CeilingMAX ceilings are not suspended.
CeilingMAX is a surface-mounted ceiling system and is well suited for use in a room with a low ceiling, such as a basement. Some suspended systems require a 4-inch drop, which results in a loss of valuable head room. The CeilingMAX PVC supporting tracks are attached directly to the ceiling joists and when the ceiling tiles are in place, you lose only 1 inch of space. The installation requires careful planning, accurate measurements and can be completed in one day using basic tools.
Instructions
1. Measure the length of the room. Round this number down to the nearest even number of feet. When installing 2-by-2-foot tiles, add 24 to the remaining number of inches and divide this number by two to get the size of the border tiles running in this direction. For example, if the room's length is 15 feet 6 inches, rounding down to the nearest even foot is 14. Add 24 to the remaining number of inches, which is 18 inches, for a total of 42. When you divide by two, you get 21 inches.
2. Measure this distance from each side wall, place a mark on the floor joist and snap a chalk line. Repeat the calculation process with the width of the room to determine the size of the border tiles running in the other direction. Measure and snap a chalk line in a similar fashion.
3. Attach the wall brackets around the perimeter of the room below the floor joists. Hold the longer side of the bracket so that is faces up toward the ceiling. Space 1-inch drywall screws every 16 to 24 inches and attach the brackets to the wall.
4. Measure and cut the brackets to size using tin snips when you reach the corners. Attach the bracket with the end flush against the adjoining wall. Insert the end of the adjoining wall's bracket into the end of the bracket so that the ends overlap. Repeat the process and attach all the brackets around the room.
5. Hold an 8-foot top hanger perpendicular to the joists at one side of the room to begin attaching the first row. Align it with the snapped chalk line. The hanger may need to be trimmed so that when its end is inserted into the wall bracket, the notch in the hanger is aligned with the chalk line running in the opposite direction.
6. Attach the hanger with drywall screws. Alternate the sides of the hanger's channel when attaching it to the joists. Cut a 6-inch piece from a runner strip and insert it into the end of the hanger to use as a splice for the next section of hanger. This helps align the next section as you attach it to the joists.
7. Measure and cut the last hanger section for the row so that when the end is inserted into the wall bracket, the notch in the hanger is aligned with the chalk line.
8. Repeat Step 5 to start the next row of hangers. Before attaching the new hanger to the joists, take a 23-inch cross-tee section, hold it perpendicular to the hanger and insert its end into the first notch of the previously installed hanger. Insert the other end of the cross-tee into the corresponding notch of the new hanger.
9. Attach the new hanger to the joist closest to the first cross-tee to hold it while you continue to work. Insert the next cross-tee in the next corresponding slots and attach the hanger to the joist near this cross-tee. Continue to install cross-tee sections and hangers to complete the row. When you get to the end of the row, repeat Step 7 to attach the hanger. Repeat the process until all the rows are installed.
10. Measure, cut and install the cross-tees to fit into the first and last border rows. The cut end fits flush into the perimeter bracket while the opposite end fits into the hanger's notch. Do not install the last cross-tee when you get to the end of the row. This will be done in Step 11.
11. Measure and cut the first border ceiling tile with a utility knife. Start in one corner, insert the tile in the perimeter bracket and as you rock the cross-tee slightly back and forth, install the tile. Work your way down the row. When you get to the end of the row, set the last tile in place and then insert the last cross-tee. Continue the process and install the remaining border tiles.
12. Install all of the full-sized tiles. Remove any splices and lock the tiles in place with the 8-foot runners. Start at one end and snap the runners into the top hangers. Install all 8-foot runners and then cut the last ones to size to finish each row and the ceiling grid.
Tags: chalk line, border tiles, notch hanger, wall bracket, 8-foot runners, adjoining wall