I Nailed the Ceiling Tiles Up: What Can I Use to Hide the Seams?

Taping the Seams

• Depending on the material of the ceiling tiles, you can tape over the seams with joint tape and hide the tape with joint compound. This will work best with acoustical ceiling tiles and not tin tiles unless you plan to paint the compound to match the color of the tin. Run the tape in between the seams to create a seal and then apply a very thin layer of joint compound to cover the tape and fill in the area between the seams. Sand it smooth when it dries and this should hide your seams.

Caulking the Seams

• For tin or decorative ceiling tiles, hiding your seams will be a little more problematic. The best solution here is to purchase tinted caulk and try to color match as closely as you can. Put the caulk in a caulking gun and a bead inside the seam to fill the area in. You can tape off the tiles if you are worried about caulk getting on them. Smooth out the caulk with the bottom of a spoon to give it an even appearance.

Hiding the Seams With Texture

• If your seams are very visible and you used acoustical tile or a similar material, you can paint over the ceiling with a spray texture. This requires renting a hopper and will result in the look of a popcorn ceiling. This is definitely a technique to use only if the seams are truly bad and you do not want to go to the effort or expense of replacing the entire ceiling.

Making a Mistake Work

• Instead of trying to hide your mistake, you can embrace it by turning it into a work of art. Purchase lattice material and cut it into strips to fit over the bad seams. Paint it the same color as the ceiling tiles for a tonal effect. For a bold and artistic take, however, paint the strips a contrasting color. Nail them into place in between your tiles. You now have a work of art that adds visual interest while camouflaging your mistake.