Ceiling tiles offer sound-dampening qualities as well as a more attractive appearance to otherwise unfinished ceilings. These tiles are thin, making it possible to cut through them when needed. If you have canned lights, also called recessed can lights, you must cut a round opening in the tiles to accommodate the bottom portion of the light. The process is straightforward, requiring only manual tools and drawing an accurate cut line.
Instructions
1. Set a stepladder under the area where you are installing the canned lights, if they are not already installed. Push up on the ceiling tile in the location and angle it downward to remove it from the ceiling frame. If the light is already installed, skip this step and locate a new ceiling panel.
2. Spread a towel on a table and place the ceiling tile on it face down. Place the bottom edge of the canned light on top of the tile, in the exact location where it will protrude. If needed, measure the location of the electrical connection in the ceiling first and transfer the location to the tile.
3. Trace around the perimeter of the light using a pencil to create the cut line. If the light is already installed in the ceiling, raise the panel up to the bottom of it and then trace around the perimeter of the light.
4. Set the light out of the way. Insert the blade of a utility knife through the pencil line until it punctures the opposite side. Pull the blade around the circular outline until you reach the starting point.
5. Set the utility knife aside and gently press the center circle out.
6. Slide the ceiling panel over the canned light to ensure it fits. If needed, slice off additional sections until the canned light slides in easily.
Tags: already installed, canned light, around perimeter, , ceiling panel, light already, light already installed