How to Install a Pressed Metal Ceiling

Pressed-metal ceiling panels add visual appeal to an otherwise unadorned space.

A pressed-metal ceiling adds an incredible design accent to an otherwise unadorned space. The ceiling tiles give dimension, color and a beautiful reflective surface that enhances the appearance of the room. Although the project is time-consuming, the average home or business owner can install a pressed metal ceiling to save on installation costs.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder or sawhorses and planks
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Saw
• 1-inch-by-3-inch furring strips
• Shims (as needed)
• Drill
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• Screwdriver bit
• Chalk line
• 1½-inch screws
• Gloves
• Pressed metal tiles
• Hammer
• 1-inch nails
• Tin snips
• Cornices
• Wide chisel

Instructions

Foundation

1. Place furring strips on a solid work surface and drill pilot holes with a 1/8-inch drill bit spaced about 1 foot apart. Predrilling a lot at one time will make it faster to install the furring strips.

2. Attach furring strips to the ceiling around the perimeter of the room by using a drill to insert 1½-inch screws into the pilot holes so the centers of the furring strips are the same distance from the corner as the width needed for the chosen cornices. The size of cornices varies, so use the measurement needed for your materials. Cut pieces with a saw as needed to go around corners and at the end of walls.

3. Locate the center of the room by measuring the room with a tape measure in both directions. Divide the distance for each and mark the location on the ceiling. Select one wall and measure the distance for the center for that side from the corner to the center of the wall. Place a chalk line on each measurement close to the ceiling and snap the line against the ceiling.

4. Measure 12 inches from each of these lines at the ends and snap a chalk line against the ceiling. Repeat until there are chalk lines spaced 12 inches apart across the entire ceiling.

5. Install furring strips on each of these lines with the center of the furring strip located over each chalk line. If the ceiling is wavy, install shims behind the furring strips before attaching them to the ceiling.

6. Snap a new chalk line on the furring strips on the center of the room to recreate the original center chalk line on top of the furring strips.

7. Measure the distance of the furring strips on the center line, divide by two and mark the location of the opposite center on the center furring strip to mark the location of the very center of the room.

Install Tiles Or Panels

1. Put on gloves.

2. Place the corner of a pressed-metal ceiling tile on the mark made on the furring strip at the center of the room. Overlap the tiles as you face the doors or entryways. This is so the edges of the ceiling tiles are not visible from entryways.

3. Cut and install pieces of furring strips to place between the installed furring strips to use for nailing the opposite edges of the ceiling tiles. Measure the distance between the furring strips for each cut. Do not assume the measurement will be the same for each piece. Screw the crosspieces of furring strips into position on the ceiling.

4. Gently tap three or four nails per side into the tile to hold the tile onto the furring strips. Continue until you cover the entire ceiling with tiles. If installing pressed-metal panels, insert a nail every 12 inches through the centers and every 6 inches along the edges.

5. Trim tiles with tin snips at the edges of the room and around light fixtures as needed. Install the cut edge on the cornice area.

6. Seal seams by tapping with a wide chisel. Place the chisel on the seam and gently tap the other side with a hammer.

Install Cornices

1. Install cornice pieces with nails placed every 12 inches along the bottom or wall side, and nails placed every 6 inches for the top or ceiling side.

2. Make mitered cuts for corners.

3. Use tin snips to make tiny nicks in the edges of mitered corners and use the side of a nail to push the seams together.

Tips & Warnings

• Plywood may be used instead of furring strips to save time. Install full sheets of ¼-inch plywood across the entire ceiling with screws. Mark the location of the center of the room and move to the section to install tiles.

• Furring strips or plywood are not required for snap-lock type pressed-metal ceiling tiles. Install the tiles with No. 6 drywall screws instead of nails on the nailer edge of the tiles and insert tiles as directed for the chosen snap-lock system.

• The edges of pressed-metal ceiling tiles are very sharp. Wear gloves during the entire installation process to prevent injuries.

• If you wish to paint the ceiling after installation, use an oil-based paint. Water-based paints will encourage rust.

References

• Chelsea Decorative Metal Company: Ceiling Installation Instructions
• The American Tin Ceiling Company: Installation Videos for Snaplock Ceiling Panels