With its cost efficiency and functionality, the ubiquitous suspended ceiling came to dominate commercial ceilings worldwide. But that ceiling stock is now ageing, and most building owners and facility managers are faced with a maintenance dilemma. Do we repair or replace? And what’s the cost?

The recent trend in commercial fit-out has been to discard the ceiling to landfill and expose the building structure. But in doing so significant value is lost: loss of functionality, loss of acoustics, loss of light reflection etc. But there is a new innovation on the market and it’s called Triton 4 by Asona.

Triton 4 is a proprietary 4mm thick fire Group 1-S acoustic ceiling material designed to provide a new decorative finish to existing ceiling tiles without degrading the original ceiling's fire and acoustic performance. Its slim composite structure is stiff and sag-resistant, and can even be used as an economical ceiling tile by itself.

Whether installed into an existing grid or laid directly under aged or discoloured tiles, Triton 4 makes it easy to extend the life of a suspended ceiling system without the need to discard what’s already in place. This approach minimises landfill waste and reduces disruption to occupied spaces and their day-to-day operations.

Triton 4 has been successfully used across a wide range of projects, including Invercargill Courts, Shirley Boys High School, Haeata Community Campus, Somerfield School, and Tracktion Motorcycles. The product has proven effective in both new fitouts and refurbishment work, including refacing aged and stained ceiling tiles, helping deliver a clean, consistent look while extending the life of existing ceiling systems. Its versatility makes it suitable for education, commercial, and public sector applications, whether installed as a standalone solution or as an overlay to match or upgrade existing tiles.

Triton 4 panels deliver reliable acoustic performance with an αw/NRC rating of 0.65, effectively controlling reverberation to create quieter, more comfortable interiors. The smooth, high light-reflective finish brightens spaces and lifts the overall appearance of tired ceiling areas, contributing to a refreshed and modern look. What’s more the material is exceptionally compact and energy efficient with low transport and handling costs to site.

As part of Asona’s wider Triton ceiling system range, the panels share the same clean, consistent finish as other products, allowing seamless integration across different areas of a project. Whether used alone or alongside higher-performance panels, they maintain a cohesive visual appearance while providing appropriate acoustic treatments throughout.

Manufactured in New Zealand, Triton 4 is available with short lead times and ready access to replacement panels for ongoing maintenance. Through Asona’s Renew & Reuse Product Stewardship Program, panels can also be resurfaced and reinstated, supporting circular design practices and sustainability goals.