How to cut drop ceiling tiles

In this video I will show you how to measure, cut, and place drop ceiling tiles. If you have any questions, I will answer them if I can. Oh, and if you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up :-)
A few tips:
*Make sure you have plenty of sharp blades on hand. I literally changed my blade once per tile. You don't need to throw the "dull" ones away, they will be good for almost everything else...just not for cutting ceiling tile.
*Wash your hands frequently...fingerprints will show up. Also, the blades themselves are often coated in oil to keep them from rusting. That oil makes dirt stick to you even more...
* If you don't have an adjustable knife, buy one :-)

[@tonymontana3742]

Was considering the project while shopping at Menard's and realized the job requirements went above simple cuts to the length. This video was a real help. Thanks.

[@onemorething100]

Your video did help. But My house was built in the 50's. Far from perfectly square. I first cut my tile to the correct size then layed the panel in. Then I scored the panel at the edge of the frame to get my revel cut line.

[@futube1976]

I am thankful that he has taken time out of his day to demonstrate how almost anyone can cut ceiling tiles without having to pay hundreds of dollars for someone else to do it. Thanks!

[@koroba01]

Glad you made it, this is exactly the information I need to replace some tiles that require some fitting.

[@juliecraft3771]

My dad recently passed away (a great carpenter - he was 95. Taught his daughters so much). I appreciate this video because I couldn't remember how to cut the tiles to replace a few that had some water stains. Thanks!

[@genedillman7811]

Eric you did a great job on this. Tricky to do unless you already know how. Thanks.

[@RANGUIDRY]

Good vid...I figured this out myself today changing a couple of poorly installed tiles in a remod at my work. Only thing I would add is that you can leave the tile flat on the table and ride the side of your knife along the table when making the edge cut to keep the line consistent across the length. Glad to know I figured out the right way.

[@DanielPoch]

Awesome! Thank you for posting this. We're buying ceiling tile today and I hadn't even thought about how to cut the recessed part. Your steps are easy to follow and very clear. Thanks.

[@E_Fleming]

Thanks, if you think about it...please let me know how it works out. Remember, have a fresh stock of SHARP blades

[@scottdowler4279]

Thanks for the video! My problem was not using a sharp blade. What a mess. You saved me a ton of time.

[@PrairieMom]

Thanks so much. We will use this technique for sure. Appreciate your video!!!

[@ericanderson803]

Very nice job on your explanation. It is easy to see and follow!

[@mizazbiz]

Thank you Eric. I’m replacing 50-year old tiles and your demonstration was excellent. I feel confident I can do this. Need to go out and get a decent knife to do the job. Thanks again.

[@E_Fleming]

If you think of it, let me know how it goes 👍👍

[@mizazbiz]

@@E_Fleming I absolutely will. I really liked the way you explained about turning the measurement into 16ths. Made sense in my brain. Hope you had a great weekend!

[@celinagomez2565]

I love meeee a handy man!!!! Thanks for sharing your cool and informative videos. :)

[@FallacyDeCuir]

Dood! This is EXACTLY what I needed to know. Why didn't I think of the retracting the blade on the knife thing. UGH. Anyway, SOOOOO glad I found this, because I'm fixing to start installing my new tiles, and I was completely stumped as to how to cut that stupid little lip thing. Thanks for the great video!! :D

[@mcminnman]

Great video. I'm putting in a ceiling and was trying to figure out how to get the recess correct. Thanks,

[@318lef]

Wow. This is TERRIFIC! I had a water leak past weekend and damaged few ceiling tiles in the basement. I tried replacing 2 half sized tiles today. IT WORKED. Your video made it simple but detailed step by step instructions. Thank you Eric.

[@dportis47]

Wow what a cut! You are the man!

[@charliesweb1k]

I'm so glad to see you making videos again :) I have been waiting for 5 months mister :P great video and thanks for the info

[@bethbagley]

Thanks Eric! You're my new best friend.

[@chuckpankratz7128]

Thanks, Eric. The tricky part will be the recessed cut, for sure. Using the shorter blade setting is a great trip. I've got the old tile (we had a leak and it is stained) to use as a template but that doesn't help me with the half cut. After this next beer I am going to give it a shot.

[@supersteamer]

Thanks! I needed this.

[@dermalifeusa]

thanks for the demo. Help a lot

[@wdsjrmd1]

great eric ive got to replace some tiles in my kitchen great job

[@ReverendTed]

Thanks for the video. I had a frustrating time cutting some acoustic tile and wondered if there might be special tools. Nope - I just needed a sharper blade!

