Technical guide · Pandaboard

PVC-Faced Gypsum Ceiling Tile: Installation and Storage Guide

Pandaboard · a brand of Guangzhou Panda Commercial Development Co., Ltd. · Updated 2026-11-05 · About 29 min read

Direct answer

PVC-faced gypsum ceiling tiles are typically 600×600 mm and 7–9 mm thick, a gypsum core faced with PVC film. An exposed grid carries them on T24×38 main runners at 1200 mm centers, T24×26 cross tees at 600 mm and an L25×25 wall angle, so any tile lifts out for access; a concealed grid uses furring channels at 400 mm with clips. The film dislikes heat and sharp edges, every cut must be sealed at once, and spaces above 70% RH need a moisture-resistant backing or aluminum panels.

This guide covers the site installation and warehouse storage of PVC-faced gypsum ceiling tiles: three installation methods with full step sequences, accessory installation for the pre-painted T-grid, acceptance tolerances and troubleshooting. Dimensions follow common trade practice; the project drawings, the actual product data sheet and the governing standards take precedence.

How to read this document · All dimensions are in mm. Values marked ≤ / ≥ are mandatory limits; other figures are recommended practice.
· The three methods are ordered exposed grid (preferred) → concealed grid → direct fixing. Select one for the project and do not mix them.
· Chapter 4 is the dedicated installation guide for the pre-painted grid; it applies to both exposed and concealed systems and must be executed first.

01Key specifications and suitability

Suitable

• Offices, corridors and dry interiors

• Retail and showroom ceilings with a flat finish

• Classrooms and kindergartens where the face can be wiped

• Front-of-house dining and serving areas

• Ceilings over equipment needing occasional tile access

Not suitable

• Shower rooms, steam rooms and saunas

• Outdoor and semi-outdoor canopies

• Basements held above 70% RH year round

• Workshops with solvent, acid or alkaline vapors

• Areas close to heat sources without shielding

• Food plants washed down with high-pressure water

02Pre-Installation Preparation

2.1 Site conditions

• Services above the ceiling — water, sprinklers, ductwork, cable trays — installed, pressure-tested, insulated and signed off, so tiles need not be removed later;

• Wet trades on walls and floors (plastering, tiling, screeding) complete and substantially dry; openings closed, no through draught;

• Indoor temperature ≥ 5 °C, relative humidity ≤ 80 %;

• Walls plumb and flat; if wall flatness deviates by more than 5 mm, make good first, otherwise the wall angle will not sit tight;

• Datum transferred and a +1.000 m line marked around the room;

• Void depth from finished ceiling to soffit ≥ 250 mm (clip plus tee depth is roughly 60–80 mm).

2.2 Tools

2.3 Accessories and quantities

The exposed grid is carried by a pre-painted T-grid system, configured as below. Quantities assume 600×600 tiles, main tees at 1200 and cross tees at 600, and include normal waste.

Table 2-2 Exposed-grid accessories (reference quantity per 100 m²)

Compatibility Main tees, cross tees and clips must come from the same manufacturer and the same system. Flange heights and slot dimensions differ between brands; mixing them causes tees that will not seat, clips that will not lock and tiles that sit at different levels.

2.4 Delivery and acclimatisation

1. Bring tiles into the building 24 hours before installation and stack them flat indoors, so moisture content equalises with the room and post-installation shrinkage is reduced;

2. Inspect on delivery: size, thickness, batch and shade; a single ceiling area must use one batch and one shade;

3. Open and check 5 % of the packs for blistering, scratches, shade variation and chipped edges; reject tiles with diagonal deviation > 2 mm;

4. For patterned or woodgrain tiles, stack them all in one direction and mark the arrow, so direction is not mixed on site;

5. Cut in a separate area, away from the storage position, and clear the dust immediately.

03Method 1: Exposed T-Grid (Recommended)

The exposed grid is the most common system: the tee grid stays visible and tiles simply rest on the flanges, so any single tile can be lifted out for access to services above. It suits the great majority of office and commercial interiors. The same sequence applies to mineral fiber and calcium silicate tiles of 600 module.

