Skip to Content

Can You Put Vinyl Tiles On Ceiling? (How To)

Many people use vinyl tiles on their floors. They can dress up a room and make it beautiful. Can you get the same benefits by installing vinyl tile on the ceiling?

It is as easy to install vinyl tile on the ceiling as it is to install it on the floor. As long as you have everything prepared in advance, you can have a beautiful ceiling in no time that will last for many years.

Something that may be of interest to most people is the fact that you can use almost any material that is used on the floor by also installing it on the ceiling. As you will learn in this article, some specific methods will make it possible so that you don’t end up with a disaster of a DIY project.

Some vinyl tiles are specifically made for the ceiling and they can last for a very long time. One of the reasons why they are beneficial is because of their coating, which helps to protect them from moisture.

That being said, any vinyl tile is made of PVC so it is going to be impervious to water. You don’t have to worry about installing them above the shower or any other area where moisture is a problem in the home.

The real key to having a successful project is to install the tiles properly. This would include preparing the ceiling in advance and using the appropriate glue for the job being done.

Can You Put Vinyl Tiles On Ceiling? (How To)

One important factor to consider is the difference between the two types of vinyl tile floors. I’m not talking about the quality of the floor, I’m talking about the way that the tiles are installed.

Some vinyl floors are glued down and others are snapped together. The snap-together variety typically floats on the floor without actually being attached to the subfloor.

That is never going to work when it comes to installing vinyl tiles on the ceiling. Regardless of whether you are snapping them together with tongue and groove or if you are using peel and stick, you have to use glue in the process.

The real key is to use the proper type of glue because it will make a difference in how long the vinyl tile will stay on the ceiling. Obviously, you don’t want them to fall, and that is something to consider when it comes to the type of tile you are installing.

For example, a properly prepared ceiling will be able to accept either luxury vinyl tile or peel-and-stick tile. Both of them work quite well and can be a very beautiful addition to the ceiling.

The difference between the two is the weight. Peel and stick tile has the glue already included but in order for it to be held down, you generally have to walk on it. That isn’t going to happen on the ceiling, so you may have to use some spray adhesive.

On the other hand, luxury vinyl tile is thicker and heavier so you want to use a better quality glue and make sure that it adheres properly to the ceiling. When you do so, it will last for a very long time.

These and other considerations will be reviewed in this article. We will talk about the pros and cons of putting vinyl tile on the ceiling as well as how to prepare the ceiling so you can get the job done right.

Should You Put Vinyl Tiles On Ceiling?

confused woman standing

There is never a problem with putting vinyl tile on the ceiling if it is done properly. That doesn’t mean that it is going to be the right choice for everyone. What are the pros and cons behind it?

Pros:

Affordability: It is generally affordable to buy vinyl tile and install it on the ceiling. It will also last a long time.

Moisture: Since vinyl tile is waterproof, it can stand up to the humidity in certain areas of the home, such as the bathroom and even above the shower.

Maintenance: Vinyl tile is very easy to maintain. That is especially true on the ceiling where you will not be walking on the tile.

Durability: If you are looking for something that will last for a long time, then you can choose vinyl tile and be happy with the selection.

Cleaning: Vinyl tiles are easy to clean because you can simply wash them with soap and water. When you install vinyl tile on the ceiling, you can wipe it with a wet cloth and it will clean easily.

Cons:

Temperature: If you install it in a part of the home where temperatures fluctuate significantly, you may have some warping of the tile. This is not going to be a problem unless you are dealing with an extreme case.

VOCs: Since vinyl tile is made with chemicals, it will release those chemicals into the air after you install it. This can be a real problem in enclosed areas of the home, such as the bathroom.

That should probably give you enough of the good and bad factors for installing vinyl tile to help you make a choice.

