Slab-cellular suspended ceiling (Armstrong type ceiling) or simply Armstrong ceiling is the most common type suspended ceilings. Installing an Armstrong suspended ceiling with your own hands is child's play compared to installing other types of suspended ceilings, and Armstrong breaks all records in terms of cheapness. However, nothing is perfect. The Armstrong ceiling has both undeniable advantages and significant disadvantages.
What's good and what's bad about Armstrong?
Armstrong ceiling, in addition to ease of installation and low cost, also provides excellent sound and heat insulation. Between ceiling space It is spacious and conveniently accommodates lamps and communications. Access to them and ceiling repairs are easy and do not require tools.
However, the Armstrong ceiling is not very strong and does not actually protect against leakage from above, and if the slabs are fibrous, then it itself is irrevocably deteriorated by moisture. It is impossible to obtain curved configurations with Armstrong, and the diagonal design of the ceiling negates all its simplicity and cheapness: only a highly paid master will undertake such work, and it will require a lot of time.
In terms of the height of the room, the Armstrong ceiling “eats off” at least 250 mm, so it can be found extremely rarely in city apartments. Nevertheless, the Armstrong ceiling is used not only in offices and supermarkets, as intended by its creators, but also in restaurants, entertainment centers etc. But in such cases, Armstrong is no longer economic, but design solution(see picture above).
How does Armstrong work?
The structure of the Armstrong-type ceiling is clear from the figure. Designations on it:
- Ceiling plate.
- Cross profile 600 mm long.
- Bearing profile 3700 mm long.
- Longitudinal profile 1200 mm long.
- Suspension, where 5a is a hook; 5b – rod.
- Perimeter (wall) profile 3000 mm long.
- Mounting unit in the base ceiling.
- Fragment of a ceiling slab.
Explanations for the picture:
The dimensions of the ceiling tiles are 600x600 and 1200x600 mm. The latter are almost completely out of use - the ceiling made from them is not strong enough.
Plates soft, mineral and organic are produced, and hard - metal and glass, mirror and with a pattern. Rigid slabs are heavy, so profiles and hangers for them require special, reinforced ones; respectively expensive. Mineral soft slabs are also almost never used: they contain harmful mineral wool. Organic boards are made from waste paper and are harmless. Soft boards are easy to cut with a mounting knife; hard boards require special tool; glass - diamond.
Profiles– painted metal or metal-plastic, with holes for hanging. Shelf width – 15 or 24 mm. Wall - L-shaped with a bend or just a corner; others - T-shaped. The profiles are connected along the length with spring locks or bendable tendrils. All profiles can be cut to size on the side opposite the lock.
Suspension consists of a pair of 6 mm metal rods, flat and with a hook, connected by a curved sheet spring with holes - a “butterfly”. By squeezing the butterfly, the rods can be moved, adjusting the height of the suspension, and when released, it fixes them tightly. The upper part of the even rod of the reinforced suspension is profiled for reliable fixation in the fastening unit.
Mounting unit– a regular dowel for a self-tapping screw or a metal collet. The latter is used for reinforced suspension or with a smooth, even rod. Such suspensions are required not only for hard ceilings, but also for places with concentrated loads: lamps, ventilation grilles, etc.
Ceiling fixing Armstrong is completely reversible and dismountable: a straight rod is driven or screwed into the fastening unit without disassembling the suspension, the profile is put on the hook and, squeezing the butterfly, the height is adjusted along the tightly stretched cord. To access the interceiling space, one of the plates is lifted and moved to the side. Close the opening in the reverse order.
About homemade stoves
Plates from wood materials(solid wood, laminate, MDF) for Armstrong for some reason are not produced, but in vain. This ceiling looks great. Wooden slabs for Armstrong, you can cut it yourself from boards 600 mm wide or narrower. In the latter case, each square is assembled in a cell on standard tongues, and the excess width is cut off evenly on both sides. If you use the cheapest “tin” for the frame under soft slabs, then each longitudinal plank will need to be supported with an additional suspension in the middle.
