The easiest way to install pressed tin is to firstly fix
building ply to the old ceiling or walls and then nail the tin
to the ply. Timber battens can be used but building ply makes the
job much easier. It is best to remove existing cornice
before the ply is fixed to the ceiling.
Most reputable ceiling suppliers will offer detailed fitting
instructions. If you lack experience in this area, you may
prefer to employ someone with building experience. However,
most metal ceilings are fitted by their owners.
Fitting the ply to your existing ceiling is very much
dependent on the type of ceiling you already have.
Instructions on this aspect of the job are outside the scope
of this article. If you are lucky enough to have
timber ceilings then you can omit this step and nail
straight on to the timber.
Finding the centre lines of the room.
When fitting your ceiling panels it is important to have
them sitting square. Very few rooms are built truly
square - even modern rooms. So, you need to find the
centre of the ceiling and also the centre of the four edges
of the ceiling. Draw clearly visible lines dividing
the ceiling into equal halves and then quarters. You
will start to lay your metal from the centre of the ceiling
and then work out toward the edges. This method will
ensure that any discrepancies in your ceiling are halved by
the time you reach the edges of your room.
Cornice first.
These fitting instructions assume that you have already
painted your panels before installation begins.
Painting them first is the easiest way to proceed -
especially if you want the panels painted in fine detail.
After drawing out your central line markings you must first
attach your crown cornice. Most cornices have flanges
along one side of their length which will later be covered
up by the flat ceiling paneling. These flanges must be
nailed to the plywood. The lower edge of the crown
cornice is nailed to timber batten supports which are
attached to the walls. Some manufacturers are now
supplying aluminum strips which attach to the walls and then
the cornice clips onto the aluminum strips. Ask your
supplier for advice on installing their cornices.
Lay it out on the floor.
Before you attach the main ceiling paneling you should
layout the panels on the floor to familiarize yourself with
them and to get some useful practice for later on.
When people walk into this room, from what direction do they
see the ceiling? In order that the joins in the
paneling are not visible you should lap the panels away from
the main door into the room.
Main paneling.
Tacking nails should be used initially until you are
satisfied you have everything in its final position.
Tacking nails are quite long and must only be partially nailed
in so that they can be removed easily with pliers.
When you are satisfied that everything is in the right spot
then you can systematically remove the tacking nails and finish the job off
with small nails. Details of which nails to use should
be in the manufacturers fitting instructions.
Start nailing the main paneling from the centre of the
room out toward the edges remembering to be consistent with
panel lapping.
If you are using an all-over small pattern then you can
continue to nail your panels right out to the cornices -
trimming the outside panels so until they fit tightly up
against the crown cornices.
If you are using a larger design in your main panelling then
you will need to stop well short of the cornices so that
molding strips and border/filler panels can be fitted.
Most of the larger designs require a border or filler strip
around the edge, otherwise they don't look so elegant when
installed. Border or filler panels most usually have a
small pattern on them which complements the larger main
panels in the centre of the ceiling. If you require a border
around your main panels then it will be worth consulting an
expert to find out how wide the border should be. It
is easy to upset the balance of your ceiling by having a
border that is too wide or conversely too narrow. Ask
your supplier for help on this topic. Please ensure
you read your manufactures fitting instructions carefully
after the main paneling is installed because certain parts
of the ceiling must be nailed down in a particular order so
that the ceiling is finished off professionally.
Accessories.
There are now delightful aluminum accessories which give a
classy finish to ceilings. There are corner mitre
attachments which hide any rough cutting in the area where
the cornices are mitred. There are also rosettes to
place at the junction of the molding strips.
Ceiling Medallions.
If budget and ceiling height permit then you might
consider installing an aluminum ceiling medallion.
These are truly works of art. They are all cut out by hand
and because of this, they are not particularly cheap
items to buy. However, the effect they create is
absolutely stunning.