3.1 Grid layout principles

600×600 1200 (main tee spacing ≤1200) 600cross tee @ tile width Main tee T24×38 Cross tee T24×26 Wall angle L25×25 Hanger point (rod + clip) @1200×1200

Figure 1 Exposed grid layout (approx. 1:10, dimensions in mm) Main tees run along the long axis of the room; cross tees are perpendicular with a spacing equal to the tile width. L-shaped wall angle closes the perimeter, and hanger points fall on the main tees at 1200 centers both ways.

• Direction: main tees parallel to the long axis — fewer joints and easier camber; cross tees perpendicular;

• Starting point: set out the module on the layout drawing first so that border tiles at every edge are ≥ half a tile wide and symmetrical. If they are not, move the first tee line inward — never absorb the difference by widening the wall angle;

• Coordination: place luminaires, grilles and access panels on the module, preferably in the center of a full tile; avoid slivers narrower than one third of a tile;

• Levels: where there are steps or light coves, set the highest level first and work down.

Rule of thumbSet out the module, then snap the lines. Setting out fixes border widths and luminaire positions; snapping lines only transfers that decision onto the walls and soffit. Skipping the layout and simply spacing tees at 1200 is the most common cause of rework.

3.2 How tiles sit on the grid

(a) Grid node, section 24 38 Tile (8–9 thick) Exposed grid: flange visible 2–3 mm joint Tile edge (b) Wall junction cut edge to wall L wall angle fixed @300 Wall

Figure 2 Tile-to-tee connection (not to scale) The tile rests on the flange under its own weight — no adhesive, no screws. A 2–3 mm joint is left between tile edge and tee web so that moisture swelling cannot jack the tile up. At walls, the cut edge faces the wall and is never left exposed.

Three mandatory rules ① Every tile must be supported on all four edges — no edge may overhang. ② Never "tie" tiles to an exposed grid with screws, adhesive or wire. ③ Cut edges must be sealed (see 3.5); otherwise moisture enters the core and edge blistering appears within 3–6 months.

3.3 Installation sequence

1. Set out Using the layout, mark the finished ceiling level around all four walls (measured down from the +1.000 m datum), then mark main tee lines and hanger points on the soffit. Setting-out tolerance ≤ 3 mm. Where there are steps or coves, mark every level at the same time.

   Key pointThe level line must close around all four walls and be checked with a laser; otherwise one end of the ceiling sits high and the other low.

2. Fix the wall angle Fix L-shaped wall angle around the perimeter with its lower edge flush with the ceiling level line; use powder-actuated pins or M6 plugs at ≤300 centers, with the end not more than 50 from a corner. Miter corners at 45°, and keep internal and external corners straight with no step.

   NoteMake good any hollow or uneven wall with mortar or packers first. A gap behind the angle lets border tiles droop and produces uneven joints.

3. Install hanger rods and clips Drill at the marked points (10 mm deeper than the anchor embedment), fit M8 anchors and φ6 rods. Rods must be vertical, straight and joint-free; thread each through a clip and fit the nut, leaving 30–50 mm of adjustment.

   • Rod spacing ≤1200 × 1200; not more than 300 from the end of a main tee;

   • Where rods exceed 1500 mm, add lateral bracing (angle or diagonal) to stop the ceiling swaying;

   • Where ducts or cable trays block a hanger point, install a transfer beam (angle or channel) across — never simply omit the hanger.

4. Install main tees and apply camber Connect main tees to the clips and extend them with splices. Apply camber of 1/200 to 1/300 of the short span (a slight rise at mid-span to offset dead-load deflection). Stagger joints so that joints in adjacent tees never fall on the same hanger point. Keep tee ends within 300 of the wall.

   Calculating camberFor a 6 m span at 1/250, camber = 24 mm. Achieve it by raising the mid-span clips while leaving the ends fixed, and check the resulting curve with a line — do not adjust a single tee in the middle.

5. Install cross tees Cross tees run perpendicular to the main tees; push each end into the main tee slot until the tab clicks home. Spacing equals tile width (600). At walls, the end rests on the wall angle flange. Install each row to a tight line and stagger the end joints.

6. Level the whole grid Run lines in both directions (support them at mid-span where longer than 5 m) and adjust each clip nut. Check with a 2 m straightedge: flatness ≤ 3 mm, step between adjacent tees ≤ 1 mm. When level, re-tighten every nut so vibration cannot loosen the grid.

7. Lay the tiles Start at the middle of the room (or at the main viewing wall) and work outwards. Tiles with pattern or grain must all run in the same direction. Offer the tile up at an angle, lay it flat into the module and ease it into position with the fingers — never tap it with a hammer.