Armstrong ceiling equipment
For Armstrong ceilings, a wide range of equipment 600x600 mm is produced: raster and ceiling lamps, ventilation grilles, indoor units of air conditioners, etc. Round holes for spotlights in soft slabs they are simply cut with a mounting knife; You can also cut shaped holes. For hard slabs, of course, you need a special tool.
Factory Armstrong plates
Armstrong calculation
The Armstrong ceiling is installed according to the calculation results. The purpose of the calculations is twofold: to fit the ceiling harmoniously into the interior and to determine the consumption of materials for it. Calculating the perimeter is simple: we measure along the walls and round up to a multiple of 3 m. For installation in corners, the wall profile can be cut and bent like any corner.
As for the grating, manufacturers do not recommend cutting the slabs by more than half, i.e. up to less than 300 mm – additional cells appear, which requires extra work and materials. However, excessive trimming does not affect the strength of the ceiling, and the materials are cheap, so the slabs are often cut together, gradually reducing their width towards the walls. This gives the ceiling a less austere look.
Example No. 1: room width – 4.2 m = 7x0.6 m. We cut the slabs closest to the walls into 400 and 200 mm.
- Along the length of the room, the cut row belongs to the wall farthest from the entrance.
- The width of the scraps is supplemented by a solid size, the result is divided by 2 and a pair of slabs cut to that size are carried to the walls.
Example #2: width of the room – 2.7 m = 4x0.6+0.3 m. We take THREE rows of solid slabs 0.6x3 = 1.8 m along the width. Divide the remainder 0.6+0.3 = 0.9 m by 2. Rows of 45 cm slabs will be adjacent to the long walls. The number of frame cells will not increase.
Material consumption rates for rooms of a standard configuration are as follows:
For square rooms or with an aspect ratio of 3/4:
- Supporting profile 3700 mm – 0.80 m/sq. m of ceiling.
- Longitudinal profile 1200 mm – 1.60 m/sq. m of ceiling.
- Cross profile 600 mm – 0.80 m/sq. m of ceiling.
- Hanging – 0.6 pcs/sq. m of ceiling.
For rooms with an aspect ratio of 2/3 to 1/2, the consumption rates increase slightly:
- Supporting profile 3700 mm – 0.84 m/sq. m of ceiling.
- Longitudinal profile 1200 mm – 1.68 m/sq. m of ceiling.
- Cross profile 600 mm – 0.87 m/sq. m of ceiling.
- Perimeter profile 3000 mm – 0.5 m/sq. m of ceiling.
- Suspension – 0.7 pcs./sq. m of ceiling.
In any case, the obtained values are rounded to the nearest large integer values of standard length profile pieces or suspension. The perimeter is attached to the walls in increments of 0.6 m in the case of soft slabs without additional load or 0.3 m for a hard or loaded ceiling. Spotlights and plastic ventilation grilles are not considered additional load.
The specified standards are valid for premises with an area of 9-10 to 100-120 square meters. m. For other area values or for rooms of complex configuration, the calculation of the Armstrong ceiling is carried out using an online calculator, in a construction CAD system (computer-aided design system) or according to a diagram drawn to scale, see figure in the next section. The main rule is that load-bearing profiles should be positioned parallel to short walls, this strengthens the structure (fewer joints of load-bearing profiles) and saves material.
Suspension units
The rules for installing Armstrong ceilings provide for suspension by supporting profiles in increments of 1.2 m. The suspension units should be no further than 450 mm from the walls. The last condition is not always met. In this case, the rows of suspensions along the length of the room are arranged with a shift back and forth so that the suspension nodes are staggered.
Armstrong ceiling design diagram
Concentrated loads are supported by additional hangers located diagonally from the nearest main one. Very heavy earbuds (eg. indoor unit split systems or dynamic lighting installation) are supported in the corners and, if possible, located close to the wall.
Note: the hanger hook will not allow you to put it in the cell additional device, so additional suspensions need to be placed a little to the side.
When marking holes on the ceiling for the mounting units of the suspensions, no special precision is required: a slight tilt of the suspension can be easily compensated by adjusting its height. An example of an Armstrong ceiling design diagram is shown in the figure.
