Building a dropped ceiling over kitchen peninsula

[Owool12]

Hi there,

 

I’m replacing my kitchen cooker extractor with one that’s built into the ceiling (similar to https://www.myappliances.co.uk/cata-art10238-stellar-90cm-ceiling-cooker-hood?gclid=CjwKCAjw44mlBhAQEiwAqP3eVogVcIy2T-b4yxnC7H6Hq3hzB5YCzx9jYEhfcVTumARa45z15gxF5xoCLXUQAvD_BwE).

 

To achieve this I’m planning to build a dropped ceiling with a wooden frame. The ceiling joists are 24" apart and run parallel to the way that the ceiling extractor will be fitted. As such, I’m planning on installing some noggings between the joists so that I can then attach a wooden frame beneath (the dropped ceiling), and then clad with 12mm MDF. 
 

I’m thinking of using 95mm x 45mm C16 timbers for the noggings and for the wooden frame. However, I’m unsure of the best way to fix to the existing ceiling joists… should I use a metal joist hanger? 
 

If anyone has any advice or suggestions of how best to construct please let me know! 
 

Thanks in advance! 

Edited July 3, 2023 by Owool12

[Bonner]

2 x 1 battens would be cheaper and easier, there is little weight to support

[Owool12]

Thanks for the response. The extractor unit is 20kg so I’m thinking 2x1 won’t be strong enough… especially if the entire dropped part of the ceiling is attached to just two noggings between the ceiling joists? 

[Dave Jones]

 2 x 2 is plenty. id use a top plate to catch a few joists/noggins and frame off that like an upside down lantern upstand.

[Owool12]

1 minute ago, Dave Jones said:

 2 x 2 is plenty. id use a top plate to catch a few joists/noggins and frame off that like an upside down lantern upstand.

Thanks for the idea! How would you recommend attaching 2x2 noggins to the existing joists?

 

In addition, how would I attach the downward timbers (going to the floating frame) to the noggins? Would I be best butting them up side by side and screwing them in horizontally to the noggins? 

[nod]

MF Is made for this It’s light perfectly straight and much easier to work with than timber 

[Owool12]

37 minutes ago, nod said:

MF Is made for this It’s light perfectly straight and much easier to work with than timber 

Nice kitchen, something like that dropped ceiling is what I’m aiming for. In my opinion I feel that wood will be cheaper than MF & easier to work with so am wanting to work with wood for this 

[markc]

Metal is more expensive per foot used but so much easier. If you are using timber, you don’t need to make nice joints so angle and T joiner plates make life easier and so do hedgehog plates (the ones used on roof trusses etc.)

[TonyT]

I would get a piece of ply the size of the dropped area, secure a perimeter 2x2 to it, then screw to the ceiling, plenty of decent fixings and then build from that.

 

ensures no future issues

[nod]

1 hour ago, Owool12 said:

Nice kitchen, something like that dropped ceiling is what I’m aiming for. In my opinion I feel that wood will be cheaper than MF & easier to work with so am wanting to work with wood for this 

Metal is about the same price and much easier to work with 

[Haylingbilly]

7 hours ago, nod said:

Metal is about the same price and much easier to work with 

 

10 hours ago, nod said:

MF Is made for this It’s light perfectly straight and much easier to work with than timber 

We used metal to make ours too

[Owool12]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Turns out I have engineered i joists… rather than traditional wooden ceiling joists.

 

How can I safely attach a dropped ceiling frame (with ~30kg extractor fan) to I joists?  

[Lift span]

Does anyone have any photos of the build process with an MF frame? I’m just looking to do this now.

Thanks