Overhead Support Beams and Ducts

1. Nail 1" x 2" furring strips (cleats) along both sides of the beam. Construct lattices from 1" x 1-1/2" wood furring strips and 1" x 3" center supports spaced 16" on center. Nail the lattices to the cleats.

2. Enclose the support beam by nailing or screwing wood paneling or drywall to each lattice along both sides and to the bottom of the lattice frames. To finish the box, attach corner molding.

3. If access is needed to the bottom of the boxed-in ductwork, enclose the bottom of the box using grid and panels.

  Tip 13: Using grid to box around obstructions

1. Using aviation snips, make a straight vertical cut on the web of the main beam 1/2" from a cross tee slot. Do not cut through the bottom flange of the main beam; this flange will act as a hinge.

steps 1-2

2. From the straight cut on the main beam, measure a distance equal to the required drop in the ceiling level. Here make two 45˚ angle cuts on the main beam. Once again, do not cut through the bottom flange of the main beam.

3. Insert cross tees into top slots.

steps 3-4

4. Attach grid wall molding to the outside of the bottom bends, using sheet metal screws or pop rivets.

5. Install vertical ceiling panels. Hold the vertical panels in place by drilling or punching a 1/8" hole in the main beam 1/2" above the flange. After working the panel into position, use hold-down clips or slide an 8- or 10-penny nail halfway through the hole to hold it in place.

step 5

NOTE: As an alternative, the dropped section of grid can be fastened to the main ceiling by using wall molding instead of bending the grid.

1. Snap a chalkline across the face of the grid to locate where the molding will be mounted.

2. Attach the molding to the face of the grid using pop rivets or sheet metal screws.

3. Rivet or screw the drop portion of the soffit grid to the molding. The drop grid is bent as indicated previously to form the bottom.

step 1-3

4. Rivet or screw the wall molding to the face of the bottom corner. If the dropped portion comes back up on the other side, repeat the process.