Installation of a suspended ceiling on your own is not a tough job really, but it takes considerable time. The installation of a tile or suspended ceiling in a room of 9X12 feet would easily require sixteen hours, or may be more as some unusual circumstances could develop. Though it doesn’t need any special skills or tools for execution, it is recommended to have at least two people who have reasonably good technical skills, preferably with some exposure to handling some kind of a technical job.
Though one doesn’t really need a permit to install a suspended ceiling, it is better to remain safe and seek a confirmation from your local building department.
As the name itself suggests, suspended ceilings are hung down from the existing main ceiling by incorporating metal grid and joists. Installation of such a ceiling naturally creates a void between itself and the existing ceiling. This gap proves very useful for housing or working upon pipes, wires and ductwork, keeping all these items hidden from the view of the onlookers or occupants of the room.
A tile ceiling may either be glued on to the existing ceiling or on what is known as “furring strips”, which are glued or nailed on the existing ceiling. This kind of ceiling works very well in covering any old ugly looking present ceiling. It also serves an excellent purpose at places where it is not feasible to have a suspended ceiling. You should understand that suspended ceiling drops down by about eight to ten inches from the main ceiling, thereby reducing the effective height of the ceiling, which could pose problem if the height of the room is already low. Going by the codes of construction, the minimum permissible height of ceiling is seven and a half feet.
The installation of suspended ceiling necessarily requires proper tools. The installation is not so difficult and doesn’t require any expensive equipment for the purpose. As you would be covering the ceiling of a medium to large sized room, the metal grid needed for its installation would require at least two people. Most of the tools needed for installation of suspended ceiling or tile ceiling are the same and include: 20′-25′ metal tape, putty knife, a screwdriver, straightedge, nails, , a ladder, tiles, safety goggles and face mask, a handsaw, a pencil, chalk line, a drywall pan, a miter box, cross tees and a coping saw.
Apart from making your room look great, there are many advantages to a suspended ceiling. As already noted, they provide cover to wires, pipes and ducts. They muffle sound and have fire resistant characteristics. That makes them desirable for ceiling of noisy rooms like commercial kitchens. In such cases they are provided with tiny holes to get the desired acoustic effect. Tiles made from mineral fibers are fire resistant; conform to prescribed fire codes and thus a good option for fire hazardous rooms. Otherwise, a typical suspended ceiling makes an excellent choice, being lightweight and easy to install.