Middle Atlantic Nivo 9/16 3 Drop Silver Gray - AUNV223DG2SLG

Middle Atlantic AUNV223DG2SLG Nivo Acoustic Ceiling Tile, 9/16" Layin, 3" Drop, Silver Gray

Overview

The Middle Atlantic AUNV223DG2SLG is a 2' x 2' acoustic ceiling tile engineered specifically for commercial environments where cable management, above-ceiling equipment access, and finished aesthetics all need to coexist. Part of Middle Atlantic's Middle Atlantic Nivo acoustic ceiling tile line, the AUNV223DG2SLG drops 3 inches below the grid plane to create intentional above-ceiling clearance — giving integrators real working room for IP camera conduit, AV cabling, and access control wiring without cutting into structural tiles. If you're outfitting a conference room, lobby, or open-plan office where ceiling aesthetics matter and above-ceiling infrastructure is dense, this tile addresses both problems at once.

Constructed from 100% PET Felt (recycled polyester), the tile delivers meaningful sound absorption that standard mineral fiber tiles simply don't match — reducing ambient noise buildup in spaces where IP intercoms, overhead speakers, or open-plan voice communication is deployed. Silver Gray finish integrates cleanly into most commercial acoustic ceiling tile systems without drawing attention to the tile itself.

Key Features

• 3-Inch Drop Profile: The 3" drop (7.6 cm) creates structured clearance between the tile face and the grid ceiling, giving you room to route conduit, pull Cat6, or position an above-ceiling IP camera housing without deforming the tile surface. On dense cable runs, that 3" buffer prevents the sagging or misalignment that plagues flush-mount configurations.
• 9/16" Layin Mounting Method: Drops directly onto standard 9/16" T-bar grid — no additional hardware, no custom brackets. For integrators working at scale across multi-room deployments, this means repeatable, tool-free installation into existing ceiling infrastructure. Confirm your grid profile before ordering; 15/16" grids require a different tile variant.
• 2' x 2' Format (60.33 x 60.33 cm): Fits the most common commercial ceiling grid module. Standardized sizing means no field cutting in typical installations — the tile drops in and the grid holds it. If your project uses a non-standard grid pitch, measure before specifying.
• PET Felt Construction (100% Polyester): Recycled PET felt outperforms standard mineral fiber tiles in sound absorption, making it the right material choice for AV-active spaces — conference rooms with ceiling-mounted microphone arrays, open offices with overhead paging, or lobbies with IP intercom endpoints. The material is also more resilient to repeated above-ceiling access than brittle mineral fiber, which chips and crumbles with repeated tile removal.
• 2" Overall Height (5.1 cm): The tile body itself is compact at 2" tall, keeping total above-ceiling stack height predictable. Combined with the 3" drop, the full vertical footprint from grid plane to tile face is well within typical commercial plenum clearance specs — no surprises during coordination with MEP trades on new construction or renovation projects.
• Silver Gray Color: Neutral finish that matches standard commercial ceiling aesthetics without requiring custom paint or coordination with the facilities team. Works alongside most white or gray grid systems without visual mismatch.
• Commercial-Grade AV infrastructure tile application: Designed for integration into technical furniture and AV systems environments — not a commodity ceiling tile. The Nivo line is specified by AV and security integrators who need predictable above-ceiling access points with finished aesthetics, not just acoustic fill.

Integration & Compatibility

The AUNV223DG2SLG is designed for 9/16" layin T-bar grid systems — the standard grid profile found in the majority of commercial drop ceiling installations. It is not compatible with 15/16" grid systems without an adapter or different SKU. The 2' x 2' format is the standard North American commercial ceiling module; confirm your grid layout before specifying multiple units.

For AV and security integrators, the 3" drop profile is particularly useful when pairing with above-ceiling camera enclosures, conduit drop points for wall-mounted access control readers, or structured cabling distribution points that need a finished tile above them. The tile does not include pre-cut conduit knockouts — field modifications must be planned accordingly. For broader system planning, reference Middle Atlantic rack and enclosure solutions that pair with ceiling infrastructure deployments.

