Ceilings Plus: custom ceilings, EPD gaps, next steps
Ceilings Plus is the custom shop inside USG’s ceilings portfolio, known for sculptural metal and wood systems that turn lobbies, concourses and collaboration spaces into showpieces. The design range is broad, the documentation is good for specs, yet their product‑specific EPD coverage appears thin. Here is what they sell, how broad the catalog runs, where EPDs are missing, and the quickest path to close the gap.
Who they are, what they make
Ceilings Plus is USG’s specialty brand for bespoke architectural ceilings and walls. The line spans linear systems, curved panels, modular shapes, open‑plenum baffles, and coordinated wall panels, with optional acoustic backers and integrated lighting. Explore the portfolio on USG’s Ceilings Plus hub (USG Ceilings Plus).
Product families at a glance
- Planx Universal, a configurable linear platform, advertises over 1,600 pre‑engineered options that mix 21 profiles with 38 finishes (USG Planx Universal, 2025).
- Radians curved metal and wood‑look panels target signature spaces and list NRC from 0.75 to 0.95 with acoustic infill (USG Radians, 2025).
- Barz baffles, Illusions modular shapes, and Wallforms wall panels round out the set, giving designers a pick‑and‑mix toolkit for visuals and sound control.
Taken together, the offer appears to cover half a dozen product families with likely hundreds of individual SKUs. That is plenty of surface area to benefit from EPDs in specs and bids.
EPD coverage snapshot
As of January 7, 2026, we could not locate product‑specific EPDs publicly listed for Ceilings Plus systems in North America. USG as a corporation publishes many declarations across other categories, yet these customized metal and wood assemblies seem underrepresented. That matters because project teams often prefer products with verified, product‑specific EPDs when tracking embodied carbon for LEED v5 and owner policies.
Why EPDs move specs now
LEED v5 was ratified by USGBC members on March 28, 2025, and it keeps a strong emphasis on embodied carbon and product transparency while continuing to recognize verified EPDs within materials credits (USGBC LEED v5, 2025). When a product lacks an EPD, teams default to generic data that can penalize carbon accounting. An EPD removes that handicap, which keeps you in play on performance‑driven projects instead of competing on price alone.
A likely bestseller without an EPD, and who already has one
Radians is a flagship system for statement ceilings in airports, arenas, and atria, boasting NRC performance up to 0.95 with the right build‑up (USG Radians, 2025). We do not see an EPD for it. Competitors do publish declarations in adjacent looks and use cases. Armstrong lists an EPD for METALWORKS ceiling panels on its product page Sustainability section, which can be used to satisfy EPD requirements in many bids (Armstrong METALWORKS EPD, 2024). Rockfon’s ceiling lines, including Mono Acoustic and Koral, carry registered EPDs in Europe, with many valid through late 2028, a helpful proof point when owners ask for documentation (EPD Norway, 2023). Wood specialists like 9Wood and Rulon publish product‑specific EPDs for panelized linears, grilles and baffles, which are often alternates on premium interiors.
Competitive set you will see on project lists
Expect Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions for metal visuals, Rockfon for stone wool and specialty metal, CertainTeed for ceilings that extend from their gypsum ecosystem, and wood leaders 9Wood and Rulon for natural veneer systems. On mixed‑scope interiors, mineral fiber or fiberglass panels from the parent USG brand may also compete for areas outside the signature spaces. Markets where these swaps happen most often include offices, education, healthcare, aviation and civic buildings.
Notable EPD gaps to close
- Custom metal linear and curved assemblies that match Planx and Radians use cases.
- Wood‑faced or wood‑look variants in baffles and modular shapes.
- Coordinated wall systems like Wallforms, since vertical surfaces are increasingly counted in interior fit‑outs.
Covering these with product‑specific Type III EPDs would align the brand with spec expectations and reduce substitution risk when carbon targets tighten.
Fastest route to credible EPDs
Pick the right rulebook first. For metal systems, the Metal Ceiling and Interior Wall Panel PCR is commonly used by peers. For wood‑based panels, the Non‑Metal Ceiling and Interior Wall Panel PCR is typical. A good LCA partner will confirm fit, check expiry windows, and propose a program operator with smooth publishing and digital IDs. Then make data collection painless. Pull a recent full year of utilities, materials, transport, scrap and yields from the relevant lines. For brand‑new SKUs, a prospective EPD can start with a few months of production data and then be refreshed once a full year is available. The right workflow removes the drudgery and keeps engineers focused on product, not spreadsheets.
Commercial payoff, without the headache
Ceilings Plus has the design story and install track record. Adding EPDs to the hero systems makes them easier to specify on LEED v5 projects and corporate policy builds, which shortens the back‑and‑forth on submittals and keeps preferred visuals in scope. The cost and effort are usually earned back fast when even one mid‑sized project stays with the specified system instead of getting swapped. It is definately time to turn those signatures into declarations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ceilings Plus currently list product-specific EPDs for its flagship systems in North America?
We did not find publicly listed, product-specific EPDs for Ceilings Plus systems as of January 7, 2026. USG does publish many EPDs in other categories, but these custom metal and wood assemblies appear underrepresented in declarations.
Which competitor EPDs are most relevant if a project team needs an alternate today?
Armstrong’s METALWORKS panels have an available EPD on their product sustainability page, and Rockfon lists multiple ceiling EPDs in EPD Norway with validity into 2028. Wood system peers 9Wood and Rulon also publish product‑specific EPDs.
What numeric proof points exist for Ceilings Plus performance and range?
Radians lists NRC up to 0.95, and Planx Universal advertises over 1,600 pre‑engineered configurations. See the USG product pages for Radians and Planx Universal for details.
About the Author
Walker Ryan is a climate-tech entrepreneur focused on driving industrial decarbonization through better data. As the founder and CEO of Parq, he helps manufacturers generate high-quality, third-party–verified carbon disclosures at scale—accelerating a traditionally slow and expensive process. Before starting Parq, Walker led over $200 million in sustainability-focused investments as VP of Strategy & Growth at ReStream Solutions, following earlier experience in investment banking at Deutsche Bank. He brings a rare mix of capital markets expertise and hands-on sustainability knowledge to tackling the infrastructure of industrial emissions.
