How to Cut Ceiling Tiles of Different Types

Cutting tiles involves many steps, including measuring, marking, and cutting with a tile saw and grinder. Step-by-step instructions on how to cut ceiling tiles for your home are provided in this blog post. To begin, one must first measure the area that needs a tile or light fixture replaced and then mark with a pencil where it should be cut. Then, using an electric tile saw or wet saw, carefully cut through the drywall until you reach the surface below. This can be done with a carbide-tipped drywall blade (or another type of blade). When handling electrical wires, exercise extreme caution because improper handling can result in serious injury.

Installing ceiling tiles is a simple way to cover your ceilings and also enhance the acoustics and aesthetics of the space. Consequently, cutting is one of the key components of installing ceiling tiles. The final look of the ceiling will depend on how the tiles are cut. We advise reading through our guide on cutting ceiling tiles if you’ve decided to go the DIY route.

What Are Ceiling Tiles?

Ceiling tiles, which are lightweight building materials used to protect ceilings, are occasionally referred to as ceiling panels. They can offer thermal insulation, but they also improve the aesthetics and acoustics of a room.

Acoustic and drywall-style ceiling tiles are the two most widely used types. The cost of ceiling tiles will vary depending on the type. For instance, acoustic ceiling tiles cost $500 per box and are available in boxes. Higher-end ones, like tin tiles, can run as much as $15–40 per square.

How to Cut Acoustic Tiles

Cuttable with a carpet knife, acoustic tiles are perfect for surface-mount and drop-ceiling applications. Although a carpet knife can be used, a regular utility knife will cut more thoroughly and deeply. When working with acoustic tile, it’s a good idea to put on a pair of thin gloves to keep the tiles clean and shield your hands from the rough textures of the tile.

Step 1: Mark the Cutting Line

To shield your work surface from the knife, spread out a scrap of plywood or a material similar to it. Invert the tile onto the plywood. Make a light pencil mark at the top and bottom of the tile with the measurement across it.

Step 2: Make the Cut

With its edge touching the marks, place a T-square or framing square on the tile. A carpet knife should be used to carefully score the tile while running along the square’s edge while holding the square firmly in one hand. Once you’ve completely cut through the tile, repeat the cut one or two more times.

Step 3: Make a Circular Cutout (as Needed)

Use a carpet knife, rotary tool, or hole saw to cut out circles in ceiling tiles. On the tile’s face, start by marking the hole’s center.

To use a carpet knife:

1. Using a pencil compass, draw a circle with the desired hole size by rotating the compass around the designated center point.
2. Cut along the circle with the knife, beginning with a shallow scoring cut and going deeper and deeper until you’ve cut through the tile.

To use a rotary tool:

1. Install a circular guide on the saw and a multipurpose cutting bit.
2. To get the desired hole diameter, adjust the circle guide.
3. To align the circle guide’s point with the center mark, tilt the tool back.
4. Before carefully lowering the tool to cut into the tile, turn on the tool. Once the tool is upright, rotate it and use a guide to cut around the center point.

To use a hole saw:

1. Connect a portable drill to the hole saw of the appropriate size.
2. Holding the drill vertically, place the center bit of the hole saw onto the marked center point.
3. Start the drill, then finish the cut by inserting the saw into the tile.

TIP

Use a shadowline cutter, a basic edging tool with a blade that cuts to a predetermined depth, to create a rabbet, or shadow line, on drop ceiling tiles. Alternately, cut a partial depth vertical slit along the tile’s face with a carpet knife. Next, cut a horizontal slit perpendicular to the vertical slit along the edge where it meets the vertical slit.

How to Cut Drop-Ceiling (Drywall-Type) Tiles

All other types of drop ceiling tiles are essentially just drywall with a vinyl facing. Because of this, you cut them similarly to how drywall is cut: with a square and utility knife for straight cuts and a drywall saw (also known as a keyhole saw) for holes and curves. A rotary tool can also be used to make circular cutouts.

Step 1: Mark the Cutting Line

On your work surface, place the tile face-up. Make a light pencil mark at the top and bottom of the tile with the measurement across the tile.

Step 2: Score the Cut

A T-square or framing square should be placed on the tile with its edge parallel to the marks. Make a single, deep score along the square’s edge with a utility knife while holding the square firmly in one hand.

Step 3: Complete the Cut

Anyone who has cut drywall will be familiar with the process for cutting drop-ceiling tiles.

1. Move the tile so the scored line is facing up and the waste is extending over the edge of the work surface.
2. Snap the tile along the scored line by applying pressure to the waste firmly.
3. To make the cut, tilt the tile up on its edge and then cut through the tile’s back paper along the crease.
4. Lay the tile flat and, if necessary, use a knife parallel to the cut edge to smooth out any peaks in the drywall core along the cut edge.

Step 4: Make a Circular Cutout (as Needed)

Use a rotary tool or drywall saw to make circular cutouts. On the tile’s face, start by marking the hole’s center.

To use a drywall saw:

1. Using a pencil compass, trace a circle with the desired hole size by rotating the compass around the designated center.
2. Set the blade’s point on the circle’s edge, then tap the saw’s butt to push the point through the tile and cut from the face side.
3. To finish the cutout, saw along the circle’s arc.

Use a rotary tool as described above for acoustic tile.

How to Cut Tin Ceiling Tiles

When using tin snips or aviation snips, cutting tin tiles is simple. “Long cut” snips make the fastest cuts, but standard snips work just fine. Leather gloves are a smart idea if you want to shield your hands from cutting metal edges.

Step 1: Mark the Cutting Line

Set the tile on your work surface with the face down. Mark the top and bottom tile edges with a permanent marker after measuring the tile’s width. Using a framing square or T-square as a guide, place a square on the marks, then use the marker to draw a straight cutting line.

Step 2: Cut the Tile

Use tin snips to cut along the drawn line. Holding the good piece in your free hand, gently bend it up as you cut so that the snips stay straight along the cutting line.

The best option for cutting metal ceiling tiles is long-cut aviation snips, which have extra-long cutting jaws.

Step 3: Make a Circular Cutout (as Needed)

Make a mark on the circle’s center, then, using a pencil compass, draw the circle to the required size. If desired, use a marker to trace along the pencil line for improved visibility. Using a drill and a 3/8-inch bit, drill a starter hole inside the circle’s perimeter. With the tin snips, finish the cutout, starting and stopping at the starter hole.

Conclusion

A safe and long-lasting solution for any home is ceiling tiles. They shield against a variety of dangers, including fire risks, pests, mold, and other critters. With the aid of our step-by-step installation instructions or the assistance of one of our installers who is an expert in installing ceiling tiles, you can easily install these tiles in your own home. Common ceiling tile types include drywall-like drop ceiling tiles, lightweight fiber acoustic tiles, and tin tiles. Simple hand tools or power tools can be used to cut out any shape, including circles.

FAQs