PET felt material is compatible with standard commercial HVAC plenum environments. Verify local fire code requirements for ceiling tile materials in your jurisdiction before installation — PET felt plenum ratings vary by application and local code adoption. Consult the AV installation planning guide for ceiling infrastructure coordination best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What ceiling grid type does the AUNV223DG2SLG fit?

A: The AUNV223DG2SLG uses a 9/16" layin mounting method. It is designed for standard 9/16" T-bar drop ceiling grids. It is not specified for 15/16" grid systems — verify your grid profile before ordering.

Q: What is the tile size and will it fit a standard commercial ceiling grid?

A: The tile is 2' x 2' (60.33 x 60.33 cm), which matches the most common commercial ceiling grid module in North American commercial construction. No field cutting is required in standard grid layouts.

Q: Why does the AUNV223DG2SLG drop 3 inches below the grid?

A: The 3-inch drop profile creates clearance between the grid plane and the tile face. This is intentional — it provides working room for above-ceiling cabling, conduit routing, and equipment positioning without deforming or removing the tile, and it contributes to the tile's acoustic performance by creating an air gap above the panel.

Q: What is the tile made of and why does the material matter for AV/security installations?

A: The AUNV223DG2SLG is made from 100% PET Felt (recycled polyester). PET felt provides better sound absorption than standard mineral fiber tiles, making it suitable for spaces with active audio systems such as IP intercoms, ceiling-mounted microphone arrays, or overhead paging. PET felt is also more resilient to repeated access — it doesn't chip or crumble the way mineral fiber does when tiles are lifted frequently for cable pulls.

Q: Can the AUNV223DG2SLG be used in a plenum ceiling space?

A: PET felt tile materials must be verified against local fire and building codes for plenum-rated ceiling applications. Confirm compliance with your local code authority before installing in a rated plenum space — requirements vary by jurisdiction and project type.

Q: What are the overall dimensions of the AUNV223DG2SLG?

A: The tile is 2" tall (5.1 cm), 2" wide (5.1 cm), and 3" deep (7.6 cm), with a 2' x 2' face covering the ceiling grid module. The 3" depth reflects the drop distance below the grid plane.

Jerry Tildsen

When I spec the AUNV223DG2SLG on a commercial security or AV project, the 3-inch drop profile is the detail that does the real work — it's not decorative. That 3" clearance below the 9/16" T-bar grid is purpose-built for integrators who need to route Cat6 drops, position above-ceiling conduit stubs, or stage access for camera housings without treating every ceiling tile as a single-use item. The PET felt construction handles the acoustic side of the equation at the same time, which matters in any space where you're deploying IP intercoms or ceiling-mounted audio pickup.

Technical Highlights:

• 3" Drop (7.6 cm): Creates genuine above-ceiling clearance in the 9/16" layin grid — enough buffer to prevent conduit sag from deforming the tile face over time, and enough room to position a camera housing or junction box without going back into the ceiling to rework cable routing.
• PET Felt (100% Polyester): More durable under repeated access than mineral fiber. On a project where ceiling tiles get lifted 10-15 times during commissioning and turnover, PET felt survives intact; standard mineral fiber edges start crumbling by the third or fourth pull.
• 2' x 2' / 9/16" Layin Format: Drops into the most common commercial grid without adapters or custom hardware. At scale — say, 30-tile conference room fit-out — that standardized fit matters for install speed and consistent finished appearance.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 9/16" layin mount is specific — if the building uses 15/16" T-bar grid (common in older commercial stock), this tile won't seat correctly. Verify the grid profile during site survey, not after the tiles arrive.
• PET felt tiles need local code verification before installation in rated plenum spaces. Don't assume plenum compliance from the material alone — check the AHJ requirements for your project jurisdiction.

The AUNV223DG2SLG is the right tile for new-construction or renovation projects in conference rooms, lobbies, and open offices where the integrator is also responsible for above-ceiling cable infrastructure — anywhere the ceiling is a working layer of the system, not just a finish surface.