Mounting in Drop Ceilings

Perimeter

• Setting the perimeter molding establishes the height for the drop ceiling. The minimum clearance needed to install the tiles is four inches from either the existing ceiling or lowest fixture hanging from the ceiling. For a ceiling that will also include a fluorescent fixture, leave six inches clearance. Mark the height on the walls around the room using a level for guidance. The molding is nailed in place through the wall studs to support the ceiling. You'll need to make mitered cuts using tin snips at 45-degree angles on outside corners. For inside corners, the two pieces of molding should overlap.

Suspension Wires

• Suspension wires attached to the joists help hold the runners in place and support the weight of the ceiling. Before you attach the wires, you need to determine where the runners go. The runners or main tees for the ceiling are set perpendicular to the joists of the ceiling with four feet in between each one. Identify the location of the first tee and mark it with a chalk line. Measure over four feet and mark again. Continue marking the lines. Eyebolts are then screwed to the joists along the lines. Install the eyebolts on every third joist along each line. Attach a length of 16-gauge wire to the eyebolts.

Runners

• To install level runners, make a guide by tying string across the room running with the joists. The strings should be level with the bottom of the perimeter molding and spaced every eight feet. Install the runners so the touch the strings to ensure they are level. The wires from the joists go through the holes on the runners. For a secure hold, wrap the wire around itself three times.

Cross Tees

• The runners have slots in them to hold the cross tees in place to create the grid that holds the tiles. You'll place the cross tees every two feet between the main tees by snapping them into the slots. Once these cross tees are in place, put the tiles in place. Some drop ceilings use square tiles that are 2-feet-by-2-feet. In these kits, you'll have additional connectors to install before the tiles go in place. These pieces go between the cross tees, running parallel with the main runners. The smaller tiles are then able to go into those holes.