When it comes to finishing a space, ceilings are often overlooked - but the right ceiling panels can completely transform both the look and functionality of a room. More than just a decorative element, ceiling panels offer practical solutions for everyday needs: they can hide unsightly wiring and ductwork, improve acoustics, boost insulation, and even make future maintenance easier.
With the right tools and a step-by-step approach, you don’t need to be a professional to achieve great results. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to install ceiling panels, from preparation to tips for a smooth and secure fit.
What you need to install ceiling panels
Before we jump into our handy step-by-step guide, you’ll need to ensure you have the right tools to carry out the job. Having the following specific tools will make installing these panels easier, but will also help ensure a quality finish.
For this job, you’ll need:
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A sharp Stanley knife, fine-tooth hand saw, or electric saw
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Pins, staples or screws
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A marker pen
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A ruler
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A tape measure
How to install ceiling panels
To help you achieve that professional-looking finish, we’ve created an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to take you through everything from preparation to installation below.
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Measure your ceiling
Before you start, you’ll need to decide on which orientation you’d like to place the panels. Ideally, you want the boards to be long enough to cover your ceiling but with little wastage. Once you’ve decided on a horizontal or vertical look, you will need to work out how many panels you need in total.
You can do this by measuring the length and width of your ceiling using a tape measure. Then divide the width of your wall by the width of the panels (the width of ceiling panels is typically 250mm in width, but you can double-check the product listing if you’re unsure).
example: 1250mm (ceiling width) ÷ 250mm (width of panel) = 5 panels
If you have an uneven number, such as 5.5, you should round it up.
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Cutting the panels to the correct size
Once you’ve got your panels, you’ll then need to cut them down to size. Use your ceiling measurements, mark on the back of your panels with a pencil or marker where they’ll need to be cut. If you know your walls are even, then you can transfer this measurement onto the back of all your panels; however, if your walls are uneven, make sure that you measure your wall as you go for each panel board before installing.
Once the back of your panel has been marked with the correct measurements, it’ll be ready to cut down. You can use three different tools for this job, and they include:
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A Stanley knife - when using a Stanley knife, you’ll want to 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 waste off for a clean finish.
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A fine-tooth handsaw - a fine-tooth handsaw is a small, lightweight saw designed to make smooth, precise cuts without tearing or chipping delicate materials. Unlike a standard wood saw with large, aggressive teeth, a fine-tooth saw has many small teeth placed close together, which allows it to cut cleanly through ceiling panels.
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An electronic chop saw - a power tool used for making quick, precise straight cuts through wood, metal, or other building materials. Many chop saws can also be adjusted to cut at angles, making them especially useful for projects that require mitred or bevelled edges. Because of its power and speed, a chop saw is great for cutting multiple ceiling panels.
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Cutting around lighting fixtures
When installing ceiling panels around lighting fixtures, accurate measuring and careful cutting are key to achieving a clean, professional look. Start by turning off the power to the fixture for safety, then measure the exact size and position of the opening you’ll need. For this, you’ll need to measure:
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The diameter of the fixture
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Where it sits on the ceiling.
Measure directly from the edges of the ceiling grid (or the wall if it’s the first panel) to the centre of the light fixture. Write down the distance from the left/right edges and the distance from the front/back edges. Then, lay your ceiling panel flat on the ground. Using the same measurements, mark those distances on the panel - this will give you the exact centre point for the fixture.
From there, trace the outline of the opening you need using the diameter of the fixture to know how big a hole to cut, making sure to leave a small allowance so the fixture can sit neatly without forcing the panel. A utility knife or fine-tooth saw works best for cutting - go slowly to avoid cracks or rough edges. Once cut, test-fit the panel around the fixture to ensure a proper fit before securing it in place.
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Remove the panel groove
Before you begin adhering them to your ceiling, you’ll want to remove the groove of the panels so they lie flush against the wall. You can do this by using a sharp Stanley knife. Cut at around a 45-degree angle and slice from the top to the bottom of the panel to create a straight edge. This allows the panel to be lifted directly into place without needing to slide it into the groove of the adjacent panel. It's a necessary step for a clean and professional-looking installation,
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Apply the adhesive
Now that you’ve cut and measured your panels, you’re ready to begin adhering them to your ceiling; however, for this job, you’ll need some reliable adhesive for a secure fit. There are a few different adhesives you can choose from:
Solvent-free adhesive - solvent-free adhesive is an instant grab adhesive that is best suited for porous surfaces such as existing plaster board, concrete, chip board, wood, etc.
Silicone adhesive - silicone adhesive is ideal for surfaces that are non-porous, such as existing tiles or smooth, shiny surfaces. It’s unlikely that you’ll need this type of adhesive for installing ceiling panels, but if you do happen to choose this kind, you’ll need to ensure that the panel's tongue is screwed into the existing surface every 30cm as you install them, so that they stay in place.
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 for screwing & stapling the panels tongue completely on installation.
Once you’ve chosen the best adhesive for your project, you’ll want to insert the canister into the adhesive gun and apply the adhesive in a zig-zag pattern on the back of the panels. If you want to learn more, you can read more in our guide to sealants and adhesives.
If you have an uneven existing ceiling surface, apply more adhesive in the uneven areas to compensate for these areas; this will ensure a smooth, flat surface finish.
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Installing the panels
Now you’re finally ready to begin placing the panels on your ceiling. Ensure that you are installing the panel groove side to the wall where this had been cut earlier, for a flush finish against the wall.
Apply pressure to the entire panel to make sure that the adhesive spreads and that you have a tight seal. If you have chosen to screw, staple or pin your panels to allow for the panel to stay in place whilst the adhesive sets. Once set, you will want to screw, pin, etc, every 30cm for a secure fit.
Repeat this process for the remainder of your panels, ensuring that the tongue and groove interlocking systems are placed tightly together for a seamless and professional quality look.
Adding ceiling panel trims
Panel trims aren’t an essential step, and you can put up your panels without them; however, adding trims gives your panels a polished and professional-looking finish. There are three different types of trims you can choose from:
Quadrant - These trims can be fitted externally after the panels have already been placed.
Covering trims - are used to conceal and protect edges, seams, and corners. You can also cut the back tongue of this trim off so that the trim finish can be installed externally after all ceiling panels have been installed.
End caps - these are made to slot into the panel whilst the main panel installation is being carried out and will therefore need to be done during step 6 of our guide.
To install your ceiling panel trims, you’ll 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 adhesive on the back of the trim and press the length of the trim against the panel for a secure finish
If you’d like to learn more about panel trims and which kind would be best for your home DIY project, you can read our guide on how to choose panel trims.
Transform your home with the Panel Company
Installing ceiling panels might seem like a big project at first, but with the right preparation, tools, and patience, it’s a task most homeowners can successfully tackle without it being too time-consuming. Not only do ceiling panels improve the look and feel of a room, but they can also provide practical benefits like sound insulation and easier maintenance.
By following the steps carefully and taking your time with the finishing touches, you’ll end up with a ceiling that’s both functional and stylish. If you’re still looking for the perfect style to elevate your home, then browse our ceiling wall panels for some stunning home interior looks.
