Architectural Woodworking

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Wood ceiling slats

7/27/20       
Rich Member

Has anyone hung 2x8 #2 common lumber from the ceiling with 1/8" aircraft cable to where you can't see anything but the cable?
I need to find some kind of hardware that I can use to hang these slats, be able to adjust them to level and have them hidden both in the ceiling and on top of the slats.

7/27/20       #2: Wood ceiling slats ...
rich c.

Gonna need a sketch to help that description. Is the 2x8 hung vertically, or like a suspended ceiling? Also don't understand the "can't see anything but the cable"?

7/27/20       #3: Wood ceiling slats ...
Alan F. Member

What is going to keep the 2 x 8 from swaying left to right?
How long is the 2 x 8?
You could run the cables all the way through the 2 x 8 and then use a washer and nut but you would need to plug it. I would worry about an insert installed from the top, nothing to keep it from coming loose if the wood shrinks or there is a quake an it shears loose.

You could put a metal tube at a 90 degree angle and brace the tube with x brace metal.

The ones in the picture are about 21' long and are 2 x 6 and connected to a metal structure. Some things aren't meant to float in midair

This is a problem for a licensed engineer to solve.

A-


View higher quality, full size image (3629 X 2722)

7/28/20       #4: Wood ceiling slats ...
Rich Member

The slats are 17' long. They will hang in two different locations. One set will hang below a drop ceiling which poses its own set of problems as far as running the cable through the tiles and up into the actual ceiling. The other set will hang directly from a sheetrock finished ceiling. The architect wants these slats to suspend from both ceilings where all you see is wire, no mechanical fasteners or adjusters. The pic is an accurate look as far as how they will be suspended. My question is, how do you adjust these long slats to level and still achieve the wire only look? One set will be approximately 16' in the air and the other set about 8'.

7/28/20       #5: Wood ceiling slats ...
Mark B Member

My guess is your going to be in the sign or cable railing fastener world but the leveling/alignment issues may be the achilles heel. I would press the architect to engineer/offer the solution for anything overhead that is not a system designed specifically for it unless your willing to assume all future liability.

There are tons of shop solutions that still dont allow for very fine leveling if needed. Threaded inserts in the 2x's and similar in the ceiling with cables and swaged on threaded ends. Resaw the 2x's, install t nuts, glue back together (seems horrible option). Install T nuts in 2xs and veneer the entire face and same male ends swaged on the cables.

The cable railing fasteners would likely be the most slick but likely not completely invisible on both ends as you usually need some form of tensioning which would allow for leveling in your case.

7/28/20       #6: Wood ceiling slats ...
Alan F. Member

Most of the the small cable systems are for artwork or floor to ceiling mount cables.
3Form had their System, B&N has their system, Arkawana (sp) has their system.

Almost all of them edge grip through a hole and have a 2 point mounting system with a tensioner to hold it in place so there is minimal movement.

I had a design a year or so ago the was perforated metal shelving (1/6") thick 4' deep, 18' long suspended with cables every 6'.
The really wanted that floating look, they were going to stack 600 lbs of samples per lineal foot. The drawing looked like a piece of paper floating in the air with boxes of samples on the shelves.

Some things need to be redesigned to work.
A-

7/28/20       #7: Wood ceiling slats ...
Rich Member

Thanks for all the advice. As usual some architect has dreamed up something on a piece of paper without taking into account all the little details.

7/28/20       #8: Wood ceiling slats ...
Alan F. Member

Just the air movement from the HVAC system will cause those things to move around without some way of stabilizing them.

Here in California we would never to that because of earthquakes.

A-

7/28/20       #9: Wood ceiling slats ...
Mark B Member

The real answer in these situations unfortunately is the liability. If the architect or designer wants something its not just a matter of tossing it on a shop to make it unless its a massive enough project to cover the cost of engineering a one-of solution so usually you look to an off the shelf option.

2 runs of 1/16" stainless cable are capable of holding miles and miles more than a single 2x8 but the liability to stand behind the connection design, engineering of it all, bleh... no dice for even a million dollar shop unless they are risk tollerant.

We just finished a project that had a huge back and forth with regards to who was going to design, and assume the liability, for a back side vertical support structure. It wasnt going to be us. Thankfully someone picked it up and the project went on.

8/4/20       #10: Wood ceiling slats ...
Adam

The leveling needs to be done above the sheetrock. A frame needs to be built that is hung from the ceiling framing. Once that is level you can use the same length wire or rod to hang from the frame. No adjustments on each piece of timber. The frame would probably be built out of lightish pre drilled steel C/L sections and bolted with adjustable all thread.

8/28/20       #11: Wood ceiling slats ...
d conti Member

You need to tell the Architect that if he draws something that he needs to provide details of how it is to be done. You are a fabricator not a designer/engineer. I got stuck with "wood Clouds" hanging from a ceiling on a job a few years back. I did my shop drawings and specifically told the architect that I had no idea what so ever he wanted at these locations and gave them a budget number that could change when further information was availible. They never would provide any information of what they wanted and the job needed to be finished so I just came up with an idea of what he may have wanted ran that by everyone and that is what they got. i was not happy about it, I made plenty of good money off those "clouds" but I should have got what the architect also charged to "design" them. I am still upset about this today, just don't draw something pretty and expect us to put it together for you, have some idea of how to put it together and express that to us that have to do it!

4/19/21       #12: Wood ceiling slats ...
Sia Zahedi

Website: http://artesign.ca

Rich you most likely are going to need to use a unistrut https://www.unistrut.us and/or Hilti https://www.hilti.ca system to make this work.

Obviously you cannot just hang that much wood in the air with out using a threaded rod that is attached to the ceiling, Hilti has easy to use concrete anchors designed for this they also have their own version of the unistruts used to hang wood beams to the threaded Rod.
We use the unistruts and use the Hilti anchors to secure the threaded rod to the ceiling. You will also need to deal with Seismic issues, for this you will need to get an engineer stamp on your proposed CAD drawings and installation method.

I don’t know the building codes in your area, but here Vancouver Canada, if the beams are hanging more than 12” from the ceiling you will need to also use wire ties to stop its from swinging too much. Your engineer will have to tell you where/how and how much is needed.

2/22/22       #13: Wood ceiling slats ...
Madison Thompson Member

The architect wants these slats to suspend from both ceilings where all you see is wire, no mechanical fasteners or adjusters.


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Doucet Machinery
    Sponsors

    Become a Sponsor today!