DIY cassette ceiling installation, features

A cassette ceiling is a type of suspended structure. It is a versatile tile system consisting of from square movable modules or cassettes. The main elements of the ceiling are metal, glass, mirror, plaster or wood. Its main advantage is the availability of free space where you can place additional equipment and hide all wires and communications.

DIY step-by-step installation guide

The advantages of the design are as follows:

1. Elimination of ceiling defects (cracks, irregularities, etc.).
2. Ease of installation.
3. Easy maintenance (replacement of damaged elements).
4. Open access to ceiling communications.
5. Large selection of colors and structure options.

The cassette ceiling is suitable for any interior. You just need to choose the right material and colors.

Cassette ceilings are of open and closed type. Their difference is in the visibility of the outer profile of the structure itself. At first glance, installing a cassette ceiling with your own hands may scare off an inexperienced builder, but

with the right approach, its installation will not be difficult, and the result obtained will profitably transform the room.

Work equipment

The list of tools is quite simple. In addition to the standard set consisting of a pencil, a building level, pliers, side cutters, a screwdriver and a tape measure, you will need:

• drill or hammer drill (if you have to drill concrete or brick);
• scissors for metal;
• construction knife;
• chopping or marking line and chalk powder;
• spatula (if you have to patch up cracks).

Materials required:

• L-shaped, wall corner;
• spring hangers, rigid or with adjustable length;
• bearing guides or combs for open and closed types, respectively;
• self-tapping screws, dowels, anchors;
• ceiling cassettes.

After making sure that all the components for proper installation are available, we proceed directly to the installation.

Preparatory stage

Despite the simplicity of the work, this stage requires special attention. We pre-clean the ceiling from dust and dirt, seal up all holes and cracks. If the installation is carried out in a damp room, the surface is treated with antiseptic agents.

There are a few more tips before installing a cassette ceiling:

• all modules must be kept at room temperature for at least 24 hours to avoid deformation;
• the room itself is well dried, and heated in winter, lighting also plays an important role.

The preparation phase has been completed. We proceed to the installation of profiles and material for the rough coating.

Open ceiling installation

One of the types of cassette construction. His installation is simple, but you need to know all the nuances. We offer a step-by-step guide to action.

1. Fastening the L-shaped wall profile. To do this, initially find the zero level of the cassette ceiling (usually it is 10-15 cm below the main one, if there are no special conditions for communications). Further, using the building level, marks are placed in the four corners of the room, then they are connected with a special cord. Thus, a line is obtained on which (with a step of 40-50 cm) the wall profile is attached.
2. Installation of supporting rails. Further, points are put on the frame equal to the size of the ceiling tiles. A cord extends from each pair and marks the ceiling. After that, the brackets are installed in increments of 60 to 120 cm. Its indentation from the wall should not exceed 60 cm. If necessary, separate hangers for additional equipment are attached here. Next, the edges of the guides are fixed with self-tapping screws on the wall profile in pre-marked places. Then they are also installed on the brackets and the entire structure is set in level. If the frame is not enough to the end of the wall, it should be cut at the junction of the cassettes so as not to get a break.
3. Installation of intermediate rails. They begin to be attached from the center of the room to the walls. At this stage, difficulties should not arise if the length of the guides is correctly selected in advance according to the size of the cassettes. The structure is fastened with special locks, the main thing is to observe the geometry of the corners.
4. Installing cassettes. The module is wound up with an edge and installed face down.

Then you can proceed to the installation of additional equipment - lamps or hoods, if provided by the design.

Closed ceiling installation

The whole procedure similar to above, with some important exception - there are no guides here. Its elements are installed end-to-end with the help of special stringers. Briefly, the installation procedure looks like this:

1. Fastening the corner profile, hangers, bearing guides.
2. Installation of combs or stringers exactly to the size of the cassettes.
3. Inserting cassettes.

This way faster than the first, but at the same time more difficult. Its main difficulty is in the markup, which must be produced with absolute precision. This is due to the fact that the cassettes are inserted directly into the combs and there is no way to adjust them. Therefore, the work is more often entrusted to craftsmen who have the necessary skills and equipment.

With a thorough study of the issue and a competent approach, anyone can install a cassette ceiling with their own hands. The main thing is to prepare everything you need in advance., calculate each step and stock up on endurance. When the work is finished, the result will surprise even the master.