How to Install Styrofoam Faux Tin Ceiling Tiles

It’s no secret that I love decorating ceilings. So I’m always looking for ways to add interest to it that are easy to install. Which is where learning how to install styrofoam faux tin ceiling tiles comes into play. They instantly upgrade any ceiling, take only a few hours to install, and don’t create any mess. And they even cover popcorn ceilings!

how to install styrofoam faux tin ceiling tiles

In the “old days”, ceilings in banks, schools, and other institutions were covered with painted, patterned tin, often to hide imperfections in the plaster.

Today, faux tin ceiling tiles accomplish the same thing, look great, and are very easy to put up.

Keep reading to see our instructions on how to install faux tin ceiling tiles.

The Inspiration

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After seeing the architectural interest and beauty that real tin ceiling tiles added to Victorian homes, I wanted to try them myself but I didn’t want the hassle of actually using tin.  

It is hard to cut, a little tricky to install and has sharp edges.  

So…what kind of tiles to install?  Keep reading to find out.

What Kind Of Tiles To Install?

Faux tin ceiling tiles on a popcorn ceiling

Ceiling tiles today are not your 1970’s ceiling tiles!  

They are available in a variety of patterns (from traditional to contemporary), and in a lot of different materials—tin, aluminum, plastic, and polystyrene to name a few. 

They are also fire-rated (so not the same fire hazard as there used to be with the old-school tiles).

I chose to use the Styrofoam 20” square tiles.

They are economical, light weight, easy to cut (no tin snips required!) and only require some glue for installation.

Since they are flexible, they also adhere easily to surfaces with irregularities, including popcorn ceilings (which I needed to cover the popcorn on the kitchen ceiling).  

I recommend painting the popcorn first to make sure that there are no crumbling bits. The ceiling above had a popcorn ceiling that had previously been spray-painted, and the tiles stuck without any issues.

Don’t worry if your styrofoam tiles seem “flimsy” when you get them. They are usually pretty thin, but that’s what makes them really easy to work with (and once they are installed, you really can’t tell).

We used a metallic paint on the tiles to make them look like tin, and you cannot tell from the ground that they are styrofoam!  

The pattern of the tiles draws the eye upward in the room, and adds that architectural interest to the “fifth” wall that I was looking for.  And it completely covers the ugly popcorn ceiling!

What You Need To Install Faux Tin Ceiling Tiles

Ceiling tile installation supplies

Materials

  • Styrofoam tiles*, in the pattern of your choice. At an added cost, you can purchase the tiles pre-painted, in a variety of colors. I prefer to paint my own (and get the color exactly the way I want it)
  • Latex Paint Note: do not use spray paint or oil-based paint on styrofoam. It will pit the surface.
  • Liquid Nails*

Tools

  • Paint tray and roller. I find a foam roller works well.
  • Measuring Tape
  • Pencil
  • Chalk Line*
  • Geometry Compass*
  • Straight Edge
  • Utility knife
  • Putty Knife
  • Caulking Gun

How to Install Faux Tin Ceiling Tiles

Okay, now that you’ve got the supplies, we’re on to learning how to install faux tin ceiling tiles.

This video gives you a good overview of the process…although we work around the light fixtures rather than taking them down…it’s easier 🙂

Here are our step-by-step instructions for how to install styrofoam faux tin ceiling tiles.

Step 1 | Paint The Tiles

It is easier to paint the tiles before gluing them to the ceiling.

Styrofoam ceiling tiles after being painted black

Lay them out in a single layer.

Then paint them using latex paint. Oil paint (like most spray paints) will eat through the styrofoam, so make sure it is latex.

They will likely need two coats to cover the white of the styrofoam.

Purple bathroom with styrofoam faux tin ceiling tiles painted silver

You can also get creative by layering colors to create more depth.

In the picture above, I first rolled on a latex lilac colored paint.

After it dried, I applied a coat of silver metallic latex with a foam roller.

A green and pink tiled ceiling with squares.

Another interesting way to paint the tiles is to emphasize the design by painting each tile two colors.

Ceiling tiles painted pink and green in a colorful living room

I wanted to have the ceiling pop in my living room so I pulled the fuchsia and lime green from the wallpaper to use on the tiles.

A person using a paint roller to paint a ceiling tile pink

I first painted the inner square fuchsia by following the lines in the ceiling tile and using a 4″ foam roller.

A person using a brush to paint the edge of a ceiling tile green

After the second coat was dry, I applied two coats of green to the edges with a brush, carefully abutting the fuchsia in a straight line.

