I love to get the biggest bang for my buck, no matter what. Oftentimes, ceiling tiles get labeled as too expensive for immediate replacement. However, I have found some ways to work around this issue so you could see the substantial changes that can occur due to fresh ceiling tiles.
Ceiling tiles are so expensive due to the installation fees, type of material used, and how the ceiling tiles are made. There are many ways to avoid high costs such as avoiding top brands, buying tiles with cheaper material, and installing the product yourself if possible.
We will talk about what makes ceiling tiles expensive, then we will expound on ways we can get around these issues. Lastly, we will discuss ways to save you on average $1,464 on installation fees by installing the tiles on your own. Source
Cost Factors With Ceiling Tiles:
- Installation Prices! Major home repair company Talissa Decor states: “The money you save on hiring a contractor can be better spent on other essentials around the home. In many cases, labor prices can be as much, if not greater, than the cost of your supplies.” Source
- Buying From Name Brands: Major retailers tend to upsell on the prices of ceiling panels for a higher margin. Ceiling fans are actually very universally durable no matter how much money you spend, so rest assured the discount aisle panels are the same if not similar to name brands. Source
- Price Of Materials: By doing a quick look at the prices of these materials, of common ceiling tile prices, it can range on average around 100 dollars for a twelve count of tiles. If you look at slightly different materials, it ranges around $50. Almost half the price!
Cheap Solutions For Ceiling Tiles:
- Wait some time for your choice of ceiling tile to decrease its value.
- Buy faux tin tiles, copper tiles, aluminum tiles, and wood tiles. These tiles tend to be priced a lot cheaper and have a lot more value.
- Check how much buying in bulk is for your specific tile store. Most store owners aren’t very upfront about this discount, so you will need to ask (it isn’t applied automatically). Sometimes, you can get discounts for getting the tiles you need! Source
- Join a mailing list on your favorite home hardware store! These lists tend to have the best deals for your money. Source
- Find home hardware stores with rebate programs set in stone. For example, major retailers such as Home Depot or Lowes have these programs. Signing up and participating in these programs depend on the company you sign up for, but be sure to check the rebate center daily for good deals. When you find tiles you like, buy them and submit a form to get a good deal. Source
- Apply for a hardware store rewards-based credit card! These cards specifically come with deals specifically for tiles. Pay off the tiles before interest comes in. Some credit card companies come with “cash back” programs where you can get free money which you can use towards tiles as well from other purchases you make. Source
Alternatives For Ceiling Tiles/Dropped Paneling:
Would you rather not spend the time or money on ceiling tiles? Others have noticed that wood paneling or simply using drywall works just as well. Source
How To Install Ceiling Tiles:
This is the best way to save money on your ceiling tiles. Here are some simple steps to get started.
- Clean the ceiling before you get started with your project. This will help the ceiling tiles stick together better. If the ceiling isn’t too dirty, a broom covered with a t-shirt will suffice.
- Measure the square footage of the room by finding the area of the ceiling. This can be done by using a measuring tape by multiplying the length and the width of the tiles.
- Determine how many tiles you need. Based on the calculations you did in the previous step, you will need to use that number to find the square value of the ceiling. Find the length of the width of each tile and measure out how many tiles it will take to fit all of them in the area you are given. If you have too many tiles or would like a very thick type of ceiling tile, you can always cut off excess pieces if necessary.
- Remove any fixtures or vents so nothing will get damaged as you are installing the ceiling tiles.
- Use chalk lines to find the center of the room. Measure halfway across the ceiling and have someone else hold that end while you mark it with chalk lines. Do the same with the other side. This will be your starting point as you start placing your tiles.
- Apply cement or adhesive to your tiles. A foam or putty brush will be your best bet when dealing with either the adhesive or cement.
- Apply two whole tiles to the middle of the ceiling. Place your first tile on the corner where the two chalk lines meet.
- Cut tiles for the fixture. When you reach a fixture, you will need to cut around the fixture so your tiles are symmetrical with the rest of the cement tiles.
- Pre-plan how long your tiles in the corner need to be and cut the tile where it will need to be.
- Attach the molding to the borders (optional). Many people like to use molding to cover the borders of the ceiling (in case they needed to cut their tiles differently).
- Locate one of the joists using a stud finder. Joists are pieces of timber and metal that help position your ceiling tiles. You will be able to find these usually around light fixtures.
- Find the other joists. Each joist is usually sixteen feet away from each other, so if you measure out from the first joist, you will be set.
- Install furring strips
- Apply the first tile in the corner
- Staple the tiles across the ceiling. Once you get to the edges, cut the tiles to fit them into the panels
- Attach the molding to the borders (optional)
- Install furring strips. The strips are one to three inches of wood that you attack so your tiles can be flush to the wall.
- Apply the first tile to the corner
- Staple borders across the rest of the ceiling.
