Ceilings - Framing

Structure of ceilings and floors are basically the same. First-floor joists serve as basement ceiling joists; first floor ceilings joists serve as floor joists for the second floor, etc.

Joists run perpendicular to their supports and carry the structural load; the ends of joists may rest either on support beams, foundations, or load-bearing walls. Whereas joists used for flooring are typically 2X10 or larger, joists to support only a ceiling can be as small as 2X4.

The joists can either be leveled before put in place, or furring strips can later be added to the bottom edges to make them level. Optional blocking can be installed between joists for additional support. At this point, the ceiling is considered framed out. Plaster lath or drywall is attached to the joists; the ceiling can be finished off using either plaster or joint tape and joint compound.

Of course, if ducts or pipes need to be hid or ceiling height adjusted to match another ceiling height, you will want to frame out the entire ceiling. Do this by building soffit framing; this will resemble a horizontally hanging wall, instead of vertical.

Top floor ceilings that slope are usually attached directly to the roof framing; with insulation in between. Open beam ceilings usually consist of the finished underside of wood plank roof decking. And open cell ceilings use multi frames that lock together and cover the whole ceiling, forming a number of open cells.

While the existing ceiling will be lowered by the height of the cell framework, an open cell ceiling provides a creative, modern look that can yield interesting effects to help set room design apart from the norm.

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