Ceiling frame installation
Installation of Armstrong ceilings begins with the installation of the perimeter. SNiP recommend using a laser or bubble level at least 1 m long to mark the height of the perimeter, but in practice, the height of the perimeter is often marked off from the opposite: they check the horizontalness of the floor (hack workers often do without this, and nothing, they hand over the work), make height marks in the corners and the three of them beat off the outline with a chalked cord. Fast, simple and angry.
Armstrong ceiling assembly diagram (click to enlarge)
Next, the wall profile is cut to size and attached to the brick and concrete walls self-tapping screws in dowels. If the walls are lined with wood, there will be no special weights in the ceiling, and raster lamps should not exceed 1 per 5 square meters. m, then the perimeter can be secured with nails: the main load is carried by the suspensions. It is strongly not recommended to mess around with hangers: use propylene dowels or use metal collets instead of dowels.
After marking and drilling holes in the ceiling, the supporting profiles are cut to size, connected to the floor into strips of the required length and laid in the perimeter. Then they are moved apart along the length, hangers are installed and each supporting bar is aligned according to the sag along a tightly stretched cord.
The next stage is the installation of longitudinal and transverse connections. Basically, two installation schemes are used: parallel and cross, see figure; longitudinal connections are highlighted in green. In terms of material consumption, they are equivalent. The cross pattern is somewhat more labor-intensive, but stronger, so it is used for places where communications will be laid or for additionally insulated ceilings. Of course, before installing the frame, partial profiles are cut to size.
Armstrong ceiling assembly
How to assemble an Armstrong ceiling? It’s very simple: the contents of the cells are lifted one by one, tilted, introduced into the inter-ceiling space and neatly placed into the cell. If it's at an angle, you can't press on top to straighten it out! You need to gently push from below in the corners.
First of all, concentrated loads are stacked and communications are connected to them. Then - slabs with pre-installed spotlights; Wires are immediately connected to the lamps.
Armstrong ceiling installation diagram
- 1. Ceiling plate 600x600mm
- 2. Rail 0.6m
- 3. Carrier rail 3.7m
- 4. Rail 1.2m
- 5. Spring clip of suspension
- 5a. Suspension rod with hook
- 5b. Suspension rod with eye
- 6. Corner profile 3.0m
- 7. Dowel-nail/anchor
- 8. Dowel for fixing the corner profile
Armstrong ceiling installation procedure
Installation of an Armstrong suspended ceiling can be divided into several main stages:
I. Installation of wall corner (corner profile)
The corner profile of the Armstrong ceiling system is installed on the walls along the perimeter of the room in a horizontal plane. The horizontal marking line is usually set using a hydraulic level or laser level. Direct fastening to the walls is carried out using expansion dowels, anchors or self-tapping screws with a pitch of no more than 0.5 m.
II. Installation of supporting guides and spring suspensions
Bearing rails with a length of 3.6 m or 3.7 m are installed in increments of 1.2 m parallel to one of the walls or at a certain angle relative to the walls with a diagonal design of the ceiling being mounted. If the supporting rails are not long enough, they are easily connected to each other using the available special locks.
Simultaneously with the installation of the supporting rails, spring hangers are installed. The suspension rod with an eye is attached to the ceiling using expansion dowels, anchors or self-tapping screws, the suspension rod with a hook is attached through a special hole to the supporting rail. The hanger's spring clamp allows you to adjust the distance between ceiling covering and a suspension system, securely fixing both rods together. Spring hangers are installed at a distance of no more than 1.2 m from each other and no more than 0.6 m from the wall.
III. Installation of frame cross slats
Transverse slats of 1.2 m are installed perpendicular to the load-bearing slats of 3.6 m with a step of 0.6 m from one of the walls and between each other.
Transverse slats 0.6 m are installed perpendicular to slats 1.2 m, i.e. parallel to the supporting rails 3.6 m with a step of 1.2 m from each other.