8. Cut and close the border Measure at walls, columns and coves and cut (take two or more measurements and use the smallest, since walls are rarely square). The cut edge faces the wall and is sealed. Border tiles must be at least 100 mm wide; if less, adjust the layout and start again.

9. Cut openings, clean and self-check Cut for luminaires, grilles and sprinklers as described in 7.1. Wipe the faces with a soft cloth. Work through the acceptance checks in Chapter 8 and complete the record.

① Set out lines ② Rods + clips camber ③ Main tee + camber ④ Cross tee @600 ⑤ Lay tiles + level

Figure 3 The five key operations of an exposed-grid ceiling (schematic, not to scale)

3.4 Large areas and special conditions

3.5 Cutting and edge sealing

(a) Cutting Score 2–3 times along a straightedge PVC film face → snap (b) Sealing the cut Edge paint / foil tape Cut edge is the moisture path — seal it

Figure 4 Cutting and sealing Score the PVC face with a utility knife and snap the tile — do not saw it (saw dust clings to the edge and tears the film). Seal the cut with two coats of matching edge paint or aluminum foil tape.

04Accessories: Installing the Pre-Painted Grid

The pre-painted grid is the structural and setting-out frame of an exposed ceiling. It is roll-formed from galvanised steel strip and finished with baked enamel or electrostatic powder coating, which provides both corrosion protection and the visible finish. Get the grid wrong and no tile will sit level on site — so this chapter covers component identification, connections and leveling on its own. Both exposed and concealed systems start here.

4.1 Component identification

① Main tee (load-bearing) 38 T24×38 · 3.0/3.6 m · slotted web ② Cross tee (secondary) T24×26 · 0.6/1.2 m · end tabs ③ Wall angle L25×25 · 3 m · fixed to wall ④ Main tee clip Hook + leveling nut ⑤ Splice / connector Joins tees, insert both ends ⑥ Anchor + hanger rod M8 anchor + φ6 rod

Figure 5 Main components of the pre-painted grid ① main tee carries load, ② cross tee forms the module, ③ wall angle closes the perimeter, ④ clip sets the level, ⑤ splice extends a tee, ⑥ anchor and rod tie the system to structure. All components must be from one matched system and must never be mixed between brands.

4.2 Connection details

(1) Anchoring the hanger rod

• Concrete soffit: drill to match the anchor (10 mm deeper than embedment), blow the hole clean, fit the M8 anchor and tighten until the washer is flat;

• Never anchor into hollow block, aerated concrete or plaster only. Where prestressing strands or dense services interfere, use chemical anchors or a transfer beam;

• Connect rod to anchor with a coupling nut or a welded lug; chip and wire-brush welds and apply two coats of anti-corrosion paint;

• Rods must be vertical. A rod more than 5° out of plumb loads the tee sideways and pulls the tile joints out of line.

(2) Extending main tees

• Use the matched splice, inserted symmetrically from both sides, pushed fully home until the locating dimple engages;

• Stagger joints: joints in adjacent tees must not sit in the same vertical plane, and no joint may be closer than 300 to a hanger point;

• After extending, push and pull the joint by hand — there must be no movement and no step.

(3) Main tee to clip

• Set all clip hooks facing the same way so future maintenance is straightforward;

• Clip the tee and tighten the nut finger-tight; re-tighten all nuts once leveling is complete;

• Clips must not be fitted back to front, and must never be hung without locking.

(4) Fitting cross tees

• Push the end tab squarely into the main tee slot; a light click indicates the tab has engaged;

• The wall end simply rests on the wall angle flange — do not fix it, so the grid can accommodate thermal movement;

• Install each row to a tight line and reject any tee that is bent or twisted;

• Where a cross tee has to be extended, the joint must land on a main tee.

(5) Wall angle and corners

• Fix at ≤300 centers, miter at 45° in corners, or run one length through and butt the other into it;

• Internal and external corners must be square and straight — check with a 2 m straightedge and a square;

• On lightweight partitions, fixings must reach studs or pre-fitted noggings, never the board face alone.

(6) Cut ends and damaged coating

Cutting a tee destroys the galvanised layer and the paint film. Every cut, drilled hole and scratch must be touched in with matching paint or two coats of anti-corrosion primer. This step is routinely skipped, and the result is rust bleeding through the tile joints within one to two years — a stain that cannot be cleaned off.

