon request.
- Jawdah does not publish sizes or acoustic values for mineral fibre or mineral wool tiles; these are confirmed on request.
RFQ / BOQ checklist
- Tile family: gypsum, GRG, mineral fibre or mineral wool
- Face: plain or acoustical perforated (state GYPCO PE pattern if perforated)
- Tile size: 600x600 mm or 600x1200 mm, metric or imperial
- Thickness and type (RG, MR, FR or FMR for gypsum)
- Edge: square lay-on, lay-in or tegular (GRG only)
- Finish: PVC laminated film colour or paint; anti-bacterial paint if required
- Grid: T-24 or T-15, plus grid colour
- Fire, moisture and acoustic requirements from the specification
- Ceiling area per zone and room schedule
- Reflected ceiling plans and section details
- Project location in Saudi Arabia and delivery site
- Documents needed for submittal (TDS, catalogue, tests)
Frequently asked questions
What types of ceiling tiles does Jawdah offer?
Jawdah publishes data for gypsum and GRG ceiling tiles, each in plain and acoustical perforated versions with PVC laminated or painted faces. Mineral fibre and mineral wool tiles are listed in the range; their item data is confirmed by Jawdah on request.
What is the difference between gypsum and GRG ceiling tiles?
GRG tiles have glass-fibre reinforcement in the gypsum core. Jawdah's GRG tiles are 12.5 mm thick, weigh 10.25 Kg/M2 and have a minimum core density of 820 Kg/M3, and they are offered with lay-on, lay-in and tegular edges. Gypsum tiles are lay-on only and come from 7.5 mm.
Which tile sizes are available?
600x600 mm and 600x1200 mm. For gypsum tiles both sizes are listed as metric or imperial. For GRG tiles, 600x600 mm is metric or imperial with all three edges, and 600x1200 mm is metric and lay-on only.
Which grid do the tiles need?
Jawdah gypsum and GRG tiles are designed for exposed T-24 and T-15 Tee-Grid suspension systems with main tees, cross tees and wall angles, hung on rod hangers with adjustment clips and anchor bolts.
Are the tiles acoustic?
Only the perforated versions. Acoustical perforated gypsum and GRG tiles have NRC and SAA from 0.25 up to 0.9 according to BS EN ISO 354, BS EN ISO 11654 and ASTM C423, depending on the perforation pattern. Plain tiles carry no acoustic rating in Jawdah's data.
What fire classification do the tiles have?
Jawdah states Class E, acceptable as per BS EN 13501-1:2007, for its plain gypsum tiles. That reference is not stated for GRG or perforated tiles, so request the applicable fire data from Jawdah if your specification requires a class.
Can ceiling tiles be used in humid areas?
Moisture Resistance (MR) and Fire & Moisture Resistance (FMR) gypsum types, and GRG tiles, are intended for higher humidity. Moisture resistance only limits damage from humid air; tiles should not be exposed to standing water or direct wetting.
Does Jawdah have data for mineral fibre tiles?
Not in its published product data. Sizes, edge details, acoustic values and fire classes for mineral fibre and mineral wool tiles must be confirmed with the Jawdah team for each project before they are specified.
Which documents can I request?
The Gypsum Ceiling System Catalogue, a technical data sheet for each gypsum and GRG tile, and the Installation Manual and Tests, which are available in hard copy. Ask the Jawdah team for the documents your submittal needs.
Need help choosing a ceiling tile?
Send your room schedule, ceiling plans and performance requirements. The Jawdah team will propose the tile, edge, finish and T-grid for each zone and share the matching data sheets.