Intro - Materials - Plan - Lines/Molding - Chalklines - Wire - Ref. Strings - Runners/Lines - Grid - Panels - Options
Margin of Error: 1/8"
You are now ready to hang the runners and clip in the cross tees. You can run additional strings to know where to bend each wire. You would run these strings aligned with each series of wire support holes that wires will be inserted into.
An easier way is to use a level placed on the runners and bend the wires as you go. To do this, rest the cut end of the runner on the wall molding. Thread the first pre-bent wire hanger through the support hole. Remember this has been pre-bent so that the runner will hang at just the right level. The rest of the wire hangers are not. You can place a 4' level on the runner and have someone hold it exactly level and then thread the unbent wire hangers through their support holes and bend them so that they keep the runner level. Wrap all wires around themselves three times after threading through the runners.
As you work toward the opposite wall, connect the runner sections together as needed. Be very accurate with your measurements. You will need to cut the last piece to fit (you can use the excess piece to start the next row). As you connect and install the pieces, check to be sure that you have cut each runner so that the cross tee slots align exactly with the reference string AB. Also, you will have better support if you position an additional wire hanger close to the point where two runner sections are connected. Be sure you are always hanging the runners at the right level.
After all the runners are in place, install the cross tees. These 48" pieces are installed every 24" perpendicular to the runners (for 24" x 48" tiles). (For 24" x 24" panels, add a 24" cross tee to the midpoint of the 48" tee.) This should be a rather simple process if you have done everything up to here correctly. First install the full-size 4' cross tees in the interior of the room. Once these are in place, lay in a few full ceiling panels to stabilize the system.
Now you must cut the cross tees in the border areas. Measure each border cross tee individually but use the string CD, not the runners, as a measuring guide. The runners still have a lot of play in them. To measure, align the edge of the first runner with the reference string CD, as shown. Then make your measurement from the side wall to the near edge of the runner. Measure and cut accurately. Repeat this process on the opposing wall.
© 2006 DoItYourself.com
Intro - Materials - Plan - Lines/Molding - Chalklines - Wire - Ref. Strings - Runners/Lines - Grid - Panels - Options
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