PLANNING THE LAYOUT

Suggested Layouts:

1 - Center of panel side on room center
2 - Center of panel center on room center
3 - Corner of panel on room center

INSTALLING THE CEILING TILES

Our ceiling tiles may be installed by nailing, stapling, gluing or double stick tape. The method you use will be determined by the underlying material you secure the panel to.

Installation Manual
Illustrated Installation Details

Tiles may also be installed in a suspended grid system. They are sized to drop into a 2x2 grid.

HOW TO APPLY TILES TO:

Gypsum Board:
Staple, using staples at least 1/2" long, 3 per side.
Adhesive may be used alone or with fasteners.

Plywood:
Staples, nails or screw may be used.
Adhesive may be used alone or with fasteners.

Wood Furring Strips:
Staples, nails or screw may be used.
NOTE: Furring strips need to be on 23 3/4 inch centers both directions.

Over old Fiberboard or Fiber Ceiling Tiles:
Use nails long enough to penetrate the fiber into the wood beneath. (The best option is to remove the old fiber tile or wall board and install sheet rock, plywood or furring strips to receive the new ceiling tiles.)

Plaster:
Plaster should be sound and smooth, not dusty. Use screws and adhesive to fasten. You may also use adhesive combined with 3M double sided mounting tape without screws. (See about Adhesives below.)

PREPARATION FOR PLASTER CEILING OR SHEET ROCK

Plaster or sheet rock ceilings must be clean, dry, dust-free, and free of oil and grease. For new construction the sheet rock can be installed with the back side out to eliminate the edge indentation made from the seam tape. The panels are then adhered directly onto the sheet rock. If the sheet rock has excessive damage or gaps, taping and bedding may be necessary.

"Popcorn Finish" on Sheet rock:
The rough popcorn finish should be scraped off and the finish made smooth and dust-free prior to installation. Other choices: Install furring strips or apply another layer of sheet rock (not necessary to tape and float).

ADHESIVES

The following cartridge applied adhesive gives good results:
MAACO Liquid Nails AC 138 All-Purpose Adhesive Caulk
Apply a tight 1/4 inch wide flat film, 1/2 an inch inside the perimeter and X in the center area. A large daub of cartridge adhesive will show through the tile. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CONTAINER.

You can apply 4 pieces of 1"x 1" 3M double-sided foam mounting tape and then apply the adhesive around the perimeter. The tape will hold the tiles in place while the adhesive sets and bonds.

CUTTING TILES

The ceiling tiles and filler panels may be cut to fit areas around the edge of the room. To cut the panel lay a straight edge of at least 24" long on the cutting line and on the flat side. Score the panel surface with a sharp instrument. Bend the trimmed edge down at a right angle. It will snap off or can be trimmed with snips.

TOOLS REQUIRED:
1 - Tape measure
2 - Chalk line
3 - Scissors, lightweight shears or razor utility knife
4 - Staple gun or finish nails and hammer
5 - Caulking gun for adhesive cartridge or sawtooth trowel for bulk adhesive

SUSPENDED CEILINGS

The ceiling tiles are made to drop into a 2'x2' suspended grid system. Tiles are 23 3/4"x23 3/4". You can hide the grid by applying the decorative strip.

A 2'x 4' grid system can be converted to a 2'x 2' by adding 24" cross tees. The 48" tee bars are already punched to receive the 24" cross tees.

(The Florentine, Dixie, and Rosette are suitable for suspended ceiling application if a fiber tile or a piece of sheet rock is laid on top of the tile, otherwise these patterns will sag slightly.)

COFFER TILES
Coffer tiles are recessed patterns where the tiles project above the ceiling line. These tiles are best installed in suspended grid systems. The can also be installed on properly sized and spaced furring strips.

FILLER PANELS
Filler panels are ceiling tiles with a minimum pattern that lends itself to cutting and trimming. These tiles are used along the perimeter of a room to fill in between the field tile layout and the wall.

DECORATIVE STRIPS
Decorative strips are used to cover the joints where ceiling tiles butt together or in suspended grid installation to cover the grid tees. Strips come with double face adhesive - just peel off the paper and apply over the joint where the tiles join or for suspended installations apply to the grid tee.

Decorative Strips with Crown Molding
Strips are applied over the bottom flange (on the wall).

INSTALLING MOLDING

Click here to get detailed instructions.

PAINTING TILES

Tiles can be painted before or after installation. Be sure tiles are completely clean and dry. If painting after installation, install decorative strips prior to painting. Use and oil based pain such as an Alkyd enamel. Priming is not required when using an oil based paint. Water based paint may be used if the tiles are primed with a proper oil based primer beforehand. Spray paint also works well. Metallic colors such as silver, brass, gold and copper are available.

Do not use solvent-type thinner or cleaners.