Cut Tegular Ceiling Tile
Suspended ceilings cover up unsightly plumbing, heating and electrical components. They are used frequently in basements of homes and commercial buildings. Unlike drywall ceilings, they allow quick access above the ceiling in case a repair needs to be made. Tegular ceiling tile is another name for ceiling tiles that have a reveal edge down below the ceiling grid. These require two cuts with the utility knife rather than just one cut for standard ceiling tile.
Instructions
1. Measure the distance between the bottom T-bars of the ceiling grid. This will calculate your reveal dimension (the width of the tile that will hang below the ceiling grid).
2. Lay your ceiling tile so that the reveal edge is facing upward on a flat surface. From the edge of the reveal on one side, measure over and make a mark at the measurement you calculated in Step 1. Repeat this process further up to allow yourself two points to scribe a line.
3. Measure over another 1/2 inch from the above line and scribe a second line on the ceiling tile. This second line should be even further away from the edge you measured from in Step 2.
4. Cut completely through the ceiling tile with your utility knife on the line you scribed in Step 3. Stand the tile on edge so that the cut you just made is vertical.
5. Place your utility knife on the top of the edge. The knife should start where the factory reveal edge is on the adjoining side (typically halfway in between). Pull the knife straight down to cut a groove into the edge of the tile.
6. Lay the tile back down with the reveal edge up. Place a straight edge along the line you scribed in Step 1. A long ruler or yard stick works as a straight edge.
7. Drag your utility knife along this edge repeatedly until a chunk of the ceiling tile comes loose. If you did it correctly, you will have a custom reveal edge cut out.
Tags: , utility knife, ceiling grid, ceiling tile, your utility