If you have ceiling tiles in a room and want to refinish the ceiling, is it possible just to plaster over them? Is this a safe practice or should it be avoided?
Ceiling tiles do not typically have the strength necessary to hold up the weight of plaster. It is better to remove the ceiling tiles if possible before plastering. There are also some methods that can strengthen the tiles ahead of time.
In almost all construction questions, there is going to be a ‘yes but’ statement attached to the answer. In other words, you can do something but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is going to be the best course of action.
That is what you have when applying plaster over ceiling tiles.
In a perfect world, you would never apply plaster over ceiling tiles because they can’t stand up to the weight. Ceiling tiles tend to be flimsy and you would soon have a ceiling on the floor.
If you’re determined to do this and don’t want to take the time to remove the ceiling tiles, however, there are some things you can do to make it possible. What are the options?
Can You Put Plaster Over Ceiling Tiles? (How To)
Reinforce the Tiles – One of the methods that can make it possible to plaster over the tiles is to reinforce the tiles. This essentially means that you will take screws and attach the tiles to the ceiling permanently. When you plaster over them, you will also be covering the damage that was caused by the screws.
Use Lightweight Plaster – Not every type of plaster is created equally. Since you are dealing with an area of the home that can’t stand up to the weight of plaster, you could always use Perlite cement plaster. Not only does it have the same benefits as regular plaster, but it is also 60% lighter.
Drywall – This is going to be a time-intensive, expensive, and unnecessary thing to do but it is an option if you want to be cautious and don’t want to remove the tiles. You can simply drywall the ceiling using a very thin piece of drywall, such as 1/4″.
The real key to making this a success is to screw the drywall to the ceiling through a supporting beam, rafter, or joist. Doing so will hold the drywall in place permanently and you can just skim it with some plaster after it is installed.
Remove the Tiles – One other option is to remove the tiles. Since you’re going to be plastering anyway, you can simply pop the tiles from the ceiling and fix any damage with the plaster. More than likely, you can take a flat edge and pop the tile from the corner. The rest will come down easily.
Those are just some options but in any case, you have the opportunity to plaster when the job is done. Let’s consider some of the possible problems along with a description of how this job can be done properly.
Should You Put Plaster Over Ceiling Tiles?
There are always going to be problems with any construction project. Some of them are just built in and it is the nature of how things are done.
This also includes plastering over ceiling tiles. What are some of the potential issues that need to be avoided?
Working Overhead – When it comes to safety, you really have to be cautious when working overhead in this way. Regardless of whether you are removing tiles, drywalling, screwing, or plastering, it is possible for something to fall on you and in particular, in your face.
It is always a good idea to wear a face shield when working overhead in this way. Just keep in mind that your face shield does not replace the need for wearing safety glasses. You should have both on at this time.
Weight – As we discussed earlier, the weight of the plaster is going to be a big problem. Ceiling tiles are somewhat flimsy and they don’t tend to be attached to the ceiling very well. The weight of the plaster could easily cost the entire ceiling to fall.
One way to avoid this problem is to use a lighter-weight plaster, such as Perlite. If you only put a minimal skim coat over the ceiling tiles, they may just hold but you are still taking a chance.
Adhesion – When you put plaster on any surface, it needs to hold to the surface fast. This is possible in some parts of the home because you are plastering something that is porous. That is not the case with ceiling tiles.
Even if you use Perlite, it may not stick properly because ceiling tiles don’t have the pores that allow them to grip the plaster properly. You may find that the plaster is dripping off of the ceiling as you are working.
Sore Neck/Back – If you’ve never had the opportunity to work overhead for an extended amount of time, you don’t realize just how rough it can be on your neck and back. If you’re working and plastering the ceiling, take frequent breaks and stretch regularly to keep yourself loose and avoid injury.
Fumes – Something that is often overlooked is the reaction that can occur when you put plaster over polystyrene ceiling tiles. It has been reported that fumes can take place due to the reaction of plaster being put on polystyrene. It’s something to consider when doing this work.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Plaster Over Ceiling Tiles?
There may be a different variety of tools that are necessary, depending upon how you plan on preparing the ceiling tiles for plaster. Here is a general list of tools that you may need for this purpose.
Roll of Plastic
Ladder
Poles
Drywall Knives
Drywall Tape
Plaster
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Utility Knives
Screw Gun
Tape Measures
Levels
Straight Edge
T-Square
Safety Glasses or Goggles
Face Shield
Gloves
Respirator (N95)
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Plaster Over Ceiling Tiles?
Now is the time to prepare for putting the plaster over ceiling tiles or in the area where the ceiling tiles existed. Preparing is going to make the job much easier and make clean up a breeze. Consider the following:
Cover Floor – Use a large plastic sheet to cover the floor. Even if you are not pulling the old ceiling tiles down, you may have some drips from the plaster and it could ruin whatever is underneath.
It is best if you carefully cover everything in the room, including furniture, doorways, and flooring, such as carpeting. You can then work at your own pace and after you finish, simply roll up the plastic and throw it away.
Remove Tiles – This is an optional step but it is one that you should consider. It may be easier to remove the tiles than to try to plaster over them and run the risk of them falling at some point in the future.
Ceiling tiles are very flimsy so you should be able to put a straight edge, such as a drywall knife under one corner and pop the ceiling tile from the ceiling. As you begin to work your way across the room, you will find it much easier to do.
Attach Tiles – If you are not going to be removing the tiles, you should attach them. This is done by taking a screw and running it through the ceiling tile directly into a 2 x 4 or joist above. This will give the tile the strength that is necessary for holding the plaster in position.
How To Put Plaster Over Ceiling Tiles
Are you ready to do the job? Now that everything is prepared, it’s time to actually put the plaster in place.
1. Skim – The first and most important step in the process is to skim the ceiling tiles with a very thin layer of plaster. You only want enough to cover any gaps between the ceiling tiles and to make a new level on the tiles.
You will be adding additional plaster, so don’t worry if you can see the ceiling tiles at first. This part of the process is just to get started.
2. Scuff – After you have the first coat in place, you should rough it up with some sandpaper. You don’t need to do any extensive sanding, you just want to give it a rough edge so the next layer of plaster will hold better.
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3. Repeat – Continue to put layer after layer of plaster on the ceiling, working with thin layers until it is covered.
4. Dry – After you have the ceiling properly covered with plaster, allow it to dry completely.
5. Smooth – Use a porous sponge and water to wet sand the ceiling. This will get it smooth and level so it is ready for primer without creating a lot of dust.
It is possible to put plaster over ceiling tiles but you need to be careful. Ceiling tiles do not typically have the strength necessary to hold up plaster and they may not be porous enough to adhere to plaster. If you prepare properly, the job can go smoothly.
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