Installing vinyl ceiling panels on vertical rafters requires starting at the top and working down.
Vinyl ceiling panels are usually installed on horizontal rafters. Installing vinyl ceiling panels on vertical rafters requires starting at the top and working down. A straight and level starter strip that is securely nailed in place is a must. Rafters or furring strips used for nail locations should be spaced no further apart than 16 inches.
Instructions
1. Nail in place the vinyl J-channel trim on both sides and the bottom of the ceiling area. Placing J-channel trim along the top is an option. It is used on the top for appearance only.
2. Place a horizontal, level chalk line at the location of the starter strip across the top of the ceiling area. Nail the starter strip next to the line and make sure the line is level.
3. Slide, pull and snap the ceiling panels into the groove of the starter strip and nail in place. Each panel's edge also snaps into the matching groove of the preceding panel. Do not nail each panel tight. Leave the nail head sticking out at least 1/8-inch above the panel. Each panel should easily slide from side to side to allow for expansion and contraction as the temperature changes. Leave ¼-inch space on both sides between the end of the panels and the J-channel for the same reason.
4. Use painted aluminum nails to attach the last ceiling panel at the bottom. Place the nails into the lowest part of the grooves in the ceiling panels, or hide them behind the J-channel on the bottom.
Tags: ceiling panels, starter strip, both sides, ceiling area, ceiling panels vertical, Installing vinyl