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