Installing ceiling tiles is simple if you have a straight, flat ceiling surface. Some ceilings have surfaces that are a bit more complex than that, though, such as ceilings that have exposed joists. To install ceiling tiles to a ceiling that has exposed joists, you will first have to create a surface to which you can affix the tiles. The simplest way to create a surface that can accommodate ceiling tiles is to add furring strips to the joists.
Instructions
1. Determine the size of your border tiles. Measure the ceiling in both directions. If your ceiling is an even number of feet, you will be able to leave all of your tiles whole, since ceiling tiles generally have at least one side that measures 1 foot. However, if your ceiling is not an even number of feet, you will need to cut the tiles that will go around the border down to size. If the ceiling is 10 feet 6 inches in both directions, you will need to cut your border tiles down to cover that extra 6 inches in both directions. For proper tile installation, you should have even borders on both sides, which means that 6 inches will be divided into 3 inches on each side of the room. A 3-inch tile is a little bit small for a border though, so to make your border bigger, subtract one tile or 12 inches from the rest of the room and add it to your borders. Divide those 12 inches in half and you will have two 9-inch border tiles on each side.
2. Cut furring strips the length of the room. The joists will run across the room in one direction. The furring strips will run across the room at right angles to the joists. You will end up with a checkerboard pattern.
3. Place your first furring strip flush against one wall. Your second furring strip should be placed the same distance as the width of your border strip. So, if your border strips is 9 inches, your second strip will be placed 9 inches from the first strip. Attach furring strips to the joists with one nail at each joist.
4. Cut a block of wood to 12 inches. Use this block as your guide for attaching the remaining furring strips to the joists. Line each furring strip up parallel to the one beside it by placing your 12-inch block of wood between them in the center of the room. Nail the furring strip to the center joist. Move to one end of the room and line the end of the furring strip up with the block and nail into place. The rest of the furring strip should be even. Finish nailing the strip to the joists. Continue across the room this way and nail a final furring strip flush against the opposite wall.
5. Trim down the border tiles. You will need enough 9-inch tiles to cover two adjacent sides of the room. Your corner tiles should be 9 by 9 inches to account for both sides. Tiles can be cut with a sharp utility knife on a flat surface.
6. Install as usual. Use ceiling tile adhesive on all corners, plus a dot in the middle of the sides that will touch the furring strips. Place the corner tile first according to the instructions that comes with your tiles. Some tiles require a staple or two as well as the adhesive. The tiles will be attached directly to the furring strips. Once the corner tile is in, place the border tiles on two adjacent walls. Fill in the center of the ceiling with full-size tiles. When you reach the other two sides of the room, measure the opposite two walls to make sure the measurements haven't changed. Cut the tiles down to size and fill in the border on the last two walls to complete the room.
Tags: furring strip, furring strips, border tiles, ceiling tiles, your border,