A drop ceiling consists of ceiling panels suspended by wire to cover duct work or rafters. The panels sit loosely in metal braces and lift to allow access to important ceiling structures quickly. Drop ceilings block sound and lower heating and cooling costs. They require only a few specialized tools for installation.
Level
When the bubble in the level's vial is perfectly centered, the surface measured is level.
A level is a small device that features a glass vial full of fluid. A bubble suspended in the fluid shifts to indicate any tilt on a surface on which the level sits. When installing a drop ceiling, homeowners first use a level to draw a perfectly straight line along the wall at the level they will install the drop ceiling, according to Popular Mechanics. A level is also used to determine that the suspension wires are even and that the ceiling tiles are level once installed.
Ladder
A sturdy and safe full-size ladder is required to install a drop ceiling. Wires are hung from the original ceiling to support the metal angle brackets that hold the ceiling panels. Reaching the original ceiling or rafters to attach the wires is difficult even with a ladder.
Tin Snips
Drop ceiling panels are seated in metal angle brackets, which homeowners must cut to fit properly. The experts at Ace Hardware recommend using a pair of heavy-duty tin snips to cut the angle brackets at the appropriate length. If you cut slowly and realign the snips after each cut, they will produce a smooth and straight edge for the best installation. If the tin snips do not cut cleanly through the metal, sharpen them.
Pop Rivet Gun
Pop rivets are used to secure the angle brackets, also known as runners, together securely. A pop rivet gun flattens the straight end of the rivet, securely holding it in place. The HGTV website recommends using a rivet gun and rivets, instead of screws or other fasteners, to ensure the brackets do not come apart and drop the ceiling panels. Use a rivet punch to cut the appropriate holes into the metal runners first if the existing holes are not large enough.
Drill
A powerful drill is a crucial piece of equipment for the drop ceiling installation process. With an eyebolt attachment installed, a drill is used to embed the eyebolts that the wires suspending the drop ceiling are attached to, according to HGTV. The angle brackets around the perimeter of the room, which support the that rest against the wall, are mounted with drywall or masonry screws that require a reliable drill.
Tags: angle brackets, ceiling panels, drop ceiling, install drop, , metal angle, metal angle brackets