Any messing with existing components should be preceded by an asbestos survey. After that I'd be talking in person - as in them coming and having a look - to any qualified service providers I could line up. About what is involved with removal and what would be good to replace the existing with. Good as in known to work out well both in terms of occupant usage and sales appeal when a property goes on the market.

I would want them totally gone. You may gain a bit of ceiling height too, if they are mounted on frames. Yes, you need to test for asbestos first though. A sheetrock or even wood plank ceiling would look good.

12" x 12" Ceiling Tile, fiberboard material, interlock and stapled typically over lathe. Never heard of them being made of or containing asbestos but that really does not mean much,

@millworkman Ceiling tiles are known to be a common source of asbestos

https://www.asbestos123.com/news/identify-asbestos-in-ceiling-tiles/amp/

Cheap enough to have them tested but 12" x 12" Plain Flat Ceiling tile I doubt will be asbestos.

That's a nice ceiling.

As @millworkman said if you want to be sure to have the tiles tested it will not break the bank but lots of tiles in that size (12X12) from the 50s and 60s most likely contained cellulose instead of asbestos.

Good luck and Happy New Year!

Richard talked about changing more than just the ceiling, whether or not the ceiling tiles might be "hot" is just one aspect of the subject.

I really dislike the ceiling (not to mention the wall paneling). I want to redo the room, including the ceiling

This is an addition to a house. We have no reason to think that the style of the addition is consistent with the original home. We do have good reason to suspect that the style is inconsistent with the rest of the house given that the owner dislikes the ceiling & paneling in the addition and doesn't mention the rest of the building.

These sort of finishes were generally the fastest, easiest & least expensive choices to finish a new addition. And DIY friendly. And chosen for those reasons alone.

Exactly, ci_lantro. This is a relatively cheap addition that is notably different than the rest of the house. It's just a big room appended to the back of the house. Original floor was linoleum (which is under the existing nasty carpet).

have you taken one out and looked to see whats above? you might just have to tare down the ceiling to revel the exsiting one behind it. Id start there.

Good question - I have not. I have loose insulation, and my fear is that if I take one out, that insulation will come down. Also, I think they're connected together. Do you think there could be another ceiling above it? Would that have been common back in the day?

If you can get up into the attic, above that room, then push the insulation aside, and see what is below the insulation. That should tell you if there is another ceiling underneath it.

yes they loved to put drop ceilings and fluorescent panel lights in the 70's that is when I would date that due to the square cans.

maybe go to an isolated corner.