Ceiling Grid Run at a 45 degree angle
Sawdaddy
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hi Guys,
We just put up a suspended ceiling that the client had us run at 45 degrees to the walls. What a pain. You guys got any tips on what might have made it easier?
The client is an architect and is tickled pink with the result. I got a feeling we might be doing more of these in the future…
-Sawdaddy
PS: I have limited internet service, so I might not check back in for a few days.
Replies
Sorry about the extra work, but a grid laid at a 45 angle gives almost unlimited flexibility in ceiling light configurations.
Say you got a goofy shaped room. And She wants a table centered in the middle with a recessed can, or maybe a grouping of 4 recessed cans, casting equal light on the table. Odds are a regularly laid grid would not be able to handle the positioning of the fixtures so it speaks to the craftsmanship of the installer. Sorta like this (excuse the dirty camera lens):
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Or from the opposite direction and with the 2x2 troffers on, you can see a regular layout would almost be harder.
View Image
I hadta stick in that 4 footer down by the end because there's a double door access to my shop right there.
As far as how to make it easier, I dunno. I use a couple of local friends that have been doing this for years. I pay them what they ask.
Work with that archy. He/she sounds like he/she knows what he/she is doing.
Edited 12/10/2008 4:39 pm by peteshlagor
Edited 12/10/2008 4:45 pm by peteshlagor
Hey Pete,
The Archy is a great guy. I'm looking forward to working with this guy again.
The ceiling turned out good and you're right about the layout. Lots of versatility.
I'm just complaining in general. The layout on the ceiling was tough. Figuring out what all the cuts would be before we hung a single piece of grid, locating the mains and keeping them straight around corners and into other rooms. I thought with all the expertise around here, someone would have some super-terrific layout trick that would make life easier on the next one. Wishful thinking I know, but it don't hurt ta ask!
-Sawdaddy
The only real tip I could offer is to be sure you know precisely his desires for the lights and their layout. But with him close by, I'm sure you were well served.
The lay out might be pushed along by doing some of it on the floor, and then projecting the key points up w a laser plumb bob.
Mabey a few plywood patterns to make the cutting easier.
Your going to rich man when folks get word you do these ceilings!
Best of luck, Harry
Yeah, we did the layout on the floor just like you said. Snapped a line all the way across the entire length at the line of the longest main. We have a Spectra HV401 rotating laser we set up plumb instead of horizontal and used that to mark the mains everywhere we could. And it speeded up locating the wires way up on the roof deck too. At least for that first run.
As for getting rich off ceilings...let's hope so.
-Sawdaddy
I can't think of much else to speed things up.Floor layout is great -- or as the architects say, "Reflected Ceiling Plan."And a rotating laser is such a lifesaver for transferring that layout! As the runs get shorter, in the corners, a 2’w x 4'-long lauan beam-spacer, with its ends cut at 45º, might be faster -- hold it up to the last main, and mark the wall.But I’d probably do as you did, and transfer as much as possible with the laser. Aitchkay