CeilingMax 8' Top Hanger

I installed this grid system in three areas of my basement (about 1000 sq feet total). I am pleased with the final result, but it was a lot of work. I choose this grid system to maximize ceiling height and to retain access to plumbing and wiring run through my basement ceiling joists. This ceiling grid system provides a ceiling height at least 4” higher than a standard steel grid suspended ceiling system. The grid system parts are plastic and much more flexible that steel grid system parts. All is well if the bottom of the joists to which the grid system is mounted are perfectly level and aligned, if not, expect to take a lot of time adjusting the grid levelness. A laser level that projects a level plane comes in handy. Some of my joists were spaced at 24 inches. An intermediate support was required to prevent the grid from drooping between these joists and to provide backing for pressing the runner into the top hanger. Locating light fixtures in the ceiling takes a lot of advance planning since the lights must avoid both ceiling joists and ceiling grid. Since there is no clearance between grid and the ceiling joists, ceiling tiles must be installed in a specific order. If access is required above the ceiling at a later date, a lot of ceiling tiles may need removed to reach the area to be worked. However, this is still a lot better than cutting holes in a drywall ceiling.