4.3 Grid installation tolerances

4.4 Common errors in grid installation

05Method 2: Concealed Grid (Tongue-and-Groove)

A concealed grid hides the tees behind the tiles, so the finished ceiling shows only a fine joint line and no metal grid. It reads as a single plane and suits lobbies, showrooms and high-spec offices. The trade-off is that individual tiles cannot be lifted out, so access panels must be planned in.

(a) Exposed grid T flange visible (b) Concealed grid 2 mm joint only Concealed tee (Z/T)

Figure 6 Finished appearance, exposed versus concealed The exposed grid shows the metal tee and every tile can be lifted; the concealed grid shows only a 2 mm line at the joints and requires a dedicated tongue-and-groove tile — a square-edge tile cannot produce this effect.

5.1 Preconditions (confirm before starting)

Preconditions ① Tiles must be the tongue-and-groove or stepped-edge type intended for concealed grids; square-edge PVC tiles must never be used. ② Services above must be signed off, and access panels provided at not less than one per 50 m². ③ The grid must be a concealed system (toothed clip or Z-profile); an exposed T-grid cannot simply be adapted.

5.2 Installation sequence

1. Set out and fix the wall angle As for the exposed grid (3.3, steps 1–2). Concealed systems usually finish with a recessed trim or a 5–8 mm shadow gap at the wall; fix the angle to the detail drawing.

2. Install rods and main tees As for the exposed grid: spacing ≤1200, camber 1/200–1/300, staggered joints.

3. Install the concealed tees Concealed tees run perpendicular to the main tees at a spacing equal to tile width, hung on clips. Their bottom faces must be flush — this single dimension governs the flatness of the finished ceiling and must be within 1 mm.

4. Dry-lay a trial area Lay two or three rows without adhesive or fixing and check that joints run straight, that the grain runs the same way and that border tiles are at least half a tile wide. Only then start for real.

5. Install tiles Offer the tile at an angle, engage one tongue into the groove of the fixed tile, then lift the far edge onto the concealed tee and lock it with the dedicated clip or pressure strip. Work progressively — never close from both ends towards the middle.

6. Last tile Use a suction lifter or two people: align first, then ease it in. Never lever with a screwdriver — the tongue will chip.

7. Joint treatment The joint is a 2 mm feature and is not filled with plaster: PVC film does not bond to filler and the joint will crack and flake. Where a seamless look is required, use a matching joint strip.

8. Access panels and openings Follow 7.1; the panel frame needs independent hangers.

Where concealed grids usually fail Tee bottoms not flush → the whole ceiling reads as a wave. Joints not aligned → the eye sees diagonal lines. Tiles levered into place → chipped tongues. All three are decided before final fixing, which is why the trial lay cannot be skipped.

06Method 3: Direct Fixing (Furring or Adhesive)

Where the ceiling void is too shallow for hangers, where steps and coves are being built, or where an existing ceiling is being refurbished, tiles can be fixed to a substrate. Two options: 6.1 furring plus screws (reliable, preferred) and 6.2 direct bonding (saves depth; small areas on dry, flat substrates only).

6.1 Metal or timber furring plus screws

Use for: feature ceilings, steps, cove fascias, voids under 250 mm, and refurbishment over an existing ceiling.

1. Build the furring Use C50 furring channels (or kiln-dried timber at ≤12 % moisture content) at 400 centers for 8 mm tiles, 600 for 9 mm, securely tied back to structure.

2. Level the furring Check to a line: flatness ≤2 mm over 2 m. Treat timber for fire and rot.

3. Mark the joints Set out the tile module on the furring; stagger joints by at least 300 and make sure every butt joint lands on a channel.

4. Fix the tiles φ3.5×25 screws at 150–170 centers, 10–15 from the edge. Set the head 0.5–1 mm below the face without breaking the PVC film.

5. Leave joints 3–5 mm between tiles where the joint is to be filled, or 2–3 mm as a visible feature; 5–8 mm at the perimeter.

6. Treat screw heads Spot-fill with matching repair compound, sand lightly when dry and touch in. Do not use ordinary plaster filler, which shrinks into a hollow.

Why the film must not be broken The PVC film is the tile's entire moisture barrier. Once pierced, each screw hole becomes a water path and damp spreads outward from it — the symptom is a yellow ring and a blister around every screw head. It cannot be repaired locally; the tile has to be replaced.

