FAQs

Everything we get asked, organized by topic. Can't find your answer here? Call us at 605-484-0875 or use our contact form — a real person at Dakota Tin will get back to you.

About Our Products

What is the metal actually made of?

Corrugated steel. The Dakota Tin Collection is real reclaimed steel salvaged from Midwest barn roofs and machine sheds. The Colorado Rustic Collection is new steel in various finishes, with base materials depending on the finish chosen (cold rolled steel, galvanized, Galvalume, or A606 weathering steel).

What's the difference between the Dakota Tin Collection and the Colorado Rustic Collection?

Dakota Tin is real reclaimed barn tin — every piece is unique with nail holes, rust variation, and character from decades of natural weathering. Colorado Rustic is new steel with consistent, uniform patinas — same rustic look, less piece-to-piece variation, no nail holes or warping. Introduced in 2019 after customer feedback.

What finishes are available?

Dakota Tin Collection (reclaimed): Random Mixture, Majority Rust, Majority Galvanized, Premium.

Colorado Rustic Collection: Rusted, Galvalume, Antique Galvanized, Colorado Premium, Corten A606, Crinkle Black.

Not every finish is available on every product line. See our Patinas page for the complete availability table.

What is the corrugation dimension?

1-1/4" from peak to peak, 1/4" tall.

Are the products safe for children and pets?

Yes. All of our products have hemmed edges, so the material is not sharp if someone or something trips against it.

Can Dakota Tin be used in a shower or wet area?

Yes, Rusted panels can be used in showers. Clear coat them first and seal properly. We recommend Everbrite Coatings.

Can I use these as a kitchen backsplash?

Yes — many customers have done this with great results. See our customer gallery for examples.

Is Dakota Tin made in America?

Yes. All-American company, built in Yankton, South Dakota.

Finishes & Patinas

Will the products continue to rust?

Rusted finish: yes, unless you apply a clear coat.
Galvalume: no rusting expected under normal conditions.
Antique Galvanized: can produce white rust over time with moisture exposure — this is a known characteristic of the bonderized finish, not a defect.
Corten A606: yes, intentionally — the steel develops a self-protecting weathering patina naturally after installation. That's by design.

How do I add more rust to the Rusted finish?

Spray vinegar water over the panel. You can repeat until you reach the rust level you want, then clear coat to lock it in.

How do I stop the Rusted finish from continuing to rust?

Apply a clear coat. We recommend Everbrite Coatings. See our clear coating guide for the step-by-step process, including the baking soda neutralizing step you'll need first.

What's the difference between Rusted and Corten A606?

Rusted is cold rolled steel with a spray-applied rust treatment — we start the rust process, and you can take it further with vinegar water. Corten A606 is true weathering-grade steel that forms a self-protecting patina naturally over time after installation. Corten does not require the same sealing as Rusted, and it's an architectural-grade material in a thicker 24 gauge.

What's the difference between Antique Galvanized and Colorado Premium?

Antique Galvanized is G90 steel with a bonderized (phosphate + chromate) finish applied by our supplier — dark grey, flat, uniform. Colorado Premium is galvanized steel that we age in-house to replicate the look of our reclaimed Premium barn tin — more character and warmth, still more consistent than true reclaimed.

What's the deal with Crinkle Black having a white back?

Crinkle Black is currently coated on the front side only — the back side of each panel is white. For most uses (interior walls, ceilings, single-sided wainscoting) this is invisible. For edging where both sides may be seen — between yards, along driveways, around raised beds — plan the orientation so the white side faces where you want it.

Can I mix finishes in one order?

Yes — put it in your order notes (for example, "50/50 Rusted and Galvalume"). We'll split the order to match.

Ordering & Shipping

Is there a minimum order?

No minimums on any order.

Are there volume discounts?

Yes — discounts apply automatically at checkout. See our Shipping & Returns page for current discount tiers.

Is shipping free?

Free shipping on orders of 3+ items within the continental U.S. Some items don't qualify (custom orders, large panels, 92" trim, Scratch & Dent). See our Shipping & Returns page for the full list.

How long does shipping take?

In-stock orders typically leave our facility within 2-3 business days. UPS Ground delivery is usually 2-5 business days after that, depending on your destination. Custom cut orders take longer to produce — full processing and delivery details are on our Shipping & Returns page.

Do you ship outside the continental U.S.?

Not directly through the website, but international customers regularly order from us by shipping to a U.S.-based freight forwarder who then handles international transport. Contact us and we'll walk you through it.

Which items require freight shipping?

Custom cut panels, large panels (26"x72"), and pieces over 4 feet in length ship freight. Freight charges are quoted per order — request a quote here.

Do I need to be home for a freight delivery?

Yes. Freight carriers charge service fees for deliveries that take longer than 15 minutes to offload. Plan to be available when the truck arrives.

Custom Orders

Can you custom cut Colorado Steel panels?

Yes. Colorado Steel panels can be custom cut to a maximum length of 144" (12'), with width fixed at 26".

Can you custom cut Dakota Tin reclaimed panels?

Yes. Dakota Tin panels can be custom cut up to 144" (12') long and up to 26" wide.

Can you cut custom shapes?

Only basic squares or circles. We don't cut irregular shapes.

How is custom cut pricing calculated?

Custom cuts are priced per job based on size, quantity, and finish. Pieces over 4 feet incur a pallet / freight charge. 1/8" tolerance on cut edges. Request a quote for your specific job.

Can I order 24" x 48" ceiling tiles?

Yes, custom cut up to 26" x 144". Request a quote.

Linseed Sealant Add-On

What is the linseed sealant?

A boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits solution that we apply to your metal before shipping. It creates a shellac-like coat that slows further rusting, prevents rust rub-off, and adds a level of shine. Available as a paid add-on — pricing is shown at checkout for the product you're ordering.

