A variety of drop ceiling styles are available that can be used to complement the d cor of a room. Drop ceilings can be used to hide plumbing and heating in a basement while allowing access for maintenance. This type of ceiling requires a grid for installing the ceiling tiles. It is a home improvement project that can be completed by an average homeowner.
Instructions
1. Locate joists in the ceiling with a stud-finder or by tapping the ceiling. Joists are installed 16 inches on center. Mark the location of the joists on both sides of the room where the ceiling meets the wall with a pencil.
2. Hold a chalk line at the end of each joist at the corner where the ceiling meets the wall. Snap a line across the ceiling to mark the location for each joist.
3. Determine the height of the drop ceiling. It must be at least 3 inches down from the established ceiling to allow for installation of the ceiling tiles. Allow additional room for recessed lighting, according to the lighting manufacturer’s guidelines.
4. Align a level on the wall at the height chosen for the drop ceiling. Use the side of the level to draw a solid line around the perimeter of the room with a pencil.
5. Position the edge of perimeter trim on the line and attach to the wall using drywall screws and a drill with a screwdriver bit. Use tin snips to clip the perimeter trim on outside corners at a 45-degree angle and overlap on inside corners.
6. Determine the width of the border panels for the length of the room by dividing the length of the room by the width of the panels and dividing the remainder by two. Repeat for the width of the room. Mark these measurements from the appropriate corners.
7. Install main beam wire fasteners across the joists, centering the wire fasteners into the joists. The main beams will be at a right angle to the joists. Install the first row the width of the border panels at the location marked. Install the remaining wire fasteners 2 or 4 feet apart, depending on the size and position of the ceiling tiles.
8. Attach wire hangers to each wire fastener and wrap the end at least three times around the wire. The bottom of the wire hangers must hang below the perimeter trim.
9. Measure up 7/8 inch from the bottom of the perimeter trim (unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer) and mark with a pencil at the location of each row of wire hangers. Repeat for the opposite side.
10. Attach a string to opposite sides so the string is touching the wire hangers. Bend the wire hangers at a 90-degree angle where the wire touches the string. Repeat for each row of wire hangers.
11. Attach a string from the location of each main beam to the opposite wall, just below the perimeter trim. This is a guide to keep the main beams level while hanging. Move the guide for each main beam row.
12. Cut the main beams with tin snips so the first notch is the same distance as the border trim for the starting side of the wall. Attach the hanging wires to the main beam and install main beams across the room, keeping the main beam in line with the guide string. When reaching the opposite side, repeat cutting the main beam the same distance from the wall as the width of the perimeter trim. Trim the piece where it will meet the next main beam in that row.
13. Install cross-pieces at either 2- or 4-foot intervals, depending on the length of the desired ceiling tiles. Trim the end pieces to the width of the corresponding perimeter trim.
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