[@PetePuebla]

Great video. Thanks for posting.

[@DonnaMSchmid]

Your instructions were very clear! Thanks!

[@E_Fleming]

Thanks! If you think of it, can you let me know how it works out for you?

[@davewalker1060]

Nice job! Thanks

[@jameslund221]

Good work Eric.

[@tiagosoraggielliott]

Thank you so much... I really appreciate!

[@adriennes8805]

Super easy! Thanks!

[@kmk4960]

Good stuff!!! Thanks!

[@pokeyrunner8]

Thanks. That was helpful. My cat got in the ceiling and fell through a tile. I have spare tiles, but I had no idea how to cut them.

[@astonhinds499]

Thanks this really helps

[@danni969]

You are so awesome!

[@angkorian_rider7770]

Thank you sir!

[@danrobinson2245]

Very helfpul.Thanks

[@davids4795]

Nice 😊

[@ajizum82]

hey buddy, Nice in depth instruction but may I sugest an easier way. if you butt your tape into the wall molding in the center of your tile bay and measure out to the inside edge of the main or tee whichever it may be, cut the tile to that dimension using the tape measures blade to score the tile( finger hold method like scoring drywall) then finish the cut with your knife, once the main cut is made take your knife along the center of the edge of the cut about 3/4 inch deep.then all you have to do is drop the tile in place with the cut edge on the molding and pulling the tile tight to the main/tee to "square it up" then run your blade along the molding while holding the tile down for a few passes until your recess pops out and viola! a seamless cut no need to measure at all, faster and its more accurate. I do this quite often on the job. (Commercial Carpenter).

[@maherghazal]

good video! How do I cut a hole for the spotlights? what tools would you recommend I use?

[@MrJoe5150]

Thanks!

[@poppy0090]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I do think that this method is way too complicated, and the way that you described the measurements was confusing, but I will use the information in this video in conjunction with a video that explains an easier method.

[@TheScrappymom]

thanks for making this! We were struggling with the edge/drop of this same tiles. Do you have any tips on how to mark the circle cuts for the canned lighting? We have the lights up and the circle cutter ..just not sure how to mark the tile to cut.

[@E_Fleming]

I believe I just took a measurement of the center of each can light in the metal grid and marked that center point on my tile. Remember, measure twice (or three times)...and cut once. I hope that helps...

[@jasonventuri4469]

Very well done- the only thing I would add is- it's pretty messy. If you can make your cuts in a close outside area it will avoid a lot of dusting afterwards. If you are replacing old tile(use it for perfect cuts)wear goggles I found stuff flying in my eyes constantly - thank you so much

[@bradywalker5291]

There is fiberglass in ceiling tiles. For extra comfort and safety, you should wear long sleeves/Kevlar sleeves. Alternatively, I just throw on baby powder. I'm not sure a dust mask is necessary, but if you want that always helps

[@fatmanpritchett5077]

Awesome video, whats the best way to measure an opening that's not square?

[@E_Fleming]

Do you mean tile with weird shapes? Those are tough... for my strange cuts I drew the tile on a sheet of paper and wrote down all my measurements. (be sure to remember the tile will be hung upside down :-) First I cut only the outside edge and I inserted it into the grid. At this point, the recessed edges had not been created yet. Then, I marked where the actual grid met the tile and took it back out to make the recessed cuts. That is tough to do and even tougher to explain. Hope it made some sense.

[@bobparker6727]

we found the tile we purchased had a 6-16 lip on each side. that makes the 2 lips 12-16, so instead of using 15-16 one should use 2 times the lip measure to use your methodology. we eventually just made the first cut using a 6-16 measure from the inside line.

[@rois34]

Thanks

[@ajizum82]

P.S. i can send you a very detailed description of the technique we use if you wish (use it in your vids bro, i dont care) because I too have had trouble finding instructional video sometimes in regards to lesser known diy chores. P.S.S. Thank you for putting out your vids. ( guess i should have said that first.)

