Drop ceiling tiles, also known as acoustical tiles, are made of a composite material. The standard sizes for acoustical ceiling tiles are 2-by-2 foot and 4-by-2 foot. Drop ceiling tiles are available in either a flat lay or a recessed grid. Both sizes and types of tile are cut using the same tools and techniques. The utility knife is used to cut long smooth cuts. A keyhole or drywall saw is used to make holes on the face of the tile.
Instructions
1. Cut the ceiling's border drop ceiling tiles to size. Measure the distance from the border grid mounted to the wall to the center of the first T-bar. Place the tile on a firm flat surface. Deduct 1/4 inch from the measurement and mark the front face of the acoustical ceiling tile, on both ends, with the pencil. Always mark and cut ceiling tiles on the finished face. Cutting from the back of the tile can cause parts of the face to chip away and blemish the tile.
2. Insert the tip of the utility knife blade into the acoustical ceiling tile on one of the pencil marks. Place the 5-foot straight edge against the utility knife blade. Align the straight edge with the pencil mark on the other end of the tile. Keep the distance off the line equal to the distance at the utility knife blade.
3. Drag the utility knife along the straight edge. Keep pressure on the straight edge with one hand to keep the straight edge from moving. Move the knife slowly. Relocate your hand that is holding the straight edge as needed to keep the straight edge in place. If the cut is not all the way through the tile, make an additional pass along the straight edge with the utility knife.
4. Clear the loose acoustical ceiling particles from the cut by running your hand over the cut edge. Repeat the process until all border tiles are cut to size.
5. Measure the location of holes and notches. Air conditioning vents, recessed lights and outside corners are all examples of common holes and notches that need to be cut into drop ceiling tiles. Measure the location for the holes off of two of the T-bars that border the acoustical tile that needs to be notched. Mark the location of the hole on the face of the tile. Draw straight lines for each side of the hole.
6. Hold the acoustical tile upright on a four-foot edge. Insert the tip of the keyhole saw into the ceiling tile on the pencil mark of one side of the hole. Move the tip slightly by twisting the keyhole saw handle back and forth. Tilt the saw blade toward the cut. Push the keyhole further into the ceiling tile. Use light pressure while sawing the tiles to reduce the chance of breaking the tile. Pull the keyhole saw toward you while maintaining slight pressure downward. Repeat the process for each side of the hole. Cut out a notch by starting where the pencil line intersects the edge of the tile.
7. Clean up the edges of the keyhole saw cuts by running your hand along the cuts of the hole. If the face of the tile receives damage from the cut of debris, apply white correction fluid (the kind you would use on a printed typing mistake) to the damaged area of the face. This will conceal the damage if the tile is white. If your acoustical ceiling tile is another color, use a matching touch up paint color to fix the tile face.
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