CertainTeed Symphony vs Armstrong Calla: Premium Tile Comparison
Two premium tiles from different manufacturers. Both look great. Here's which one fits your project.
When the spec calls for a premium ceiling tile — smooth appearance, strong acoustics, and a refined look that elevates the space — CertainTeed Symphony and Armstrong Calla are two of the top contenders. They compete for the same projects but take different approaches. Here's an installer's comparison.
The Fundamental Difference: Material
This is the biggest distinction between these two tiles, and it affects everything else:
- CertainTeed Symphony: Fiberglass-based. The core is glass fiber rather than mineral fiber.
- Armstrong Calla: Mineral fiber-based. Traditional mineral fiber composition with a premium face treatment.
Fiberglass tiles handle moisture better than mineral fiber — they won't sag or warp in humid conditions. Mineral fiber tiles generally offer slightly better sound blocking (CAC). Both absorb sound well.
Specs Compared
| Spec | CertainTeed Symphony | Armstrong Calla |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Fiberglass | Mineral fiber |
| NRC | 0.60–0.70 | 0.70 |
| CAC | 30–33 | 35 |
| Light Reflectance | 0.88 | 0.88 |
| Humidity Resistance | RH 99% (won't sag) | RH 95% (HumiGuard+) |
| Edge Options | Square, tegular, reveal | Square, tegular, angled tegular, vector |
| Sizes | 2×2, 2×4 | 2×2, 2×4 |
Moisture Performance
Symphony wins here, and it's not close. Fiberglass doesn't absorb water the way mineral fiber does. Symphony can handle 99% RH without sagging — put it in a pool facility, a commercial kitchen corridor, or a building with unreliable HVAC, and it'll stay flat. Calla's HumiGuard+ handles 95% RH, which is excellent for mineral fiber but still has its limits.
For spaces near exterior doors, humid climates, or buildings with a history of condensation problems, Symphony's moisture resistance is a significant advantage.
Acoustic Performance
Armstrong Calla edges ahead on sound blocking — CAC 35 vs Symphony's 30-33. If privacy between rooms through the shared plenum matters (exam rooms in a medical office, private offices next to conference rooms), Calla's higher CAC provides measurably better sound isolation.
On absorption (NRC), both tiles are competitive at 0.70, which is solidly in the high-performance range. Both will make a noticeable difference in open offices, classrooms, and healthcare environments compared to budget tiles. See our NRC and CAC guide for what these numbers mean in practice.
Appearance
Both tiles aim for a smooth, clean, premium look. Symphony has a painted fiberglass surface that's uniformly smooth. Calla has a fine, smooth mineral fiber surface with Armstrong's signature paint finish.
From the floor at standard ceiling heights (8–10 feet), both tiles look excellent. The differences in surface texture are visible only up close. Both pair well with 9/16" narrow-face grid for the monolithic, minimal-grid appearance that architects spec in premium spaces.
Durability
Symphony's fiberglass construction makes it more resistant to handling damage during installation and maintenance. Mineral fiber tiles (including Calla) can chip, crack, or crumble at the edges if handled roughly. Fiberglass tiles are tougher. For buildings that frequently push up tiles for above-ceiling access, Symphony holds up better over time.
Availability
Armstrong Calla is more widely stocked in the Sacramento area and nationwide. Armstrong's distribution network is larger than CertainTeed's ceiling division. Symphony may require a longer lead time on some edge profiles or quantities. For standard sizes and edges, both are available within a reasonable timeframe.
When to Specify Symphony
- Spaces with moisture concerns (pool adjacency, exterior exposure, humid environments)
- Buildings with inconsistent HVAC controls
- Healthcare spaces where tiles get pushed up frequently for maintenance
- Renovations where above-ceiling conditions are uncertain
When to Specify Calla
- Spaces where speech privacy between rooms matters (higher CAC)
- Projects where Armstrong product ecosystem is preferred (matching grid, accessories)
- Quick-turnaround projects where stock availability matters
- LEED projects leveraging Armstrong's recycling program
Our Take
Both are excellent premium tiles. If we had to pick one factor to decide: moisture history of the building. If the building has had any condensation, humidity, or HVAC issues, go Symphony. If the building is well-controlled and speech privacy is a priority, go Calla.
For a specific recommendation on your project, contact Elite Acoustics Inc. We install both and can help you pick the right tile for your space. Also check our Armstrong vs CertainTeed manufacturer comparison for the bigger picture.