[@E_Fleming]

Thanks for the offer and for your kind words, but no need to pass on more detailed instructions, I just finished cutting the last ones in my basement. I hope to never remodel another room again...ever ;-)

[@reluhcs31]

Wish I found this a few hours ago destroyed about ten tiles before giving up for the night will finish tomorrow,

[@jimmydimuccio]

I am replacing a drop ceiling in an apartment that has recessed lighting cans. There are several of them and I am wondering if you know of a trick to replace the tiles that I have to cut the center holes out without having to unwire each light. Thank you. Barry

[@E_Fleming]

hmmmm, I think each of the can lights has a clip that kinda fastens onto the metal drop ceiling grid. You should be able to unclip those and move the light up high enough (without unwiring anything) to get the tile out of there. Put that tile on the new one, and trace the hole. I hope that was helpful...it may be a two person job (one to hold the light out of the way, another to remove the tile)

[@Ruslan-be2qw]

The light should be suspended with a wire, so just tie it up while replacing a tile. You can either trace the hole or cut out the hole using circle cutter and keyhole saw. Before doing all that take off the can light trim by simply pulling down on it, as it will pop out. The light should be screwed in on both sides to the grid.

[@E_Fleming]

Ruslan Mitsyura The lights are not suspended with a wire nor are they screwed into the grid.

[@richardpaulus9823]

Did one today. Sucked because a. I only had a dull blade. B. The room wasn't square so I found myself measuring all 4 sided of each edge tile. And c. I learned there is a tool to do this seconds after finishing the last tile. Prolly took longer than it should have but I think it looks good minus the few miniscule chipped edged from my dull razor. Anyone know if whiteout or something can be used to touch them up?

[@E_Fleming]

Yes you can use whiteout to touch up the tiles. There’s a slight color difference but better than nothing

[@harithareddy9150]

Erick, How will cover the column with drop ceiling

[@E_Fleming]

Hmm, I’m not sure if I understand the question 🤔

[@harithareddy9150]

@@E_Fleming kzbin.infovKOuVNcRl7M?feature=share I am wondering how to cover the column with the tile…

[@garfieldlawrence2988]

Ceiling Tiles Jobs i have seen see done without beveled edges. They just cut it and put it up there. No groove, bevel, edges and looks good too.

[@Ruslan-be2qw]

Oldsaintridiculous your way is the right way to do. flemwad18 you have alot of extra steps that are not required and if the wall angle wasn't perfectly straight your straight tile edge that you cut would not line up with the wallmold and would have gaps. Ajizum82 you're supposed to have the flange on the tile, you can't just cut it all the way through, if this was a 2'X4' tile it would simply sag in the middle. You have to scribe the tile along the wall angle take it out and then cut half way through the tile and making the same flange thats on the other side... thats the right way to do it.

[@E_Fleming]

Ruslan Mitsyura I'm sorry. You both should make videos detailing the correct way to go about this. When I posted mine there was nothing on the topic and I did my best. Also, I put the walls up myself and they ARE perfectly straight so that was not a consideration.

[@glorialuv2309]

Forget it. As soon as you got into fractions of inches I'm lost. I just want to put one tile in like yours. I have one but it doesn't have a lip on it. Too much measuring. I'm afraid if I cut too much off then I'm screwed. I don't have a retractable blade just a regular box cutter. I'll measure best I can and then just jam it in. I never did this stuff before but I have to now.

[@E_Fleming]

Without that lip, it’s a much easier process cause you are just making one cut. Just measure the opening and add an inch or so

[@glorialuv2309]

@@E_Fleming It's the one right next to where my a/c vent so it's like not having an a/c filter in I guess. I really have to cut that lip cause there is a lip on the frame to begin with. Why wouldn't it just fit right in? I just can't squeeze it in cause I know I will mess something up?

[@glorialuv2309]

@@E_Fleming I knew something would happen. I leaned of the panel while I was cutting it and it broke! F***k this.

[@gldenglves]

I do it professionally and believe me I've had owners come in and press there face against the wall. if it works for u who am I to knock it.

[@johnhuber7705]

I reveal tile off my stilts all day and only need a knife, a non retractable mans one btw, and a tape measure. I only need one measuremement and my tile never has any gabs on the wall

[@isaactalley2819]

This is a lot easier in metric

[@Joseph1A1]

Hello, there is actually a much faster, easier, and more accurate way to do this. If you only cut the tile all the way through (before the recess cut), then place it in the grid, run your knife along the tile against the wall mold and it will give you 100% recess, without measuring, and it will follow the wall 100%. Drywall walls have joints and are taped, they are wavy in nature, and so if you cut the recess straight like you have in the video, you will notice that it does not follow it 100%. Maybe like 90% good. Also no adding anything together like this.

[@tonyaguilar2151]

Joseph Arangio you got a video on that?

