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