Ceiling panels are incredibly easy to fit and require minimal tools to complete the job. Most keen DIYer’s will have all of the tools to install paneling on their ceilings, all that is required is a sharp Stanley knife or a fine tooth hand saw, or an electric saw, pins, staples or screws, a marker pen, ruler, sealant gun and a tape measure. Below we outline how to install panels onto your ceiling, our useful installation video also displays how to install in a visual form.

How to install PVC Ceiling Panels > 

• Measure your ceiling length and width linear measurements, using a tape measure. Firstly you will need to work out which way you would like the panels to run across your ceiling - Tip | Ideally you want the boards to be long enough to cover but with little wastage (most ceiling panels come in 2.6 metre lengths)
• Once you know the orientation you will install your panels, you will need to work out how many panels you need in total, to do this you will need to divide the width of your wall by the width of the panels (width of ceiling panels are typically 250mm in width)
  e.g. 1250mm (ceiling width) ÷ 250mm (width of panel) = 5 panels
• If you have an uneven number at the end of this you should round it up, Please Note | this will mean that you will have to cut through the final board from length to length

Step 2 | Transferring your Measurements onto your Panels >

• Now you know how many panels you will need you will need to measure the length of the ceiling to cut the ceiling panels to the correct size
• Transfer these measurements you have straight onto the back of your panels - Tip | If you know you walls are even then you can transfer this measurement onto the back of all your panels, however is your walls are un-even make sure that you measure your wall as you go for each panel board before installing, this will ensure that the panels fit flush against the wall with no gaps

Step 3 | How to Cut your Ceiling Panels >

• Once the back of your panel has been marked with the correct measurements and you have marked a straight line using a black marker pen and a ruler you are ready to cut
• There are three methods for cutting your panels |
  
  - Stanley knife | You will need a sharp Stanley knife, ensure that the panel is face down so that is does not chip. Score along the back of the panel in a straight line where you have marked, Once the panel has been scored a few times simply hang it off a sturdy surface and snap the panel wastage off for a clean finish - Tip | If you are worried about not getting a straight cut use a spirit level or a ruler as a guide to cut along the paneling, using a firm grip
  
  - Fine Tooth Hand Saw | When using a fine tooth hand saw ensure that it is sharp, take the saw and make an incision cut on the groove side of the panel, once this has been made cut along the panel to the other in a straight line
  
  - Electronic Chop Saw | If you are using a chop saw make sure the blade is sharp, and that the panel butts up to the saw and that it is in line with your measured marked line. Ensure the saw is at full speed before cutting down on your panel so that it does not chip the end of the board

Step 4 | Removing the Groove of the Panel you will be Installing First >

• You will need to remove the groove of the panel using a sharp Stanley knife, cut at around a 45 degree angle and slice from top to bottom of the panel. This will make sure that the panel sits flush against the wall - Tip | Ensuring that it is the groove of the panel you cut first is essential, especially if you will be screwing or stapling the panels to hold them in place whilst adhesive sets, as you can only screw & pin with the tongue side of the panel

Step 5 | Choosing & Applying your Adhesive >

• Once your panels have been cut you are ready to apply your chosen adhesive and install onto your ceiling surface
• Choosing your adhesive |
  
  - Solvent Free Adhesive | Pink Grip is a solvent free adhesive suitable for porous surfaces such as existing plaster board, concrete, chip board, wood etc. This is an instant grab adhesive
  
  - Silicone Adhesive | Silicone adhesive is ideal for surfaces that are non-porous such as existing tiles or smooth shiny surfaces, as the panels will more than likely be getting installed over a porous surface on a ceiling this form of adhesive is not recommended, however if you do use silicone as your adhesive you will need to ensure that the panels tongue is screwed into the existing surface every 30cm as you install them, this ensures that the panels stay in place whilst the adhesive sets in
  
  - Maximum Torque Adhesive | Torque adhesive is a maximum instant grab adhesive that bonds to basically everything and anything, using this adhesive will replace the need of screwing & stapling the panels tongue completely on installation
• Once you have made a decision about which adhesive will suit requirement’s for your installation, you are ready to apply the adhesive onto the first panel you will be installing
• Insert your adhesive into a sealant gun, once this is set up apply the adhesive to the back of the panel. The panel adhesive should be applied in a zig-zag manner on the back of the ceiling panel - Tip | If you have an un-even existing ceiling surface apply more adhesive in the un-even areas to compensate for these areas, this will ensure a smooth flat surface finish

