How Do I Build a Dropped Wood Ceiling?

Measure at least 3 to 4 inches down from your ceiling. Mark it on the wall with a pencil. Use a chalk line or a level to draw a straight, level line all the way around the room at this point. Check to make sure the line is still level at different points around the room.

Use a stud finder to find each stud in the wall. Studs are typically spaced 16 inches apart in newer homes. Draw a perpendicular line across your horizontal line each time you find a stud.

Place a wall angle, or angle bracket, against the wall, so it creates a ledge. The bottom of the ledge should be flush with the level line you made on your wall. Secure the wall angle to the wall by nailing the angle to the studs. Repeat the process until you've installed wall angles all around the room.

Measure across the room parallel to the direction in which the ceiling joists run. Measure the length of one of your wood ceiling panels. Divide the length of the room by the length of the panel. This will give you the number of panels needed to create your ceiling. If your measurements reveal a partial panel is needed, divide the number of inches the panel needs by two. The partial panels should be installed closest to the wall. Repeat the process to determine the number of panels needed for the width of the room.

Use the measurements you took to figure out where to run the chalk lines. Run a chalk line from one side of the wall angle perimeter to the other side, where the corner of a panel should be in the same direction as the joists. For example, if your measurements say you should have a runner 9 inches from the wall, place a chalk line there. Snap the chalk line. Measure out from the chalk line mark using the panel length measurement. Run another chalk line from one side of the perimeter to the other at this point. Repeat the process until you have chalk lines marked throughout the ceiling.

Drill a hole in the joist every 4 feet unless your space requires a smaller panel along the edge. Screw in an eyebolt or hook. If a smaller panel is required, measure in the intended length of the panel; drill a hole for the eyebolt or hook; screw it in and measure 4 feet farther to place your next hook or eyebolt. Hang a piece of suspension wire at least 6 to 8 inches long from the eyebolt. The wire should be long enough to tie off around the hook or eyebolt and still hang at least several inches below the line you drew around the walls.

Attach the main tees to the wires. Run the tees in the same direction as the joists. Follow the manufacturer's instruction regarding installation.

Measure the distance between your main tees. The distance should be either 2 or 4 feet. Install the cross-tees between the main tees, and snap them into place per the manufacturer's instructions. If the main tees are 2 feet apart, install the cross-tees every 4 feet. If the main tees are 4 feet apart, install the cross-tees every 2 feet. Repeat the process until all the cross-tees have been installed.

Start at an outside edge, and maneuver the first wood panel through one of the spaces in your grid. Move the panel around until its above the correct space in the grid. Drop it into place. Reach above the grid and press down to fit the panel in place, if needed.