Preparation for Installation

Ashton Clarke recommends the use of strapping as they will give the cleanest finish and will produce a more level surface.

If using strapping, use a brad nail gun with galvanized nails. Placement of these nails is important to ensure the least amount of damage to the pattern relief during installation.

Examine ceiling. If it is in poor condition, remove existing ceiling before beginning. If it is in good shape, the panels and hanging system can be installed directly over the old ceiling. Find and mark the centre of your ceiling. If a cornice is to be installed, lay the cornice against the wall and mark where it will lie. Measure how far into the ceiling the cornice will sit.

It is recommended to layout ceiling on floor before installing. This will ensure preparation for any obstacles as well as ensure there is the proper number of cornices, panels and filler strips prior to starting the installation.

It is crucial to ensure allowance for overlap on adjoining sheets. Almost all panels are designed to provide a fitted overlap when sheets line up. The direction of the overlap must be considered at the layout stage and we recommend that panels be laid starting from the centre of the grid. Ensure the panels overlap is facing away from the primary entrance to the room (so joints cannot be seen).

Laying Out

A ceiling should be set out in a grid, using intersecting string lines at right angles at the centre of the room and oriented roughly parallel to the walls. These lines should then be translated parallel to form secondary sets. This will assist you in economizing on the number of sheets to be used and to ensure the feature pattern is centered. Be sure to properly plan and accommodate other features, such as chimneys, in the installation.

Install battens across the joists at approximately 12” (30 cm) intervals, starting from your center point. Ensure the spacing best suits the sheet size and the joint locations. Cross battens should be provided where panels will join, overlap or end. For the cornice installation ensure the battens around the edge of the ceiling are close enough to the wall for hanging, base its distance on the measurement taken during preparation. A batten should also be installed on the wall around the border of the room above the mark on the wall made during preparation.

Cutting Aluminium

A well planned layout should allow for cuts only on the outer perimeter. Minimizing the amount of cutting will give a cleaner finish. Cutting of the panels, filler strip and cornice can be done through the following methods: heavy scissors or metal snips, an electric shear or scoring and bending over a straight edge;.

Installing Cornice

Cornices are the first item to be installed after laying out the ceiling. Lay flange flush to a ceiling strapping and affix cornice, thus forming the perimeter of the grid. The ceiling panel that meets up with the cornice should be cut to cover the top flange. The bottom edges of the cornice butts against the batten and meets with the wall. The cornice should then be affixed upward through the bottom of the batten.

Installing Panels

It is also important to fix from the centre of the sheet outwards to avoid buckle or sag.  When joining/affixing, ensure the lap and the fit, but leave the nailing or riveting of the lap until last.

Filling and Painting

Ashton Clarke Pressed Metal Panels are conversion coated (unless requested otherwise) and do not require etch priming. Fill all joints with a flexible filler and finish with two coats of either acrylic or oil based paints. Further recommendations about painting are available in How to paint pressed metal panels.