Installing a Suspended Grid Ceiling

Also known as an acoustical ceiling, a suspended grid ceiling will surely help improve your home. If you are thinking of having some renovations done inside your home, this will surely create wonders. Your basement can turn into a game room just by installing a grid ceiling. You can place lights or fluorescent fixtures right in the grid. You can easily install it yourself. Just make sure you have all the materials needed. This article will guide you in your suspended grid ceiling installation.

The acoustic ceiling’s height should be measured. Once you have done this, draw lines on the walls using a chalk. Be sure that the lines are an inch above the height of the suspended ceiling system. Measuring down from the joists is typically done but you can also use a laser. For any obstructions, give a 4” allowance below the joists. Then, by using the chalk line as a guide, fasten the angle using the nail.

Making the layout for the ceiling grid is the first step that should be taken. The main runners usually run perpendicular to the ceiling joists. They are connected every 2’ with the 4’ T’s and have and interval of 4’. The center point of the room should be identified to be able to determine their location. It creates equal borders because it can either be at the center of two mains or the point where a main falls.

To be able to identify the mains, every 4’ should be marked off. Next, hang your hanger wire using fence staples. A 4” below finish ceiling level should be allotted.

Locate the center point on the other wall. By doing this, you’ll be able to identify a mark where a border T goes. To make the first T, measure back down the wall and make sure to put a mark on the last 2’ increment right before you reach the opposite wall. Then, make a mark 6” past that. Make a mark on the opposite wall as you measure the distance between the mark and the wall. By using a string line, run it from mark to mark.

To hang the ceiling grid, cut and hang two mains. In this way, one of the slots will line up with the string line. Fill in the 4’ T’s and use a pop rivet to attach the mains to the wall angle. Measure the diagonal corners for balance so that you can check the second 2’ x 4’ grid opening for square. To be able to achieve this, you can cut the border T shorter or make it longer. Once you’ve achieved it, look it over carefully down the 4’ T and rivet it just to make sure it’s straight. Along the edge where squareness is established, run a string line form the outer edge along the main. Then fasten it on the separate wall.

The field’s remainder should be hanged by utilizing the two strings. On that wall, rivet the border T’s. And on the string wall, rivet the mains. Leveling down in the next step could be more convenient if you hang the grid in a slight arc.

To level the suspended grid ceiling, run a taut string under each main in turn. Make sure to level it down to 1/16” from the string. Pop the 2’ T’s if you’re creating a 2’ X 2’ system. At last, you’re finally finished.

If you lay in decorative ceiling tiles, the border tiles should be cut first. Fill in the field once they are installed. If you want to place light fixtures, leave the cells open.