How to remove ceiling tiles

Ceiling tiles give a finished look to an unattractive ceiling, and a drop ceiling with tiles can make the room easier to heat and cool. Removing ceiling tiles is not difficult, but you should consider how to finish the surface afterward. Also consider the age of the ceiling before tackling this job.

Remove the Ceiling Tiles

If they’re glued directly on, it will take some extra effort to remove them. Use a utility knife to score the tiles, then a putty knife to loosen and pull loose a tile for inspection (Image 1). Fortunately, the tiles in this home were attached using furring strips.

Fill a wallpaper steamer reservoir tank with water and turn the unit on. Position the steamer pad over the heavily glued area for a few seconds, then remove the steamer pad and scrape away the glue. Continue around the room until all areas of glue and ceiling tile have been removed.

Removing polystyrene tiles or Styrofoam tiles as they are sometimes known from walls or ceilings can be a tedious job and unfortunately there is no easy way of doing it other than getting stuck in with a wide scraper to scrape the tiles off.

Put simply, no. This may of course change and the building regulations are updated regularly and so should be consulted. However at the time of writing this blog, polystyrene ceiling tiles and polystyrene construction products generally are not illegal.

Polystyrene ceiling tiles are not illegal, surprisingly. The same is true for polystyrene coving. If you go to stockists and DIY stores, you’ll still be able to buy them; clearly, they are not illegal. The better question is: are they a fire risk? and the answer is 100% yes.

6 Answers from MyBuilder Plasterers

That’s disgraceful. Although I have seen (and corrected it), no-one should plaster over any covering, even paper, A reputable tradesman would never do this. Get them back in to do the job properly, under threat of legal action if necessary!

Damaged ceiling tiles could be a fire risk

They also provide a barrier to the spread of smoke and fire. Breaking, displacing, or removing ceiling tiles enables hot gases and smoke from a fire to rise and accumulate above detectors.

Mostly yes, Styrofoam ceiling tiles are safe in daily use and won’t emit VOCs. However, in the event of a fire, they will melt and may release toxic VOC gases.

In fact many clients found that our Antique Finished as well as Metallic Finished foam ceiling tiles look as good or better than the real metal ceiling tiles. The foam ceiling tiles are very easy to cut and glue to most any surface. For a glue-up application the foam ceiling tile is a recommended product to be used.

The best thing of all is that these tiles look amazing 12 years later with virtually no maintenance.

Yes, you can paint our Styrofoam ceiling tiles but make sure that you are using a water-based paint only. Tiles can be brushed, rolled or sprayed with HVLP ( High Volume Low Pressure) sprayer. Again, remember not to use any spray cans or solvent based paints as they will dissolve your tiles.

Use spray paint to repaint the grid. Drop ceilings are an easy solution to ugly pipes, wiring and other ceiling issues, but aging ceiling tiles can become discolored and stained. Painting your old ceiling tiles is an affordable and quick option that can brighten up your space.

Try Fabric

For a quick fix in an apartment or other space, bunch up material using strings and hooks across the ceiling to cover old tiles, or cover each tile individually with fabric. Use a simple starch and water mixture to coat the back of the fabric, and apply it to each tile.

If your dropped ceiling is old and dingy, or the color doesn’t match the rest of the room’s decor, you may be able to improve the look of the ceiling with a couple of coats of paint. Standard ceiling tiles aren’t glossy and generally accept paint well. The easiest way to paint a dropped ceiling is to use a sprayer.