How to Install Glue-Up Ceiling Tiles
Type of Adhesive to Use
Adhesive is recommended when installing our vinyl tiles, because the tiles can crack when using staples. While Loctite PowerGrab (not silicone-based) or Gorilla Glue HD Construction Adhesive is what we recommend for most glue up tiles, the Legacy series has such a smooth backing that many customers find they need something stronger. Loctite PL Premium Advanced is typically sufficient, though some people report that their install of Legacy Ceiling Tiles required DAP Weldwood Contact Cement (stronger but more time consuming). We recommend testing a sample tile before starting your install.
Tools Needed
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Chalk line (recommended)
- Straight edge
- Scissors or Aviation (Tin) Snips
- Adhesive (about 1 tube for every 8 tiles)
- Paper towels and water for clean-up
- Decorative Strips (if not overlapping tiles)
- Eye protection
Surface Types and Methods of Installation
- Sheetrock, Drywall, Plaster, Cement, Wood Paneling, Plywood
Install the tiles directly to the ceiling using an adhesive that is compatible with both the ceiling and the ceiling tile.
- Wood Furring Strips
Furring strips are a great solution for rough ceilings that would require a lot of work to fix. Level with shims as you install them to give a flat mounting surface. Space out the furring strips according to your tile spacing determined below. If installing 2x4 tiles, we recommend doing a 2x2 pattern so the middle of the tile can also be adhered.
- Popcorn / Stucco / Cottage Cheese Ceilings
Ceiling tiles should never be applied directly to popcorn ceilings. Either remove the ceiling texture, add a new layer of drywall or 1/4" hardiebacker over the surface, or install furring strips.
NOTE: If removing texture installed before the mid-1980's, test beforehand for asbestos, which may require removal by a licensed contractor.
Important Note about Tile Center
Due to the manufacturing process, the width of the flat border around a ceiling tile isn't always perfectly uniform. NEVER use the outside edge of the tile to determine placement. Instead, use the edge of the tile design (just inside the flat border).
Determine Tile Spacing
| Using Grid Strips | Overlapping (no strips) |
|---|
| Required for ProLite, optional for Legacy and Designer | Required for Manchester Ceiling Tile, optional for Legacy and Designer Series |
| Spacing exactly 24"x24" or 24"x48" is recommended, as it leaves a small gap that the grid strip will cover (test the spacing with two tiles and a grid strip). | Place a few tiles on the floor and determine your preferred overlap. Measure the tile spacing between corners of the tile design in this position. The grid you draw later will be smaller than your tile due to the overlap (e.g. if your tile is 23 3/4" and you have a 1/2" overlap, you will draw your grid at 23 1/4").
Note: Everywhere 4 adjacent tiles overlap, the tile thickness compounds. Often, the ceiling height makes this unnoticeable. However, if desired, you can trim 2 or 3 tiles to minimize the thickness. |
Planning Your Layout
Use grid paper and map out your ceiling. Indicate the position of lights, vents, and any other fixtures or obstructions to help determine your layout.
Note: If the ceiling tile you have chosen has a large amount of relief, consider using a flatter border tile in the spaces where there are lights, vents or other obstructions.
Consider the main, most visible area of your space as well as the longest runs of tiles. These are usually the lines you want square to your starting wall (used as the base for your lines). Most rooms are not square and many times tile layout is a compromise of room shape and border tile size needs.
Using the tile spacing you determined earlier, add the tile grid to your drawing. Many people prefer equal width border tiles on opposing walls. Also, a larger border is often preferred over a small one (e.g. in an 11' wide room many people prefer 4 full tiles and 2 18" wide border tiles over 5 full tiles and 2 6" wide border tiles).
Mark Grid On Ceiling
Use a chalk line (or pencil) to put your layout onto the ceiling to keep everything straight. Be precise; if you are off by only 1/8" on each tile, after 8 tiles you will be off a whole inch!
| Using Grid Strips | Overlapping (no strips) |
|---|
| Draw a grid according to your determined spacing. Each tile will be placed with the tile design (not the flat edges) centered in the grid. | Draw a "t" (horizontal and vertical line) from the top left corner of the tile design (not the flat edge!) of the starting tile. While you can draw a full grid, many people don't find this necessary. For added precision, you can add hash marks along the "t" at your determined spacing. |
Before You Begin
Your surface needs to be smooth, clean, and dry. Test your adhesive and tile combination in a small area before committing to doing the whole ceiling. The adhesive directions below are for the tube adhesive described earlier. If using DAP Weldwood Contact Cement, follow their directions instead.
Installing the First Tile
Make sure all surfaces are clean, as well as your hands. Any oils on the ceiling, tiles, or your hands can affect the adhesive performance. Latex gloves are a great option, keeping oils off the tiles and keeping your hands clean of adhesive.
Apply a bead of adhesive all the way around the perimeter of the backside of the tile. Make the bead 1/8" to 3/16" in size. If the tile center lays flat on the ceiling, add a 4" "X" to the center section with adhesive. If the tile has a design where only a few areas touch the ceiling, place dabs of adhesive on those sections. Keep a damp towel handy to clean up any adhesive that may seep out.
| Using Grid Strips | Overlapping (no strips) |
|---|
| Install tile with the tile design (not edges) centered in its "grid" box, not touching any of the lines. | Align the top left corner of the tile design to the center of the "t". |
Gently place the tile close to its final location next to your chalk lines. Lightly press the tile to the ceiling as you slide it into position. This lets the adhesive spread out and smear a bit. Once you are satisfied that the tile is in place, firmly press it to the ceiling, rubbing out any bumps in the adhesive.
Subsequent Tile Placement
| Using Grid Strips | Overlapping (no strips) |
|---|
| Install all remaining full tiles using same method as the first tile. Tile edges should NOT be touching. Dry fit the Grid Strip to confirm you are placing the tiles with the correct spacing. | Work outwards along the "t" from the first tile, aligning the top left corner of each tile design to its respective hash mark on the "t". Once the full tiles on the "t" are complete, install remaining full tiles, using the edges of the tile design from previously placed tiles to determine horizontal and vertical placement. |
Border Tiles
Measure the open space from the installed tile to the wall, adding overlap if not using grid strips. Make sure to take measurements at each end of the space, as the measurements are often different due to inconsistencies in construction. Make sure the tile is facing the correct direction. Transfer your measurements to your border tile and cut it.
Decorative Strips
For best results, make sure the temperature in the room is 60-80F and low humidity.
every 8 inches (one at each end and two spaced in the middle). The self-adhesive backing on the strip IS NOT a permanent adhesive, it is meant to hold long enough for the glue to cure. Failure to use glue may result in the failure of the strips to adhere to the ceiling.
Approximately 1 tube of adhesive is needed per 5 packs of strips. We provide Red Devil General Purpose Construction Adhesive free with purchase or you can use Loctite Power Grab All Purpose Adhesive (available locally in most big box stores).
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Strips should be butted up to one another. Do not overlap! Always start at the same end with each consecutive strip. Always dry-fit first, before peeling off the backing, to see if any trimming is needed.
Take your first strip. The dot at the end should be directly over the intersection of 4 tiles. Once you have the strip lined up, peel the backing from the self adhesive. Run all the strips one direction first.
Finish by installing the strips that run perpendicular to the tiles. Each strip will need to be trimmed, so keep a pair of scissors or snips in your pocket and cut off the dotted end.
