Thursday, August 29, 2013

How To Install Tin Ceiling Tiles On Your House

By Amanda Baird


One of the biggest balancing acts that most owners must face daily is the payoff with cost vs durability on any home improvement. Most home owners know that tin ceiling tiles add a contemporary beauty to almost any home. While older tiles are thought to have better craftsmanship than newer ones, mass produced modern tiles are relatively inexpensive and easy to install in any home.

The older tin panels are making a major comeback on today's housing market. The vintage tiles removed from older homes are also selling at a premium. Many people discover they have better luck with ordering their new panels from stores and installing them as well. Installing older panels and newer panels will follow basically the same building process from beginning to end.

It is often best to seal the ceiling up with a quality primer and always let it completely dry. Plywood is then nailed and screwed to it forming a base for your tiles. Some times lathing may be used, though plywood is considered to have better holding power on the ceiling. Its critical to ensure the whole roof is covered up and the plywood is only attached to the joists not the drywall.

One of the biggest differences between a good looking job and a poor looking one is whether the panels are sitting square to each other and the center line of the room. Few rooms are made as a square so it is best to mark out the center of the room and make a center line down the middle for reference. Make sure you can see the line well because this is the starting point for all your panels.

After the center line is done you are ready to install the cornice. Most cornices will have slightly flanged edge along the side. This is typically the side that will be covered by the roof panels. The flanged edge is nailed to your plywood. Some newer cornices will also use a long aluminum strip that is nailed to the wall to help with supporting them.

It is typically a good plan to lay out your new panels on the ground before you begin attaching them to your ceiling. This can give you a picture of how the panels will appear so you can adjust them for a perfect layout. It is easier in any case to transfer your panels off the floor to to your roof.

When you start transferring the panel from the floor to the roof, try to use tacking nails to attach them. These nails are longer than normal and can easily be removed with pliers if you make a mistake. When everything is where you want it, you can systematically go back and use finish nails to attach them.

Move from the center to the outer edges. Take your time and make sure any cornice laps are directed away from any doorways so they are not noticeable. When you are finished, install any border pieces or accessories and light fixtures you may have left. Now stand back and admire your new tin ceiling tiles that you have just installed.




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