Drywall is a quick and easy ceiling making material.
Tray ceilings are a detail feature in many homes and event spaces. Tray ceilings consist of a flat recessed drywall ceiling center, rimmed by a framed drywall border that sits lower than the ceiling above. The effect is to create a dramatic space above which provides detail and a sense of increased height over plain ceilings. The process of building a tray ceiling requires some DIY tools and basic interior wall construction materials.
Instructions
1. Locate the ceiling joists around the perimeter of the room, behind your drywall ceiling. Use your stud finder and pencil to mark the location of each joist's inside and outside edges. On the two sides of the room with walls parallel to the joists, mark the joists at each end and snap a chalk line along the length of the ceiling as a guide. On the other two sides of the room, where the joists run perpendicular to the wall, the location of each joist must be marked, and a chalk line snapped to ensure a consistent alignment.
2. Install furring strips along the joist markings on all four sides of the ceiling. Use your circular saw to cut 2-by-4 inch lumber to fit around the perimeter formed by your chalk lines. Apply construction adhesive to one flat side of each length of 2-by-4 and have a helper hold it tightly against your chalk line. Use your power drill to make pilot holes through the wood and into the joists above. Drive wood screws into each hole to fasten the lumber in place.
3. Install 2-by-4 inch furring strips around the perimeter of the room. Use your stud finder to locate each vertical stud behind your wall where it meets the ceiling. Mark each location with your pencil and cut lengths of 2-by-4 to fit the length of each wall. Use your power drill to make pilot holes, and use your construction adhesive, screw gun and wood screws to fasten them in place.
4. Install drywall over your furring strips. Measure the distance from the back edge of the wall-mounted furring strip to the inside edge of the ceiling-mounted furring strip. Use your straight edge and razor knife to cut a sheet of 1/2-inch thick drywall to fit. Have a helper hold the drywall against the ceiling and use your screw gun and drywall screws to fasten it in place against the furring strips. Repeat the process throughout the room until a sloped drywall covering is installed over the entire perimeter of the room.
5. Install angled vinyl trim to the inside edge of the ceiling mounted furring strip to create a finished look. Use your scissor or razor knife to cut the trim to fit the thickness of the furring strip, and use your metal snips to cut any angles where two pieces of trim meet in the corner of the room. Hold each piece of trim in place against the furring strip and use your staple gun to fasten it in place.
6. Apply joint compound and tape to every seam formed by the drywall and the vinyl trim throughout the ceiling border. Allow the compound to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions, then sand off any excess for a smooth finish. Paint your new tray ceiling to match the room.
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