Step 6 | Installing your Ceiling Boards > 

• Remove any protective film from the face of the panel
• Now that your adhesive has been applied you can move onto installing your first panel
• Simply place the ceiling board onto the ceiling ensuring that you are installing the panel groove side to the wall where this had been cut earlier, for a flush finish against the wall
• Once you are happy with the panels positioning, you will need to apply pressure to the entire panel - length to length to make sure that the adhesive spreads and that you have a tight seal
• Securing the panels - If you have chosen to screw, staple or pin your panels to allow for the panel stays in place whilst the adhesive sets, you will want to now either screw, staple or pin the tongue of the panel approximately every 30cm
• Repeat this process for the remainder of your panels, making sure you are pushing each panel firmly together using their tongue and groove interlocking system, and again applying pressure to each individual panel as you go

Step 7 | Drilling for Spot Lights or Alternate Light Fittings >

• If your ceiling has spotlights or any alternate light fittings, measure the diameter of the light fitting and transfer this positioning onto your relevant ceiling board by leaving a pen mark and cut this area with a circular saw drill - Tip | If you are apprehensive about heat damage to the panels, there is no need for concern as all of our panels are class 1 fire rated and will not deteriorate or discolour
  
  Please Note | You can either drill the boards prior to installation on the relevant panel or once installed on the ceiling depending on the nature of your installation

Step 8 | Installing Finishing Trims >

• There are 3 different types of trim you can use to finish off your ceiling boards, one of these trims (quadrant trim) can be installed externally once all panels have been installed the other two trim’s (coving & end cap) would need to be fitted with the panels as they are being installed onto the ceiling 
• There are three types of finishing trims for ceiling panels |
  
  - Quadrant | This trim can be fitted externally once the panels have been installed using silicone as the adhesive
  
  - Coving 5mm Depth or 8mm | Coving slots into the panel whilst the main ceiling panel installation is being carried out, and this butts up to the wall - Tip | You can also cut the back tongue of this trim off so that this trim finish can be installed externally after all ceiling panels have been installed
  
  - End Cap | The end cap trim again slots into the panel whilst the main panel installation is being carried out, and this butts up to the wall for a neat finish
  
  Please Note | If you are using the Coving or the End cap trim you will need to install the trims at the Step 6 Stage of this guide so that they can be fitted flush with the panels and inserted into the panels as you install

• Alternatively you can seal the panels for a neat water tight finish using silicone adhesive as the sealant
• If you are using trims on your installation you will need to mitre the corners where the trims will meet each other using a mitre block
• After your trims have been mitred simply run a neat line of silicone on the back of the trim and press the length of the trim against the panel for a secure finish, when fitting a quadrant against the wall IF using a coving or end cap trim then seal using this method to the wall behind the trim & panel

You can install panels onto your ceiling in any interior room in your home, from the bathroom through to the kitchen, utility area, downstairs bathroom, and even bedrooms for a neat tidy practical finish. For those areas in your home that produce humidity and damp such as bathrooms and utility areas, ceiling panels are ideal as they have humidity, and mould/mildew resistance, due to their PVC material, you can finally say goodbye to mouldy bathroom ceilings.

Kitchen Ceiling Panels
Gloss White V Groove 6mm 

Bathroom Ceiling Panels
White Gloss 5mm

All our tongue and groove ceiling panels are incredibly easy to clean and require minimal maintenance, providing an impeccable ceiling surface that will last for years to come, making them a great alternative to painted ceilings. Ceiling panels will instantly brighten any room they are installed in and provide a luxe interior finish.

The video below is a step by step instruction outlining how to install your ceiling panels, with helpful tips including how to drill your panels for spotlights, what to do if your ceilings aren’t straight and more. Check out our ceiling panel installation video now >

Discover our full collection of ceiling panels now at The Panel Company. If you have any questions about installation or have any product queries please get in touch with our main customer service team on 01709 828339 or email us at weborders@panelcompany.co.uk