Basement remodels frequently use suspended ceiling systems. A suspended ceiling is also a fantastic choice when your ceiling is damaged. A suspended ceiling is much easier to install than drywall if you are doing the project on your own. Adding a suspended ceiling system is easy enough for a homeowner to do in just a weekend.
Discovering the Right Suspended Ceiling System
There are a variety of suspended ceiling types to choose from, as well as an array of styles and patterns of ceiling panels. While some of these are affordable, there are also some systems that, although more expensive, are very well designed and easy to install. Ultimately, you need to consider your budget to make sure that you leave enough money for finishing decor like retro modern wall clock or metal wall plaques, as well as the visual effect you are trying to create in the room. Before buying your ceiling system, you’ll need to have measured the room carefully. Now you will also want to decide how you want to display your ceiling tiles. By dividing the area of the entire ceiling by the area of one of the tiles, you can calculate how many ceiling panels you will need. This calculation will tell you the number of full ceiling panels that you will need for the job. Figure out how many times a single tile divides into the length and width measurements, and divide that in half to determine the number of partial tiles that are necessary. Most people like to purchase a bit more material than they really need to take into account any measuring or installation mishaps that might occur.
Arranging the Wall Molding
Begin by measuring the walls for the drop ceiling installation. If you are planning to install fluorescent lighting in your ceiling mark down six inches from the floor joists. Four inches should be enough if you are not installing a light fixture, but you want to make sure that four inches is the limit for how small you can go. It is important to leave enough clearance between the perimeter molding and the ceiling to have room to maneuver your ceiling panels properly into place. Use a level to add the perimeter molding in the room.
Main Beam Assembly and Cross Tees
Next, you will be adding the main beams. To keep yourself centered, snap a chalk line about every four feet across the entire room. Now you can put in the hanger wire screws along your chalk lines. After the screw hangers are installed, stretch the wire from hanger to hanger. You’ll want to keep the wire stretched firmly, making a 90-degree turn at the end of the wire. All of the main tees are joined to this monumentally important wire. With the aid of your level install your main tees to the wires and make sure that they remain straight and are of a uniform height. The cross tees fall into place on the main tees, so that is the next step. Keep checking with your level to make sure that the ceiling is staying straight.
Putting In the Ceiling
Once all the tees and cross tees are suspended, you simply need to put the ceiling panels in place, use some decorative wall art, and install your fluorescent lighting panels if desired.