what is the average cost of to put up a grid ceiling?
building materials from okorder
Average total materials are about .90 - $1.00 per square foot of ceiling area. Normal labor if needed is about $1.20 - $1.30 per square foot. If you choose to go to a 2' x 2' grid/tile pattern vs. 2'x4' add about .50 sq foot for grid and then add difference in ceiling tile cost. Regular 2'x4' ceiling tiles are about $2.40 for a 2'x4' tile. Some upscale 2'x2' reveal edge tile (these tile have a raised section that sits down below the grid and creates what they call a revealed edge. These tiles can be as much as $5 - $6 each for just 4 square feet. If you have any ceiling fans that need lowered into the new ceiling you can purchase a special ceiling box bracket that fits into the grid-work for about $40 ea. They are made by *B-Line. You need the following: a. Wall mold - this is the L shaped metal pc. that you install around the perimeter of the room on the wall. b. Main Runners - These are the main pc. of grid-work that are placed on 4' centers. I suggest you run these perpendicular to the existing ceiling joist. Layout the main runners so they create the same border tile on the sides, and the same border tile on the ends. c. 4' cross tees - These are the metal pc. that snap into the slots on the main runners - place these on 2' centers into the precut slots of the main runners. d. 2' cross tees - Use these when using 2'x2' ceiling tiles. e. Lag eyes - These are threaded point screws that have a flat end with a hole in it. Screw these into the ceiling so they hit an existing ceiling joist. Then use #9 ceiling wire with about 8 tail hooked in the lay eye hole - Wrap around itself about 3 times and leave the excess wire hanging down about 12' below your new desired ceiling level. f. Lag eye driver - This is a hand tool that fits into a cordless/corded drill. It fits over the lag eyes and easily drives them through the ceiling and into the wood of the ceiling joist. If you need any specific installation tips just ask.