The process was time consuming, but not difficult.

Step 2 | Find The Center Of The Ceiling

Establishing the center of the ceiling will make sure that the tiles are evenly spaced between the walls.

You can either install the tiles straight or on the diagonal.

How you find the center of the ceiling will depend on which way you want them to go.

For Straight Installations

Kitchen with styrofoam faux tin ceiling tiles painted silver

Measure the length of one of the walls at the ceiling and divide the number in half to determine where the half-way point is.

Use a pencil to mark that center point on opposite sides of the ceiling.

Use the chalk line to create a line joining those two points together.  It is easier to do this if you have a second person…each of you can hold an end of the chalk line at either end of the ceiling and snap it to create the line. However, to do it solo, you just need to tack the end of the chalk line at one end of the ceiling and pull it across to the other side.

Repeat the same steps going in the other direction (create a line joining the other two walls at the center point).

You should end up with a cross that meets where the center of the ceiling is.

For Diagonal Installations

Ceiling with styrofoam faux tin ceiling tiles installed on the diagonal

You can also install the tiles diagonally (like the ceiling above) instead of straight on between the walls. It’s actually a little easier to find the center.

Just use the chalk line to make a line from one corner of the room to the opposite corner.

Then repeat between the other two corners.

You’ll end up with an X on the ceiling.

The rest of the installation follows the same steps as above, except that you will probably only be able to follow along one of the lines since the lines in the middle will not meet at a right angle (unless your room is perfectly square).

Step 3 | Glue The Tiles To The Ceiling

Liquid nails being applied to the back of a faux tin ceiling tile

Use liquid nails in a caulk gun to put glue on the back of the first tile.

Don’t skimp on the glue. I put generous gobs on each corner, the middle and here and there with a flexible putty knife.

Position the first tile in the right angle created where the two lines cross in the center of the room. After lining it up with the chalk lines, gently press the tile onto the ceiling.

Continue gluing up tiles lining them up along the chalk lines and right next to each other.

Make sure the edges and corners line up or the lines will be crooked when you get finished.

Repeat these steps with the next row of tiles, again making sure the edges and corners line up.

Keep going until you get to the edge of the ceiling. See the Step 5 instructions below for how to cut the last row of tiles (if necessary).

Step 4 | Cut Around Light Fixtures

If you have ceiling light fixtures, you’ll need to cut the tiles around them.

Ceiling light fixture with the cover taken down

First, loosen the cover from the top of the light fixture.

Measurements required to cut styrofoam tiles around a ceiling light fixture

Then measure the size of the hole, as well as the distance from the fixture to the next tile.

Compass used to cut a hole in a ceiling tile for a light fixture

Use the measurements you took to determine where the hole needs to be cut in the ceiling tile.

Then use a geometry compass to mark the circle for the light fixture hole.

It’s better to make a little too small than too big. You can always trim more off later.

Utility knife cutting a hole in a styrofoam ceiling tile

Cut the circle with a utility knife.

Styrofoam ceiling tile with a hole and slit cut in it for fitting over a ceiling light fixture

Then make a slit from the hole to the edge of the tile.

Faux tin styrofoam ceiling tile being installed around a ceiling light fixture

Place the tile on the ceiling around the ceiling fixture to make sure it fits properly.

Faux tin styrofoam ceiling tile installed around a ceiling light fixture with the cover off

Glue the tile to the ceiling.

Styrofoam ceiling tile installed around a ceiling light fixture

Replace the light fixture cover.

Step 5 | Cut The Edge Tiles

Styrofoam faux tin ceiling tile measurement to the edge

When you reach the walls, the tiles will need to be cut to size.

Measure from the side of the last installed tile to the wall

Transfer these measurements to the new tile.

Styrofoam faux tin ceiling tile cut with utility knife

Place a straight edge at these marks, and holding it firmly in place, cut the tile cleanly with the utility knife.

Before putting any glue on, hold the tile up in its location to make sure it fits (and make any necessary adjustments)

Then glue it in.

The Finished Ceiling

Ceiling covered with styrofoam faux tin ceiling tiles painted black

Installation rarely takes longer than a day (depending on the size of the room of course) and the only cleanup involves putting the tools away.

In case you’re wondering, that gold lacy design around the light fixture is a DIY project, too. Find out how to make a lace ceiling medallion.

Den ceiling with styrofoam faux tin ceiling tiles painted black

Now that you know how to install faux tin ceiling tiles, hopefully you’re inspired to upgrade the ceiling in your house!

