Use and Care Manual
INSTRUCTION GUIDE
4
RETAIL INSTALLATION
AND MAINTENANCE
INSTRUCTIONS
Installing USG Ceilings panels isn’t dicult, but it is dierent from many other projects. You can
avoid a lot of complications later by spending a few minutes now with this planning and installation
guide. Read these instructions all the way through before you start, paying particular attention to
the helpful hints in the “Other Tips” section.
The following procedures should be followed to insure continued high performance and attractive
appearance when maintenance of USG Ceilings systems is needed.
Dust and loose dirt may easily be removed with a very soft brush or vacuum cleaner. Vacuum
cleaner attachments such as those designed for cleaning upholstery or walls do the best job. Be
certain to clean in one direction only. This will prevent rubbing dust into the surface of ceiling.
USG Vinyl-faced fiberglass ceilings can be cleaned easily with a damp sponge.
In addition to USG Ceiling Solutions materials, you’ll need some other supplies and a few hand tools:
• Screw Eyes, Anchors or Hanger Wire Hooks—For suspending ceiling from joists at 4 ft.
(1220 mm) intervals. Determine quantity from your plan.
• Hanger Wire—Buy one 18 ga. wire for each screw eye (12 ga. for commercial projects.)
• 6d (six-penny) Common Nails
• Carpenter’s Square
• Utility Knife
• Hammer
• Pliers
• String
• Tape Measure
• Level
• Hacksaw or Metal Snips
• Chalk Line
• Safety Glasses
Before installation, plan the process by drawing the room to scale on a sheet of graph paper:
1. Locate room center line: Determine the room center line (preferably perpendicular to the ceiling
joists) and draw it on the graph paper. Aligning main tees perpendicular to the ceiling joists will
make installation easier.
2. Locate main tees: On the graph paper, mark o 4 ft. (1220 mm) intervals across the room
width, beginning at the center line and going to each side wall. If more than 2 ft. (610 mm)
remain between the last mark and the side wall, locate main tees at these marks. If less than 2 ft.
(610 mm), locate main tees at 4 ft. (1220 mm) intervals beginning 2 ft. (610 mm) either side of
the center line. This procedure helps ensure symmetrical border panels of the largest possible
size and the most ecient use of material.
3. Locate cross tees: To locate cross tees, draw lines at 2 ft. (610 mm) intervals perpendicular to
main tees. For economy, appearance and equal border panels, begin at the center of the room,
using the same procedure as in #2 above. This completes planning for the basic 2 x 4 ft.
(610 x 1220 mm) ceiling grid.
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
INSTRUCTIONS
TOOLS AND MATERIALS
PLAN YOUR CEILING