How To Install Suspended Ceilings
Continued from: Installing A Suspended Ceiling Section 2
Section 3
Figure 1 - Measuring and cutting main Tees for the suspended ceiling
Figure 2 - Cutting main Tees for shorter than full length measurements
Figure 3 - Splicing the main Tees for a suspended ceiling
Figure Figure 4 - Inserting cross Tees into Main Tee of a suspended ceiling |
- Most main tees are 12' long and have cross tee slots punched every 12 inches beginning 6 inches from each end.
- Refer to your layout sheet to determine the distance from the wall to the first cross tee. Now measure this distance along the top flange of the main tee and locate the slot just beyond this point, as shown in Figure 1.
- From this slot, measure back the same distance, subtract 1/8 inch and saw the main tee at that point. The 1/8inch subtraction is for the thickness of the wall angle.
- If the wall angles are not square, position the cross tee slots accordingly.
- When main tees are installed in rooms less than 12 feet across, cut the main tee to the exact measurement of the room, allowing 1/8 inch for the thickness of the wall angle, as shown in Figure 2.
- Remember that if the distance is less than a full main Tee length, you do not want the mating flange to remain.
- For rooms wider than 12 feet, the main tee can be spliced, as shown in Figure 3. Be sure to align the splice so that the suspension wires are correctly positioned. Splice carefully, or all the main tees will be thrown off.
- Install the main tees so that they are all level with the wall angle already mounted. Use a long level or a laser level to perform this task.
- Install the cross tees by inserting the ends of the cross tees into the slots in the main tees, as shown in Figure 4. Use the manufacturer's instructions for fitting the cross tees into position.
- Determine the location of the cross tees by the pattern you selected-either 2' x 2' or 2' x 4'.
- Be sure the lock tab on the cross tee is on the outside of the slot. This attachment is slightly different in some types of tees.
- You can remove most cross tees by depressing the lock tab with a screwdriver.
Figure 5 - Completed suspended ceiling grid.
Figure 6 - Installing ceiling tiles into suspended ceiling grid. |
- Border cross tees are installed between the wall angle and the last main tee.
- Measure from the last tee to the wall angle, allowing 1/8 inch for the thickness of the wall angle. Cut the cross tees and install them by inserting the connector in the main tee and resting the cut edge on the wall angle.
- Your final main and cross tee arrangement will look similar to Figure 5. The top part of the drawing shows an arrangement of a 2' x 4' layout, while the lower half shows main and cross tees arranged for a 2' x 2' layout.
- Drop the ceiling panels into position by tilting them slightly (Figure 6), lifting them above the framework and letting them fall into place.
Make sure that your hands are clean, after setting each tile!
- If it is necessary to cut a ceiling tile to width and/or length it is best if you score the surface with a razor blade or utility knife before cutting. This will ensure that you do not have pieces of the ceiling tiles breakaway when cutting.