IV. Installation of raster lamps
If the Armstrong suspended ceiling involves the placement of raster lamps 600x600mm, then we proceed to this stage immediately after installing the 0.6m slats, i.e. after finishing assembling the ceiling sheathing. We remember that a suspended ceiling is not load-bearing structure, therefore, recessed lamps are installed on additional suspensions.
Such hanging systems are installed both in offices and residential premises. Installation of this system is simple and quick, so even a beginner can handle it, and without outside help.
Before starting work, it is worth preparing the ceiling space: securely fasten all communications running under the ceiling to prevent them from resting on the frame of the ceiling system.
To install the Armstrong ceiling, hangers are used, this solution has simple design, but despite this, there are several types that are used during the installation of the Armstrong system.
The most commonly used types of suspensions are:
- Wire, you can make it yourself from ordinary wire, but its reliability is low, it all depends on the quality of the wire, so it is used very rarely.
- Hard straight, made of a metal corner, which is attached to the ceiling, and the other end to the frame. Such designs are limited by the length of the corner.
- Adjustable single, it consists of two parts: an adjustment bar and a rod that can move inside it. In this case, it is possible to adjust the installation height of the frame, but this can be done within a small range.
- Adjustable double, it is similar to the previous model, but it has two rods, which allows you to significantly adjust the length of the suspension.
- Threaded hanger. Made in the form of a rigid rod with applied threads, it can withstand heavy loads.
- Rigid suspension withadjustment, allows you to adjust the height of the suspension by installing fixing brackets.
Installation, instructions
To perform the above work, you will need the following tools and materials:
- impact drill;
- screwdriver or screwdriver;
- hammer;
- hacksaw for metal;
- measuring instruments;
- pencil;
- building level;
- water level;
- dowels;
- slabs;
- corner profile;
- slats for creating a frame;
- pendants.
Ceiling markings
First, a diagram of the ceiling is made and the required amount of materials is calculated. Using a water or laser level, the height of the future structure is marked on the walls around the perimeter of the room.
Armstrong ceiling installation diagram
Usually you have to cut the slabs, so you need to install them in such a way that their size on opposite sides is approximately the same.
Installation of a suspended ceiling frame
If you install Armstrong lamps in the ceiling, this is done immediately after creating the frame, after which their performance is checked.
If everything is fine, you can proceed to installing all the other slabs; do this from the center of the room and move towards the wall.
You can paint the slabs, for example, in one or more matching colors, but this must be done before installing them.
To simplify the process of creating an Armstrong hanging shelf and make a durable, beautiful, reliable design, you must adhere to the following expert advice:
- Carrying out preliminary calculations will allow you to purchase required quantity materials;
- take into account the peculiarities of the ceiling in the room; if you come across reinforcement, then the suspensions must be shifted and the number increased;
- depending on the suspensions used, the distance from the ceiling to suspended structure may be different;
- take some hangers and slabs in reserve, since no one is immune from mistakes and you won’t have to run to the store for the missing element.
Useful video
Installation instructions for Armstong suspended ceiling, video:
Reading time ≈ 3 minutes
The Armstrong ceiling has gained its popularity due to its simple installation technology and the ability, even with the ceiling in use, to easily reach communications that are traditionally located in the ceiling space.
This property of the ceiling is especially appreciated when creating office communications, which need to be periodically upgraded, changed and simply maintained. The ceiling structure consists of slabs fixed to metal frame. Solid slabs are interspersed with Armstrong lamps. Both can be easily dismantled and removed. How to make an Armstrong ceiling with your own hands?
Preparatory work
It is not difficult to install the Armstrong ceiling with your own hands, which will save on installation work. Before starting installation, you need to carry out all communications, install ventilation ducts, make wiring for lighting. All wiring must be enclosed in corrugated pipes that protect the cables from short circuits in the event of a flood or fire.
Marking
First of all, when installing the Armstrong suspended ceiling correctly, markings are carried out. To do this, you need to determine bottom corner room, measure 10-15 cm from the ceiling down (depending on the height of the lamps being placed) and use a laser level to draw markings on all corners and walls. Duplicate laser pointer You can use a marker or masking tape.
