Installation Instructions

OUTSIDE
INSIDE
6"
3/4"
O
90
Planning the Job
Use graph paper; choose a convenient scale,
such as one square per two feet. Measure
the length of each wall at ceiling level.
Tools and Materials
– Lag Screws to attach wire
hangers to wood joists
every 4 ft. o.c.
– 18-gauge steel wire
(residential installation)
or 12-gauge steel wire
(commercial installation)
– Screws to attach wall
angles
– Metal snips to cut tees
and wall angles
– Chalk line
– Level
– Pliers
– Utility knife
– Safety glasses
Typical Installation Tee Patterns
2 x 4 ft. grid layout 2 x 4 ft. Tee Layout 2 x 2 ft. Tee Layout
Planning
How to Install
A Suspended Ceiling
For 2 x 2 ft. ceiling panels. Additional 2 ft.
cross tees (dotted lines) are installed parallel
to the main tees, 2 ft. o.c.
Choose a ceiling
height. Allow
clearance of at least
4 in. below the lowest
air duct, pipe or beam.
Snap a chalk line
3/4 in. above the
desired ceiling height.
Install wall angles.
Align the top of each
wall angle along the
chalk line. Space
screws every 2 ft. o.c.
or closer.
Cut the corners.
At outside corners,
miter wall angles to
45 degrees. At
inside corners. cut
angles to 90
degrees and butt
together.
Mark tees. Stretch
string across the room
at each main-tee
location. Stretch one
string perpendicular to
mark the first row of
cross tees. (Main tees
have pre-punched
slots that will align the
remaining cross tees.)
Install hanger wires.
Install lag screws at 4 ft.
intervals along the
main-tee string lines.
Attach a hanger wire to
each screw and cut
6 in. below the string
line. Bend each hanger
wire to a 90-degree
angle 3/4 in. above the
string line.
Install main tees.
Trim main tees so that
a cross-tee slot lines
up with the cross-tee
string.
Pull each hanger wire
through a round hole
below the bulb of the
main tee and bend up,
twisting the end 3-1/2
turns (within a 2 in.
span).
Install cross tees.
Insert tabs into slots in
the main tee. Where
two cross tees occupy
the same slot, insert
the second cross tee
to the left of the first
cross tee.
To remove a cross
tee, push up on the
main tee and twist
away until the cross
tee pops out.
Cutting tees is easiest
with metal snips. First,
cut the bulb and stem,
then bend the tee at
the cut and snip the
face flanges. Sand
or file rough edges.
If metal snips are
not available, use a
hacksaw to saw down
from the bulb through
the stem and flanges;
file rough edges
smooth.
If arrows are printed
on panel backs, install
so arrows point in the
same direction. Panels
without arrows may
be installed in any
direction. Simply angle
panel up through an
opening, then
straighten and lower
until it rests evenly on
the tees.
For 2 x 4 ft. ceiling panels. Full-length main
tees (bold lines) are spaced 4 ft. on center
(o.c.), as measured from the center of one tee
to the center of the next, with 4 ft. cross tees
installed perpendicular, 2 ft. o.c.
1 Draw the room to scale.
Include any irregular areas like bays, alcoves,
columns, beams and stairwells. Note each
dimension on the drawing. Mark locations of
light fixtures and air diusers.
2 Draw a centerline between the midpoint
of two parallel walls.
If ceiling joists are visible, draw the centerline
perpendicular to the joists.
3 Locate main tees.
The centerline represents the main tee that
will span the middle of the room. For the
additional main tees, mark each 4 ft. interval
between the centerline and each parallel wall.
4 Locate cross tees.
Position cross tees perpendicular to the main
tees, 2 ft. o.c. For a 2 x 2 ft. grid pattern,
position additional cross tees 2 ft. o.c.
between and parallel to the main tees.
Estimating Bill of Materials
Add 5% to each figure to allow for errors (round up to the next whole number).
Enter this information in the “Bill of Materials” at right.
1 Wall angles
Room perimeter 4 12 = ____________ + 5% = ____________
2 USG Donn® Brand main tees
Total length of main tees 4 12 = ____________ + 5% = ____________
3 USG Donn cross tees
Count the number of cross tees
drawn on your layout. ____________ + 5% = ____________
4 USG Donn hanger wire
Total length of main tees 4 4 = ____________ + 5% = ____________
1 Wall angles
__________ ft., or __________ 12 ft. lengths @ $ _______________
2 USG Donn main tees
__________ ft., or __________ 12 ft. lengths @ $ _______________
3 USG Donn cross tees (2 ft.) ___________ @ $ _______________
USG Donn cross tees (4 ft.) ___________ @ $ _______________
4 USG Donn hanger wire ___________ @ $ _______________
To cut panels for the
perimeter of the ceiling,
measure each of these
openings between the
wall and web (vertical
leg) of parallel tee; check
dimensions at ends and
center of opening to be
sure module is straight.
Lay panel face-side up
on flat cutting surface,
mark measurement and
cut with utility knife and
straight edge. To trim for
shadowline edge: Install
panel with cut edge
against wall and factory
edge tight against
opposite tee. Draw line
on panel face along wall
angle. Remove and cut
panel on line to match
depth of shadowline
recess, then cut in from
panel edge to complete
shadowline detail.
Cutting Tees Installing Panels Perimeter Panels
Installation Guide:
Suspended Ceiling
Acoustical Suspension System
Manufactured by
USG Interiors, Inc.
550 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60661
WL576/rev. 5-15
© 2015 USG Corporation and/or its affiliates.
All rights reserved.
Printed and Produced in U.S.A
Safety First!
Follow good safety and industrial
hygiene practices during
handling and installation of all
products and systems. Take
necessary precautions and
wear the appropriate personal
protective equipment as needed.
Read material safety data sheets
and related literature on products
before specification and/
or installation.
Notice
We shall not be liable for
incidental and consequential
damages, directly or indirectly
sustained, nor for any loss cause
by application of these goods
not in accordance with current
printed instructions or for other
than the intended use. Our liability
is expressly limited to replacement
of defective goods. Any claim
shall be deemed waived unless
made in writing to us within
thirty (30) days from date it was
or reasonably should have been
discovered.
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logo, CEILINGS, DONN and
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aliates.