What Tools Do You Need To Put Vinyl Tiles On Ceiling?

confused woman standing

If you are ready to install vinyl tile on the ceiling, you should get your tools together first. Here are some of the things you will need:

Chalk Line

Utility Knife

Straight Edge

Level

Paintbrush and Roller

Heavy Roller

Tape Measures

Non-Marking Mallet

You may also have some other tools that you use for almost any job. I use a five-in-one tool for everything and I am never without it. You may find another tool to be equally useful.

What Preparations Do You Need To Install Vinyl Tiles On Ceiling?

confused woman standing

Preparation is the key to success in almost any project. This includes installing vinyl tile on the ceiling. How can you get things ready?

One important factor to consider when installing vinyl tile on any surface is the fact that you will need a subfloor. When installing it on the floor, the subfloor is typically concrete or plywood. When installing it on the ceiling, your subfloor is likely going to be drywall.

When you install vinyl, any imperfection that is below the vinyl is going to show through. If you have a tiny piece of gravel or a bump in the drywall subfloor, it is going to show through and could even ruin the job.

That is why it is so important to prepare the ceiling properly before you ever even think about installing the vinyl tile. Unless you install things properly, you are not going to be happy with the job. Here’s what to do:

Clean – The first step in the process is to clean the ceiling thoroughly. This is something that may not have been done for quite some time.

In some areas of the home, grease and grime can build up on the ceiling and you may not even notice it. In addition, if you have a smoker in the house, it can cause problems as well.

Be sure you wash down the drywall thoroughly on the ceiling. You will then be in a better position to install the vinyl tile successfully.

Repair – This is a step that should not be overlooked. You have to thoroughly repair the drywall so that there are no flaws within it.

That being said, it is impossible to get anything perfect in this world. You want to strive to be as perfect as possible and that would mean removing any bumps in the drywall as well as filling in any dents.

Use a wide drywall scraper to scrape the surface and look for any high points or bumps. If you find any, they should be cleaned or scraped away.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on October 3, 2022.

You can then fill in any holes that are in the drywall from nails or perhaps just because of damage. The key is to get everything as smooth and clear as possible so that you can install the vinyl tile without having the damage show through.

Prime – As a final step in the process, put a single coat of primer on the ceiling. Generally speaking, you can use a water-based primer unless the ceiling is an oil-based paint.

Applying a primer to the ceiling allows the glue to work properly. Otherwise, it may not stick very long.

After this is done, you are ready to get the job underway.

How To Install Vinyl Tiles On Ceiling

confused woman standing

Now that the ceiling is prepared, you can begin installing the vinyl tile. Here’s how to do so.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on October 3, 2022.

Step 1: Grab a Buddy – If at all possible, have somebody working along with you. You will be working in an unusual position for an extended amount of time so it is good to have somebody handing you the tiles.

Step 2: Apply the Adhesive – It is a good idea to apply the adhesive regardless of whether you are using luxury vinyl tile or peel-and-stick tile. A good adhesive will ensure that the tiles will stay on the ceiling for the long term.

Step 3: First Row – Install the first row, keeping the leading edge as straight as possible. The job you do on the first row is going to make a difference on each subsequent row.

Step 4: Continue – Continue to install each row of tile in place. When necessary, add additional adhesive to the ceiling so you can continue.

Step 5: Press On – The final step in the process is to get the tile to stick to the ceiling. This can be done by pushing on the individual tiles or by using an inverted heavy roller to roll the ceiling. The point is to get the adhesive to stick.

Vinyl tiles can be installed on the ceiling quickly and easily. They offer the beauty and dependability that is required for dressing up the room from the top down. As long as you use glue, the vinyl tiles will stay on the ceiling for a very long time.

Related Articles

Can You Put Vinyl Tiles On Stairs? (How To)

Can You Put Vinyl Tiles On Basement Floor? (How To)

Can You Put Vinyl Tile In Bathroom? (How To)

Can You Put Vinyl Tiles On Walls? (How To)

ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on October 3, 2022.

Can You Put Vinyl Tile Over Vinyl Flooring? (How to)