Ceiling tiles can be hung over a frame of mini-joists of wood affixed to the regular ceiling joists or hung from an aluminum frame that hangs down a foot or two from the ceiling. Either way, pulling down dated tiles and replacing them with drywall will add both height and modernity to your ceiling. However the tiles are affixed, you need to clear them out, along with their mounting system, before you can affix the drywall, which must be attached to the ceiling joists.
Instructions
1. Pull down the existing ceiling tiles with your hands, also using a hammer and pry bar if necessary. If there is a drop-ceiling grid, pull it down. Expose the ceiling joists completely. Use pliers to pull out any staples from the joists.
2. Stand a stepladder near end of the ceiling where you want to start and place another stepladder a few feet out from it. (Note: The starting wall must run perpendicular to the ceiling joists.)
3. Measure the ceiling from the starting wall out by 8 feet. Record the distance of the last joist within that span, with the end of the tape measure held to the middle of the joist's narrow edge.
4. Transfer the recorded measurement to a sheet of drywall. Cut the drywall to that size by holding a level across the width of it, scoring with a razor knife alongside the level and bending the piece at that line until it snaps.
5. Hold the cut drywall up to the ceiling, with an assistant. Set it so the cut edge faces the wall and the other edge is at the middle of the edge of the joist.
6. Secure the piece there with drywall screws driven every 6 inches along each joist running above the drywall.
7. Repeat the process, covering the remaining portions of the ceiling in staggered courses (meaning, there should be no four-way intersections between the boards).
8. Press drywall tape onto each of the seams between the boards. Spread over the tape, covering it in a smooth, flat layer. Let it set for six hours.
9. Spread on a second coat of joint compound over the first layer, making the lines a little wider and keeping them flat. Let them dry six hours. Apply a third layer, making it a little wider and keeping it flat. Let it set for 24 hours.
10. Sand the dried compound smooth with a drywall sander. Paint the ceiling.
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