

Draw two perpendicular lines where the strings cross to divide the ceiling into four quadrants (Figure 2). Stretch two strings across the ceiling at a diagonal from opposite corners (Figure 1) and where they cross should be the center – finish nails can be used to secure the ends of the strings or ask a helper to lend a hand. Starting in the center of your room with your Styrofoam decorative tiles normally provides the most appealing layout – in many cases you may already have a ceiling fan or light in this spot, but if not, use the string method to determine the room’s center. Whether you’re an experienced DIYer or attempting your first project, installing decorative ceiling tiles is a job where planning is just as important as the actual installation - taking a little extra time in this phase can result in a more attractive ceiling. If the surface displays any cracking or other defects, these defects should be corrected with filler prior to proceeding with the tile installation – cracking or flaking paint should also be removed. If the surface falls into these categories or is questionable, always remove the popcorn before installing the tiles – simply soak the popcorn with water and scrub it off the surface.īefore installing decorative Styrofoam ceiling tiles on any surface, it should be cleaned of any dust, grease, wax, or any other dirt that may be present.

Styrofoam ceiling tiles free#
When installing over any existing ceiling material, the surface should be dry, stable, even, hard, and free of any dust or debris.ĭo NOT attempt to apply Styrofoam ceiling tiles over a popcorn ceiling that is soft or unstable. Styrofoam ceiling tiles can be installed on ceilings and walls covered with drywall, lime, lime-cement, dry plaster, chip-board, aerated concrete, masonry, silicates, and popcorned or textured ceiling finishes. Utility knifes are very sharp – always guard against injuries when cutting your ceiling tiles – tiles should be secure and on a flat surface when trimming. It’s usually a good idea to gather everything needed prior to starting the project. Chalk line – used for installation guidelinesĪll of these materials should be available at your local hardware or home improvement store.

Styrofoam ceiling tiles full#
Utility knife – used to cut the ceiling tiles to proper size when a full tile won’t fit - a box cutter or wallpaper knife will also work.Tools and Materials Needed for the Project: Step-by-Step Instructions for Installing Styrofoam Ceiling Tiles