Which finishes can I add sealant to?

Available for Rusted, Antique Galvanized, Colorado Premium, and all Dakota Tin reclaimed sub-styles.

Not available for Galvalume, Crinkle Black, Corten A606, White, or Copper Penny.

Ceiling Tiles

What size are the ceiling tiles?

23.625" x 23.625". Fits any standard 2'x2' drop ceiling grid.

Can I use a regular drop ceiling grid with these tiles?

Yes, as long as it's a metal grid with standard 15/16" T-bar. You can also use our J-Track direct-mount system if you don't have a drop grid.

What is J-Track?

Our direct-mount ceiling grid system. Tiles sit directly in J-Track channels — no drop ceiling wires needed. J-Track also works as trim/edging for the tops of wainscoting panels. Installation guide here.

What trim works for recessed lights and vents?

Any trim compatible with standard ceiling tiles will work with our metal tiles.

Some tiles don't lay flat in the grid. What do I do?

Use panel clips. SUSPEND-IT 1" Panel Clips from Home Depot work well.

Can I install these over an old plaster ceiling?

Yes, as long as you can find the studs or joists behind the plaster. Alternatively, build a false ceiling to attach the grid to.

How much sound do the acoustical tiles absorb?

NRC rating of 0.8 — they absorb 80% of noise. Significantly higher than common fiber ceiling tiles (around 0.55). Backed with Owens Corning Select Sound Acoustic Blanket. The backing is fiberglass, so use caution when handling and cutting.

Wainscoting

What size are the wainscoting panels?

26" wide x 36" tall. Each panel provides 24" of coverage (accounting for overlap).

What size are the wainscoting rolls?

36" tall x 10' long.

What screws should I use for wainscoting?

Our LoGrip screws are designed for this application. The 35-count pack is enough for 10 feet of wainscoting. If sourcing elsewhere: 1-5/8" K-Lath Screw or 1-1/2" LoPro Torx Screw also work.

Is there a trim product for the top of wainscoting?

Yes — our J-Track works perfectly as edging trim for the tops of wainscoting panels.

What saw should I use to cut outlets into wainscoting?

Saber saw, jigsaw, or Rotozip with a bi-metal blade.

Garden / Landscape Edging

What sizes does edging come in?

Standard sizes: 6", 8", 12", and 15". 4" is available only when existing stock allows.

Which finishes are available in edging?

Rusted, Galvalume, Antique Galvanized, Crinkle Black, and Corten A606. Not available in Colorado Premium.

How do I install the edging?

Two methods: bury one-third of the edging in the ground (only for non-Rusted finishes — soil reduces Rusted finish life), OR use wooden garden stakes (~12") and screw the panels to them with self-drilling sheet metal screws. Full installation guide here.

Are stakes and screws included?

No. Both are available at most local hardware or garden centers.

Can I bury Rusted edging in the ground?

We recommend against it. Soil contact significantly reduces the life expectancy of the Rusted finish. Use above-ground stake installation instead, or choose Corten A606 or Galvalume if you want to partially bury.

What do I use to cut edging?

Tin snips work best. Circular saw, jigsaw, or hole saw with a bi-metal blade also work.

What other uses have customers found for edging?

Stair backing, floor trim, raised garden bed sides, planter sides, tree rings, driveway borders. See the customer gallery for ideas.

Cutting & Safety

What safety gear do I need?

Leather or cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and earmuffs (when cutting). Real metal — edges can be sharp during handling. Acoustical tile backing is fiberglass; use additional caution.

What blade do I use for a circular saw?

Plywood blade (non-carbide), approximately 7-1/4" x 150 tooth, installed backwards. The Diablo Thin Sheet Metal Blade available on our site is what we recommend.

Why do I install the blade backwards?

When cutting sheet metal with a plywood blade, reversing the blade causes it to scrape rather than cut, which gives you a cleaner edge with less burring and less kickback risk.

What blade do I use to cut against the corrugation?

A ferrous metal circular saw blade, approximately 50 teeth.

Any other cutting tips?

Clamp the metal down securely before cutting — the more secure, the fewer burrs. Cut from the back side of the panel to keep shavings off the finished face, and remove all shavings before mounting to the wall. Full cutting guide here.

Returns, Damage, & Warranty

What's your return policy?

100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact us to initiate a return — we'll issue an RA number and provide instructions. All returned items are subject to a 15% restocking fee. Samples, custom cut orders, and Scratch & Dent items are non-returnable.

My order arrived damaged. What do I do?

Contact us immediately at 605-484-0875 or info@dakotatin.com. Take photos of both the product damage and the packaging before discarding anything.

My freight shipment arrived damaged. What do I do?

Note the damage on the delivery receipt before signing. Take photos. Contact us within 3 days. Do not discard the packaging — the carrier may need to inspect it for the claim. Full details on our Shipping & Returns page.

The rust / coloring on my panels looks different than I expected. Is that a defect?

Probably not. Natural variation, aging, white rust on Antique Galvanized with moisture exposure, and weathering on Corten A606 are all expected characteristics of real metal — not defects. For reclaimed Dakota Tin, piece-to-piece variation is the entire point. That said, if something looks genuinely wrong, contact us and we'll take a look.

Wholesale, Designers, & Press

Do you offer wholesale or retail partnerships?

Yes. Our wholesale portal has imagery, price lists, marketing content, and program details.

I'm an interior designer. Do you have resources for me?

Yes. Our designer page offers free sample kits with all active finishes — great for showing clients real material samples.

Do you have an affiliate program?

Yes — sign up here.

Still Have Questions?

Phone: 605-484-0875 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Central)
Email: info@dakotatin.com
Contact form: dakotatin.com/pages/contact-us
Quote requests: dakotatin.com/pages/quote