One problem you could end up coping with when completing your basement is completing the ceiling. Within an unfinished cellar, the joists for the flooring above are uncovered, and there in many cases are conduits, ducts and cables running between the joists or under them. Installing a drop ceiling lets you hide ducts and the conduits while permitting access for repairs that are required. Fall ceilings contain a grid hung with tiles set in the grid. Including a lights program that is recessed to the fall ceiling provides added light !
Planning the Lay-Out
Planning the layout of the tiles will make the install process go much faster. Assess breadth and the length of the area in inches, and divide it by width and the length of the ceiling tiles to find out exactly how many tiles you want. Sketch the layout of the ceiling tiles on a sheet of paper to find out the positioning of the grid. Since this enhances the look of the ceiling, order the tiles so that any cut tiles you use are equally balanced across the outside of the chamber. For example, instead of having a full- tile on a single side of the area, as well as a tile that is cut into a width of 6″ on the opposite side, use one 3- inch ceiling tile that is wide on every side of the area.
Installing the Grid
Draw a line on the partitions 4″ under the conduit that hangs down in the ceiling or the bottom duct. Attach to the partitions. This can be L shaped steel bars that help the edges of the tiles over the walls. Screw 1/2-, and snap chalk lines from the ceiling joists to indicate the place of the grid inch eye-bolts in to the underside of the joists. Attach 16-gauge wire to fasten each eyebolt. These cables are accustomed to support tiles and the power system. Attach cord to the margin molding every 8″ along the longest partitions, with all the cords running over the breadth of the cellar. When placing the runners the cords is likely to be utilized as guides. The runners are installed length wise with the 16-gauge wires, over the cellar. In order that they are equivalent to the heights of the cords, place the runners. The cross tees every two-feet involving the runners going over the breadth of the cellar to complete the help grid.
Bracing the Lighting
You should offer additional bracing for the lighting while the runners and cross tees can carry the pounds of the tiles. Follow the light cans for the lights on the tiles which will include them. Cut holes for the lights in the tiles having a utility knife. Decide what panels you are putting in the lights, and install the ceiling tiles together with the light holes in those places just. Attach -gauge wire to every corner of the panels. Measure and reduce two 2-inch by 4 inch planks for every single light which you’re installing to to suit between the runners. Put one 2-inch by 4 inch plank in addition to the tiles on each and every end. The THE TWO-inch by 4 inch planks are installed in precisely the same direction as the cross tees. Drive screws throughout the face of the runners and in to each end-of the THE TWO-inch by 4 inch boards.
Installing the Tiles
The most easy element of the task is installing the ceiling tiles themselves. Wear gloves and security goggles when managing the tiles, as the within edge is frequently composed of fiber glass insulation. Start on a single side of the cellar and simply drop the tiles. Press down to the tiles from over to get them flush contrary to the grid. Work the right path around to another side of the chamber, but keep one facet of the grid to every tile where the lights will be therefore when installing the lights as you are able to preserve accessibility.
Installing the Lights
Cut parts of 12/2 to gobetween each first in the collection and the mild, the place of the mild swap, and the mild swap and the primary electrical. Run the cables involving the holes in the ceiling tiles. Set the light cans and align them. Expand the mounts on the sides of the cans outside until they are able to be supported by the 2-inch by 4 inch planks. Cable the lights to the transmission lines. Follow producer ‘s directions, but when wiring electrical circuits, consistently fit like colours — join naked to white, and to black and green together. (Bare and green cables are equally floor wires.) Install the trim within the holes in the tiles and screw-in the lightbulbs. Install the tiles next to the tiles which contain the lighting. Cable the light change to the transmission lines, and c all an electrician to wire the circuit to your House ‘s major box (this is normally demanded by law for security reasons).