Armstrong and USG are the two biggest ceiling tile manufacturers in North America. If you're specifying a commercial ceiling, one of these two names is on the submittal 90% of the time. We install both regularly, and we've formed opinions based on what happens in the field — not what's in a marketing brochure.
Company Background
Armstrong Ceiling Solutions (now part of AWI — Armstrong World Industries) has been making ceiling products since the 1960s. They've got the broadest product line in the industry — mineral fiber, fiberglass, metal, and wood, all under one roof. Their Prelude grid system is what most of our jobs hang on.
USG (United States Gypsum, now owned by Knauf) has been around even longer. They make the Donn brand grid, which is the other major suspension system. Their tile lineup is smaller than Armstrong's but covers all the major categories well.
Product Line Depth
Armstrong wins here, and it's not close. They offer over 100 different ceiling tile SKUs across mineral fiber, fiberglass, and specialty categories. Need a tile with NRC 0.90 and CAC 40+? Armstrong Total Acoustics. Need something cleanable for a hospital? Armstrong Health Zone. Need a tile that looks like drywall? Armstrong Calla.
USG has about 30-40 tile options. Their core lineup — Radar, Mars, Halcyon, Frost — covers the main applications well. But if you need something niche, you'll probably end up with Armstrong or CertainTeed.
Head-to-Head: Popular Tiles Compared
| Spec | Armstrong Cortega 769 | USG Radar 2310 |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Mineral fiber | Mineral fiber |
| NRC | 0.55 | 0.55 |
| CAC | 33 | 35 |
| Light Reflectance | 0.73 | 0.74 |
| Edge | Angled Tegular | Angled Tegular |
| Sizes | 2×2, 2×4 | 2×2, 2×4 |
| Fire Rating | Class A | Class A |
| Price Range | $0.80–$1.20/sf | $0.75–$1.15/sf |
At the basic tier, they're nearly identical. USG Radar has a slight edge on CAC (35 vs 33), Armstrong Cortega is more available. In the field, both install the same way and perform the same.
Grid Systems: Prelude vs Donn
This is where things get interesting. Armstrong's Prelude and USG's Donn are the two grid standards in commercial construction.
Prelude (Armstrong) — we use this on probably 70% of our jobs. The connectors are intuitive, the main runners are straight, and the cross tees snap in cleanly. Armstrong also makes narrow-face (9/16") grid that looks great in modern offices.
Donn (USG) — solid system. Some architects spec Donn because the cross-tee connection is slightly more rigid. We've found both systems perform equally well seismically and structurally. The Donn DX/DXL series has good deflection ratings.
Honest take: both grids are good. If the spec calls for one, we install that one. If it's our choice, we lean Prelude because we've got the muscle memory and the connector tooling.
Acoustic Performance
Armstrong has more high-performance options. Their Total Acoustics line delivers NRC 0.70 AND CAC 40+ in a single tile — that combination used to require two separate products or a composite panel. USG's Halcyon gets NRC 0.90, which is excellent absorption, but with a standard CAC of 35.
For sound-critical spaces like healthcare and conference rooms, Armstrong gives you more options. For standard offices where NRC 0.55 is fine, both brands work.
Sustainability
Both manufacturers offer recycled-content tiles and take-back recycling programs. Armstrong's plant in Marietta, PA runs their Ceiling-to-Ceiling recycling program — send old Armstrong tiles back and they'll recycle them into new ones. USG has a similar program but it's less established.
For LEED projects, Armstrong has more products with published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs). If your project is chasing LEED points, Armstrong makes the paperwork easier.
Availability and Lead Times
Armstrong has better distribution in our area (Northern California). Most Armstrong tiles are available through multiple distributors with stock on the ground. USG availability is good for standard products but some specialty items have longer lead times.
During supply chain disruptions (we went through this in 2021-2022), Armstrong recovered faster. That matters when you've got a GC breathing down your neck about schedule.
Price
USG is generally 5-10% less expensive at the basic tier. For standard mineral fiber tiles, the savings add up on big projects. At the premium tier, pricing is comparable — sometimes Armstrong is less, sometimes USG, depending on the specific product and current promotions.
Our Recommendation
For most commercial projects: Armstrong. Broader product line, better availability, stronger sustainability story, and more high-performance options. When architects ask what we'd use, we usually say Armstrong unless there's a specific reason to go USG.
When USG makes sense: Budget-sensitive projects where basic mineral fiber is the spec. USG Radar is a solid tile at a good price. Also makes sense when the architect specifically specs Donn grid — sometimes it's easier to keep the whole system under one manufacturer.
Bottom line: Both are reputable manufacturers that make good products. You won't go wrong with either one. The difference is in the details — and after installing both for years, we lean Armstrong for most applications.