6.2 Direct bonding

Use for: flat concrete, cement render, tiled or existing ceiling substrates; areas up to about 20 m², with no vibration, no damp and no enhanced fire requirement (for example a shop fit-out or a domestic refurbishment).

(a) Dabs on tile back 50 keep ≥50 border glue-free (b) Dab-bond, section Substrate: flat, dry, dust-free Dabs φ50–80 @ ≤200 Prop for 24 h

Figure 7 Adhesive layout for direct bonding Use dabs, not a full bed: dabs take the load in defined points, and leaving the border free makes later removal possible without tearing the film. Substrate flatness must be ≤3 mm over 2 m.

1. Prepare the substrate Remove dust, oil and old coatings; cut out and make good hollow or friable areas. Substrate moisture ≤8 %, flatness ≤3 mm over 2 m.

2. Prime Apply a bonding primer to highly absorbent substrates and allow to dry.

3. Set out and dry-lay Mark the module and level points; dry-lay once to confirm border widths and grain direction.

4. Apply adhesive Use tile adhesive, construction adhesive or a dedicated panel adhesive in 6–9 dabs per tile as Figure 7; dabs 50–80 mm across at ≤200 centers, with a ≥50 mm free border.

5. Bond Offer the tile to the lines and press evenly for 30 seconds; tap through a timber block with a rubber mallet. Wipe off any squeeze-out immediately.

6. Prop For overhead work, prop with timber and adjustable props for 24 hours until the adhesive has fully cured.

7. Joints Leave 2–3 mm and fill with a matching compound, or leave as an open joint. Never fill with cement-based filler.

Where direct bonding must not be used Kitchens, bathrooms and pools; ceilings subject to vibration or regular service access; escape routes requiring Class A performance (the adhesive layer will not comply); and large-format tiles over occupied areas at height.

07Details and Opening Reinforcement

7.1 Openings and equipment

The most common cause of falling tiles Fixing luminaires, projector brackets or signage directly to the T-grid or the tile face. An exposed grid carries the tile's own weight only; any additional load needs its own hanger. This must be stated at the technical briefing before work starts — retrofitting afterwards is expensive.

7.2 Access panels

• Position close to valves, fan coils and junction boxes, clear of main tees and luminaires;

• Size 300×300 or 600×600, aligned with the module, preferably made from one whole tile;

• Use a proprietary aluminum frame, reinforced on all four sides with angle, on at least two independent hangers; fit a safety chain to the lid;

• Frequency: at least one per 50 m² on concealed grids; on exposed grids, position as the services require.

7.3 Perimeter, corners and curved work

• At walls: close with L wall angle. For a shadow-gap detail, leave 5–8 mm and insert a matching or dark backing strip;

• At curtain wall and window heads: leave a 10–15 mm movement gap closed with a matching trim — never pack tight;

• Columns and curves: use a bendable (slotted) tee set out to the arc, and V-groove the back of the tile at 30–50 centers to a depth of not more than two thirds of the thickness before bending; radius should not be tighter than 600;

• Light coves: line the cove with matching or white board, provide ventilation slots in the base and keep LED strip at least 50 mm from the tile face, otherwise the film yellows over time;

• Junctions between materials: break with a T-splitter so each system is independently supported.

7.4 Measures for damp areas

• Specify the foil-backed or moisture-resistant core, with the back face intact;

• Seal both faces of every cut and opening (edge paint to the face, foil tape to the back);

• Keep the void ventilated; provide extract where necessary; ensure no duct insulation drips condensate onto the tile back;

• In bathrooms and kitchens, seal the tile-to-wall junction with neutral-cure anti-mould silicone, not ordinary glass sealant, which blackens.

08Quality Acceptance

Acceptance follows the ceiling clauses of GB 50210, Code for acceptance of construction quality of building decoration, supplemented by the appearance items specific to this product. Tolerances are governed by the current code and the project documents; the values below are the usual control figures.