More Ceiling Decorating Ideas You Might Like

Have comments or question on how to install faux tin ceiling tiles?  Tell us in the section below.


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how to styrofoam install faux tin ceiling tiles: a budget friendly room upgrade

This post was originally published on February 22, 2015 but was updated with new content on October 13, 2023.


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21 Comments

  1. Tassie Biesecker says:

    Love this! I have popcorn ceilings and this is a cost effective way to cover them! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hello Tassie, I’m happy we could help.

  2. Susie edwards says:

    Are they hard to paint since they are a little flimsy and can you tell they are styrofoam with only 8 foot ceilings?

    1. Wanda Simone says:

      Hi Susie…No, we didn’t have any trouble painting the styrofoam ceiling tiles. Once they are painted, they don’t look like styrofoam at all. (The purple room with the silver ceiling and the black room that are pictured in the post both have 8 foot ceilings).

  3. Thank you so much for this article. I want to do this in my kitchen. Do you think this will make 8 foot ceilings look shorter? I have already read your article in re making 8 foot ceilings look taller. Thank you! Debbie

    1. Hello Debbie, I have put these tiles in my small bathroom and Wanda has them in her kitchen and den — all have 8′ ceilings and look very good. If you paint them a fun color, you will distract from any perception of claustrophobia.

  4. Great site! Thanks for sharing!

  5. Where do I discover the Styrofoam tiles? Love the thought and need to do our restrooms.

    1. Hello Mohsin, Amazon has a large selection. The link is in the supplies section of the article.

  6. I had done this 20 years ago and painted my ceiling and ceiling trim a metallic silver – now the paint stores say they don’t carry a matching paint. Can you tell me where you bought your paint and what color? I want to keep my silver but need to redo it because with the remodel I had to add new trim and now I can’t match it up. Thanks!

    1. Hello Jackie,
      I used Ralph Lauren’s Regent Metallics silver base RL2602 that I bought at Home Depot. Unfortunately, they no longer carry it. However, Rust-Oleum has a silver paint and so does Deco-art. Both are available at Home Depot. I expect that you will have to paint the entire surface because the new and old silvers will not match.

  7. Linda wilkerson says:

    Do you think after the tiles are painted I can stack and store them back in the box? I can’t do the project all in one day because I have bedroom furniture to move, walls to paint, and replace flooring. Thinking I need a week. I don’t want them to stick together.

    1. Hello Linda: I have had no problems with stacking painted tiles once the paint on them is completely dry. Good luck with your extensive bedroom reno.

  8. Joyce Pelphrey says:

    I wanted to do this for years. When I redid my kitchen these tiles were not available or at least I couldn’t find them. Do you glue them onto the popcorn ceiling or scratch it off first?

    1. Hello Joyce, I used No More Nails to glue the Styrofoam tiles directly to the popcorn on the ceiling. I put blobs of the glue in several places on the back side of the tile before gently pushing it into place.

  9. Joanne Carter says:

    Hi, this is Joanne again. I am in the process of doing the faux ceiling with Styrofoam tiles. I am having trouble with the painting. Should I paint the tiles with a base coat before using the metallic paint? I put the metallic paint directly on the foam tile using a foam roller and it looks all streaky.

    1. Hello, Joanne. I do not use a primer when I am painting Styrofoam tiles. Some brands of metallic paint go on smoother than others. I think if you give the tiles a second coat of paint the streaks will fade out. Good luck!

  10. Hi, Thank you for all of this great detail!

    How have the tiles held up over time?
    Are the edges still looking aligned?

    Have you noticed any changes around the edges? I am considering faux ceiling tiles with a crown molding. Do you have any thoughts/suggestions there?

    Thanks again!
    Nate

    1. Hi Nate…The tiles have held up really well. I was a little afraid having them in a bathroom and kitchen that they might not stand up to the heat and moisture, but they look just as good now as they did when they were installed. Everything is still lined up and nothing is coming off the ceiling. I put the ceiling tiles up in my den which has crown moldings and it looks great (you can see that project here). I used the exact same process to install them, but did all measurements to the edge of the molding instead of to the wall (I think you could also install the tiles first and then put the moldings up on top of them if you wanted to). Good luck with it!

  11. Where do I find the Styrofoam tiles. Love the idea and want to do our bathrooms.

    1. Hi Joanne…I bought mine on amazon.com. If you do a search for “styrofoam ceiling tiles” on either amazon.com or google.com, you will get a bunch of different options…just make sure to get the glue-up kind if you want to do this type of installation. Thanks for visiting!