According to the markings, you need to attach 19\24 wall corners. The longer side should be adjacent to the wall. Using metal scissors, the joints of the profiles are cut at an angle of 45 degrees.
Using a chop cord with applied paint, you need to mark the diagonals and determine the center of the ceiling. Next, we set the dimensions of 120 cm by 60 cm on the laser projector and draw a grid on the ceiling in accordance with the laser markings. Immediately on the markings you need to mark the installation locations of the lamps.
Installation of hangers
A T-shaped suspension will be installed every 120 cm from wall to wall. Between the two profiles, 2 Armstrong slabs measuring 60 by 60 should fit.
The profiles must be mounted on hangers to the ceiling.
The pitch of the hangers depends on the weight of the profile and the distance between the walls: on average, the hangers are attached to the ceiling at a distance of 90 cm -150 cm. It is advisable to install additional hangers in places where slabs with lamps will be installed.
Frame assembly
Mostly 90% correct and beautiful installation Armstrong suspended ceiling depends on the care and accuracy of the frame assembly. All work on installation of guides must be checked with a level. When all the hangers are attached, the guide profiles are installed.
Typically, profiles already have holes for hanging on hangers. The edges of the profiles should rest on the wall corner, and the center should be adjusted by the height of the suspension.
Between the T-shaped profile, a 120 cm connecting profile is installed at intervals of 120 cm. The profile is inserted into the grooves on the T-shaped profile, located every 30 cm.
All other gaps are filled with a 60cm long connecting profile. This profile connects the middle of the 120th profile at an angle of 90 degrees, and the result is a lattice with cells of 60x60 cm.
Today you can find it very often. These hanging systems are very popular due to modern style. Installation of the Armstrong suspended ceiling is very simple and allows you to hide any ceiling communications.
Regular suspended ceiling Armstrong technical specifications has simply impressive:
- Noise reduction up to 39 dB
- Light reflection over 92%
- The ceiling deflection is only 2 mm at a temperature of +32 degrees and a humidity of 90%
In addition, the materials from which the ceiling plates are made are environmentally friendly and do not contain formaldehyde and asbestos.
In a room that has already been renovated. Compared to plasterboard ceilings, Armstrong does not require additional finishing (putty, painting, wallpaper).
Any type of lighting fixture can be built into them. The structure is attached to the floor slabs, but due to its low weight it does not place any serious load on them.
If you decide to use for finishing an apartment or country house Armstrong type suspended ceiling, then this great option. It will give the room a modern, stylish look.
The ease of assembly of the structure will not take much of your time, and will also allow you to avoid dust in the room. Almost any self-respecting home craftsman can do Armstrong with his own hands.
Calculation of the ceiling system kit
To know how to calculate an Armstrong suspended ceiling, you need to draw a floor plan (top view) and indicate on it the exact dimensions of each wall. To do this, use a measuring tape. To calculate the ceiling, you need to know what is included in its delivery.
Armstrong components are listed below:
- Decorative ceiling tiles 600 mm x 600 mm x 15 mm
- Wall corner (PU profile 19 x 24)
- Supporting profile type T 15 x 38 or T 24 x 38
- Cross profile type T 15 or T 24
- Universal suspension (spoke, spring)
- The number of wall corners is equal to the perimeter of the room. It is attached to the wall with dowel nails 6 x 40 mm in increments of 35-45 cm.
- The supporting profile for the Armstrong suspended ceiling is attached on hangers to the existing one along a long wall. The distance between the profiles is calculated in such a way that decorative plate measuring 600 x 600 mm lay on the shelves of two adjacent profiles.
- When to install the ceiling hanging Armstrong, the hangers are placed in 1 m increments along the line of the supporting profiles. The lines must be drawn on the room plan and the points for attaching the suspensions must be indicated.
- The supporting profiles and the wall corner are connected to each other by jumpers. They are fastened in increments of 600 mm.
Important to know! Supporting profiles must be placed symmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the room.
