A drop ceiling is a good way to hide imperfections.
A false ceiling, also called a drop ceiling, hangs suspended from the original ceiling via a grid. A suspended ceiling is a good way to hide imperfections in the original ceiling that could cost a lot of money to repair. It is also a good way to decrease the height of high ceilings in an effort to reduce energy costs. The space between the existing ceiling and the suspended ceiling does not receive as much heat as it normally would.
Instructions
1. Measure up from the floor to the desired height of the suspended ceiling and place indicator marks at each end of the walls in the room. Measure up from the floor to ensure the suspended ceiling remains level with the floor and not the existing ceiling.
2. Snap a chalk line on each wall, using the indicator marks as guides. The chalk line shows you where you need to install the suspended ceiling's frame.
3. Cut a piece of suspended ceiling wall frame to match the length of each wall. Use a pair of tin snips or a band saw to cut the framing. The framing is a piece of thin metal cut into a 90-degree elbow.
4. Place the framing against the wall and secure it with wood or drywall screws. Position the framing along the chalk line. This will ensure the framing remains level.
5. Cut a T-bar bracket that will extend from one wall to another with the band saw. You need a T-bar bracket spaced every 12 inches if you plan to use 12-by-24-inch tiles. If you plan to use 24-by-24-inch tiles, you need a T-bar bracket spaced every 24 inches. Once cut, space the T-bar brackets on the wall framing. The framing will hold the T-bars in place.
6. Cut pieces of T-bar brackets to 12-inch lengths if you plan to use 12-inch tiles or 24-inch lengths if you plan to use 24-inch tiles. Position these T-bar brackets between the existing T-bar brackets every 12 or 24 inches as needed.
7. Thread an eyebolt into the existing ceiling directly above each T-bar bracket approximately every 67 inches. You need at least one eyebolt at the ends of each T-bar bracket.
8. Tie a metal wire to an eyebolt and then to the hole in the corresponding T-bar bracket. Do this with each eyebolt and each T-bar bracket.
9. Place the tiles onto the flat edges of the T-bar brackets to complete the installation of the ceiling.
Tags: T-bar bracket, suspended ceiling, T-bar brackets, every inches, chalk line, each T-bar, each T-bar bracket