Appearance and function

• □Consistent shade across the area; no visible color variation; grain direction uniform

• □Faces clean — no scratches, fingerprints, adhesive marks or rust stains

• □No chipped edges or warping; every tile supported on four edges and firm to the touch

• □Joint lines even and straight; exposed flange width consistent

• □Luminaire, grille and sprinkler openings accurately positioned, no cracking around them, no sagging

• □Access panels operate freely, frames rigid, lids flush with the ceiling

• □Perimeter tight to the wall — no gaps, no waviness

• □Void clear of debris and of unsecured services

Concealed works inspection (before tiles go up)

• □Hanger, main tee and cross tee spacings comply

• □Camber checked; no sag

• □Joints staggered and all tabs engaged

• □Rods plumb and joint-free; bracing installed

• □Cut ends painted; no rust

• □Services pressure-tested, insulated and fire-stopped, with signed-off inspection records

09Troubleshooting

Replacing a tile On an exposed grid, use two suction lifters or a loop of wide tape as a handle, lift vertically and slide out — do not lever at an angle. The replacement must be from the same batch, otherwise the shade difference is obvious in raking light. If no matching batch exists, swap a tile from an inconspicuous corner and put the new one there.

10Storage and Handling

PVC gypsum tiles have two enemies: water and point load. Damp de-bonds the film and crumbles the core; bad stacking warps the tile and chips the edges. Storage management comes down to three things — keep it off the floor, keep it flat, keep it dry.

10.1 Store conditions

10.2 Stacking

(a) Correct: on bearers, flat Vapor barrier / tarpaulin Stack ≤1.2 m ≥100 Bearers off ground; level, tight base (b) Wrong: upright / leaning Point load → warping, chipped edges Against wall → damp, distortion Never drag a tile out; two-person lift

Figure 8 Stacking: correct and incorrect Correct: bearers at least 100 mm off the floor, stacked flat face up, stack not over 1.2 m, top covered with a vapor barrier. Incorrect: standing on edge, leaning against a wall, or sitting directly on the floor.

• Bearers: pallets or 100×100 timber at ≤800 centers, at least 100 mm clear of the floor and 100 mm off the wall, with ≥600 mm aisles between stacks;

• Orientation: face up, laid flat; align the edges of each layer — no overhang;

• Height: stack ≤1.2 m; usually ≤10 layers for 8–9 mm and ≤8 for 12 mm. Higher stacks crush the bottom tiles;

• Cover: cap the stack with a vapor barrier or tarpaulin overhanging ≥200 mm, but do not wrap the whole stack — it must breathe or condensation forms inside;

• Withdrawal: take from the top down; never pull a tile out of the middle; dismantle the pallet only when the stack is empty;

• Part packs: stack separately, never mixed into a full stack; label and isolate damaged tiles.

Three prohibitions ① Never stand tiles on edge or lean them against a wall — self-weight bending causes creep, and visible bowing appears within about a week. ② Never stack with one edge overhanging. ③ Never place weights on the stack, walk on it or use it as a workbench.

10.3 Shelf life and stock rotation

10.4 Handling and site movement

• Lift at the edges with both hands — never by one corner. A 600×600×9 tile weighs about 3 kg and one person can carry it a short distance, but it must be supported underneath;

• For short carries, tiles may be held upright against the body at no more than 15° from vertical — but never stored that way;

• No throwing, dragging or walking on tiles; watch corners through doors and turns;

• On a trolley, lay tiles flat on a soft pad, strap them down and move slowly;

• Use the goods lift where possible; on stairs, keep the face inward and the handrail side clear.

11Transport

• Loading: the bed must be flat, dry and free of sharp projections; lay bearers or a pallet down and stack flat to ≤1.2 m;

• Securing: strap or net the whole stack and fit corner protectors so nothing shifts under braking;

• Weather: sheet the load for the entire journey, with a soft cloth between sheet and tiles; never travel open-sided in rain;

• Mixed loads: do not ship with cement, aggregate, steel or chemicals; heavy goods go underneath and must be separated from the tile stack;

• Handling: forklift forks fully under the pallet — never push the forks into the stack; hand-unload tile by tile, never tip a stack;

• On arrival: move indoors immediately; never leave overnight in the open or under a site lean-to.

12Safety and Protection of Finished Work

Site safety

• Harness above 2 m; use inspected trestles or mobile scaffold — never stand on the grid or the tiles;

• Drills and grinders on RCD protection; leads kept out of water and off the floor;

• Goggles and dust mask for cutting and drilling; ventilate the area;

• Hot work inside the void (welding hangers) requires a permit, an extinguisher and a 30-minute fire watch afterwards;

• Use 36 V portable lighting inside the ceiling void;

• No simultaneous work one above the other; tether tools.

