How To Install a Pressed Metal Feature Panel on the Ceiling

Pressed metal makes a great option for a feature panel on the ceiling.  The panels are large – 1830mm long and either 610 or 915mm wide so you only need a few to create a great impact.   Thgey are easily fixed in place with Soudal High Tack Fix All Adhesive.   Use pressed metal borders, aluminium or timber trim to finish off the exposed edges of the panels

WHAT ARE THE PANELS MADE OF?

The panels are made in Australia by Pressed Tin Panels from 0.55mm mill grade Aluminium sheets, they will not rust and are suitable for both interior and exterior use.   Although the panels are only 0.55mm thick they do become quite rigid once the pressing process occurs.

HOW MANY PANELS WILL YOU NEED?

Bring in, text or email us a plan of your area.   Don’t stress, the plan can just be a quick hand-drawn sketch.   Period Details staff just need to see the area with measurements.   From this they will calculate the number of panels you require and advise on suitable trims for finishing off exposed edges.  With over 30 years’ experience in supplying and installing Pressed Tin Panels our staff can provide you with design ideas and the most economical layout.

RAW, PAINTED OR POWDERCOATED

In the raw (silver) finish surface scratches and discolouration will be present. This is part of the manufacturing process.  Once the panels are pressed they are dipped in a chemical bath – non-chromate solution.  This solution makes them ready to polish, paint or powdercoat.

If you are after an Industrial vibe, you can leave the panels raw.   If leaving in the “raw” aluminium finish.  You can leave “as is” or use a metal polish such as “metasol” or  “autosol” to polish the panels to a chrome like finish.

If you are after a painted finish then the panels can be powdercoated, sprayed, brushed or rolled to achieve the desired coverage.   Any scratches that are present as part of the manufacturing process are covered by the paint.

For a feature ceiling it’s easier to install the panels when they are raw and to paint them once installation is complete.   This also provides you with the flexibility to update your colour scheme later on.   As the panels are not porous they are really easy to paint.   Apply an “All in One” Primer/Sealer/Undercoat e.g. Dulux 1 step and then top coat.

Panels can be powdercoated prior to installation but it will make the fitting process longer and is not recommended for high profile patterns such as Shield.

FEATURE CEILING:  INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS (Shield Pattern)

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:  WE SUGGEST THAT YOU READ THROUGH THE INSTRUCTIONS

Tools that may be required:

  • Tape Measure and a Builders Pencil.
  • Straight Edge
  • Stanley Knife and spare blades for the Stanley Knife
  • Tin Snips – curved (right and left handed)
  • Angle Grinder with aluminium cutting disc
  • Drill and Hole Saw, Tin Snips and Pliers for cutting GPO holes
  • Soft Cloth
  • Soudal Fix All High Tack Glue – 1 tube per panel for 915 mm sheets and 2 tubes per every 3 610mm panels.  Add 1 extra tube per 5 of the 610mm panels.
  • No More Gaps
  • Drop Saw for cutting the Border, Wallboard cappping or Timber Trim.
  • Movable Scaffold.
  • A helper to pass the panels up to you and help push them into place on the ceiling.
CAUTION SHOULD BE USED AT ALL TIMES AS METAL EDGES CAN BE VERY SHARP.

 

STEP 1: WIPE DOWN THE CEILING

  • Ensure the ceiling surface is smooth and clean from any loose debris and dust. Wipe over with a damp soft ‘lint free’ cloth.

STEP 2: MEASURING AND LAYING OUT THE PATTERN

  • Measure the ceiling where the panels will be installed.
  • Determine how you will set out the pattern.
  • Start with the center of the ceiling and then work out in each direction.  This will ensure that the panels are centered to the room.
  • Set up Laser lines or String Lines with Chalk to grid out your ceiling.
Ask yourself these questions:
  • Remember all panels are pressed to allow a 7mm (approximately) overlap join on every edge.
  • Which is the prominent way you look at the ceiling?
  • Where is the light source?
  • Which direction will you have the overlap in?
  • The overlap/underlap direction can change as you work your way across the ceiling.
Don’t forget that the panels are directional:
  • Our ‘Pressed Tin Panels’ have a sticker on the back showing the direction in which they have come off the press – make sure that these stickers all run the same way – this will provide you with much neater overlaps.

STEP 3: WORKING FROM THE CENTRE OF THE CEILING OUT

Adhere the first panel
  • Starting in a corner, cover the back of the sheet with ‘Soudal Fix All High Tack’ on the flat surfaces.
  • Be generous. Use 2/3rds to a whole tube.
  • Run a bead of ‘Soudal Fix All High Tack’ onto the ceiling approximately 25mm in from each end.
  • Push the panel onto the ceiling into position.  Fix All has “initial” grab so it will hold straight away.
  • Press the Shield panel onto the ceiling to create a bond between it and the plaster.
  • Rub over the whole panel with a soft cloth (Tip: Remove all jewellery) to ensure a bond between the metal and the ceiling.
Second and subsequent panels.
  • Change the overlap/underlap as you go to minimise the appearance of where panels meet together and so you are not looking into a join.
  • Adhere to the ceiling as per above.
  • You can use a small rivet to pull the panels together at the overlap/underlap point and use a small rivet to pull the corners of the 4 panels together where they meet.
  • Another trick to minimise the joins is to tap along the joins with a piece of timber.

STEP 4: ADDING A PRESSED METAL BORDER

  • Use an Over/Under Border – The Border pictured is Small Plain.
  • The border needs to be fitted in place before the outside panels are fitted.
  • Measure, and, either with a Laser or String and Chalk mark the ceiling where the border will sit.
  • Glue the border into place with Soudal High Tack Fix All.
  • Use Rosettes in the corner of the Border to provide a neat finish.
  • Use tiny rivets to pull the panels and border together.

STEP 5: CUTTING THE OUTSIDE PANELS

Usually with a ceiling feature you should be able to set out the pattern to use full panels but if you have to cut some down in size then:
  •  Lay the panel face down (sticker is on the back) on a stable work table.
  • Measure and scribe the panel where it is to be cut.
  • As the Shield panel has a deep profile you will need to use a grinder to cut it.
    • If it was a lower profile you could use a Stanley knife to scribe (4-5 times) then rock and snap.
  • Remove the burr from the cut edges with a file or the edge of the Stanley knife.

 

Measure and scribe the Shield panel.
Use a Grinder on the deep profile sections.
Trim off the burr with a Stanley knife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEP 6: POINT UP THE PANELS

  • You can now point up the joins with “no more gaps”.
  • When the ceiling is painted this will make the panels appear to be seamless.

A Finished Ceiling Installed by Period Details  for Porter Davis Homes : Shield Panels and Egg Border.

THERE ARE MANY MORE PATTERNS THAT YOU CAN USE TO MAKE A PRESSED METAL FEATURE CEILING

Chat to our sales staff to determine the best pattern and finish for your feature ceiling.

Continuous patterns work the best.

Some suggested designs are:

All instructions are given as a guide only. We hold no responsibility for the incorrect installation or use of our products.

NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE?
Visit our showroom (Trade Only During Stage 4 Lockdown):
Open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.

Phone our showroom:
Phone: 03 9729 1498 or 0405 460 997

Phone our installer:
David Peake on 0418 342 930 (10am-4pm Monday to Friday).  Send him a text asking him to call you back if he doesn’t answer.

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