Modern Basement Drop Ceiling Tile Idea
Are you looking for an easy way to makeover your basement ceiling? I was skeptical at first, but drop ceiling tiles were a complete game-changer for our basement makeover. Learn how to easily install new vinyl ceiling tiles for a completely fresh look.
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Our Basement
One of the reasons we purchased our home was the huge basement. We knew this space would be needed one day with kids.
Even though it was “a finished basement,” our basement still needed a lot of work. We knew the ceiling makeover and other projects would have to fit a low-budget DIY basement remodel.
Recommended Supplies
Ceilume Stratford Vinyl Drop Ceiling Tiles are decorative tiles that fit in existing drop ceiling racks. They are made from an eco-friendly plastic that can be easily installed in any space to makeover your drop ceilings. We used the 2′ x 2′ tiles, but they are also available in 2′ x 4′.
How To Use
I was a little nervous to take on our huge ceiling makeover project on my own. I had to replace over 1,000 square feet by myself. While I am a DIY Nut, my husband also normally helps me when needed. However, this was entirely done by one woman in a few days on a ladder.
Easiest Way To Measure Ceiling Tiles
You can have vinyl tiles simply replace the old tiles. We chose to keep our old ones in to help soundproof our ceiling and slip the new ones under the tile.
You will have to measure and cut the ones that are not whole tiles in your basement ceiling already.
We just lined up the old tiles with the new ones. Be careful not to cut away too much. You can always trim the new tile to fit, but you can’t add more.
Tips For Cutting Ceiling Tiles
- USE QUALITY SCISSORS – Cut the vinyl drop ceiling covers easily with a good pair of scissors (our favorite).
- BE CAREFUL IN RAISED AREAS – You have to be a little careful around the spots that have relief, as you need to slowly cut those areas so that the edge doesn’t rip.
- TAKE YOUR TIME – It is easy to cut too much if you rush. While this is a super-easy DIY, you still need to take your time.
Where can you buy Ceilume tiles?
Pros of PVC Tiles
- EASY INSTALLATION: When you need partial tiles, cut them with scissors.
- GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE: I received a few tiles with damaged corners that were easily replaced.
- DESIGN CHOICES – Over 40 decorative tile designs to choose from
- SAFETY – Easy to clean and Class A rated for Fire Safety
Cons
- NEED PRECISE CUTS – The biggest con I noticed was that my cuts needed to be pretty accurate. I had to redo a few because the miscut tile hung down after it was fitted into the drop ceiling track.
- TOUGH ON YOUR NECK – Even though it was an easy DIY project, it still took a lot of time on a ladder with your hands above your head…
- COST – While these are still pretty inexpensive, depending on the design you choose, it will be more expensive than repainting old tiles.
What happens if you miscut a vinyl tile?
In the picture above, you can see that the tile panel was cut a little too small and is therefore sagging. Our basement is large, and I only did this a handful of times. If you are nervous, you could always measure rather than use the old panel as a guide.
PRO TIP: Work in stages. This way, you can order the tile boxes as needed.
Other Drop Ceiling Tiles
Tiles Ordered On Amazon
- Art PVC Tiles: Most Budget-Friendly
- Ceilume Tiles In Black
- Genesis White Tiles
- Art 3D White Wall Panels 12 PK
- Tin Copper Decorative Tiles
Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Walmart
- Ceilume Stratford Tiles: the ones we used
- Budget Ceiling Tiles: These appear slightly cheaper but lack as much relief.
- Decorative Tin Ceiling Tiles: This design is entirely different from the white relief drop ceiling tiles I have linked to. However, depending on your style, you may LOVE this look!
- Genesis Icon Relief Tiles
Different Styles
There are also different and unique styles for your ceiling tiles. Recently, we have seen some stores and restaurants use distressed farmhouse or old tin roof tiles to complete their industrial look.
FAQs
When I searched for products that I thought would help me easily redo our basement, I came across several different vinyl drop ceiling panel ideas. After my research, I decided to give the Ceilume tiles a try.
We did this DIY project over seven years ago. We have not had to replace a single tile (except the one I cut improperly to begin with). Our ceiling does not sag, and the tiles are still bright white.
Yes, it has been over 5 years since we did this makeover, and we are still pleased with this DIY. We love that the clean white vinyl ceiling covers really added to our basement makeover.
Follow us on Pinterest, YouTube or Facebook for more DIY inspiration!
Related DIYS
- DIY Kid Craft Room Ideas: you can see how the same ceiling looks in our basement craft area.
- How To Hang Shelves On Basement Walls
- DIY Basement Wall Waterproofing
Remember, I stated that my husband didn’t think we needed to do anything to our old, moldy drop ceiling? While guess what? After I completely finished our DIY drop ceiling makeover on my own, he told me I was right and it was totally worth it.
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How To Replace Drop Ceiling Tiles Using Ceilume Vinyl Tiles
Equipment
- Scissors
Instructions
- Take out old tile.
- If cutting is involved, line up the old tile and use a good pair of scissors to cut the vinyl.
- If no cutting is involved, then place the new vinyl tile in the grid. In our basement, we chose to keep the old tile up there for soundproofing reasons.
- Add the new ceiling tile back into the grid.
- Optional: You can cover your current grid with this product.
Video
Notes
- There are other brands of drop ceiling tiles you could try.
- They come in different designs and sizes to fit your drop ceiling grids.
- Our ceiling has not sagged at all with leaving the old tiles.
What did you do with the squares that were lights? I’m
Our grids worked around the lights. So we just added the Ceilume tiles in grids around the lights. I hope that makes sense.
What adhesive did you use?
Hi. I did not use adhesive to attach the ceiling tiles but rested them in the hanging rails (drop ceiling system) that we already had in place.
Did you have an issue with the weight of the old tiles being too heavy for the new tiles? I’ve been reading that leaving the old tiles above the new (for sound and insulation) can cause you to lose the relief.
Hi Lorra. I was nervous about this as well. I would say our ceiling still looks the same as it did when these pictures were taken. So the relief design on the drop ceiling tiles has held up in my opinion. The only place we had a problem is where I had to cut the tiles and made one too small and the drop ceiling tile didn’t completely fit in the track. That small one sags, but not because of the tile above it, but because of my mistake.
I love your basement with the updated drop ceiling and thin tiles.
Question: Could the grids be then covered with the armstrong clip on Stylestix covers, as my grid is rather dirty? Or would it push up the tiles so that they were not flush. Or could I hold up the new thin tiles with the covers, to avoid squeezing in the tiles below the old fibreglass ones, as I only have a little wiggle room above the tiles.
Hi Paul. Since we did not use the grid covers I cannot answer this based on personal experience. However, when I was decided if I was going to keep our current off-white ceiling grid, I looked into that product and it appears that they would just clip. From the images I have seen, the tiles still rest in the grid and the Stylestix hang down in your space. You may also want to check out this item and read the q and a’s to see if this might be a cheaper option. I would love to know what you find out.
Did you leave in your old ceiling tiles?
Hi Megan. I did leave the old drop ceiling tiles up there for soundproofing. I also thought it made the vinyl tiles “sturdier”. We haven’t had an issue yet with doing it this way and this DIY project was done over 6 years ago. Good luck with your basement projects!
Would these work for a “cottage cheese” ceiling (I don’t currently have tiles)? Or what would you recommend for that?
Hi Leona. You would have to install a track to install the drop ceiling tiles. It would honestly be cheaper to scrap off the cottage cheese. There are some good tutorials out there on how to do it. Just make sure you are doing it safely and don’t have asbestos in your ceiling.