Drop Ceiling Installation Guide

Let your ceiling panels adjust to the environment in the room of installation.

Drop ceiling installation guide.

Measure and cut the main tees according to a cross tee guideline. Reduce total project cost by having multiple vendors bid on the same detailed work specification of your drop ceiling project. Determine the exact height at which the suspended ceiling will be installed. To allow for ceiling tile installation and accessibility the minimum drop is 3 with traditional hanger wire or 2 5 with quickhang grid hooks.

Also be sure to check that the relative humidity is below 70. Installation is a straightforward job that any skilled diyer can do by attaching hanger wires to the ceiling joists with nails or screws and then suspending the main beams and cross tees. Save on installation costs by combining similar jobs and by being willing to have your project completed during low demand periods for the vendor installer. Cut the main tees for the drop ceiling hangers.

Now let s get to the meat and potatoes of how to install a drop ceiling. Allow a minimum of 3 to 4 inches for clearance between the old ceiling and the new ceiling. For an accurate estimate in your area enter your zip code in the calculator above. You will install this first around the entire perimeter of the wall a few inches below your ceiling hence the drop in drop ceiling.

Suspended ceiling for 2 x 4 ceiling panels. Keep in mind that additional clearance will be required if recessed lighting is being used. From layout and planning to execution this guide will walk you through the key steps of installing a ceiling. Steps for installing a drop ceiling in a nutshell installing a drop ceiling has several parts.

Then 24 x 24 or 24 x 48 panels are inserted into the open metal grid and the drop ceiling is complete. Metal channel thats shapped like an l. Panels may be stored in areas with a temperature between 60 and 80 f. Start by measuring the dimensions of your room so you can cut the runners of the grid to fit.

Unpack all panels at least 24 hours prior to installation. Drop ceiling installation costs vary considerably by location. Quickhang instructions are notated by a gray background. Once you ve figured out the size of the border row measure back from the cross tee slots and cut your main tees to size.

Then use wire to hang the main runners from your ceiling joists. Full length main tees bold lines are spaced 4 on center o c as measured from the center of one tee to the center of the next with 4 cross tees installed perpendicular 2 o c. Learn about how to install a drop ceiling including what materials and tools are needed to complete your project. To install a drop ceiling you will first need to install a grid system to support its weight.

Don t assume the wall is straight. Main beams are typically installed on 4 centers. Drop ceiling installation tools and materials.