Intro - Materials - Prep - Install - Finishing
Margin of Error: 1/4"
Tile ceilings can be installed using wood furring strips. Some manufacturers require this type of system. The furring strips are nailed perpendicular to the joists. If the joists are exposed, there is no problem. If you are installing these over an existing ceiling, you will need to locate and mark the joists as described under the clip method in the preceding steps.
If you are installing 12" x 24" ties, furring strips must be installed on 12" centers. When stapling 24" tiles to furring strips, make sure that the tiles run lengthwise along the furring strips, not perpendicular across them.
Use two 8-penny nails at each joist to keep the strips from warping. If you are nailing over a lath and plaster ceiling, longer nails may be needed. You need to penetrate into the joists at least 1". Use a 4'-8' level to be sure the strips are level. Use wooden shims where needed.
The first furring strip is flush up against the wall. The second strip is positioned so that its center is the same distance from the wall as the width of the border file that butts against that wall plus 1/2" to allow for the stapling flange of the tile.
For example, if the width of the border tile that butts against the wall is 10", add 1/2" to the 10" width and position the second strip so the center is 10 1/2" from the side wall.
After installing the second strip, work across the ceiling, nailing furring strips spaced 12" on center (from the center of one strip to the center of the next). Be exact nail the final strip flush against the wall.
When two furring strips are joined, the butt joint should always be over the center of a joist. Never allow these joints to fall in between joists where they cannot be nailed. Also, stagger the joints so that joints in adjacent rows do not fall on the same joist.
Squaring the Ceiling with Strings
Margin of Error: Exact
If your walls are meeting at true right angles so that the room is a perfect square or rectangle, you can omit this step. Unfortunately, in many homes, especially older ones, this is not the case. In these instances you must set up strings that are at true right angles and lay the tiles according to these strings. The strings will serve as guides for installing and cutting the border tiles. If you omit this step, the tile ceiling will look strange and out of line with the walls.
You will need to set up two strings that run at the level of the new ceiling and out from each wall the width of the border tiles at that wall. The strings are attached to nails temporarily driven into the walls. The two strings will intersect at a corner. The strings are placed in such a way so as to outline the edge of the two intersecting border rows. Let's say that one row is a 10" row and the intersecting row is 8".
Set up one line so that it is at the level of the ceiling and running 10" from the wall. Do the same with the intersecting string so that it is running 8" from the wall. Once these are in place, take a framing square and, holding it steady, see if the two strings are square. Remember, if they are just a little off square over the 2' arm of the square, the walls could be a few inches off over the distance of the wall. Be sure, therefore, that each line is running exactly along each arm of the square. If they are not adjust one of the strings (preferably the one that outlines the border row that will be least noticeable from below) until the lines are exactly at right angles. You now have a square reference with which to start installing the tiles.
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