How to Change a Ceiling's Height

Measure and mark the height of the drop-down ceiling onto the walls by drawing perimeter lines. Use a level to help you draw straight lines. You will need at least 4 inches of space between your old ceiling and a suspended ceiling. However, if you want to install full-panel fluorescent ceiling lights, you will need at least 6 inches of space.

Locate the wall studs with a stud finder and mark their position by drawing an X along the line you drew on the walls.

Install the perimeter molding. Line the top molding up with the perimeter lines that you drew. Secure the molding to the wall studs by using 6d nails. If a length of molding does not stretch across the length of a wall, butt a second piece of molding next to it. Use tin snips to cut excess molding. Butt two strips of molding together along inside corners, but miter the edges of molding at 45 degrees when installing it around outside corners.

Calculate the number of panels or ceiling tiles that you will need by measuring the panel length that is parallel to the joists. Then divide the panel length by the size of the panels. For example, if the panel length is 12 feet and the panels are 2 square feet, you will need six panels per row. Multiply the number of panels you need in a row by the total number of rows of panels you will install. If you need six panels per row, and there are 12 rows, you will need 72 panels.

Mark the placement of the main runners along the current ceiling using a chalk line. The distance between the runners should equal the size of the ceiling panels. For example, if a ceiling panel is 3 square feet, you will make a mark every 3 feet. The main runners will run perpendicular to the joists. Repeat this process to mark the placement of the cross tees, which will run parallel to the runners.

Stretch a length of string across the room so it is taught. Secure the string to the bottom of the perimeter molding with masking tape. Continue to add lengths of string across the room, separating them by 6 feet. The strings indicate the height to hang the runners.

Install the main runners along the lines marked. First, place a small eyebolt on every third joist, along the marked line. Thread a length of 16-gauge wire through each eyebolt and twist the wire around itself five times. The length of wire you need depends on the length between the eyebolt and suspended ceiling. Thread the bottom of each wire through the corresponding hole at the top of the runner, and twist the wire around itself five times to secure it in place. Use the strings that you previously stretched across the room to help you hang the runners at the right height. To lengthen the size of a runner, snap the end of one runner onto the end of another. Cut the excess length of runners with tin snips.

The runners that you hang closest to the walls will touch the perimeter molding. Thread a piece of wire between the hole that is nearest the end of the main runner and the nearest hole in the perimeter molding. Then twist the wire to help secure the runner to the molding.

Secure the cross tees to the main runners using the guidelines you previously marked. The cross tees have a hook that fits into slots cut out of the main runners. Cut the excess length of the cross tees with tin snips so the ends of the runner can rest on the perimeter molding.

Prepare the ceiling panels or tiles for any fixtures you want to install on the ceiling, such as lights or ductwork.

Drop the ceiling panels into place between the runners. You may need to cut some of the panels to size if you are not able to install full-sized panels along the sides closest to the walls. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the best way to cut the panels.