Ceiling panels are a great alternative to common painted ceilings. Ordinary ceilings often look plain, bare and too simple, so adding ceiling panels can improve a space and make it more interesting. Metal ceiling panels are an especially interesting element, since they lend themselves well to both traditional and contemporary interiors. These panels come in a variety of metals, patterns and sizes. When it comes to quality and price ratio, tin ceilings are one of the best options available.
Instructions
1. Measure the width and the length of your ceiling to get its surface area and therefore the number of metal ceiling panels you will need.
2. Prepare a base for attaching the tin ceiling panels. The best and the most inexpensive underlayment is common plywood. Attach the plywood to your primary ceiling using a power drill and 2-½-inch decking screws. Make sure to mount the panels to the ceiling joists only. Drill small exploratory holes to find one joist before you do anything else. Then you will know that the next joist is 16 inches away and so on for the entire ceiling area. Mark the joist locations with chalk so you know where to drill for the decking screws. Continue laying the plywood until the whole ceiling is covered. If you don’t have a friend to help you hold the panels until you attach them, use a T-brace made from 2x4s.
3. Mark the layout lines for the metal ceiling panel on the plywood with a pencil. This will help you plan the disposition of the panel and will show you if you need to cut any in order to make a perfect fit. If you need smaller tin panel pieces, use tin snips, a marker and a straight edge to cut the metal.
4. Lay the tin panels on the plywood base by nailing them with a nail gun. Start from one corner, and make sure to follow the guidelines you made on the plywood. Always leave one side unfastened so you can tuck in the edge of the neighboring panel underneath. Continue nailing the tin panels onto the plywood until you cover the whole ceiling.
5. Seal the seams between the tin ceiling panels using a caulking gun. Make sure to use a high-quality clear silicone caulk for this task.
6. Finish your ceiling with tin molding in the corners and on the edges. Every manufacturer has a palette of various moldings and cornices designed to be compatible with certain tin panels. Choose the decorative cornice from your tin panel’s collection to achieve a matching and harmonious look.
Tags: ceiling panels, decking screws, Make sure, metal ceiling, plywood until, whole ceiling, your ceiling