Protecting finished work

• Cover the ceiling with film once installed and re-check before following trades start;

• Mask tiles during painting and adhesive work; wipe splashes off immediately with a damp cloth;

• Do not store materials on the ceiling or erect scaffold from it;

• Pressure-test services above before the tiles go up;

• Final clean with a soft cloth and neutral detergent; no scouring pads, abrasives, thinners or alcohol.

Choice of cleaner PVC film is sensitive to solvents: alcohol, thinners and acetone cause loss of gloss, blooming and dissolution. Clean with water or neutral detergent; for grease use a diluted neutral degreaser and rinse immediately.

13Appendix: Checklists

13.1 Goods-in inspection

• □Size (595/600), thickness, batch and shade match the order

• □5 % sample free of blistering, scratches, shade variation and chipped edges

• □Diagonal deviation ≤2 mm; no warping

• □Packaging intact, no damp, water marks or rain damage

• □Factory test report and reaction-to-fire classification supplied

13.2 Pre-installation checklist

• □Services above installed, pressure-tested, insulated and fire-stopped, with signed inspection

• □Wall wet trades complete; temperature ≥5 °C; humidity ≤80 %

• □Tiles acclimatised flat on site for at least 24 hours

• □Layout complete: border tiles ≥ half a tile, luminaire positions coordinated

• □Tees, clips and rods from one matched system, quantities sufficient

• □Level line closed around all four walls and checked

• □Scaffold or trestles inspected; harness and PPE available

13.3 About this document

About this document · This is document 1 of a series covering 20 building material products. The remaining 19 follow the same structure: product overview → preparation → installation methods (in parallel) → accessory detail → details → acceptance → troubleshooting → storage → transport → safety.
· Construction values reflect common trade practice. The project drawings, the product data sheet and the current national or local standards govern. Any design affecting fire, seismic or walk-on performance must be confirmed by the designer.
· Figures are construction schematics, not to scale, and are intended only to explain sequence and layer relationships.

14Frequently asked questions

Can PVC-faced gypsum tiles be used in a kitchen or bathroom?

Only in dry zones with controlled humidity. Kitchen grease bonds to the film and cannot be fully removed, and sustained moisture makes the core chalky. Use clip-in aluminum panels in shower and cooking areas; a separated dry zone is acceptable.

Exposed grid or concealed grid — which is better?

An exposed grid lets any tile be lifted out, which suits ceilings with equipment above needing regular access. A concealed grid gives a continuous face but needs planned access panels. Decide on access frequency and appearance.

Can the film face be wiped with a wet cloth?

Yes, with a wrung-out cloth and neutral cleaner. Do not use solvents, strong alkali, steel wool or a scourer, and do not stack anything on a damp face, because the marks become permanent.

Do hangers really have to be at 1200×1200 mm?

At about 6–8 kg/m², φ6 rods at 1200×1200 mm carry the normal load. Where ducts, trays or heavy luminaires hang in the void, tighten spacing locally and give those items their own hangers.

Why must every cut edge be sealed?

A gypsum core takes up moisture through an exposed cut, softening first, then lifting the film edge. Seal each cut as soon as the tile is trimmed and turn it to the wall.

PVC-faced gypsum tile or aluminum panel?

PVC-faced gypsum gives a flat face, fine joints and lower cost, suiting dry office and retail ceilings. Aluminum resists water, can be washed and lifts out individually, suiting kitchens and bathrooms. Mixing them in one plane shows a clear color and joint difference.

About Pandaboard

Guangzhou Panda Commercial Development Co., Ltd. · Pandaboard / PEIDA

We manufacture and export gypsum board, mineral fiber and fiberglass ceiling tiles, calcium silicate and magnesium oxide boards, fiber cement board, aluminum ceilings, WPC and SPC wall panels, exterior decking, fencing and handrails, together with the matching grid and framing systems. The methods on this page are compiled from product behaviour and standard trade practice; for any project, follow the approved drawings, local codes and the specification confirmed on your order.

Website: www.pandamanufacturer.com Contact sales: contactus

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Guangzhou Panda Commercial Development Co., Ltd. · Pandaboard / PEIDA
This guide is technical information for specifiers and installers; it does not replace project drawings or local codes.