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Exposed Grid vs Concealed Grid Ceiling Systems

The grid system determines whether you see metal lines between your ceiling tiles or a seamless surface. Both have advantages. Here's the comparison from a contractor who installs both.

Exposed Grid: The Standard

95% of suspended acoustical ceilings use exposed grid. The T-shaped main runners and cross tees are visible between tiles. This is the ceiling system you see in offices, schools, hospitals, retail stores, and virtually every commercial building type.

Exposed grid comes in two face widths:

  • 15/16" (standard): The traditional face width. Most economical. Compatible with all tile types. See our grid size guide.
  • 9/16" (narrow): Slimmer profile for a more refined appearance. Slightly higher cost. Popular in premium office, healthcare, and hospitality projects.

Concealed Grid: The Seamless Look

Concealed grid systems hide the metal tees behind the tiles. Tiles have kerfed (grooved) edges that hook onto specially designed tees. When installed, the tiles butt against each other and the grid disappears. The result is a monolithic ceiling that looks like one continuous surface.

The most well-known concealed grid systems include Armstrong Axiom and USG DX/DXL.

Appearance

This is the deciding factor for most projects. Exposed grid gives you a definite grid pattern — lines of metal between every tile. It's the expected commercial ceiling look. Most people don't notice it because they've seen it everywhere.

Concealed grid eliminates those lines. The ceiling reads as a flat, uninterrupted plane. It's a cleaner, more residential or hospitality-grade appearance. Architects specify concealed grid when they want the ceiling to recede visually.

Pairing exposed grid with tegular tiles and 9/16" narrow tees gets close to concealed grid aesthetics at a lower cost — the grid is minimized and the tile reveals create a refined pattern.

Access to the Plenum

This is where exposed grid wins decisively. With exposed grid, any tile lifts out in seconds — push up, tilt, done. Maintenance techs, HVAC technicians, and electricians access above-ceiling systems dozens of times over a building's life.

With concealed grid, tile removal is more involved. You have to unhook tiles from the concealed tee system, and accessing a tile in the middle of a field means removing several tiles to reach it. It's not impossible, but it's slower and there's more risk of damaging adjacent tiles.

For buildings with active mechanical systems above the ceiling (frequent access needed), exposed grid is the practical choice.

Installation

Exposed grid is faster to install. Main tees and cross tees snap together with built-in connectors. Tiles drop in. An experienced crew installs hundreds of square feet per day.

Concealed grid takes longer. The tee system is more complex, tiles have to be hooked and aligned precisely, and border conditions (where tiles meet walls) require more cutting and fitting. Expect 20–40% more labor time compared to standard exposed grid.

For a full walkthrough of standard installation, see our installation process guide.

Cost

Concealed grid costs significantly more than exposed:

  • Grid cost: Concealed grid tees are 2–3× the cost of standard exposed grid
  • Tile cost: Concealed-edge tiles are specific products, often premium-priced
  • Labor cost: 20–40% more installation time
  • Total installed cost premium: 40–80% more than equivalent exposed grid ceiling

For baseline pricing on standard exposed grid ceilings, see our cost guide.

Tile Options

Exposed grid is compatible with nearly every ceiling tile on the market. Any lay-in or tegular tile works. Thousands of products across all manufacturers.

Concealed grid requires tiles specifically manufactured with concealed edges (kerfed, tongue-and-groove, or hook-on). The selection is much smaller. Not every acoustic performance level or material type is available in concealed-edge format.

Seismic Considerations

In California, both systems must meet seismic requirements. Exposed grid seismic systems are well-established — standard clips, bracing, and compression struts. Concealed grid seismic detailing is more complex because the tiles interlock with the grid. Some concealed systems have specific seismic-rated configurations. See our seismic requirements guide.

When to Specify Each

Choose Exposed Grid When:

  • Budget matters (most projects)
  • Above-ceiling access is frequent or critical
  • Maximum tile product selection is needed
  • Speed of installation matters
  • Standard commercial appearance is acceptable

Choose Concealed Grid When:

  • Seamless, monolithic ceiling appearance is required by the design
  • The space is high-end: lobbies, executive floors, hospitality
  • Above-ceiling access is infrequent
  • Budget allows the premium

The Middle Ground

For many projects, the sweet spot is exposed grid with 9/16" narrow tees and tegular-edge tiles. This combination minimizes visible grid, creates a refined shadow line, and maintains full access and broad product compatibility — at a fraction of concealed grid's cost.

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