Here's How: Remodel With a Quiet Suspended Ceiling

James Dulley on May 7, 2026

Dear James: I want to reduce the noise from my children's playroom. I'm thinking of installing acoustical tiles. Are there attractive ones and can I install them myself? -- Lance A.

Dear Lance: Most people are familiar with acoustical tiles from school classrooms and commercial applications. There are some attractive ones available for homes. Acoustical tiles will greatly reduce the noise inside that room and can help block sound transmission to your other rooms.

As for installation, you should be able to put up the ceiling tiles by yourself in a day or two. The only real skills you need to have are organizational. Do-it-yourself installation requires good planning and attention to detail. Using graph paper can help with the layout so you can avoid uneven or small border tiles.

When you go shopping for your new tiles, you will probably be surprised at the various styles available. The sound-deadening properties of the tiles depend on the density and weight of the tile and the surface characteristics. Some tiles don't have any acoustical characteristics at all, although they have a similar style and pattern to the acoustic ones. Look closely at the labels to make sure you are getting ones that will absorb sound.

If there is a fireplace in your playroom, you should make sure you install washable tiles. Not all tiles are washable, so ask the salesperson about this. The only way you can make old, dirty tiles look new again is to either wash them or paint them. The acoustical properties you originally bought the tiles for will be nonexistent if the holes are clogged with paint.

The tiles come in different edge designs. The main designs available include simple square edge, notched edge and beveled edge tiles. Although the notched and beveled edge tiles help hide the metal grid system, this may not be very important since the grids are available in many finishes. Most people use standard white grids, but black, wood grain, brass and chrome finishes are also options.

If the traditional grid system is not your style, you can opt for the interlocking tiles that are attached to wood furring strips. This method will not allow you to easily run wires above the ceiling. Before you glue the tiles to the ceiling, make sure this is what you want because it is not easy to have them removed. With a suspended ceiling, you can change the tiles whenever you like.

Suspended ceilings make it easy to run electrical or networking wiring to gaming systems, speakers and video equipment, which are probably aplenty in the playroom. They also offer you different looks in the future if you like. Maybe, once the children are off to college, you decide on a new look for the room. Changing the ceiling tiles will be a breeze with the suspended system.

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Send your questions to Here's How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. To find out more about James Dulley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.