I want to hang a sheet of plywood from the ceiling, ideas how?

Question

The plywood is 8' x 3 1/2' and is 3/4 inch thick. I want to suspend it parallel with the ceiling but don't know how to. I can't damage the plywood (it will be painted)

A friend of ours is painting a replica of the sistine chapel on plywood, and we want to display it from the ceiling. Ideally we would like to have it suspended so that it can be taken down and put back up without too much effort, and because it will all be painted we don't want to drill or screw through the plywood.

Answer 1

You can use eye bolts and rope, or if it needs to be rigid, four pieces of all-thread bar and cross beams.

It would help if you can tell us what the project is for...do you want the plywood to hang down from the ceiling, or up against the ceiling? What is the end purpose of the exercise?

Answer 2

Plywood Ceiling Ideas

Answer 3

You just have to figure out where the studs are in the ceiling. Most ceilings are merely sheet rock that is hung the same way it is hung on the walls. Find the studs in the ceiling and mark their locations. You will have to use long screws to be able to go through the plywood and the sheet rock, and still penetrate the studs enough to suspend a heavy piece of plywood.

Answer 4

Locate the ceiling joists with a stud finder. Attach the plywood by driving 2.5" flat head screws through the plywood and sheet rock into the joists; use at least one screw every 16 inches on sides as well as a row of screws down the middle of the sheet. (If you try to do this without using a power screwdriver, you will be sorry.) Use sheetrock mud to patch over the screws and level out any irregularities in the plywood. Sand smooth, paint with an oil-based primer, and sand smooth again. Then paint to taste.

Answer 5

Think simple. Find stuff from around your house that you can use. Anything fun and silly will work. When I was in high school I made my room into a cool "teenager" hangout with a shag carpet, a velvet beenbag, and hanging lights that changed color. I had an old TV and got lots of silly VHS tapes (you can buy a VHS player very cheaply at a thrift store, and many music stores sell old VHS tapes for a dollar or two). Then if I had people over we could have a movie on in the background. I also had a record player and got lots of old records and found old records of my parents that I liked. This was my trippy 70's room.... but if you're trying for something more modern think really sleek and simple, and go to garage sales and thrift stores to find good decorations.

Answer 6

I am thinking they sell those metal " Stud Hanger" for framing.
If you were to use a stud finder, and get a metal hangerin the shape of a " T " you could mount the flat of the ' T ' to the ceiling stud you located, and then the new 2X4 to the down leg of the hanger.
If you were to mount four of these you could then screw your plywood directly into the 2X4s hanging down, plywood would be parallel to the ceiling attached by 2X4 legs.
Maybe you want to use a good screw and washer and countersink into the plywood first for added support.

Answer 7

I believe your question is how to suspend it from the ceiling. Screw two cleats to the ceiling 8ft 2X2 into the studs 31/2 ft apart. To the bottom of the plywood screw two more 8ft 2X2.(The bottom because I think you are going to use the top .) Hang with eye bolts and threaded rod or 4x3/4 lumber screwed to the 2X2s.

Answer 8

You need somebody to assist you. One holding the plywood and the other fasten it.

Answer 9

You will have to find out where the ceiling joist are and secure it to them with screws. Use an electric drill with a screwdriver bit, drive the screws in below the surface of the wood and then fill in over the screw heads with wood putty or the like and sand smooth.

Answer 10

Screw eyes in four corners with corresponding hooks in the ceiling. Make sure you are in a joist. Connect the two with chains and "s" hooks.