These four simple rules, will help you easily calculate the number of elements for a suspended ceiling system. The calculation of Armstrong suspended ceilings is completed and you can proceed to the next operation.
How to assemble a suspended ceiling: marking the walls and ceiling
Important to know! The minimum height to which the ceiling can be lowered is equal to the height of the recessed lamp plus 1 cm (this is the technological gap).
Using a laser or water level, determine the horizontal plane of the assembled ceiling. To do this, make marks around the perimeter and connect them with masking plaster tape. The operation requires the presence of one assistant.
After marking the walls, mark the axes of the supporting profiles. To simplify the work, at a distance of 30 cm or 60 cm from the longest wall of the room (depending on how the axes are shown in the drawing), pull the cord parallel to the wall. The edges of the cord are tied to dowels driven into the walls. This is the first axis.
The second axis is tensioned perpendicular to the first, departing from the corner at a distance according to the drawing. The remaining supporting profiles are marked from the axes. On lines with a step of 1 m mark the installation points of universal hangers.
Installation of suspended frame
The galvanized wall corner is cut to size. The ends of the profile that meet at the corners are cut with metal scissors at an angle of 45 degrees. Holes are drilled in the corner in increments of 30-40 cm.
The corner profile is applied to the wall along the marking line and marks for the holes are made with a pencil. The holes are drilled with a drill and a concrete drill bit (or depending on the material from which the walls are made). After the holes are ready, dowels are driven into them with a hammer. The wall corner profile is secured to the wall with self-tapping screws.
According to the marks on the axes of the supporting profiles, 6 x 40 mm dowels are used to fasten the hangers. A hole is prepared using a drill and a concrete drill. A dowel is driven into it with a hammer. A self-tapping screw is screwed through the loop at one end of the suspension with a screwdriver. If dowel-nails are used, the nail is driven into the dowel with a hammer.
The Armstrong suspended ceiling is attached to the hangers using a hook in the notch in the profile. The end of the profile should lie on the shelf of the wall corner. In order to increase the length of the profiles, they are joined together.
To do this, you can use ready-made joints or homemade plates cut from scraps of the same profile. The profile is cut to size using a grinder or a hacksaw. The profile height is adjusted with a universal suspension. A spring is installed to fix the position of the suspension spokes. It is quite rigid and can withstand high tensile forces. This will ensure reliable fastening structures with floor slabs.
A transverse profile is used for the construction of jumpers and structural rigidity. The supporting profile has grooves for the joint, and the transverse profile has hooks. The hook and the cutout (notch) form a reliable lock when connected.
Important to remember! There should be an angle of 90 degrees between the load-bearing and transverse profiles. Check this condition with a construction corner.
At the wall, the hook of the transverse profile can be cut so that it fits on the shelf of the wall corner. After assembling all the frame elements, you can proceed to installing the lighting wiring.
Installation of lamps
Before starting work, make sure that all electrical communications (wires) do not have exposed ends and are laid in protective corrugated pipes.
This precaution will prevent possible damage electric shock and emergence short circuits wiring. Perform the wiring electrical wires to the locations of lighting devices. At the connection points of the lamps, the corrugation is cut, and the wire is pulled out in a loop.
Raster fluorescent lamps are often used. Their size of 600 x 600 mm allows them to fit precisely on the shelves of the load-bearing and cross profiles. In addition, daylight is wonderfully diffused throughout the entire room thanks to large mirror reflectors. For lighting, you can use recessed spotlights. For this purpose in decorative ceiling panel Carefully cut a hole equal to the diameter of the lighting fixture.
Spotlights for Armstrong suspended ceilings have mounting springs. They are pressed out and the device is installed in the hole, after which they are smoothly released. Springs press the lamp to the panel.
Installation of ceiling panels
When the lighting fixtures are installed and connected, the cells suspended ceiling fill out decorative panels. If necessary, they are cut to size using a pencil, ruler and a construction or stationery knife. If applicable metal panels, they are trimmed with a grinder.
The installation of the suspended ceiling is complete. A video on installing suspended ceilings will help you visually familiarize yourself with the process
Armstrong presented above.