[@19cabelas61]

Not the right way, cut the tile and on the back lip score it with your knife and take it out and cut it you'll have a perfect edge that matches that wall mold

[@johnhuber7705]

I'm a 4th generation family ceiling man. It takes me maybe 1 minute to cut and reveal a tile and not this way at all! You either must not be in the business of making money or have no idea. I have trained some of the greenest noobs ever to cut tile who cant read a tape measure, but have never in my life seen someone use a square to cut tile

[@bradywalker5291]

Okay, I don't mean to be that guy, but the grid is wrong. I got done dropping a couple hundred ceiling tiles for an office building, a very large one. This is *not* at all how we do it. The grid and the wall bit are not at the same level. The part against the wall is lower than the grid itself. So, against the wall is not recessed like the sides facing away and out. I'm not saying you can't do this, but this would be very time consuming. The way I cut tiles puts it into place within a minute, no rock square needed, but requires a bit of practice. Most of its easy. Inside the wall end is where you measure from. It's kind of L shaped, but then is flat on top. You measure against the L. Take that measurement to the outside of the T. The reason is because you're measuring for the outside bits, not including the part that's inside the grid. I prefer to shave a 16th, but you can shave an 8th off even. It gets it a snug fit without having to worry about knocking the grid out of square. To mark your tile, I use the end of the tape for marking. Run it out until you reach your measurement along the edge of the recess(not the hidden part!). Use a square as in the video, but the professionals will use the tape to mark a line down the tile, and then cut that line.

[@E_Fleming]

Ah interesting. That would make it a little easier to not have to do recessed edge along wall. I actually had the grid installed by a professional, I just did the tile portion.

[@bradywalker5291]

@@E_Fleming I'd bet if the professional were doing the tiles too, he wouldn't have built the grid to have a recess on the back end. Again, nothing wrong with it necessarily, just a lot more time consuming. I guess you wouldn't see the exposed tile anyhow, and it looks nice. Is what it is.

[@Pensacola-Handyman]

Use the SQUARE for what it's called. Not just a straight edge.

[@davidmorin9045]

This is not in any way how a professional ceiling mechanic would cut tegular/reveal edge tile. The correct and efficient way to measure, scribe and kerf the cut edge is to 1. Measure by holding you tape tab against the inside edge of the wall angle/mold and measure 3/8" past the inside edge of the tee bar...that will allow for what you need for your overlap. 2. The take your measuring tape and SCRIBE that measurement from the tegular edge...not the outside edge...while using your fingers to pinch the tape and slide both hands together while pressing the tape tab to create a groove that your utility will follow in the next step. Cut that all the way through 3. Then drop the tile in place and while hold the tile down with one hand press firmly using a FIXED BLADE utility knife and SCRIBE it ONCE using and following the wall angle edge to create a groove what will be the FINISH tegular edge. 4. Then your fixed blade utility knife and lightly follow the groove you just scribed until to the depth of the tegular edge, thentake the your knife and using your finger as gauge and come in side ways to finish notching out the kerfed edge. It will pull off easily NOTE: DO NOT USE A RETRACTABLE UTILITY KNIFE FOR INSTALLING ANY ACOUSTICAL TILE ALSO USE 1" STRIPS OF DUCT TAPE TO TAPE THE FINGER ENDS THAT RUB AGAINST THE TILE TO PROTECT YOUR FINGERS THAT RUB AGAINST THE TILE IN THE MEASUREMENT SCRIBE AND CUTTING THE KERFED EDGES.

[@E_Fleming]

I’ve gotten similar feedback from other viewers. When I made this video, there were no other videos on KZbin. I used this method to cut tile for my entire basement…It may not be the most efficient way, but it does work. You should make a video with your method 👍. Thank you for the feedback!

[@slabrec01change]

This is not the correct way to cut reveal tile

[@E_Fleming]

I am sorry; others have said the same. When I posted this video, there were no others on this topic. This method may not be the best, but I used it to refinish my basement.

[@softmetals3702]

I dont think I've heard 2/16 since 3rd grade

[@E_Fleming]

I left the fractions that way to make the math easier.

[@gldenglves]

Before you add a video make sure u know what you're talking about...Lowes and home depot have videos on this. I can guarantee not all your cuts are str8 and flush with the angle unless your drywall is absolutely perfect

[@E_Fleming]

+Shaun Seitz I am meticulous to a fault. I hung the drywall myself after painstakingly searching through home depot 2x4's to find the straightest one. So...yes...this method worked out well. Not to mention, if the cut is off by an 8th of an inch you wouldn't see it unless you pressed your face against the wall. Go check out a home depot video and see what kind of ratings those get...the contractors rip them to shreds.