Use and Care Manual
5
4. For a 2 x 2 ft. (610 x 610 mm) grid pattern: Simply indicate additional 2 ft. (610 mm) cross tees
bisecting each 2 x 4 ft. module.
5. Check your pattern: If your border panels are less than 1/2 of a full panel upon completion of
your plan, adjust your tee locations to ensure symmetry with the largest border panels possible.
6. Check your materials: From the diagram, determine the number of pieces of wall angle, main
tees, cross tees and ceiling panels required to be sure that you have purchased enough. Main
tees come in 12 ft. (3660 mm) lengths, cross tees in 4 ft. [1220 mm] lengths (additional 2 ft.
[610 mm] cross tees are required if 2 x 2 ft. [610 x 610 mm] panels are used) and wall angles in
10 ft. lengths (sometimes 12 ft. [3660 mm] lengths). Also, you will need one hanger wire and
screw eye for every 4 ft. (1220 mm) of main tees.
1. Choose the ceiling height.
Install your ceiling at any level,
as long as you maintain enough
clearance (4 in. or 101.6 mm is
recommended) below the lowest air
duct, pipe or beam to install panels.
Mark the desired height at each
room corner.
2. Mark a perimeter chalk line.
Snap a chalk line around the entire
room perimeter, 3/4 in. (19 mm) above
your desired ceiling height. Check it
with a carpenter’s level. Measuring
alone, either down from joists or up
from the floor, is not recommended
since either might not be level.
3. Install wall angles.
Align the top edge of the wall angle
with the chalk line and nail wall
angles around the entire room.
Nail at each stud location or at a
minimum of 2 ft. (610 mm) intervals.
4. Cut o the corners.
At inside corners, cut wall angles
straight (90°) and butt them
together. At outside corners, miter
them (45°) and fit snugly together,
or use corner caps.
5. Locate main tees.
Stretch a string across the room
at ceiling height to locate each
main tee. To do this, pull the string
taut around nails that are inserted
between the wall and the wall angle
at opposite wall locations.
6. Locate cross tees.
Stretch a string perpendicular to
the main tee strings where you want
to locate the first row of cross tees.
You only need to do this once since
prepunched slots in the main tees
ensure spacing of subsequent rows
of cross tees.
7. Install hanger wires.
Install screw eyes, with hanger
wires attached, every 4 ft. (1220
mm) along main tee string lines. The
wires should extend 6 in. (150 mm)
below the string line.
8. Bend hanger wires.
Use pliers to bend a 90° angle in all
hanger wires at a point 3/4 in.
(19 mm) above the string. If the
nearest hanger hole is not directly
below the screw eye, adjust the
hanger accordingly.
9. Align first main tees.
In each row, trim the first main tee at
the wall so the slot for the first row
of cross tees lines up at the string.
Rest the cut end of the main tee on
the wall angle.
PLAN YOUR CEILING CONT.
INSTALL YOUR CEILING,
STEP BY STEP