How to Build Around Ducts With Ceiling Tile

Measure the length of the ducts across the ceiling with the tape measure.

Cut two strips of 1-by-2-inch furring strips to match the length of the duct with a circular saw.

Place the strips along the side of the ducts, with a 1/4-inch gap between the strip and the duct’s edge. Screw the strips in place with 2-inch drywall screws through the strips and into the ceiling.

Measure the height of the duct from the ceiling to its base.

Create two lattices to place on both sides of the duct along its length using 1-by-1-1/2-inch planks for the top and bottom strips of the lattice and 1-by-3-inch planks for the center. Cut the center planks to the height of the duct minus 3-inches to account for the widths of the two top and bottom strips, and cut the top and bottom strips to the length of the duct.

Construct the lattices by placing the long strips of 1-by-1-1/2-inch strips onto the floor parallel to one another and then placing a shorter 1-by-3-inch cut plank between the two long strips, spaced every 16 inches. Make certain that you begin the center planking flush with one end of the lattice, and end with a second plank flush with the other end. Space the planks measuring every 16-inches from the center of the first one. There will be a smaller space between the last two planks in the lattice. Nail the lattice together with a nailgun, placing a nail through the top and bottom strips and into the center spacers, creating a ladder-like appearance.

Place the lattices on either side of the ductwork against the furring strip running along the ceiling so that the strips hang from the ceiling to the base of the ducts. Nail the lattices to the furring strips, placing a nail every 12 inches.

Cut two strips of corner molding to match the length of the ducts with tin snips. Nail the molding along the base of the lattice to create a platform for placing your bottom piece of drywall or tile.

Cut strips of drywall to match the length and height of the lattice strip. Snap the drywall to cut it along the necessary measurements by scoring a line through the face of the drywall with a utility knife and then bending the drywall at the scored line to break it into sections. Place the drywall against the lattice and nail it into place, placing three nails through the lattice at every location of a centerpiece, one nail through the top lattice piece, one through the bottom and one through the centerboard.

Measure the width of the enclosure and cut a piece of drywall that matches the length and width of the enclosed area. Set the drywall against the two corner bead surfaces and then nail it into place through the drywall and corner bead. Space the nails every 12 inches.

Tile the drywall surface of the enclosure with ceiling tiles to match the rest of your ceiling.