Choose from a wide array of ceiling designs for your decorating needs.
Homeowners can choose from a wide array of ceiling tiles to enhance the decor of their homes and solve problems with uneven or unattractive ceiling surfaces. Ceiling tiles are fairly easy for do-it-yourselfers to install and are available in a variety of materials for every decorating need. One of the advantages of ceiling tiles is that they can be installed on many ceiling surfaces, including sheetrock.
Types of Ceiling Tiles
The choice of ceiling tiles makes it possible for homeowners to produce many different effects for their home decor. Smooth tiles create a modern feel, while sculptured and textured tiles can add an elegant effect. Metallic ceiling tile such as tin, copper and silver add an interesting visual effect to your ceiling, and acoustic tiles add soundproofing to rooms. Other ceiling tile materials include vinyl, mineral fiber and cork, which is an eco-friendly material that gives rooms a soft and natural look.
Surfaces for Ceiling Tiles
One of the advantages of using ceiling tile is its ability to be used over many kinds of surfaces, including sheetrock, plaster and cement. Ceiling tiles can also be installed on top of plywood or paneling. Wood furring strips are sometimes used to provide an even surface for the tiles when working with ceilings that are uneven. Whatever the surface, it is important that it be clean and dry, as well as free of grease. Lighting fixtures in the ceiling must be removed before installation.
Methods of Installation
Ceiling tiles can be installed with glue, staples or a combination of these items. The manufacturer may recommend pre-testing materials to see which adhesion method works best for your needs. Fiberglass reinforced panel adhesive, also known as FRP,is one method that be recommended. This adhesive is easy to work with, allowing you to adjust the panels before the adhesive dries completely. It is also easy to clean off skin and surfaces with plain water. Standard T-50 staples are often recommended for tin tiles; these used with either a hand or air-powered stapler gun. The sheetrock ceiling should be marked with a chalkline to a center point and the tiles laid from the center to the outer edges.
Working Around Lighting and Other Obstructions
Do-it-yourselfers need to work around lighting fixtures or other cuts that have made in the sheetrock ceiling. Lighting fixtures must be removed prior to installing the tiles and then replaced after the tiles are in place, making the necessary holes in the tile for their wiring connections. For other obstructions, follow the previous cuts in sheetrock ceilings. If you are tiling over previous cuts or holes in the sheetrock ceiling, cut a drywall patch to fit the hole and patch around it in with drywall compound. Allow the compound to dry thoroughly before installing the ceiling tiles.
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