How to Measure a Room for Ceiling Tile With Furring Strips

Furring strips are thin strips of wood that run laterally along a wall or ceiling. They are used in lightweight home construction as a surface to apply building material. Many ceilings use drywall on furring strips. Instead of drywall, though, you can add tiles to ceiling furring strips. Before beginning your project, it is necessary to measure the ceiling to determine how many tiles are needed to cover the furring strips.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Measure the length and the width of the room.

   • 2

     Multiply the two numbers to get the square footage of the ceiling. Use the square footage to determine how many tiles you need. Many ceiling tiles are 1 foot square. Ask the tile manufacturer for the specific size of your tile.

   • 3

     Divide the ceiling width by 12 to determine how many furring strips you need. Furring strips are installed across the ceiling joists every 12 inches on center. Order a few extra furring strips for mistakes.