Armstrong Cortega vs USG Radar: Head-to-Head

Armstrong Cortega and USG Radar are the two most commonly specified mid-range ceiling tiles in commercial construction. If you're a GC, architect, or building owner choosing between them, here's an honest comparison from a contractor who installs both every week.

Quick Specs Comparison

Acoustic Performance

Both tiles land at NRC 0.55, which is standard for mid-range commercial tiles. Neither is going to win any acoustic awards, but both are solid for general office, retail, and corridor applications. If you need higher absorption, both manufacturers have premium lines — Armstrong Ultima (NRC 0.70+) and USG Halcyon (NRC 0.80).

USG Radar edges ahead on CAC at 35 vs Cortega's 33. In practice, a 2-point CAC difference is not something you'll notice between rooms. Both provide decent sound blocking through the plenum.

Appearance

Armstrong Cortega has a fine, uniform textured surface — it's clean and neutral. USG Radar has a slightly more visible texture pattern. Side by side, most people would pick Cortega as the "cleaner" looking tile, but honestly, once they're in the ceiling at 9 feet, nobody's comparing textures.

Cortega wins on light reflectance at 0.83 vs 0.80. Again, marginal in practice, but it means slightly more light bouncing back into the room, which can reduce lighting energy costs in large spaces.

Edge Profiles

Both tiles come in multiple edge options, which is important because edge detail changes the ceiling's look as much as the tile surface does.

Cortega's tegular and angled tegular edges work well with both 15/16" and 9/16" grid, giving you more design flexibility. Radar's reveal edge option creates a similar shadow line effect. For architects who want a specific look, check that the edge profile you need is available in the tile you're specifying.

See our ceiling grid specs guide for edge/grid compatibility.

Availability and Pricing

Both tiles are widely stocked at ceiling distributors across the country. In the Sacramento area, we can get either on short notice — Cortega from Armstrong's network and Radar from USG/Donn distributors.

Pricing is nearly identical. Depending on the distributor and order volume, one might be $0.05–$0.10/SF cheaper than the other on any given day. Neither has a consistent price advantage.

Sustainability

Armstrong Cortega has higher recycled content (57% vs 26%) and participates in Armstrong's ceiling tile recycling program — old Cortega tiles can be returned to Armstrong for recycling into new tiles. If LEED points or sustainability goals matter on your project, Cortega has a stronger story here.

Installation Differences

From an installer's perspective, both tiles handle similarly. Same weight, same fragility, same cutting characteristics. Neither is harder or easier to work with. Both tiles break if you're careless with them — mineral fiber is mineral fiber.

Our Verdict

For most commercial projects, you could flip a coin between Cortega and Radar and be fine either way. Both are solid mid-range tiles that perform well and look good.

If pressed to choose:

• Armstrong Cortega if sustainability, light reflectance, or tegular edge options matter
• USG Radar if you're in a USG/Donn ecosystem or need slightly higher CAC

Either way, you're getting a reliable commercial ceiling tile that'll look good for 15+ years. The bigger decision is tile vs. grid profile and NRC level — check our full Armstrong vs USG manufacturer comparison if you want the bigger picture.

Contact Elite Acoustics Inc for product recommendations specific to your project.