Professional Documents
Culture Documents
How To Install Ceiling Tiles
How To Install Ceiling Tiles
Here are tips and general instructions on installing ceiling tiles. They can
help you save time and effort once you begin the job.
Be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions for installation, particularly if
you're using cement or adhesive. Inside this document you will find
information about:
3 4
5
1. INSTALLING TILES ON WOOD FURRING STRIPS
a) Position the second furring strip so that the distance between the
center of the strip and the wall is the width of your border tile.
b) It is critical that the remaining furring strips be exactly parallel to
this strip, and that the distance from center to center of each furring
strip is 12". One of the easiest ways to position the remaining
furring strips is to cut a block of wood exactly 12" less the width of
one furring strip. Use the block as a guide in positioning the
remaining strips.
c) Use 8-penny common nails for nailing the strips, with one nail at
each joist.
d) All furring strips must be level. Use a long level to get a reading on
all strips as they are added. If needed, insert wood shims between
the joists and the furring strips for leveling.
e) At the walls running parallel to the ceiling joists (at right angles to
the furring strips), use scraps of furring to provide a nailing or
stapling position for the border tiles.
a) Snap a chalk line along both the short and long sides of the room to
align the first row of border tiles. These chalk lines will run down the
center of the furring strip on one side and across the furring strips
on the other side.
b) Cut your first border tile to size. This tile fits into a corner, so you
must take into consideration the dimensions of the border tiles on
both the short and long sides of the room. For example, if your
border tiles on the long side of the room are 10" and on the short
side of the room only 9", the corner tile should be cut to measure
10" by 9". This allows all other border tiles in the room to line up
properly with your full-size tiles.
c) When you cut these first border tiles, cut off the side without the
wide stapling edge. The wide stapling flange must be exposed so
the tongue of the next tile can fit into the groove of the tile you've
just placed. This guarantees a solid fit.
d) Staple the tile in place, with three staples on the edge that is
completely against a furring strip and staples only in the corner on
the other edge.
e) Place several border tiles in position along each edge, then fill in the
ceiling with your full-sized tiles.
f) After working your way across to the opposite wall, you must
measure and fit each border tile carefully on the opposite border.
g) Install a border molding to complete the job. The molding also holds
the final border tiles in place where there is no flange left for
stapling. At the border, where your access to the stapling area is
limited, you can attach the tiles with small, broad headed nails.
Position the nails as close to the wall as possible so the border
molding conceals them.
1 2 3