Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 3/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Bruce, I am installing a drop ceiling.  I have installed the wall angles on all 4 walls, what I would like to know is do I run the Tees to the edge of the wall angles or do I lay them right on the the wall angles ledge (having the angle support the end of the tee).
Thanx for any Help
Doug

ANSWER: Hi Doug, yes the wall angle supports the tees at the edges.  Your main tees are also supported by attaching them to the framing joists or rafters above using wire.  Most drop ceiling manufacturers provide literature with their products outlining the best ways to install their particular brand of gridwork but basically they are done similarly with the wall angle and intermediate wires holding up the main tees. In some cases the main tee is pop riveted to the wall angle also but this method is seldom used in residential applications. I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Bruce, I am going nuts here, I bought Armstrong 12' tees and 2'foot tees for 2'X4' ceiling panels.  The part that I completely don't understand is that the 12" tees measure exactly 12' long BUT the slots that accept the crossing tees start about 3" in from the ends.  There are slots every 6" the problem is if I put 3 2'X4" panels that add up to my 12 foot room with the way these slots are I can't get the right configuration with the tees because the slots start 3" in on both ends with throws everything off.  
Thanx for any Help
Doug

ANSWER: Hi again Doug, let me get this straight.  Your 12' main tees have slots that start in 3" from the ends?  I don't see how this should affect your layout.  First of all if your room is 12' long then your first panel is two feet wide so you dont need a cross tee near the wall anyhow. Are you saying that the internal slots that the 2'tee fits into is not 48" from the end of the main tee?  That doesn't sound right but if you can't make it work with a 2'tee, get some 4' tees and turn your main tee the opposite direction  and put your 4' tees two feet apart. I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Answer   Hi again Doug, What I am trying to tell you is that you don't need a tee along the wall.  Your wall angle serves as the tee to hold up the ceiling tile therefore the three inches on each end of the main tee is inconsequential.  Your first cross tee will start two feet out from the wall and your last cross tee will be two feet off the wall if your room is exactly twelve feet wide.  I don't know how else to explain it.  I have done all kinds of dropped ceilings and they are relatively easy and I have never had to splice a twelve foot tee for a twelve foot room.  Your wall angle should go around the entire perimeter of the room and all tees sit on it and all perimeter tiles lay on it therefore starting at one wall you should have a slot at two foot for your first tee..I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com


Bruce, I appreciate all your help BUT what you are saying is EXACTLY my point.  I would think that if you had a 12' room than you should not need to splice a 12' tee.  I have as well done a few drop ceilings and I agree they are quite easy but my rooms were all very large rooms.  I will stop bothering you Bruce but I do want to leave you with this, I realize that I don't need a Tee along the walls as the wall angles are where the panels lay on.  The Problem remains the same, I agree the 1st cross tee should be 2' from the wall BUT due to the slots in the 12' Tee not starting at the very end but 3" from the end this drives all the slots 3" off the 2' pattern.  And of course if I cut the 3" off to get the slots to start 24" from the wall then my 12' Tee becomes to short for my 12' wall.  This slot starts at 3" from the ends so as to form a 6" slot to slot when splicing 2 pieces together. That is great if running a long, long Tee but kills you if you just want EXACTLY 12' with a 2' slot pattern from end to end.      
Thanx again Bruce for your patience.
Doug

Answer
Hi again Doug, Actually when I do a drop ceiling layout I usually start at the center, both directions and squared lines.  This way I usually have a 8-16" border that allows me to custom fit an out of square room by using the border for adjustment.  Sincerely bruce e johnson..