Installing a New Ceiling

Do you want to install downlights, but can't in your existing ceiling? Are your existing ceilings too high? Are you looking for a stylish way to redecorate your ceiling? Do you need better acoustic or thermal ceiling insulation? There are any number of reasons for installing a new ceiling. If your ceiling is high enough, an easy and inexpensive way to do it is to install a suspended ceiling. Here's what you need to know.

Choosing a New Ceiling

You've probably seen hundreds of suspended ceilings before and may even work beneath one every day. They are routinely installed in offices. If you see a ceiling that's made up of a series of panels resting on aluminium runners, it's a suspended ceiling. Other suspended ceilings aren't as easy to spot as those you may have noticed in your office, though. While most suspended ceiling panels are made from plasterboard, metal, metal "pans" and other styles and materials are also available and some ceiling systems cleverly hide their support structures.

Ceiling suppliers will be able to show you all your options, but before you get your quotes, make a scale drawing of your existing ceiling or the distance between walls at the height you want your new ceiling to go.  Suppliers will use this information to work out how many runners, brackets, panels and other components you need and give you accurate quotes.

While you're thinking about your new ceiling, think about lighting as well. This is an ideal time for you to install the downlights you've been wanting for years. Don't forget, though, that installing lights is not a DIY job. You'll need to hire a licensed electrician for that.

Installing a New Ceiling

After you have chosen your suspended ceiling system, you'll need to go back to the drawing board and lay out your new ceiling in a grid. If you're installing a full ceiling, it's best to start from the centre and work outwards. This way, you will end up with equal panel widths at opposite sides of the wall.

On a full ceiling, installation starts at the walls, where you will install "L" shaped perimeter brackets. Working from your drawings, you will then install the suspension wires and runners (or "Ts"). Then you will install cross runners (or cross Ts) between the runners. When all of these are installed, all you have to do is put the panels in place. For more details about installing a new suspended ceiling, read our article, Installing a Suspended Ceiling.

One of the advantages of installing a suspended ceiling is that the work can be done using ordinary household tools. This and the fact that all the components are light weight make it a reasonably easy DIY project. If you follow all directions to the letter and double-check your measurements, you can achieve professional results. Don't rule out getting installation quotes from ceiling suppliers and plasterers, though. Even including installation, a suspended ceiling is an economical alternative to other ceiling treatments.